Widex Magnify BTE 312: A Complete Product Description

What Is the Widex Magnify BTE 312?

The Widex Magnify BTE 312 is a behind‑the‑ear (BTE) hearing aid from the Widex Magnify™ family. Unlike the rechargeable BTE R D or the direct‑streaming BTE 13 D, this model uses a disposable size 312 zinc‑air battery and does not include MFi, ASHA, or direct audio streaming capabilities. There is no Bluetooth, no hands‑free calling, and no smartphone streaming. The Magnify BTE 312 is designed for users who want reliable, no‑fuss amplification with Widex’s core sound quality, without wireless complexity. It is intended for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, with a fitting range of 20‑95 dB HL for all three technology levels (100, 50, and 30). The “BTE” design places the main body behind your ear, connected to a thin tube and either a standard dome or a custom earmold. This form factor offers larger, easier‑to‑handle controls, greater durability, and the ability to deliver more amplification power than smaller styles.

Battery Type and Daily Use

The size 312 battery is one of the most common hearing aid batteries. A single battery typically provides 3‑7 days of use depending on amplification demands and daily wearing time. Because the device has no streaming or wireless features, battery life is not reduced by Bluetooth activity, making the size 312 battery quite practical for this model. The hearing aid features a battery door that doubles as an on/off switch – open the door to power down the device, close it to turn it on. Audible low‑battery warnings (beeps or voice alerts) indicate when a replacement is needed. No charging equipment is required, making this model ideal for users who prefer simple, disposable battery operation.

Technology Levels: 100, 50, and 30

The Widex Magnify BTE 312 is available in three technology levels: 100 (highest performance within the Magnify line), 50 (mid‑range), and 30 (essential). Below is a detailed breakdown based on the feature tables on PDF page 8.

Widex Magnify BTE 312 100 (MBB2 100)

This is the highest level within the Magnify BTE 312 line, offering the most features for users who want better performance in challenging listening situations. Key features include:

• Processing channels: 6 channels for accurate processing and precise sound shaping (as shown on page 8 under “FITTING AND FINE TUNING” – “Processing channels” shows “6” for all Magnify levels).

• Locator (Number of channels): 6 channels for better speech intelligibility in noise with channel‑specific microphone directionality. The PDF page 8 under “LISTENING IN NOISE” shows “Locator” with “6 ch” under the 100 column, “4 ch” under 50, and “front/omni” under 30 (basic directional or omnidirectional only).

• Noise Reduction SIS: Provides listening comfort by reducing noise and intensifying speech. Included on all levels.

• Soft Level Noise Reduction: Unwanted background noises are reduced for greater listening comfort. Included.

• Wind noise control: Reduction of wind noise – included on all levels.

• Listening programs: 3 programs (as shown on page 8 under “USER CONTROLS” – “Listening programs” shows “3” for all three columns).

• InterEar volume/program shift: Change the volume/program in both hearing aids simultaneously – included on all levels.

• SmartSpeak/SmartTone: Voice or tone alerts for easy hearing aid management – included on all levels.

• Personal Zen: Flexible noise style adjustable according to desired frequency – included (Zen is a tinnitus management tool using soothing tones).

• Zen/Zen+: A tinnitus management tool for reducing the effects of tinnitus using soothing tones and/or noise – included on all levels.

• Wireless CROS compatible: Wireless device to assist with single‑sided deafness; utilizes WidexLink – included on all levels (checkmarks under all columns).

• Audibility Extender: High frequency sounds are audible in one listening program, using linear frequency transposition – included only on the 100 level (PDF page 8 under “HEARING HIGH FREQUENCIES” shows a checkmark only under the “100” column; 50 and 30 have no mark).

• Fitting rationale options: WFR (Wide fitting rationale), NAL-NL2, DSL v5.0 – available on all levels.

• TruAcoustics™ with Personal Gain Integrator: A more accurate and improved sound for all inputs – included on all levels.

• Enhanced Dynamic Range Compression (EDRC): For audibility of soft sounds, speech understanding and comfort in loud environments – included on all levels.

• True-Input Technology: 113 dB SPL input range – included on all levels.

• Sound Diary/Datalogging: Allows easy monitoring of user data – included on all levels.

• High-resolution Sensogram: In‑situ threshold fitting – included on all levels.

Widex Magnify BTE 312 50 (MBB2 50)

The 50 level offers a balance of features for everyday listening. Key differences from the 100 level:

• Processing channels: 6 channels (same).

• Locator (Number of channels): 4 channels (instead of 6). Provides good speech in noise performance but with less granular control.

• Audibility Extender: Not included.

• All other features (Noise Reduction SIS, Soft Level Noise Reduction, wind control, 3 programs, InterEar shift, SmartSpeak/SmartTone, Zen, Zen+, CROS, EDRC, TrueInput, etc.) are included.

Widex Magnify BTE 312 30 (MBB2 30)

The essential level, providing core amplification with basic features. Key characteristics:

• Processing channels: 6 channels (same).

• Locator (Number of channels): front/omni – meaning no channel‑specific directionality. The hearing aid can switch between a directional microphone (focusing on sound in front) and omnidirectional (picking up sound from all directions), but without the multi‑channel noise reduction of the higher levels.

• Audibility Extender: Not included.

• Other features: Noise Reduction SIS, Soft Level Noise Reduction, wind control, 3 programs, InterEar shift, SmartSpeak/SmartTone, Zen, Zen+, CROS, EDRC, TrueInput, etc. are included (as per checkmarks on page 8, all these rows have marks under the 30 column). The 30 level still offers solid sound quality and essential noise management.

Features Common to All Levels

All three levels of the Widex Magnify BTE 312 share the following core technologies:

• Dynamic Feedback Controller: Fast and efficient detection and cancellation of feedback (whistling).

• TrueInput Technology: 113 dB SPL input range for handling loud sounds without distortion.

• Variable Speed Compression: Dynamically adjusts for consistent speech understanding and comfort.

• Push Button: Programmable button to control hearing aid functions (e.g., change program, adjust volume).

• Telecoil: Connect easily to telecoil‑enabled systems (e.g., theaters, places of worship).

• Widex Tonelink App Compatibility: Since the BTE 312 has no Bluetooth, users can control their hearing aids using the Widex Tonelink App, which works as a remote control for non‑Bluetooth Widex hearing aids, providing easy access to volume and program changes.

• RC‑DEX Compatibility: A simple remote control for volume and program adjustment.

• TV Play 2 Compatibility: Direct stereo streaming of TV audio requires a separate streamer (TV Play 2) that transmits to the hearing aids via a proprietary protocol.

What Is Not Included (Honest Disclosure)

The Widex Magnify BTE 312 does not have direct audio streaming from smartphones. There is no MFi, no ASHA, no Bluetooth, and no hands‑free calling. You cannot stream music, phone calls, or podcasts directly from your phone without an accessory like COM-DEX (which is a separate device). The 30 level also lacks channel‑specific directionality (only front/omni). The 50 and 30 levels lack the Audibility Extender for high‑frequency sounds.

Listening in Noise and User Comfort

The Locator feature on the 100 level (6 channels) and 50 level (4 channels) provides channel‑specific directionality, helping you focus on speech in noisy environments. The 30 level offers basic directional/omni switching. Soft Level Noise Reduction and wind noise control are present on all levels. Zen/Zen+ provides soothing tones for tinnitus relief – a valuable feature for users who experience ringing in the ears.

Physical Design and Customization

The Magnify BTE 312 is supplied in a standard beige colour. Other colour housing options are available with a delivery lead time of three weeks (as per the terms on page 2). The device connects to a thin tube and either a standard dome or a custom earmold. Earmolds can be hard or soft. The push button is large and easy to locate, programmable for short or long presses. The size 312 battery compartment is designed for easy opening.

What You Should Know Before Buying

The Widex Magnify BTE 312 requires professional fitting by an audiologist. In India, hearing aids are exempt from GST; accessories (TV streamers, remote controls) do attract GST. Warranty varies by technology level – please confirm with your provider. You will need to purchase size 312 batteries separately.

This model is best suited for users with mild to moderate hearing loss (up to 95 dB HL) who want a durable, easy‑to‑handle BTE without wireless streaming, and who prefer the simplicity of disposable batteries. Choose the 100 level if you need frequency transposition for high‑frequency sounds and the best noise reduction. Choose the 50 level for good all‑round performance. Choose the 30 level for essential amplification at the most accessible price. If you need direct smartphone streaming, consider the Magnify BTE R D or BTE 13 D instead.