I recently got my hands on the new Widex Moment SmartRIC hearing aids, and I have some thoughts to share. As an audiologist who's been following Widex's developments since their original Moment release in 2020, these new devices present an interesting evolution - though perhaps not the revolutionary leap some might have expected.

Let's break down what's new, what works, and what could be better.

Widex Moment SmartRIC Review: A Mixed Bag of Improvements

Physical Design and Charging

The most noticeable change is the physical design. The SmartRIC features a completely redesigned housing with a more horizontal microphone placement. While photos might not do it justice, the actual device looks better in person than in marketing materials.

The charging system has switched to galvanic charging (with contact points) instead of inductive charging. This change brings longer battery life - up to 37 hours without streaming and 27 hours with 8 hours of streaming. The full charge takes 4 hours, which is longer than most competitors' 2-3 hour charge time.

The charger itself looks sleek but has a significant limitation: the wells are too small for custom earmolds. This is a practical issue that affects many users who need custom molds for optimal hearing benefits.

Microphone Placement: The Big Story

The most significant technical improvement comes from the new microphone configuration. The SmartRIC's microphones are positioned at a much smaller angle (average of 12 degrees) compared to the previous model's 37-degree angle. This change improves the directivity index by 1.25 dB, translating to about a 12.5% improvement in background noise performance when properly fit with Real Ear Measurement.

Wind noise has been reduced by up to 20 dB with new microphone covers, and handling noise is down by 88%. These are meaningful improvements for daily use, particularly for active users who spend time outdoors.

Connectivity: A Missed Opportunity

One of my biggest disappointments is the lack of Bluetooth LE Audio support. Launching a new hearing aid in 2024 without this capability feels like a significant oversight, especially since LE Audio and Auracast are becoming standard features in the industry.

The existing Bluetooth connectivity works but isn't particularly impressive. Android users get the Azure protocol, while Apple users get Bluetooth Low Energy. The sound quality is adequate but not outstanding.

Streaming from devices like laptops requires additional accessories, including their Sound Assist for features like:

• Table microphone capabilities
• Two-way audio streaming
• Remote control functions
• Telecoil mode

The Sound Connect dongle for laptop streaming uses standard USB-A, requiring an adapter for modern USB-C laptops - an inconvenient workaround that could have been avoided.

App Experience

The Widex Moment app provides basic controls and some unique features:

• Volume adjustments
• Program switching
• Microphone directionality control
• MySound feature with Sound Sense Learn
• Find my hearing aid functionality

The Sound Sense Learn feature lets users perform A/B comparisons in different environments, teaching the hearing aids your preferences through machine learning. It's a nice feature that's carried over from previous models.

The app experience isn't perfect. During my testing with an Android phone, it didn't properly sync the programs I'd set up during programming, which could frustrate users who aren't tech-savvy.

Technology Levels and Features

The SmartRIC comes in four technology levels:

• Premium (440)
• Advanced (330)
• Mid-range (220)
• Basic (110)

Each level down removes features and customization options while lowering the cost. My standard advice applies here: get the highest technology level you can reasonably afford, but if you need to go with a lower level, work with your audiologist to maximize its performance.