Oticon Zeal is a fairly new device on the market designed for mild hearing losses. It is tiny, discreet and on the face of it, quite impressive.
So let me start with the obvious question.
If it is that good, why aren’t we offering it at Alto?
You can watch the full explanation here:
Table of Contents
What Zeal Gets Right
Zeal aims straight at a genuine concern:
“I want good tech, but I don’t want it to look like a hearing aid.”
That’s a real, human barrier.
And Zeal approaches it well. Rechargeable. Instant fit. Modern connectivity. Small enough to forget about.
On design alone, it is a nice piece of engineering.
But design is not everything. Not in hearing care.
The Part Most People Never See
Hearing improves because of the care wrapped around the device. That’s the part that does the heavy lifting.
The assessment.
The verification.
The programming.
The support in those first few weeks.
The adjustments as your brain settles.
The nudges, the reassurance, the follow-up.
That is where outcomes come from.
The device is the tool. The care is the result.
The Call That Made Me Look Twice
A gentleman got in touch with us recently asking about Oticon Zeal.
He had been quoted six and a half thousand pounds for a pair of Zeals and wanted to know what we would charge.
We haven’t done any yet, but I assumed we would be lower.
Zeal is an instant fit device, not a custom build.
It would be reasonable to expect the cost to reflect that.
So I checked.
And the number from Oticon meant the price we would have to charge was almost identical if not higher.
So it’s not because the other clinic had inflated anything.
This is simply where the manufacturer has chosen to place it in the market.
When a Good Device Lands in the Wrong Place
Zeal is a capable device. This is widely reported from users who have experienced it.
The idea behind it is good. It might well influence other designs in the future.
But it sits at a level very few people will choose, even people ready to invest in premium care.
Most people want to hear well in daily life.
They want reassurance.
They want support when they need it.
They want pricing that makes sense.
A prestige product at this price point does not solve those things.
The Industry Tension No One Talks About
The same manufacturers producing low-cost OTC and self-fit devices are also increasing wholesale prices in the private clinical market. So you have downward pressure on one side, and upward pressure on the other.
Independents like Alto Hearing, sit in the middle.
We do our very best to keep our pricing steady because people need care to stay accessible.
But the pressure continues to build.
When that happens, the place that gets squeezed is the care.
Appointment time shrinks.
Follow-up thins out.
The depth of support erodes.
That is not a direction we are prepared to move in.
So Where Does That Leave Zeal?
It is a good hearing aid for the right kind of hearing loss (mild).
It is clever.
It tries something bold, and different.
But it belongs in a price tier that does not match how most people think about hearing care, or what they need from us as a clinical team.
So for now, it remains a great hearing aid we are not providing.
FAQs
Why doesn’t Alto offer Oticon Zeal?
Oticon Zeal is a capable and impressive hearing aid, but it sits in a price tier that very few patients choose. Most people need consistent care, proper verification and long-term support. Zeal does not fit naturally into our care-led treatment plans, so we currently do not provide it.
Is Oticon Zeal a good hearing aid?
Yes. Zeal is small, discreet and technically strong. The idea behind it is good. Our decision not to provide it is not about the quality of the device, but about whether it aligns with how most patients approach hearing care.
Are there alternatives to Oticon Zeal?
Yes. There are several premium hearing aids that offer excellent performance at a more grounded price. These often integrate better with long-term clinical care and verified fittings. We discuss these options during a Complete Hearing Assessment.
Does Alto sell instant-fit hearing aids?
We provide hearing aids when they fit naturally into a care plan and when the technology matches the patient’s needs. Instant-fit devices can be suitable in certain cases, but they still require proper assessment, verification and follow-up.
How can I find the right hearing aid for my hearing loss?
The best starting point is a thorough clinical assessment. We look at your hearing, your lifestyle and the support you need over time. From there we guide you to the technology that will work best for you.
If You Want Clarity On Your Own Hearing
If you are weighing up your options, come and see us.
We will look at your hearing.
We will look at your lifestyle.
And we will give you clear advice rooted in what works.
You deserve guidance that puts your hearing first.
That is what we are here for.