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Linner Nova Deluxe Expert Review

Budget OTCReleased 2023

HearAdvisor's independent lab tested the Linner Nova Deluxe using standardized acoustic measurements and manikin-based recordings. This review presents objective performance data across speech clarity, noise handling, feedback control, and streaming quality.

Dr. Steve TaddeiDr. Steve Taddei, Au.D. — Lab Director & Reviewer
Dr. Abram BaileyDr. Abram Bailey, Au.D. — Fact Checker / Editor
How We Test
Linner Nova Deluxe Hero
HearAdvisor
Linner Nova Deluxe
3.3HearAdvisor SoundScoreGrade B
As it sounds out of the box
Bottom Line

The Linner Nova Deluxe offers excellent feedback handling at a budget price, best for users prioritizing affordability over advanced features.

Top 80% of OTC Hearing Aid
Strengths
  • Excellent feedback handling+0.46 vs category
  • Budget-friendly at $299
  • Supports both iPhone and Android streaming
Drawbacks
  • Low own voice quality2.01 vs category
  • No music streaming capability
  • Below-average speech in noise performance
Measured Performance

SoundScore: 5 Acoustic Dimensions

The card below displays lab measurements for speech-in-quiet, speech-in-noise, own-voice comfort, feedback control, and music streaming. The purple SoundScore graph is the overall result, and the five graphs after it break it into individual measurements for the selected fit. Each curve shows how scores are spread across all tested hearing aids, and the dot and number mark the score for Linner Nova Deluxe.

SoundScore
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  • 7 products scored from 2.50 to 2.75
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  • 18 products scored from 3.25 to 3.50
  • 13 products scored from 3.50 to 3.75
  • 13 products scored from 3.75 to 4.00
  • 16 products scored from 4.00 to 4.25
  • 14 products scored from 4.25 to 4.50
  • 14 products scored from 4.50 to 4.75
  • 3 products scored from 4.75 to 5.00
  • 2 products scored from 5.00 to 5.25
  • 0 products scored from 5.25 to 5.50
  • 0 products scored from 5.50 to 5.75
  • 0 products scored from 5.75 to 6.00
  • 1 product scored from 6.00 to 6.05
6.0
Choose your fit

Every hearing aid is lab-tested in two states — as it sounds out of the box, and after professional tuning. Switch fits to update the five metric graphs below.

As it sounds out of the box
Speech in quiet
New
0
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  • 12 products scored from 3.75 to 4.00
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  • 1 product scored from 4.75 to 5.00
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  • 1 product scored from 5.25 to 5.40
5.4

How clearly speech comes through in calm, one-on-one surroundings.

Speech in noise
New
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  • 43 products scored from 1.00 to 1.25
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  • 1 product scored from 6.25 to 6.40
6.4

Speech understanding against loud background noise — the toughest everyday test.

Own voice
0
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  • 7 products scored from 4.50 to 4.75
  • 1 product scored from 4.75 to 4.80
4.8

How natural your own voice sounds while wearing the aids, without a boomy, plugged-up quality.

Music streaming
0
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  • 0 products scored from 0.50 to 0.75
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  • 1 product scored from 1.50 to 1.75
  • 2 products scored from 1.75 to 2.00
  • 4 products scored from 2.00 to 2.25
  • 5 products scored from 2.25 to 2.50
  • 6 products scored from 2.50 to 2.75
  • 2 products scored from 2.75 to 3.00
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  • 7 products scored from 3.25 to 3.50
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  • 6 products scored from 3.75 to 4.00
  • 16 products scored from 4.00 to 4.25
  • 7 products scored from 4.25 to 4.50
  • 3 products scored from 4.50 to 4.75
  • 1 product scored from 4.75 to 5.00
5.0

Sound quality of music streamed to the hearing aids over Bluetooth.

Feedback handling
0
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  • 6 products scored from 3.75 to 4.00
  • 13 products scored from 4.00 to 4.25
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  • 17 products scored from 4.50 to 4.75
  • 64 products scored from 4.75 to 5.00
5.0

Resistance to the whistling and squealing caused by acoustic feedback.

Lab Assessment

Where the Linner Nova Deluxe Performed and Where It Fell Short

The Linner Nova Deluxe is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid with a visible in-ear style, earning a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.3/5 in our lab testing. At $299, it sits in the entry-level price tier for the OTC category.

In our standardized testing, the Nova Deluxe showed mixed results across performance metrics. Its standout strength is excellent feedback handling, scoring a perfect 5.0/5—0.46 points above the category average. This means users can expect stable performance without whistling during typical daily activities. Speech clarity in quiet environments scored 2.8/5, matching the category average, while speech in noise measured 1.4/5, slightly below average at -0.06 points.

The device has notable limitations in comfort and entertainment features. Own-voice comfort scored just 0.5/5, falling 2.01 points below the category average—users may notice their voice sounds unnatural or boomy. Music streaming scored 0.0/5, which is 1.92 points below average, indicating this device is not suitable for those who prioritize audio entertainment through their hearing aids.

The Linner Nova Deluxe ranks #53 of 65 OTC hearing aids tested. Buyers seeking better overall performance in this price range may want to consider alternatives like the Elehear Beyond (4.34/5) or Apple AirPods Pro 2 (4.04/5). However, for users primarily focused on speech clarity in quieter settings who don't need streaming capabilities, the Nova Deluxe offers solid feedback stability at an accessible price point.

Linner Nova Deluxe Hero
Linner Nova Deluxe
VerdictGraphAudioLab NotesSpecsMore
Reliable & Repeatable Lab Results

Quality data starts with quality recordings. HearAdvisor worked with GRAS to build a no-compromise front end so every test is repeatable and reliable.

Learn more
Steve in HearAdvisor Lab

Amplification Analysis

Linner Nova Deluxe Insertion Gain and Target Matching

The graph below shows measured insertion gain across frequencies compared to prescriptive targets. This visualization reveals how closely the device's amplification aligns with established fitting standards.

Graph

Audio Evidence

Manikin Recordings Through the Linner Nova Deluxe

These audio samples were captured using a standardized manikin setup under controlled acoustic conditions. Compare what the device delivers against the unamplified reference recording below.

Linner Nova Deluxe Audio Samples

How this hearing aid sounds in our lab scenes. Compare it out of the box and after professional tuning.

Before you listen

  1. Use good-quality headphones.
  2. Take out your hearing aids while you compare.
  3. Play the to set a comfortable level, then leave it.
  4. Switch recordings while it plays. You won't lose your place.

Scene type: Conversation

Quiet room

As tested out of the box
0:00
–:––

4 lab recordings of this product. They demonstrate relative processing in our lab and cannot predict an individual fitting outcome.

Test Documentation

Fit Observations and Test Setup for the Linner Nova Deluxe

Our lab documented observations from both Initial and Tuned fit conditions during testing. Below you will find the specific configuration details and fitting notes recorded for this device.

Lab Notes

Initial fit observations

In our initial fit testing with closed domes, the Linner Nova Deluxe achieved a normalized score of 3.3/5. Speech in quiet measured 2.8/5, matching category expectations, while speech in noise scored 1.4/5. Feedback handling was excellent at 5.0/5, providing stable amplification without whistling. However, own-voice comfort was low at 0.5/5, and music streaming was non-functional at 0.0/5. These results suggest reasonable basic speech amplification but significant compromises in comfort and entertainment features.

Tuned fit observations

The tuned fit maintained the same closed dome configuration as the initial fit, resulting in identical performance across all metrics with a normalized score of 3.3/5. Speech clarity remained at 2.8/5 for quiet and 1.4/5 for noisy environments. The excellent 5.0/5 feedback handling persisted, but own-voice comfort stayed low at 0.5/5 and streaming remained at 0.0/5. The lack of improvement from tuning suggests limited adjustability in this device's architecture.

Test configuration

Initial Fitting
Tuned Fitting
Ear Coupling
Closed Dome
Closed Dome
Specs
Visible in Ear
Visible in Ear
Rechargeable Batteries
Rechargeable Batteries
iPhone Streaming
iPhone Streaming
Android Streaming
Android Streaming
Hands-Free
Hands-Free

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