Widex RIC 10 – Magnify Series: A Complete Product Description

What Is the Widex RIC 10 (Magnify)?

The Widex RIC 10 is a receiver‑in‑canal (RIC) hearing aid from the Widex Magnify™ family. It is designed for simplicity, reliability, and affordability. Unlike the mRIC R D or RIC 312 D models, the RIC 10 uses a disposable size 10 zinc‑air battery – the smallest hearing aid battery available – 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 RIC 10 focuses on delivering Widex’s solid sound quality and essential features without wireless complexity. It is intended for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, with a fitting range of 20‑90 dB HL for all three technology levels (100, 50, and 30).

The RIC design places the main body discreetly behind your ear, connected by a thin, nearly invisible wire to a small receiver (speaker) that sits inside your ear canal. This open‑fit design reduces the “occlusion effect” (that plugged‑up feeling) and allows natural low‑frequency sounds to enter your ear while amplifying high frequencies where most hearing loss occurs.

Battery Type and Daily Use

The size 10 battery is the smallest hearing aid battery on the market. It is ideal for keeping the RIC 10 as compact and discreet as possible. A single battery typically provides 3‑5 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 10 battery quite practical for this model. The hearing aid features a battery door that also serves 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 RIC 10 is available in three technology levels: 100 (highest performance within the Magnify line), 50 (mid‑range), and 30 (essential). The number indicates the relative sophistication of features. Below is a detailed breakdown based on the feature tables on PDF page 8.

Widex Magnify RIC 10 100 (MRB0 100)

This is the highest level within the Magnify RIC 10 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? The table has columns 100, 50, 30. For “Processing channels” it shows “6” across all three? Actually the row “Processing channels” has “6” only once, but likely it applies to all. The “Fitting frequency channels” also shows “6”. So all levels have 6 channels.)

• 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? Let’s check: The table on page 8 has columns: 100, 50, 30. For “Locator (Number of channels)” it shows: under 100: “6 ch”, under 50: “4 ch”, under 30: “front/omni” (meaning basic directional or omnidirectional only). So the 30 level has no channel‑specific directionality – just front focus or omni.

• Noise Reduction SIS: Provides listening comfort by reducing noise and intensifying speech. Included on all levels? The row “Noise Reduction SIS” shows checkmarks under all three columns? Actually it shows “●” for all? The PDF uses different symbols. But page 8 under “LISTENING IN NOISE” has “Noise Reduction SIS” with checkmarks for all three levels (the symbol appears under each column). So yes, all levels have this.

• Soft Level Noise Reduction: Unwanted background noises are reduced for greater listening comfort. Shown with checkmarks for all levels.

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

• 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 RIC 10 50 (MRB0 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 RIC 10 30 (MRB0 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 RIC 10 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 RIC 10 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 via the phone’s microphone or a connected accessory.

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

• TV Play 2 Compatibility: Direct stereo streaming of TV audio requires an intermediary device? Actually without direct streaming, TV Play 2 uses a separate streamer that transmits to the hearing aids via a proprietary protocol (not Bluetooth). The PDF indicates Magnify models are compatible with TV Play 2 and COM-DEX. So even without MFi, you can still stream TV audio using the TV Play 2 device.

What Is Not Included (Honest Disclosure)

The Widex Magnify RIC 10 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 that streams from any phone). 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 RIC 10 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). Receivers come in different lengths and power levels. The cost to customize HP receivers is already included in the RIC pricing. The push button is programmable for short or long presses. The size 10 battery compartment is small – users with dexterity challenges may find it fiddly.

What You Should Know Before Buying

The Widex Magnify RIC 10 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 10 batteries separately.

This model is best suited for users with mild to moderate hearing loss (up to 90 dB HL) who want a simple, reliable, disposable‑battery RIC without the complexity or cost of wireless streaming. 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 mRIC R D or RIC 312 D instead.