Many first-time hearing aid users are concerned about visibility and social perception, which can create barriers to treating their hearing loss,¹ even when they recognize they need support. To combat such concerns, Oticon has introduced a discreet, complete hearing aid to meet all user needs.

The new Oticon Zeal combines a highly discreet design with advanced performance features that support active, connected lifestyles. Users no longer need to choose between discretion and functionality; they can embrace hearing aid technology that works seamlessly.

A New Style

Oticon Zeal expands the company’s portfolio by introducing a completely new style and new hearing aid category called NXT In-the-Ear. Oticon Zeal is a discreet device built on Oticon BrainHearing technology that delivers advanced sound processing through always-on second-generation artificial intelligence (AI) technology, meaning it provides support in all environments. It offers same-day fitting for immediate user convenience. The device also offers seamless connectivity to let users easily connect to their digital world, and its battery lasts an entire day.

“With Oticon Zeal, we’ve created the completely new hearing aid category NXT in-the-Ear, a real gamechanger in the industry. For the first time, we’ve successfully integrated our proven technology and full functionality into a discreet in-the-ear device. This isn’t just another hearing aid: it’s a barrier-breaking solution where users don’t need to compromise on discreetness or functionality. It eliminates stigma, attracts those who’ve avoided treatment, and empowers hearing care professionals to reach more people who need help,” Oticon Brand Global President Ole Asboe Jørgensen said.

Oticon’s encapsulation technology enables Oticon Zeal to contain advanced hearing aid technology in a discreet in-the-ear device. This innovation also makes the hearing aid robust and highly moisture resistant, protecting internal components for long-term reliability, with no risk of battery corrosion.

“With Oticon Zeal, hearing care professionals have access to superior clarity, audibility, and feedback freedom. The MoreSound Technologies serve as the audiological foundation for Oticon Zeal, and most importantly, the second-generation AI sound processing means we have a highly trained, highly effective method of helping hearing aid users hear the world the way it should sound,” Oticon Audiology DIrector Susanna Løve commented.

While custom in-the-ear solutions can require a time-intensive fitting process, Oticon Zeal can be fit the same day. Oticon Zeal users can enjoy a “fit and go” experience, where they get immediate, premium hearing support from the time they leave the clinic, and hearing aid professionals gain the flexibility of adding a same-day fitting option as part of their hearing care offering. 

The fully encapsulated Oticon Zeal bodywas tested on more than 1,500 ears to ensure optimal retention, discreetness, and comfort, offering complete functionality and discreet appearance.

Additionally, Oticon claims to be the first in the industry to use second-generation AI technology that provides always-on performance that automatically adapts across all environments, delivering better speech clarity and noise suppression. The AI sound processing technology delivers up to 12 dB noise suppression and AI-driven speech clarity enhancement up to 6 dB.²

The triple functionality antenna in Oticon Zeal makes it possible to build a smaller hearing aid that can be placed deep in the ear canal and delivers great connectivity performance. It uses skin contact to ensure strong, stable connectivity, serves as a robust pull-out string, and ensures a secure fit with great retention.

Oticon Zeal supports modern connectivity standards and allows its users to enjoy hands-free calls and direct streaming.³ Oticon collaborates closely with technology companies like Apple and Google⁴ to ensure its hearing aids are compatible and users experience seamless and stable connectivity.

Oticon Zeal is the first hearing aid enabled for Google’s Fast Pair—users can pair their hearing aid with Android phones. Once paired, their connection is automatically recognized across other Android devices logged into the same Google account.⁵ Oticon Zeal also features Auracast technology so users can tap into a new world of audio experiences, including Auracast broadcasts in public venues.⁶

A lithium-ion rechargeable battery delivers up to 20 hours of battery life⁷ and Oticon Zeal comes with a portable SmartCharger that provides up to three additional full charges on the go. The charging technology enables quick power-ups, providing four hours of use with just 15 minutes of charging, or eight hours of use with a 30-minute charge.⁸

Oticon’s approach focuses on developing hearing aids that support the ways in which the brain processes sound, providing access to all meaningful sounds in a 360-degree environment. With MoreSound Technologies at its core, each generation of BrainHearing technology delivers an ever-growing list of benefits for hearing aid users.

By introducing Oticon Zeal, Oticon now offers an expanded hearing solutions portfolio. Along with existing products such as Oticon Intent, this portfolio ensures that hearing care professionals can choose the optimal hearing aid, company bigwigs said.

Oticon Zeal is launching in phases.

More than 700 million people worldwide suffer from hearing loss. The majority are older than 50 and 8% are under 18 years old. Oticon develops and manufactures hearing aids for both adults and children and supports all kinds of hearing loss, from mild to profound. Headquartered in Denmark, the global company is part of Demant, employs more than 22,000 workers, and generated about DKK 22 billion.

References
¹ World Health Organization. (2021). World report on hearing; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.(n.d.). Disability barriers to inclusion. Retrieved June, 2025; Sindi et al (2023). The hearing aid effect in the 2020s: Where do we stand? Cureus, 15(4).
² Vatti et al. (2025). Oticon Zeal evidence. Oticon whitepaper.
³ Available on select devices. For more information, please visit www.oticon.global/compatibility
⁴ Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro, Apple Watch, and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries.
⁵ Google, Android, and related marks and logos are trademarks of Google LLC.
⁶ The Auracast™ word mark and logos are trademarks owned by the Bluetooth SIG. Any use of such marks by Demant is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.
⁷ Expected use time for rechargeable battery depends on use pattern, active feature set, hearing loss, sound environment, battery age and use of wireless accessories.
⁸ Expected use time for rechargeable battery depends on use pattern, active feature set, hearing loss, sound environment, battery age and use of wireless accessories.