“It was the unicorn,” Dr. Judy said. “Everything we've been looking for in audiology — an unseen, Bluetooth, rechargeable device with the exceptional Intent 1 technology. I've been waiting my entire career for this.”
An Invitation to Copenhagen
Last April, Dr. Judy Olson received an unusual phone call: Oticon, the Danish hearing technology company, was inviting her to Copenhagen to speak with their entire global sales organization — and to be among the first people on Earth to wear something the industry had never seen.
What she didn't know yet was that she'd become the first American outside of Oticon to ever trial the device now known as Oticon Zeal.
Fitted by Oticon's Own Audiologists
The day before Dr. Judy took the stage for a panel discussion with Oticon's leadership, their audiologists fit her with the Zeal prototype. She put them in her ears, and the reaction was immediate.
“It was the unicorn,” Dr. Judy said. “Everything we've been looking for in audiology — an unseen, Bluetooth, rechargeable device with the exceptional Intent 1 technology. I've been waiting my entire career for this.”
For decades, patients who wanted a discreet, in-the-ear hearing aid had to accept trade-offs: no Bluetooth streaming, no rechargeability, limited processing power. The Zeal eliminates every one of those compromises.
What Makes Oticon Zeal Different
Oticon Zeal belongs to an entirely new category the company calls NXT In-the-Ear. It is the world's first in-ear hearing aid that delivers all of the following in a single, nearly invisible device:
- AI-driven sound processing — Powered by the same Sirius chip and second-generation Deep Neural Network (DNN 2.0) as Oticon's flagship Intent platform. Up to 12 dB of noise suppression and 6 dB of speech clarity enhancement, working continuously across every listening environment.
- Full Bluetooth connectivity — Hands-free calling, direct streaming from iPhone, Android, tablets, PCs, and televisions. It is the first hearing aid enabled for Google Fast Pair and supports Auracast broadcast audio in public venues like theaters, airports, and houses of worship.
- All-day rechargeable battery — Up to 20 hours of use on a single charge. A 15-minute quick charge provides 4 hours; 30 minutes gives 8 hours. The portable SmartCharger holds up to three full charges on the go.
- Near-invisible design — Built using an innovative encapsulation process borrowed from pacemaker manufacturing. Internal components are sealed in protective resin — no hollow spaces, no variance — making it compact, moisture-resistant (IP68 rated), and remarkably durable.
- Same-day fitting — Fits approximately two out of three people with a standard dome on the first visit. Custom micro-earmolds are available for those who need them.
This isn't a stripped-down CIC. It is the full power of Oticon's premium platform in a device most people will never notice you're wearing.
A Message From Oticon's President
During her visit, Dr. Judy met with Ole Asboe Jørgensen, President of the Oticon Brand globally within the Demant group. After her panel presentation, he told her directly:
“I really loved what you said. Everything you said on stage was in alignment with what Oticon wants for hearing care.”
For Dr. Judy, that moment confirmed something she's believed throughout her career: the future of hearing healthcare isn't about selling devices. It's about medical-grade care that supports brain health, connection, and quality of life — exactly the philosophy behind Oticon's BrainHearing technology and exactly what HearBest delivers every day across Indiana.
Inside Eriksholm: Where the Future of Hearing Is Researched
Following the presentation, Dr. Judy and her husband received a private tour of the Eriksholm Research Centre, Oticon's independent audiology research facility located about 35 kilometers north of Copenhagen.
Eriksholm is unlike anything else in the hearing industry. Established in 1977, it is the only independent research center owned by a hearing aid manufacturer that is dedicated exclusively to audiology. More than 40 scientists research cognitive hearing science, AI-driven sound processing, and personalized audiology — often years ahead of the technology that will eventually reach patients.
Their work explores how the brain processes sound, how listening effort contributes to fatigue and cognitive decline, and how next-generation hearing technology can reduce that burden. It is the scientific foundation behind Oticon's BrainHearing approach — and the same research that informs Dr. Judy's emphasis on the hearing-brain connection at HearBest.
“Walking through Eriksholm, you see the science that will shape hearing care five, ten years from now,” Dr. Judy said. “It reinforced everything we believe at HearBest — that treating hearing loss is about protecting the brain, not just amplifying sound.”
Dr. Judy and Her Husband Wear the Zeal
Dr. Judy and her husband are both proud to wear Oticon Zeal. For them, it is personal proof of what she tells patients every day: treating hearing loss is one of the most important things you can do for your brain, your relationships, and your independence.
Oticon Zeal Is Now Available at HearBest
HearBest is honored that Dr. Judy was chosen to represent hearing healthcare on the international stage. The Oticon Zeal is now available at all HearBest locations across Indiana.
If you've been waiting for a hearing aid that is truly invisible, fully connected, and powered by the most advanced AI sound processing available — the wait is over.
Call (765) 771-7109 or book online at hearbest.com/schedule.
I'm Dr. Judy. Come discover what you've been missing.
Clarity · Confidence · Connection