Month: August 2024

Gamers, the tinnitus ringing in your ears is permanent damage

pc gaming with headphones

There are an estimated 3.6 billion gamers worldwide, which is almost half of the world’s population. This includes all different types of gaming – from casually playing on your smartphone to more serious PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo players.

For the more serious gamers, there’s a silent threat lurking: your hearing.

Gaming brings with it a huge risk of hearing loss and tinnitus, and both can be permanent. In this blog, we’ll discuss if your ears are likely to be affected and what you can do to prevent damaging them.

Are you in danger of hearing loss or tinnitus as a gamer?

The gaming set-up you have can be a huge contributor to whether or not your ears are in danger of damage. High-quality gaming headphones like the Audeze Maxwell or Logitech G Pro X2 Lightspeed can create an immersive experience, but they come with significant risks to your hearing.

These headphones can reach dangerously high volumes, exceeding 100 dB, which is comparable to the noise level of a rock concert or chainsaw. Exposure to impulse sounds like explosions can even reach 119 dB which is similar to standing next to a jet plane.

Prolonged exposure to such loud sounds can lead to noise-induced hearing loss, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, a staggering 15% of Americans aged between 20 and 69 already suffer from hearing loss due to exposure to loud sounds.

The risk isn’t just about the volume but also the duration of exposure. In the UK, the safe limit is 85 dB for 8 hours, but every 3 dB increase halves the safe exposure time. For example, at 100 dB, your ears can start to sustain damage after just 15 minutes. So, if your gaming headphones hit 100 dB, technically, you can only wear them for 15 minutes before they start to damage your ears.

pc gaming with headphones

What damage are you doing to your hearing?

A recent British Medical Journal article did a systematic review of the evidence involving 50,000 people and highlighted a minimum of two life-changing conditions that you can experience with noise-induced hearing loss:

1. Tinnitus

This is often described as a constant ringing, buzzing, or humming sound that appears in either your ears or somewhere inside your head and it isn’t being produced by an external source.

Depending on the volume and the duration of the sound that you’re exposed to, your tinnitus may be temporary and come and go, or it may be permanent. Tinnitus can vary from a low-pitched roar to a high-pitched squeal, and it may be present in one or both ears.

Typically, it’s more noticeable in quiet environments and you’ll usually be more aware of it at night when you’re trying to get to sleep. In the long term, tinnitus sufferers might have difficulty concentrating and sleeping, and it can significantly impact your quality of life – but it’s also 100% avoidable.

If you’re already experiencing tinnitus, Harley Street Hearing’s tinnitus treatment services can help.

2. Noise-induced hearing loss

High volume levels in gaming put you at greater risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss but this can be prevented with suitable hearing protection. This is a key reason why you’ll see workers on a building site wearing hearing protection, as the sound levels they’re being exposed to are similar to those experienced through gaming headphones.

Noise-induced hearing loss can be deceptive, as it primarily affects your ability to hear high frequencies which are crucial for understanding speech clarity. Whilst you may still hear low tones and recognise that someone is speaking, the clarity and detail of speech will be lost, making conversations sound muffled as if talking through a wall. This can make distinguishing words particularly difficult, even though you can still hear voices.

This type of hearing loss results in conversations, especially those in noisy environments, becoming particularly difficult to understand. It’s likely that if you experience noise-induced hearing loss due to gaming you’ll need a hearing aid in the near future – again, this is 100% avoidable.

pc gaming risking hearing health

How to prevent noise-induced hearing loss from gaming

Now, recommending stopping gaming altogether isn’t feasible nor what we would advise. However, there are three key tips that can help protect your hearing while gaming:

  1. Apply the 60/60 rule: Keep the volume at 60% of the maximum and limit your exposure to 60 minutes per day, ideally keeping the volume below 85 dB.
  2. Take breaks: Every hour, take a 15-20 minute break to give your ears a rest, even if you’re a pro gamer.
  3. Invest in noise-cancelling headphones: These will allow you to block out external noise without needing to increase the volume.

Following the above tips means you’ll be able to continue gaming safely, and your ears will thank you in the long run.

GAMERS – WARNING: The Tinnitus Ringing in Your Ears is Permanent Damage

Matthew Allsop is a Partner at Harley Street Hearing and the content creator for Hearing Tracker, where he shares his honest opinions on all things to do with hearing health and hearing aid technology. Hearing Tracker is the world’s first truly independent resource for hearing aid customers. You can watch his video on the dangers of gaming, tinnitus and hearing loss below.

Enjoy this article? You might be interested in some of our others:

Hear Here to host annual networking event in 2025

Hear Here Logo

Our event is currently sold out but we’d love to keep you updated in case any spaces become available. Please add your details here to join our waiting list: https://wkf.ms/41pzzsm

We’re excited to announce that the professional hearing loss network Hear Here is set to hold its next event in spring next year.

The London-based networking event encourages working professionals with hearing loss to share their experiences, as part of Harley Street Hearing’s mission to champion equal access in the workplace for the hearing loss community.

Hear Here Event

Harley Street Hearing’s Hear Here event 2025

If you’re a working professional looking to connect with like-minded peers, sharing tips and tools to thrive in the workplace with a hearing loss, this is the perfect event for you. Find out more about Hear Here 2025 below and secure your free place.

Date: Thursday 13th March 2025
Time: 6 pm – 10pm
Location: Ernst & Young, 1 More London Place, London, SE1 2AF
Price: Free

Scan the QR code below to secure your place at next year’s networking event.

More information about Hear Here

Hear Here was established in 2016 by Harley Street Hearing. It has grown into a diverse community of professionals of all ages and from all walks of life. Its main aim is to empower those with hearing loss to find solidarity and support from others who understand their unique experiences in the workplace.

The idea for Hear Here was inspired by a young patient with progressive hearing loss, who felt a sense of isolation and a lack of connection with others who shared her struggles. Hear Here provides a welcoming environment for discussions surrounding the unique challenges and accomplishments tied to hearing loss in work settings.

“Through this platform, we seek to create a more inclusive professional environment, where individuals can come together to share, learn and collectively strive for a workplace environment that embraces diversity and accessibility.

To find out more about the event, get in touch with us on 020 7486 1053

Enjoy this article? You might be interested in some of our others:

Does loss of hearing affect balance?

Hearing loss is a debilitating condition that affects more than 1.5 billion people worldwide, but it can also affect much more than just our ability to hear.

When hearing loss occurs, it can set off a chain reaction that may affect other areas of our health. Hearing loss may lead to mental health problems, social isolation, increase the risk of developing dementia and also affects our balance.

If you’re experiencing hearing loss and feel like your balance and coordination aren’t what they used to be, this blog should help to explain the connection between the two and offer insights into potential treatment options available.

inner ear connection between hearing loss and balance

The connection between hearing loss and balance disorders

Whilst our sense of hearing and ability to stay upright may seem like two entirely separate functions, they are actually highly connected and many balance problems can begin in the ears.

However, it’s a highly complex process so first, we need to understand how both hearing and balance work as two separate entities.

How our hearing works

Our hearing is more than just what our ears pick up, it’s a complex process which involves various parts of the ear with the inner ear being one of the most important components.

When sound waves enter the ear, they travel through the ear canal into the eardrum. This causes vibrations which are then sent to the tiny bones in the middle ear before they reach the cochlea. The cochlea contains tiny hair cells which convert these vibrations into electrical signals and send them to the brain where they are then interpreted as sound.

How our balance works

The inner ear also has a huge role to play in our ability to balance, as this is where our vestibular system is mainly housed.

Our vestibular system is responsible for providing our brain with information about motion, head position, and spatial orientation to help us maintain our balance. It works together with our eyes and muscles to help keep us steady on our feet.

How the two are connected

So, now we know that the cochlea (responsible for hearing) and the vestibular system (responsible for balance) are both a part of our inner ear. The inner ear is only a very small space so naturally, this means that an issue in any one of them can often impact the other.

For example, if something goes wrong in our inner ear such as damage to the tiny hair cells in our cochlea this can lead to hearing loss. This damage in the cochlea can then have a knock-on effect on the vestibular system since they’re both contained in the same space. This can often result in dizziness, unsteadiness or even vertigo, making you feel like the room is spinning around you.

inner ear cochlea diagram

So, can hearing loss affect balance?

Yes, hearing loss can affect our balance. However, it’s important to note that the two don’t exist together all of the time and just because you have a hearing loss this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be unsteady on your feet.

Studies have shown that people with mild hearing loss were almost three times more likely to have a history of falling than those with normal hearing, and for every extra 10 decibels of hearing loss this probability increases by 140%.

So, why do researchers think this is? More research needs to be done, but some theories include:

  • Hearing loss reduces our awareness of the environment around us, increasing our risk of tripping over and falling.
  • Hearing loss places a greater cognitive load on the brain, meaning that when more mental energy is required to listen and interpret sounds we have less energy available for other tasks like maintaining balance and proper movement.
  • As we’ve covered above, hearing loss can directly affect the vestibular system which is responsible for balance and spatial orientation.

hearing loss and balance

Conditions that can affect hearing and balance

There are many conditions that can simultaneously impact both our hearing and balance, and the presence of these conditions can increase the risk of things such as falls, dizziness and hearing loss.

Understanding these conditions is important to recognise and address symptoms early to prevent progression. Some of the most common conditions that can affect both hearing and balance include:

1. Ageing

As we age, it’s common for our senses such as hearing and balance to decline. Age-related hearing loss often comes with gradual damage to the hair cells in the inner ear, which can affect both hearing and balance.

Along with that, our vestibular system can also deteriorate as we grow older which can lead to a greater risk of falls and balance-related issues. We are also more susceptible to developing other health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or neurological diseases that can have an impact on our coordination and balance.

2. Ménière’s Disease

Ménière’s disease is a chronic condition of the inner ear that can cause severe dizziness (vertigo), hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear.

It isn’t yet known exactly what causes this condition but it’s thought to be related to abnormal fluid buildup in the inner ear, or it may also be caused by genetic factors or environmental triggers.

3. Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is an inner ear disorder which happens when the labyrinth (a structure in the inner ear) is inflamed. This can often be caused by a viral or bacterial infection, or an injury, and can cause symptoms such as vertigo, headaches, tinnitus and hearing loss.

The labyrinth is responsible for balance so inflammation of this structure can disrupt the normal functioning of the vestibular system, leading to difficulties in maintaining balance and coordination.

4. Vestibular Neuronitis

Similar to labyrinthitis, vestibular neuronitis is an inflammation of the vestibular nerve, which carries balance signals from the inner ear to the brain. It usually results from a viral infection such as a cold and primarily affects balance, causing sudden and severe vertigo.

Vestibular neuronitis doesn’t usually cause hearing loss, but the intense dizziness and loss of balance can be profound.

5. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV is one of the most common causes of vertigo, especially in older adults. It happens when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear become loose and interfere with the normal fluid movement in the ear canals.

This sends false signals to the brain about the position of your body and can result in brief spells of dizziness and vertigo, triggered by changes in head position. Whilst it doesn’t affect hearing, it can impact our ability to stay steady and balanced.

The main thing to note is that our hearing and balance systems are connected and often work together, so if any of these systems aren’t working properly it can lead to a variety of potential problems which can affect either our hearing, our balance, or both.

vestibular testing

Can hearing aids help with balance?

For those with hearing-related balance problems, hearing aids can be a great solution to help maintain balance and alleviate symptoms of vertigo or other balance-related issues.

In the same way that hearing aids can’t cure hearing loss, they also can’t cure balance problems but a 2023 study showed consistent use of hearing aids was associated with a lower risk of falls in older adults.

So, how can hearing aids help with balance problems?

1. Improved spatial awareness

Hearing aids work by amplifying the sounds around us so when we can hear better, we can usually process sounds more accurately. Whether it’s being able to hear the sound of traffic around us or footsteps approaching, this leads to better spatial awareness which allows us to orient ourselves more effectively.

With an improved spatial awareness, we can navigate our environment more easily and safely, naturally reducing the risk of falling or tripping over.

2. Reduced cognitive load

Hearing loss forces the brain to work harder to interpret sounds which causes a greater cognitive load. This can take away from the brain’s ability to focus on other tasks like coordination and balance.

Hearing aids can help to reduce this cognitive load by making sounds clearer and easier to process, freeing up resources that can help to maintain balance and improve overall coordination.

3. Vestibular support

Hearing aids can be especially useful for those with sensorineural hearing loss (resulting from damage to the hair cells within the inner ear) and balance issues because they can help to stabilise the overall function of the ear.

Whilst hearing aids don’t directly correct problems with the vestibular system they help to improve hearing which can promote better balance.

4. Improved confidence and mobility

Hearing loss can often bring with it a lack of confidence, particularly in those who may have experienced an increase in falls due to their balance being off. However, the use of hearing aids can make users feel more confident in their mobility and ability to move around, reducing the fear of falling and leading to more natural and steady movements.

Of course, hearing aids are individual to everyone and whilst they may be beneficial for balance in some cases they may not necessarily be the right cure for you. If you’re experiencing balance issues, it’s important to get an assessment from an audiologist or ENT specialist.

Harley Street Hearing’s highly trained clinical audiologists offer comprehensive balance diagnostic services. We’re highly experienced in working with various balance disorders and can advise on suitable rehabilitation plans. If hearing aids are the right choice for you, we can offer an extensive range from all leading hearing aid manufacturers.

To book an appointment with us, fill in the contact form on this page or call us on 020 7486 1053.

Enjoy this article? You might be interested in some of our others:

Reviewing the Phonak Infinio family of hearing aids

phonak audeo infinio hearing aids

Last week, Phonak announced their brand new Infinio range of hearing aids. This was a major announcement in the world of hearing technology and Phonak’s biggest release to date.

Whilst these hearing aids won’t be launched until the end of the month, we’ve got everything you need to know in terms of designs, technology and how they can change your listening experience forever.

phonak audeo infinio hearing aids

Phonak Infinio models

There are four models included in the Phonak Infinio family of hearing aids:

Audéo Infinio

Their rechargeable receiver-in-canal style is essentially designed for versatility, being suitable for a range of different hearing losses and is loaded with plenty of new features which we’ll discuss later.

Virto R Infinio

The Virto R Infinio is Phonak’s first-ever rechargeable in-the-ear hearing aid. They support directional microphones and, of all the in-the-ear hearing aids out there, these win the award for the coolest looking.

Audéo Infinio CROS

Finally, Phonak have a new Audeo Infinio CROS, specifically designed for those with unilateral hearing loss who need a CROS or BiCROS setup. With this new CROS system, Phonak’s attention has been on battery life with a 30% improvement, overcoming all the issues they’ve had with their previous CROS and BiCROS systems.

Audéo Infinio Sphere

The Audéo Infinio Sphere is a whole new level of hearing aid, bringing game-changing technology to the Infinio family that we’ve never seen before. That’s not just in terms of hearing but also speech understanding, especially in the presence of background noise which we’ll cover in-depth later in this blog.

phonak infinio hearing aid range

Phonak Infinio designs

Let’s take a look at the new designs of the Infinio family, and how they compare to some of Phonak’s other hearing aids.

Audéo Infinio, Audéo Infinio Sphere & CROS

These hearing aids look pretty similar to Phonak’s previous model, the Audéo Lumity, specifically the Lumity Life. However, they are a little bit shorter.

You’ll notice the microphones have dual ports for both the front and rear-facing microphones, and there’s been a slight modification to the positioning of the rocker switch, sitting a little lower than its predecessor. This rocker switch can be used for changing your programs, volume, and answering phone calls.

Finally, they are fitted with a receiver wire which feeds energy and information to the speaker which sits inside your ear.

phonak infinio hearing aids

Virto R Infinio design

The brand new design of the Virto R Infinio sits inside the ear and houses a push button, twin microphones for directionality, charging contacts, and an LED in the centre.

It has all of the same features of the receiver-in-canal Infinio, meaning that there is no compromise on rechargeability, hearing in noise, tap control features, accelerometers, etc, as there often are with in-the-ear models of hearing aids.

If you’re interested in having the custom model made, firstly, an impression needs to be taken of your ear and sent across to Phonak headquarters to be made – this process normally takes around 2 weeks.

phonak virto infinio

Customisation

As with previous Phonak receiver-in-canal hearing aids, the Infinios can also be customised to your ears and hearing loss by changing the tip on the end, and Phonak have a selection of medical-grade silicon tips to choose from, ranging from open, closed, or power domes.

Not only that, but one thing that’s often overlooked by audiologists is having a custom tip made for the end of your hearing aid. This can affect the clarity and sharpness coming from your hearing aid, it can affect how full and rich it sounds, how good it sounds when streaming from your phone, a Roger On system, or your TV, and most importantly how well your hearing aids will cope when you’re in background noise.

So the misconception that hearing aid tips are just about comfort is not true at all; it affects way more than the comfort of your hearing aids.

phonak audeo infinio fitting

New features of Phonak Infinio hearing aids

Biometric calibration

Phonak boasts that these new hearing aids are custom-built using biometric calibration which minimises sound leakage and maximises sound quality, and it’s pretty awesome how they do it.

This biometric calibration process uses advanced imaging technology to create a detailed map of your ear, scanning the whole impression and predicting how sound bounces around before it hits the hearing aid microphone. This technically means that two people with identical hearing test results could have completely differently built hearing aids dictated by the shapes of their outer ears.

ERA Chip

Phonak have introduced a brand new ERA chip integrated into each of these hearing aids, and this brings with it four key developments.

APD 3.0

Firstly, we’re seeing the introduction of APD 3.0 which is a brand new audiological fitting model replacing APD 2.0, and it uses up-to-date research on providing the most appropriate amount of sound needed to compensate for your specific hearing loss per frequency – without it sounding unnatural or overwhelming in any way.

Phonak research states that 93% of those who have tried this hearing aid already in their research phase prefer it to the sound of other leading competitors.

phonak infinio era chip

Autosense 6.0

AutoSense uses sophisticated algorithms that continually analyse the acoustic environment around you and make real-time adjustments to optimise sound clarity and comfort.

Phonak have developed this even further in their Infinio by moving on to AutoSense 6.0 which enhances speech understanding by 16% and reduces listening effort by up to 45%, dynamically reducing background noise and making it easier for you to understand conversations without straining.

This means that you can rely more on your ears and far less on focusing on visual clues and contextual information, which means that you should ultimately be more relaxed and less tired when you’re listening. This should make the sound more natural, sharper and clearer, especially in noisy environments.

Phonak Auracast Bluetooth updates

Phonak is the only manufacturer that uses classic Bluetooth, allowing you to connect to any Bluetooth device and not just smartphones. Yet they’ve found a way to make themselves even more unique with four different developments.

Firstly, Infinio Universal compatibility means it connects with all Bluetooth-enabled devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. This integration supports a wide range of audio codecs ensuring high-quality streaming regardless of the source and supports dual streaming too, allowing you to connect to multiple devices simultaneously which isn’t possible from any other manufacturer.

Secondly, the Infinio also offers hands-free calling, with the new chip ensuring instant connectivity so your hearing aids are ready to use immediately after start-up. Phonak states that this is the lowest latency they’ve ever been able to provide, meaning that there’s no noticeable delay when switching between different audio sources.

audeo infinio hearing aid

Thirdly, this new chip also allows for six times the transmission power of previous models, providing a far more stable, robust, and faster connection. This increased power ensures consistent audio quality and connectivity over longer distances so that you can enjoy uninterrupted streaming and phone calls even with the device in your bag, jacket, or just not on your person.

Finally, Infinio is also Auracast-ready. Phonak have joined the likes of ReSound, Signia, and Oticon by including the latest version of LE audio into their new technology which is going to change your listening experience forever.

You’ll see an improvement in the Bluetooth capabilities with your phone when it comes to sound quality and battery consumption, and that’s whether you’re listening to phone calls, music, the radio, or podcasts all whilst keeping your phone in your pocket, which will give you a truly hands-free experience.

Where this technology will really take off is in any public venue that has a built-in Auracast transmitter. This new form of transmitter is specifically designed to work with newer LE audio technology and will send any signal to your hearing aids such as if you walk into a football stadium and want to hear the commentary, or when you walk into a train station and want to hear the train announcements, or even if you head to a museum tour and you want to hear the tour guide with perfect clarity and distinction.

Something worth noting, however, is that whilst this is built into the Infinio, it hasn’t yet been activated and that’s the same with any hearing aid manufacturer. It will be done in the future with a simple and free firmware update.

Build Quality Updates

Phonak have made what was their previous Life model their minimum standard now when it comes to robustness and water protection, which at the moment is only rivalled by Starkey with their Starkey Genesis AI hearing aids.

They have done this by adding microphone protection, sealing the seams with silicone, and coating the components with a Parylene coating. Then, they brutally tested this technology in the lab to ensure it does exactly what they’ve promised.

Everything you need to know about Audéo Infinio Sphere

As we mentioned earlier, the Audéo Infinio Sphere is undoubtedly the highlight of this announcement, so it’s worthy of its own section. This is the exciting bit, so let’s dive into what makes Audéo Infinio Sphere a game-changing hearing aid.

phonak audeo sphere infinio hearing aid

Phonak’s new AI

Phonak has had an offline form of AI built into their hearing aids in the form of machine learning. This has essentially been used to help the hearing aids understand the type of acoustic environment that you’re in and then adjust themselves accordingly.

However, they’ve now followed the likes of Oticon and Starkey and introduced a deep neural network, but they’ve taken it one step further. The Infinio Sphere is the world’s first hearing aid to be powered by a dedicated real-time AI chip for speech-from-noise separation, with the main focus of these hearing aids being a better understanding of speech in the presence of background noise.

Deep Neural Network

So, what does this deep neural network mean? Phonak boasts there are 4.5 million neural connections, and they’re trained with over 22 million sound samples so this Deep Sonic chip achieves an unparalleled improvement in signal-to-noise ratio by up to 10 dB.

Now, whilst 10 dB doesn’t sound like a huge number in relative terms, it is gigantic and essentially means that you’re three times more likely to be able to understand speech when you’re in noise compared to any other hearing aid manufacturer that’s out there.

Phonak’s Audiological Research Centre conducted comprehensive studies highlighting their effectiveness on speech clarity and in complex listening situations such as background noise. They reproduced a 36.8% increase in speech understanding and a significant reduction in listening effort.

On top of that, their clinical trials have also shown that users with moderate to severe hearing loss experienced 21% less fatigue and a 45% reduction in listening effort, and those that have also used a Roger On, these benefits are pronounced even further, enhancing speech understanding by 61%.

phonak audeo sphere deep neural network

Of course, these are all brand-new releases so we’ll await feedback from our patients here at Harley Street Hearing before being able to provide an in-depth review.

If you’re interested in learning more about the new Phonak Infinio range, get in touch with us.

Reviewing Phonak’s Audéo Infinio, Virto Infinio R & Phonak Audéo Infino CROS Features

Matthew Allsop is a Partner at Harley Street Hearing and the content creator for Hearing Tracker, where he shares his honest opinions on all things to do with hearing health and hearing aid technology. Hearing Tracker is the world’s first truly independent resource for hearing aid customers. You can watch his video on the Phonak Infinio range of hearing aids below.

Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio Feature Review: The Best Hearing Aid of 2024!

Enjoy this article? You might be interested in some of our others:

Phonak releases brand new Infinio hearing aids

phonak infinio hearing aids

Hearing aid manufacturer, Phonak, has today (6th August 2024) released details of a brand new family of hearing aids – Phonak Infinio.

This marks Phonak’s biggest release to date, including a family of three hearing aids on their new Infinio platform and their new groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence hearing aid, Phonak Audéo Sphere™ Infinio.

phonak infinio hearing aid range

What is Phonak’s Infinio platform?

Before taking a look at the hearing aids themselves, let’s take a look at the power behind this world-class technology.

This technology is powered by the new ultra-responsive Phonak ERA™ chip which revolutionises the standards for sound quality, power management, and connectivity to enhance listening experience.

The technology includes:

  • Sound quality improvements due to the AI in AutoSense OS™ 6.0 automatic operating system and a newly optimised fitting algorithm. Phonak claims the following:
    • 93% user preference from the first fit compared to leading competitors
    • 45% reduction in listening effort
    • 21% reduction in fatigue
    • 61% improvement in speech understanding
  • Industry-leading Bluetooth connectivity supports all Bluetooth-compatible devices, enabling uninterrupted hands-free calls and streaming across twice the distance.
  • Enhanced durability: Built to withstand everyday challenges

phonak infinio hearing aids

Phonak Infinio hearing aid range

This exciting new technology from Phonak can be found in four of their brand-new releases.

Audéo R Infinio

Rechargeable Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) style hearing aid, designed for versatility and a range of different hearing losses.

phonak audeo infinio

Virto R Infinio

Phonak’s first-ever rechargeable In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aid, designed to support directional microphones to deliver exceptional sound quality and industry-leading connectivity.

phonak virto infinio

Audéo Infinio CROS R

Designed for those with unilateral hearing loss who need a CROS or BiCROS setup, the Audéo Infinio CROS R has a much-improved battery life and works in combination with the Phonak Audéo.

phonak audeo infinio cros r

Audéo Sphere Infinio

Undoubtedly the most exciting part of Phonak’s new releases is the announcement of their brand new Audéo Sphere Infinio hearing aid.

phonak audeo sphere infinio

This is a Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) hearing aid with a unique dual-chip technology, ERA and DEEPSONIC, the world’s first hearing aid to be powered by a dedicated real-time AI chip for speech separation. The main focus of this is for a better understanding of speech in background noise, using machine learning to clearly separate the two and help users understand speech in noisy environments.

Find out more about the Audéo Sphere Infinio hearing aid below.

Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio Feature Review: The Best Hearing Aid of 2024!

Matthew Allsop is a Partner at Harley Street Hearing and the content creator for Hearing Tracker, where he shares his honest opinions on all things to do with hearing health and hearing aid technology. Hearing Tracker is the world’s first truly independent resource for hearing aid customers. You can watch his video on the Audéo Sphere Infinio below.

Where to get Phonak Infinio hearing aids

Phonak’s latest releases will be available at Harley Street Hearing soon. Get in touch with us to find out more or book an appointment.

Enjoy this article? You might be interested in some of our others: