Category: Blog

Oticon’s latest update to their Own family of hearing aids has seen a huge AI upgrade, but are they a game-changer or more of the same?

Let’s take a look at what’s new with the Oticon Own SI, what is missing and whether or not this could be the hearing aid that ends your search.

What’s new in the Oticon Own SI?

Oticon’s last custom hearing aid family—the Oticon Own—was released nearly 3 years ago, in August 2022. It included five models, ranging from invisible-in-canal (IIC) to full-shell, all with varying features.

These are custom-made devices, meaning an audiologist takes an impression of your ear so it fits perfectly. However, Oticon has chosen not to replace the entire range this time around. Instead, they’re only updating two models:

1. The Invisible-in-Canal (IIC)
2. The Completely-in-Canal (CIC)

If you’re looking for In-the-Canal (ITC), In-the-Ear (ITE) half-shell, or ITE full-shell, you’ll need to stick with the 2022 versions for now.

So, what makes the Own S different?

It keeps all the size and style benefits of the previous generation, but there are three standout upgrades:

Artificial Intelligence developments

Noise is the enemy for anyone with hearing loss. Oticon claims to lead the pack in improving speech understanding in noise—thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Because there’s not enough room for dual microphones (which help with background noise), Oticon turned to AI as a solution.

Oticon’s new Sirius chip is the heart of this device. It houses a deep neural network, essentially giving your hearing aid its own brain.

This AI has been trained using millions of sound samples, including speech, music, traffic and nature sounds. It learns to distinguish speech (what you want to hear) from noise (what you don’t).

Sudden Sound Stabiliser

But, then what about sudden loud noises which aren’t really noises in the traditional sense but something that my patients often complain about, such as the clattering of emptying the dishwasher or door slamming?

Well, Oticon have developed a feature which consistently monitors the incoming sounds using advanced algorithms, and they’ve named it their Sudden Sound Stabiliser. This is designed to smooth out those sudden loud sounds, so instead of getting a jarring spike in volume, the hearing aid is intelligent enough to adjust the amplification and make it more comfortable before it reaches your ear.

Does it actually work?

Well, in Oticon’s studies they found:

• Up to 5.4 dB signal-to-noise ratio improvement
• 2.7 dB clearer speech vs. the 2022 model

In simple terms: speech should sound more distinct, helping you follow conversations in noisy environments and reducing listening fatigue.

Manufacturer claims should always be taken with a grain of salt. For independent testing, check out HearingTracker.com for unbiased results across multiple brands.

Life inside the ear (IP68 Rating)

Let’s face it: the life of an in-ear hearing aid is… rough. They live in a dark, damp, waxy human orifice. Not ideal for electronics.

Thankfully, the Oticon Own S is rated IP68: Water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, and dust-resistant too.

They’ve achieved this with nano-coating inside and out. Still, I always recommend storing your hearing aids in a drying cup with a drying tablet – no matter the brand.

What’s missing in Oticon Own Sirius?

Now, I don’t just hype the positives—sorry, Oticon—but there are a few downsides you should know:

1. Only for IIC and CIC

The new AI-powered models are only available in the smallest sizes. If you want a larger model, you’re stuck with the older generation—and here’s why that matters…

2. No Bluetooth

No streaming calls, music, TV, or podcasts. If you want Bluetooth, you’ll need to pick an older model.

3. No Telecoil

This would’ve allowed connection to sound sources in theatres, cinemas, and places of worship. It’s not here—likely due to space limitations.

4. No Rechargeable Option

Despite over 90% of my fittings now being rechargeable, Oticon still hasn’t included it in their custom range. You’ll need to change batteries every 3–5 days.

In 2025? That’s a miss. Disposable batteries are just… very 2024.

Oticon OWN Sirius Hearing Aids (2025) – Big AI Upgrade, But THIS is Missing… Video

Matthew Allsop is a Partner at Harley Street Hearing, and a content creator for Hearing Tracker, where he shares his honest opinion on all new hearing aid technology. Hearing Tracker is the world’s first truly independent resource for hearing aid customers. You can view his first look at Oticon Own Sirius video below.

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• Widex Allure Hearing Aid Platform: Exclusive Interview

Harley Street Hearing’s Matthew Allsop managed to get an inside look at the groundbreaking Widex Allure platform in this exclusive interview with Widex’s Sonie Harris, at the company’s headquarters in Copenhagen.

Read on as we dive into the five major innovations behind Allure – from enhanced sound quality and real-time AI personalisation to next-gen feedback control.

Kicking things off at Widex HQ

Matthew: Sonie, it’s great to see you. Thank you so much for having me here today in Copenhagen at Widex HQ, talking about all your latest tech. I have to say, I’m exhausted—exhausted from spending the whole day immersed in everything about the new Widex Allure hearing aids.

You’ve got some really exciting stuff, and I think we need to share it with the world over on the Hearing Tracker YouTube channel.

Okay, so—there are some real game-changers here, both for audiologists and for hearing aid users. I’d love for you to talk us through what’s most important.

Helping both the wearer and the provider

Sonie: What’s really important is that we’re bringing solutions that, as you mentioned, not only help the wearer but also support the provider. These solutions are clear, intuitive, and future-ready.

When we talk about that, we mean a hearing device that balances crystal-clear speech with accurate awareness of surroundings—so wearers can feel fully immersed in their environment the way they want to be.

That’s the Widex philosophy. It’s the Widex sound philosophy.

Matthew: I’ve definitely had that drilled into me all day! You’ve got some impressive new features too, right?

Sonie: Yes! Widex Allure is the name of our new platform, and what makes it special is the W1 chip that powers it. It’s incredibly fast and has the memory to support a whole new range of features.

So, it’s not just one standout—we’ve introduced five key features that really meet the needs of the wearer.

Five new features of Widex Allure

Matthew: Let’s hear them all—sorry to put you on the spot!

1. PureSound — Now even More powerful

Sonie: Allure PureSound combines advanced tech like a broadband beamformer for directionality, noise reduction, and feedback management—all while keeping our signature zero-delay processing.

Matthew: PureSound was already great on the Moment platform. But the limitation was that you couldn’t overlay other features on top of it.

Sonie: Exactly! Now you can. Research shows a 4.3 dB improvement in speech-in-noise performance with the Allure PureSound program compared to the previous version.

Matthew: Would you say it’s your “hero feature”?

Sonie: One of them! But it’s really about how all five features work together. It’s not just one star—it’s a full ensemble.

2. Speech Enhancer Pro — Mastering Noise

Sonie: Next up: Speech Enhancer Pro. It builds on our previous tech that kept noise comfortable. Now, we’re adding fast and slow-acting components to better extract speech in noisy environments.

Matthew: That’s why people come in—because they can’t hear well in noise.

Sonie: And it’s compatible with PureSound too, so users don’t have to choose between features anymore.

Matthew: Nice. Another feature you told me about—and I hope I get the name right—is the… Dynamic Feedback Cancellation Controller?

3. Dynamic Feedback Controller

Sonie: Close! It’s called the Dynamic Feedback Controller. It uses adaptive frequency shifting that’s targeted and minimal, which helps reduce whistling without harming sound quality.

Matthew: That’s exciting. Feedback control isn’t something you notice… until it’s not working.

Sonie: Exactly. We call it a “hygiene factor.” A hearing aid shouldn’t whistle. But doing that without hurting sound quality? That’s a big deal.

Matthew: The universal program really stands out too – super adaptive.

4. Smarter Sound Classification

Sonie: Yes! With Allure, we’ve enhanced the sound classification system. It now includes a beat detector to reduce errors—like misclassifying background music and disabling key features.

Now, we still classify across 11 industry-leading sound classes, but with more accuracy—so wearers can just put them in and forget about adjustments.

Matthew: Does that reduce the need for lots of fine-tuning appointments?

Sonie: That’s the goal. We’ve used anonymised cloud data from previous fittings to see which adjustments providers most often make. With that, our new fitting algorithm starts users off closer to their ideal sound—making fittings more seamless.

This can evolve over time, and we’re adding another layer on top: AI.

4. AI for real-time personalisation

Sonie: We’re focused on using AI for real patient benefit.

In the Allure app, we’ve implemented AI that helps wearers fine-tune their hearing aids in real time. It uses global user data to make intelligent suggestions based on what’s worked for others in similar situations.

Matthew: Your AI learns from real-world use, not just presets?

Sonie: Yes! And it runs on the smartphone—not the hearing aid—so we avoid battery drain and keep devices small.

5. Dedicated Streaming Compressor

Sonie: Here’s one more: We’ve separated the streaming compressor from the environmental sound processor. So now, loud surroundings won’t mess with your streaming audio quality.

Matthew: Amazing. So… the big question: When can everyone get this?

Sonie: The global launch was March 19th. Availability depends on the region.

The Widex Allure platform is now available at Harley Street Hearing. If you’re interested in a trial, get in touch with us to book a consultation.

Widex Allure: The BIGGEST Hearing Aid Upgrade of 2025? Video

Matthew Allsop is a Partner at Harley Street Hearing, and a content creator for Hearing Tracker, where he shares his honest opinion on all new hearing aid technology. Hearing Tracker is the world’s first truly independent resource for hearing aid customers. You can view his first look at ReSound Vivia video below.

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Hearing aids are the most effective treatment option for hearing loss but they can take some time to get used to, especially if you’ve never worn them before.

From the physical aspect to the way your brain processes sounds, there are a lot of different factors that come with adjusting to hearing aids.

Whether you’re wearing a hearing aid for the first time or you’ve just upgraded to a new device, this step-by-step guide should help you adjust to it and improve your confidence in wearing it in all listening situations.

1. Understand the adjustment period

With any new hearing aid, there will usually be an adjustment period. Getting used to hearing aids is a journey, not an overnight change and you need to give yourself time to adjust to them.

Not only are you tasked with getting to grips with how they work, but your brain will also need to relearn how to process sounds it might not have heard in a long time. Some sounds might sound strange at first – even the sound of your own footsteps or a loved one’s voice – but that’s completely normal!

The hearing aid adjustment period can sometimes take up to four months until you’re completely used to them, but it may even take longer than this. Everyone is different, and there’s no need to worry if you’re taking a little longer than expected.

2. Wear them at home first

You really can’t beat the comfort of your own home, and this is the best place to try out your new hearing aids. Your home is the perfect low-stress environment as it’s familiar and quiet, and you’ll be able to focus on individual sounds you recognise a lot easier.

Using your hearing aids at home will give you the best opportunity to adjust the different layers of sound around you without feeling overwhelmed. For example, you can experiment with adjusting the volume on the TV and honing in on quiet sounds such as the clock ticking or the tap running. This is also a good chance to get used to adjusting the settings on your hearing aids to adapt to the sounds around you.

3. Start slowly, gradually increasing usage

If you’re a new hearing aid user and you’re really struggling to adjust to your new listening capabilities, it’s a good idea to build up your tolerance slowly.

You don’t need to wear your hearing aids from morning until night right away if that’s not comfortable. Starting with just a few hours a day in calm settings whilst gradually increasing the duration can make all the difference.

If you’re starting to feel fatigued, take short breaks and try again later. Over time, your ears and brain will adjust, making it easier to wear them for longer periods without any discomfort.

4. Listen to everyday sounds

When wearing hearing aids for the first time, you might just be surprised by how much sound you’ve been missing! Simple sounds like the rustling of leaves or the kettle boiling might stand out to you more than before.

It’s normal for this to feel overwhelming at first but it’s a good sign as it shows your new hearing aids are working for you! Try to re-familiarise yourself with these kinds of sounds by taking the time to focus on them – that way, your brain will start to recognise and filter them naturally.

5. Practice in different environments

Once you’ve gained your confidence at home and your hearing aids are starting to feel more comfortable, it’s a good idea to challenge yourself in different environments. Simply taking a trip to your local shop, cafe or park can be the switch-up you need to start adapting to different sounds and spaces.

Placing yourself in these environments can help you practice picking out voices from background noise and getting used to identifying directional sounds. If it feels like too much at first, take it one step at a time and start with quieter locations before moving to busier ones.

6. Take time to educate yourself

Your audiologist will help you select the hearing aid that best suits your needs and ensure it’s set up correctly to help you get the most out of it, but taking the time to educate yourself can make a huge difference in speeding up the adjustment process.

The more you understand about how your hearing aids work, the better your experience will be. Learn how to adjust settings, clean them, and troubleshoot minor issues. Many modern hearing aids now also come with smartphone apps that allow you to personalise your listening experience.

We have a useful selection of hearing aid how-to videos here that guide you through pairing different devices with your phone and TV.

7. Participate in different conversations

It’s natural for conversations to feel a bit different when wearing new hearing aids for the first time, especially in group settings.

A great way to help you get over this hurdle is starting with one-on-one discussions in quiet places to allow you to focus on a single voice and adjust to how speech sounds. Then as you get more comfortable, introduce yourself to group discussions and then move on to busier environments like small gatherings.

If background noise makes it difficult to follow a conversation, here are a few helpful strategies:

• Face the speaker – Watching lip movements and facial expressions can help you understand speech more easily
• Position yourself carefully – Sit with your back to a wall or in a quieter part of the room to minimise background noise
• Let others know you’re adjusting – Friends and family can help by speaking clearly, facing you directly, or reducing background noise where possible

8. Be patient

Along with the tips above, the key to adjusting to new hearing aids is really being patient with yourself. In many cases, you are likely to see a noticeable improvement immediately after getting your new hearing aids fitted but it isn’t always plain sailing – and that’s okay!

Retraining your brain to process sound in a new way can take some time, so it’s completely normal to experience some moments of frustration along the way.

Set realistic expectations and focus on small victories like being able to hear sounds you haven’t heard for a while, and being able to participate better in conversations. Consistency is key and there’s no need to try and rush the process.

9. Get support from your audiologist

Remember, you’re not on this journey alone – your audiologist is there to support you and ensure you have the smoothest transition with your new hearing aids. If something doesn’t sound right, or if you’re struggling with discomfort, always reach out to your audiologist as they can help to make adjustments, provide tips, and ensure you’re getting the best possible experience from your hearing aids.

This is why choosing the right audiologist is crucial, as finding someone you can trust to help you get the most from your hearing aids has a huge impact on your journey. At Harley Street Hearing, all of our hearing aid patients receive lifetime aftercare with regular follow-up appointments to ensure their hearing aids are still working optimally for them.

These follow-up appointments are hugely important to your journey as they give you the opportunity to discuss how you’ve been getting on and if you’ve been having any problems. Similarly, our audiologists can also identify if there are any settings that need to be adjusted or changes that need to be made.

At Harley Street Hearing, you’re always in safe hands. We pride ourselves on our passion to always find the right treatment for our patients and offer them unrivalled aftercare.

Our clinics are based in London, and we offer a range of different hearing care services to help you reach your full hearing potential. To book an appointment, call us on 020 7486 1053 or contact us online.

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At Harley Street Hearing, we understand that effective communication is fundamental to providing the highest standards of audiological care.

To cater to the diverse needs of our patients, our team includes multilingual clinical audiologists fluent in several languages, ensuring you receive personalised support in the language you’re most comfortable with.

We believe that language should never be a barrier to quality hearing care and we’re passionate about ensuring that our services are highly accessible. Our dedicated professionals are here to provide expert audiology services tailored to your needs, in a language you understand.

Learn more about our multilingual audiologists below.

French audiology services

Our Clinical Lead, Jordon Thompson, offers comprehensive audiology consultations and services in French.

Whether you require hearing aid consultations, tinnitus management, or ear wax removal, Jordon ensures seamless communication throughout your care.

Click here to learn more about Jordon or get in touch with us to book an appointment.

Portuguese audiology services

Senior Clinical Audiologist, Andreza Oliveira, provides full audiology services in Portuguese.

From hearing assessments to custom ear protection, Andreza is dedicated to delivering expert care tailored to your needs.

Click here to learn more about Andreza or get in touch with us to book an appointment.

Tamil audiology services

For Tamil-speaking patients, Senior Clinical Audiologist Barathy Ganeshakumaran offers a range of audiology services, including hearing aid consultations and balance testing, all conducted in Tamil to ensure clarity and comfort.

Click here to learn more about Barathy or get in touch with us to book an appointment.

Afrikaans audiology services

Clinical Lead, Romy Cohen and Senior Clinical Audiologist, Nadia Abbott, are both fluent in Afrikaans.

They provide comprehensive assessments and treatments, including tinnitus management and auditory processing disorder assessments, in your native language.

Click here to learn more about Romy and Nadia or get in touch with us to book an appointment.

Swahili audiology services

Senior Clinical Audiologist, Lulu Mohamed, offers full consultations in Swahili, with specialised insights into tinnitus and hyperacusis management, ensuring you receive expert care in a language you understand.

Click here to learn more about Lulu or get in touch with us to book an appointment.

Interpreting services

To further accommodate our patients, we also offer interpreting services in Polish, Hungarian, and Indonesian, facilitating clear communication and personalised care.

At Harley Street Hearing, our commitment to multilingual services reflects our dedication to accessible and inclusive audiological care. Our leading audiology services are available for appointments at various hearing clinics across London. To book an appointment, call us on 020 7486 1053 or contact us online.

We offer leading audiology services, supporting the hearing needs of patients through professional hearing tests, hearing aid consultations, ear wax removal and more.

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This blog post was last updated on 07/03/2025

Looking for the most advanced hearing aid technology for 2025? Well, look no further.

Artificial intelligence, motion sensors, Auracast, and LE Bluetooth audio are a few of the incredible new features that have been loaded into new hearing aids over the last 12 months. But the burning question is: which hearing aids are the best in 2025?

In this blog, we’ll list our top picks from each major hearing aid brand – including Phonak, Oticon, Signia, Starkey, ReSound and Widex, comparing their features and outlining what’s unique for each of them. Hopefully, we’ll be able to guide you in the right direction to find the best hearing aid for you.

Best hearing aids for 2025

• Oticon Intent
• Phonak Infinio
• Widex Moment
• Starkey Edge AI
• Signia IX
• ReSound Vivia

We’ll start by comparing them all physically and then throughout this blog, we will compare all of their individual features to help you make an informed decision.

Physical Characteristics

It makes sense to start by comparing the physical aspects of 2025’s newest hearing aids before diving into their individual features.

Kicking things off with Oticon, their Intent miniRITE is currently the only hearing aid available on their latest platform.

Phonak offers two models in their Audeo Infinio lineup:

• Audeo Infinio R
• Audeo Sphere Infinio R

Starkey provides a wider selection within their Edge AI family, featuring three receiver-in-canal (RIC) models:

• mRIC R
• RIC RT
• RIC 312

Widex currently has four hearing aids under its Moment platform:

• RIC 10 (the smallest model)
• RIC 312D
• sRIC RD
• Smart RIC

The ReSound Vivia family is the newest addition, launched in February 2025, and includes three models:

• Vivia RIE 312
• Vivia RIE 13
• Vivia Micro RIE

Finally, Signia has three receiver-in-canal (RIC) models in its IX lineup:

• Pure Charge&Go IX
• Pure Charge&Go TIX
• Styletto IX

Before I break down individual features, let’s talk about size. If cosmetics are a priority, and you asked me to rank the top five smallest receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids, here’s how they compare:

1. Widex Moment RIC 10 (the smallest)
2. ReSound Vivia Micro RIE
3. Starkey mRIC R
4. Phonak Audeo Infinio
5. Widex sRIC RD

However, let me stop you there – choosing a hearing aid based solely on looks is a terrible idea. The most discreet models often lack important features, which I’ll cover later in this video.

If, on the other hand, you’re interested in fashion-forward hearing aids designed to be seen rather than hidden, both Widex and Signia offer stylish options in their latest lineups. Phonak Slim is another option, but since it’s not on Phonak’s newest platform, you’d be sacrificing advanced technology—something I wouldn’t recommend given the innovations packed into their latest models.

Colour options

There are far more important things to discuss when choosing the best hearing aid of 2025, so I won’t waste time going over colour options for each brand. Most manufacturers offer a wide range of colors designed to match various skin and hair tones, and no brand stands out significantly in this regard.

That said, based on what my patients typically choose, I recommend selecting a hearing aid that matches your hair color for the most natural look.

Suitability

Each hearing aid model has its own fitting range, which essentially determines the level of hearing loss it can accommodate.

You might be thinking, “I’ll just get the most powerful hearing aid available so it lasts as long as possible.” While that makes sense to some extent, there’s a catch—a more powerful hearing aid requires a larger speaker, and the more powerful the speaker, the bigger it is.

So, if discretion is your top priority, selecting the right power level is essential.

Beyond size, the power of the speaker also affects frequency response. More powerful speakers tend to provide less high-frequency gain, which is why it’s crucial to choose a power level that perfectly matches your hearing loss.

One of the many reasons I consider receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids to be the best is their interchangeable speakers. This means If your hearing changes over time, you don’t necessarily need new technology—your hearing aid can be physically adapted to meet your needs.

The following outlines the fitting ranges for each manufacturer and their key models.

• Oticon Intent – Various receiver power levels
• Phonak Infinio – Includes a unique MAV (ActiveVent) receiver, which I’ll discuss shortly
• Starkey Edge AI – Multiple fitting options
• Widex Moment – The Moment RIC 10 has limited power due to its size 10 battery, only supporting S or M receivers
• Signia IX – Broad fitting range across their lineup
• ReSound Vivia – Features a specialist M&RIE receiver, similar to Phonak’s MAV, which I’ll highlight next

If your hearing loss is borderline for a particular model, I recommend choosing a 312D or Sheer option (where available). That way, if your hearing declines in the future, you’ll have more flexibility for adjustments.

Up next, I’ll dive into some specialist receivers that stand out for their unique features.

Phonak ActiveVent

Phonak ActiveVent is, without question, my favorite unique receiver technology. It’s been around for a few generations of hearing aids now, and trust me—you’ll want to stick around to hear what this thing can do.

At the heart of ActiveVent is a built-in moving piston within the custom mould. This piston automatically adjusts based on your listening environment, redirecting sound naturally through your ear canal or via the hearing aids. This dynamic adjustment enhances:

• Speech clarity
• Hearing in noisy environments
• The natural sound of your own voice
• Music and phone call quality when streamed

There are pros and cons to having your ear canals open or closed, and depending on your hearing loss, both configurations can be beneficial at different times. Before Phonak introduced ActiveVent, hearing aids couldn’t dynamically switch between the two—but now they can.

How ActiveVent Works in different environments

• Quiet environments → The vent remains open, allowing sound to move naturally in and out of your ear canal. This provides a more natural listening experience, helping you feel more connected to your surroundings.
• Noisy environments → The vent closes, ensuring that all sound is processed through the hearing aid’s noise reduction system. This prevents unprocessed background noise from reaching your ears and improves speech clarity.

Think about it—if unprocessed noise is traveling through your ear canal without passing through the hearing aid, it won’t have been filtered, cleaned, or optimised for clarity. ActiveVent solves this issue.

When you stream music or calls from your phone, ActiveVent automatically closes, blocking outside noise and enhancing sound depth and richness. This results in a more immersive listening experience, making streamed audio sound fuller and more dynamic.

ReSound M&RIE

ReSound offers its own innovative receiver technology called M&RIE (Microphone & Receiver In Ear). It’s the only receiver technology that features an extra microphone positioned at the entrance of your ear canal.

ReSound claims that by placing an additional microphone inside the ear, the hearing aid can better account for the natural shape and size of your ear anatomy. This results in a more immersive hearing experience with greater depth and also a sense of spatial awareness.

This microphone is automatically enabled in a quiet environment when you want to hear everything that’s going on around you, and then when the hearing aid detect any degree of background noise — let’s say in a restaurant for example — this additional microphone switches off, and then the directional microphones on the hearing aids kick in, giving you the most effective speech understanding in background noise that ReSound can produce.

As a result, ReSound claims that this improves sound localisation by around 15% when compared to omnidirectional BTE microphones, and around 10% when compared to hearing aids that provide pinna compensation.

From my clinical experience, both M&RIE and Phonak’s ActiveVent are more prone to feedback than conventional receivers. Because of this, I am very selective about which patients I recommend them to.

However, if you have mild to moderate hearing loss, M&RIE could be a fantastic option for you.

Personalisation

All receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids can be physically customised to suit both your anatomy and your specific hearing loss. This is done by selecting either rubber domes, which provide a more generic fit, or custom-made ear molds that require your audiologist to take an impression of your ear and create a personalised fit.

The choice between these options is often left to your audiologist’s expertise, but I strongly encourage you to take an interest in this decision. If this part of your hearing aid isn’t right, then your devices simply won’t function as well as they should. While many people assume the tip is only about comfort, the reality is that it plays a crucial role in the clarity and sharpness of sound, the richness of audio, the quality of phone call and music streaming, and most importantly, how well your hearing aids perform in background noise.

The easiest and quickest option for both you and your audiologist is to fit a generic rubber tip, and while this can work for some people, it’s not always the best solution. I’ve seen many patients come into my clinic with hearing aids that weren’t performing as expected, and in many cases, a simple switch to a custom mold, combined with real-ear measurements and some fine-tuning, has completely transformed their experience.

If you are in the process of getting fitted for a hearing aid, I would strongly recommend asking your audiologist whether custom tips would be suitable for you. Whenever possible, I aim to fit them, as they can make a real difference in overall performance and comfort.

Looking at the fitting ranges of the hearing aids I’ve covered today, they all follow a similar pattern. Unless you have severe-to-profound hearing loss, most of these devices could be a great option for you. There’s plenty more to cover, so stay tuned!

User Controls

When it comes to controlling hearing aids, different users have different preferences. Some people like the ability to adjust their settings on the go, while others prefer their hearing aids to handle everything automatically without any manual changes. Each manufacturer offers a different approach to user control, which can be divided into two main categories: physical adjustments and adjustments made via a mobile app.

Rocker switch

The most versatile option, and my personal favourite, is the rocker switch. This design includes two soft keys on each hearing aid, allowing for a variety of customisable functions. The buttons can be programmed to control volume, mute the hearing aid, change programs for different environments—such as connecting to a loop system, TV, or a specialised setting for noisy restaurants—and even answer or hang up phone calls.

Single button

The second type of physical control is a single button, which still allows for some degree of adjustability, though it can be a bit more cumbersome to use. Instead of separate volume up and down buttons, the right hearing aid increases the volume, while the left decreases it. Other functionalities remain similar to those found in rocker switch-equipped models, but they require a bit more patience to use effectively.

Tap Control

For those who prefer an even more seamless interaction, the third category of user controls includes tap control. This feature is made possible by accelerometers built into the hearing aids, which also play a role in automatically adjusting settings based on movement. With tap control, users can answer or decline phone calls simply by tapping their ear. Phonak takes this a step further with the Audeo Infinio, allowing users to activate Siri or Google Assistant without even taking their phone out of their pocket. While not everyone takes advantage of this feature, those who do tend to love the convenience it offers.

No physical controls

For the fourth and final category—although it’s difficult to call it a full category when there’s only one hearing aid that fits this description—the Widex RIC 10 has no physical buttons at all. This means that all adjustments must be made through an external device.

Although physical buttons provide quick and easy access to essential controls, they do have their downsides. Adjusting settings using buttons on the back of the hearing aids can feel a bit fiddly, and while the devices will beep to confirm any changes, it’s not always as intuitive as visually seeing those changes on a screen. This is why mobile apps have revolutionised the way hearing aid users interact with their devices.

Each manufacturer has its own app, and while they all serve similar functions, some stand out above the rest. If I had to pick the best, my top recommendations would be Phonak’s MyPhonak app and the ReSound Smart 3D app. These apps are not only reliable and user-friendly, but they also provide access to a range of advanced controls that aren’t available through physical buttons alone.

For those using the Widex RIC 10, which lacks built-in Bluetooth (a topic I’ll cover in more detail soon), there’s still a way to make basic adjustments using the Widex ToneLink app. Instead of Bluetooth, this app communicates with the hearing aid through ultra-high-frequency sound. While not as advanced as other options, it still allows for some level of customisation and control.

Water Resistance

All the hearing aids I’m covering today come with an IP68 water resistance rating. This means they can technically be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes and still function afterward. This isn’t a rating exclusive to hearing aids—you’ll also find it on many smartphones, possibly even the one you’re using to read this right now.

That said, two manufacturers, Phonak and Starkey, have gone a step further by putting their hearing aids through extreme durability testing to ensure they can withstand the daily wear and tear that comes with regular use. Their robustness tests include exposure to simulated sweat, seawater, saltwater, chlorinated water, and freshwater.

Phonak has taken extra precautions to enhance durability. They’ve added additional microphone protection, sealed the seams with silicon, and coated the internal components with Parylene, a protective coating also used by NASA on spacecraft. These added reinforcements help protect the hearing aids from moisture, dust, and other environmental factors.

Starkey, on the other hand, has developed their Pro8 HydraShield waterproofing system. This includes a Kevlar-reinforced receiver—yes, the same material used in military-grade bulletproof vests. They’ve also redesigned the acoustic ports, added an internal microphone mesh barrier, sealed the casing with silicon, and applied a specialised coating to all internal components to maximise protection.

For most users, the standard IP68 rating will be more than enough to handle daily life. However, if you lead an active lifestyle that involves frequent exposure to water or moisture—whether it’s from intense workouts, outdoor activities, or working in humid conditions—one of these more robust models may be the right choice for you.

Battery power

As you’ve probably noticed by now, I like to group hearing aid technology according to their functions, and battery power is no exception. There are three main categories when it comes to hearing aid batteries and rechargeability.

Disposable batteries

The first group consists of hearing aids that rely on disposable batteries. Interestingly, the battery life isn’t determined by the hearing aid itself but rather by the size of the battery. Smaller batteries require more frequent changes. For example, the Widex RIC 10 is the only hearing aid in this discussion that uses a size 10 battery, which typically needs replacing every 3 to 5 days.

Other hearing aids in this category use a size 312 battery, which lasts approximately 5 to 7 days. The ReSound Vivia RIE 13 stands out as the only hearing aid in this review that utilises a size 13 battery, extending the lifespan to around 7 to 10 days before requiring a change.

Rechargeable batteries

Rechargeable hearing aids can be further divided into two subcategories. The first includes those that provide around 24 hours of battery life per charge, which has become the industry standard since rechargeable hearing aids became widely available.

The second group consists of models from manufacturers such as Signia and Widex, which offer up to 35 hours of battery life on a single 3-hour charge. Starkey takes it even further, boasting an impressive 51 hours per charge. While you might assume this extended battery life is designed for all-night parties in Cancun, the real reason is more practical.

Lithium-ion batteries, which are also used in phones and laptops, tend to degrade over time. After a few years, a full charge may no longer last an entire day. Unlike a phone or laptop, where a dying battery is inconvenient but manageable, a hearing aid running out of power mid-day is a serious issue. The advantage of these extended battery-life models is that even as battery health declines over time, they should still provide enough power to last through a full waking day.

Patients who prefer disposable batteries are often those who travel frequently and don’t want to worry about carrying a charger. Others simply like the security of having spare batteries on hand.

For those opting for rechargeable hearing aids, the overall battery life varies between manufacturers, but I wouldn’t recommend choosing a hearing aid solely based on battery performance as long as it lasts a full day. If battery life starts to decline significantly, most manufacturers now offer replacements under warranty.

Technology Levels

Not only do these hearing aids come in various models, but each model is also available in different technology levels. These levels differ in how well they manage background noise, how clearly they provide speech distinction, and how effectively they perform in complex listening situations. Naturally, the more advanced the technology level, the higher the cost, and pricing can vary depending on the audiologist you visit.

To give you a better idea of these differences, I’ve compiled tables comparing the features of various technology levels within each hearing aid family, which you can see in the video at the bottom of this blog. For instance, you’ll find a breakdown of the Oticon Intent models, an overview of the varying features in the Phonak Infinio lineup, and a detailed comparison of Starkey’s Edge AI hearing aids. Additionally, there’s a table showing the different levels available within the Widex Moment family, another outlining the ReSound Vivia models, and finally, a feature comparison for the Signia IX hearing aids.

I’d strongly recommend taking the time to look through each table carefully, identifying the features that matter most to you, and discussing them in depth with your audiologist to ensure the best fit for your hearing needs.

Connectivity

Bluetooth has become an industry standard in modern hearing aids, allowing users to stream phone calls, music, radio, and podcasts directly to both hearing aids. Additionally, as mentioned earlier, each manufacturer’s app enables manual adjustments to hearing aid settings. However, connectivity isn’t as simple as it might seem—there are different types of Bluetooth protocols, each with its own pros and cons.

To break it down, I’ve categorised the top hearing aids of 2025 into five distinct connectivity groups.

Classic Bluetooth

Phonak is the only manufacturer that utilises classic Bluetooth, and its primary advantage is universal compatibility. These hearing aids can connect to any Bluetooth-enabled device, whether it’s old or new, a smartphone or a landline phone. No other hearing aid manufacturer offers this level of universal connectivity.

LE Audio (Original)

The second category includes hearing aids that use Low Energy (LE) Audio, originally introduced in 2010 as the way hearing aids connected to iPhones. This method is efficient and effective but does come with some limitations. While iPhone users benefit from bi-directional Bluetooth (allowing for hands-free calling using the hearing aids’ built-in microphones), Android users do not have access to this feature. Additionally, not all phones support Bluetooth streaming, meaning some users may experience compatibility issues.

LE Audio (Auracast-Ready)

The third group consists of the latest hearing aids from Signia, ReSound, Oticon, Starkey, and Phonak, all of which come equipped with the newest version of LE Audio, making them Auracast-ready. Auracast is set to revolutionise hearing aid connectivity, allowing public venues to broadcast high-quality audio directly to compatible hearing aids. Imagine being able to hear train station announcements, football commentary, or church sermons streamed directly into your hearing aids with better clarity and lower battery consumption.

While these hearing aids already have Auracast hardware built in, most manufacturers have not yet activated the feature. This is because there are still very few Auracast transmitters installed worldwide, and manufacturers are prioritising further testing before rolling out support via a simple (and free) firmware update.

Loop System

The fourth connectivity category is a tried-and-tested alternative to Auracast—the loop system. This is essentially the 20th-century version of LE Audio, allowing sound from public venues to be transmitted directly to hearing aids. Until Auracast technology becomes widespread, the loop system remains a reliable way to access enhanced audio in places like theaters, airports, and lecture halls.

Telecoil

Most hearing aid manufacturers—except Phonak and Widex—offer at least one model with a built-in telecoil. This feature allows hearing aids to connect to loop systems, commonly found in public spaces like theaters, churches, and airports, providing clearer audio directly to the hearing aid.

However, some manufacturers require users to sacrifice rechargeability to access telecoil functionality, meaning you may need to choose between convenience and connectivity depending on your priorities.

A notable outlier is the Widex RIC 10, which doesn’t include Bluetooth or a telecoil. While this might be a drawback for some, it’s worth considering whether you personally need these features before making a decision.

When it comes to connectivity, there are plenty of options available, and it’s often one of those technologies that you don’t realise you need until you try it. Many of my patients have found telecoil and Bluetooth streaming to be game-changers in their everyday listening experiences.

Lastly, your smartphone choice can impact the features available on your hearing aids. iPhones tend to offer the most compatibility across manufacturers. If you’re considering a hearing aid purchase, I’d strongly recommend checking the compatibility lists on each manufacturer’s website or speaking with your audiologist to confirm which features you’ll be able to use with your phone.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is playing a significant role in modern hearing aids, with Phonak, Oticon, Starkey, and ReSound integrating offline AI to automatically adjust settings based on your environment. These hearing aids have been trained on millions of real-world sound environments—Oticon claims 12 million, ReSound 13 million, and Phonak boasts 22 million—allowing them to recognise and adapt to different listening situations with incredible precision. In fact, some models claim to make up to 80 million adjustments per hour, ensuring that speech clarity and background noise reduction are optimised in real time.

This AI-driven approach is designed to prioritise speech from the person in front of you, while simultaneously filtering out unwanted background noise, making conversations in challenging environments significantly easier. However, rather than relying solely on manufacturer claims, I always recommend looking at independent hearing aid tests, such as those conducted by HearAdvisor, to evaluate how well these AI-powered systems truly perform.

That said, Widex and Signia also utilise AI, but in a different way. Their hearing aids allow you to make manual adjustments through an app, which are then compared to thousands of other users’ settings in similar environments. The hearing aid can then fine-tune itself based on collective user data, optimising for your specific needs. The only downside to this approach is that it requires user input, whereas most people prefer their hearing aids to function as automatically as possible without needing manual tweaks.

Ultimately, AI is changing the game for hearing aid technology, but the effectiveness of these systems will vary based on individual needs and preferences. If you struggle to hear in background noise, it’s worth paying close attention to how different AI-powered models perform in real-world conditions before making a decision.

Motion Sensors

Building on artificial intelligence, hearing aids from Oticon, Phonak, Starkey, and Signia now incorporate accelerometers or motion sensors. This isn’t a brand-new feature, but it has evolved significantly. Signia introduced motion sensors back in 2019, followed by Phonak in 2020, Starkey in 2023, and Oticon in 2024.

So, why would hearing aids need motion sensors? Essentially, these sensors help hearing aids anticipate the specific needs of your listening situation based on your movement. For example, when you’re seated at a restaurant, you typically want to focus on the person in front of you, with maybe a little attention to someone sitting beside you. However, when you stand up and start walking, the hearing aid adjusts to let you hear more clearly from the side, as you’re unlikely to have someone walking directly in front of you.

This adjustment process is made possible by the motion sensors, which give the hearing aid real-time data about your movements, helping it to adapt its settings for maximum clarity. Interestingly, this feature is generally available only in rechargeable models from these manufacturers, making it a point worth considering when choosing between disposable and rechargeable hearing aids.

One thing to note, though, is that ReSound does use motion sensors too, but in a different way—mainly for tap controls, such as answering or hanging up calls, rather than enhancing hearing performance in dynamic situations.

Choosing the right hearing aid for you

The world of hearing aids is a difficult one to navigate, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Everyone has different hearing needs and challenges, so it’s important that your audiologist chooses the right technology for you and adjusts it accordingly.

If you’re looking for personalised advice on your perfect hearing technology, contact Harley Street Hearing. Our team of highly skilled clinical audiologists can recommend the most suitable device for your needs.

The best hearing aids for 2025

Matthew Allsop is a Partner at Harley Street Hearing, and a content creator for Hearing Tracker, where he shares his honest opinion on all new hearing aid technology. Hearing Tracker is the world’s first truly independent resource for hearing aid customers. You can view his video where he shares his opinions on the latest hearing aids for 2025 below.

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One of the latest innovations in hearing technology is Xander glasses, revolutionary smart glasses designed to support individuals with severe to profound hearing loss. And, they even have live captions.

In this exclusive CES 2025 interview, Matthew Allsop uncovered everything we need to know about this ground-breaking technology.

What are Xander smart glasses?

Xander smart glasses are designed to help specifically with hearing loss. So what we say is, if I can’t hear what you’re saying, our glasses can help you see what I’m saying. They project real-time captions of conversations right in your field of view.

It’s an emerging category, there are a lot of captioning glasses that are coming out. What makes this a little different is we are using all of this speech-to-text technology built into the glasses and we believe that helps a lot of our customers.

How Xander’s speech-to-text technology works

Being able to use it by just pushing a button, the captions come on, they just work. Because the speech-to-text is built in, you don’t need wifi, you don’t need cloud services, and you don’t need a phone.

It’s pretty accurate, how have you got to the point where it doesn’t pick up everything that’s going on around you and it just focuses on the person in front?

It really is about using the right technology in the right way. What’s nice is that, as there’s the Lombard effect as we are in an environment with noise, we just talk louder. And so we are relying on that effect a lot for people. but there are people who come by and they talk really quietly and then the glasses won’t pick up every word.

Just like you have to speak loud and clear for someone with hearing aids, you also have to do that for any pair of captioning glasses that are out there.

The glasses transcribe the wearer’s text in a bright neon colour which really stands out, and everything the other person in the conversation says appears right in front of you.

Who are Xander glasses designed for?

They are really designed for people that have more advanced stages of hearing loss – severe to profound hearing loss. If you’ve got mild to moderate hearing loss, hearing aids are amazing.

As your hearing loss progresses to severe or profound, you’re looking at more high-powered hearing aids. They can help, but they don’t always help because some people can hear sounds, but speech intelligibility is still a problem. That’s the market that Xander is ideal for.

When we have people try them on, they say, “Well, that word is wrong and that word is wrong.” And we say, “Well, congratulations, you don’t need our glasses. Your hearing is so good you don’t need them.” And we’re happy for that.

We’re really focused on people who need it the most.

Where are they available?

Xander smart glasses are currently available in the USA directly through Xander.

For all of the latest hearing technology available in the UK, get in touch with Harley Street Hearing.

Live Captions in Smart Glasses! Xander Glasses for Severe Hearing Loss | CES 2025 Video

Matthew Allsop is a Partner at Harley Street Hearing, and a content creator for Hearing Tracker, where he shares his honest opinion on all new hearing aid technology. Hearing Tracker is the world’s first truly independent resource for hearing aid customers. You can view his exclusive CES 2025 interview on Xander Glasses below.

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• Full review: Phonak Audéo Infinio Sphere hearing aids with patient feedback

After a few months of fitting Phonak’s new record-breaking Audéo Infinio Sphere hearing aids at Harley Street Hearing, it’s time to give a detailed review of them.

Based on real-world testing and patient feedback, let’s see how well the Audéo Infinio Sphere performs.

Comparing to Phonak Lumity: What’s new?

The Audéo Sphere Infinio looks pretty similar to Phonak’s previous model, the Audéo Lumity, specifically the Lumity Life. You’ll notice the microphones have dual ports for both front- and rear-facing microphones, which allow the hearing aid to detect what’s in front of you versus what’s behind and deliver the most appropriate sound for your individual listening environment, which I’ll cover in great detail throughout this blog.

Rocker Switch vs. Push Button Controls

Phonak have stuck to their guns and maintained a rocker switch on the design, and I mention this because some manufacturers have recently moved away from this setup to a single push-button option. In my opinion, this is a mistake because I find that some patients like the flexibility of being able to physically adjust their hearing aids by pressing the button, as well as via their app. The button is a soft key and can be used to turn the hearing aids on and off, adjust the volume or programs, and answer or hang up phone calls.

On top of that, Phonak have also stuck with their tap control feature, which allows you to access Siri or Google Assist or pick up or hang up phone calls, all with a double tap of your ear. Finally, you’ll see the receiver wire here, which feeds energy and information to the speaker that sits inside your ear.

Concerns about hearing aid size addressed

I honestly no longer think that the size of these hearing aids is an issue anymore. My initial concern was that patients wouldn’t like the look or feel of them; however, from the patients that I fitted with this technology, yes, one or two of them have commented on the size, but not one person has refused to wear them, even those of you out there wearing glasses.

More importantly, as I run through exactly what these hearing aids are capable of doing and what Phonak have loaded into them, you’ll appreciate why they’re a little larger than their predecessors, and if I’m 100% honest with you, it’s well worth taking up that extra space behind your ear.

In my opinion, gone are the days when the manufacturers were racing to make the smallest possible hearing aid. Yes, smaller receiver-in-canal hearing aids do exist, but that does come at a cost when it comes to functionality, so the likes of Bluetooth connectivity or for rechargeability and overall functions around clarity and noise reduction capabilities. At the same time, I don’t want to sound dismissive, and if size is incredibly important to you, then you can always opt for the Phonak Audéo Infinio non-Sphere model, which I have also had fantastic results with, but you will have to forgo some of the awesome features that I’m going to be covering today.

Infinio Sphere colour options

There is a wide selection of colours available in the Infinio Sphere. It’s worth noting that there has been way more demand for the Spheres than Phonak had originally anticipated, and as a result, Phonak has not only had to ration the numbers of the units available in each country, but they’ve also limited them to four colours to start with, including champagne, silver grey, graphite grey, and sand beige. I have it on good authority that when Phonak catch up with the demand, they’ll exchange your hearing aid for a preferred colour, which I suspect will be early on in 2025.

Rechargeability

There are two details that you need to know when it comes to the batteries on these hearing aids. Firstly, they’re only available as a rechargeable hearing aid, and secondly, their battery performance.

The Audéo Infinio Spheres are currently only available as a rechargeable hearing aid, and I’ve got to say that this shouldn’t be an issue, as the majority of hearing aid users that I speak to now expect hearing aids to be rechargeable. However, if you’re delaying buying these hearing aids with the hope that one day they’ll be available in a disposable battery version, don’t hold your breath. I am 99% sure that the Audéo Infinio Sphere will never be released in a disposable battery version.

With the computational power within these hearing aids and the energy needed to drive them, a zinc-air battery likely won’t meet its needs. However, the lesser-spec Audéo Infinio may come in a disposable battery version in the future, similar to the Phonak Lumity models.

In terms of battery performance, I’ve found that if the hearing aids are working in their AutoSense setting, adapting to your environment, and you have a balanced lifestyle, you will not have any issues with battery life. The only situation where battery life may be reduced is when the AI-powered Spheric Speech in Loud Noise mode is activated for extended periods, potentially reducing battery life to around 7 hours. Fortunately, Phonak has implemented features to prevent premature battery depletion, such as limiting the AI activation time and providing battery life estimations through the app.

It’s worth noting that I haven’t either heard of or personally had any patients reporting this being an issue, but I still wanted you guys watching this video to be aware of it. Now, fortunately, I am delighted to report that Phonak has implemented a couple of features to stop your hearing aids from prematurely dying. Firstly, your audiologist can limit the time that your hearing aids automatically engage their AI features to around 3 hours a day, which for the majority of hearing aid users shouldn’t hinder their natural and normal listening experiences.

Secondly, if you have a manual program and your hearing aids are set to the Spheric Speech in Loud Noise mode, it displays an estimation on the app telling you how long the hearing aid will last in this mode. Both of these features are unique to Phonak, and I’m pleased to say that they’ve identified a potential issue and implemented ways to prevent it from causing issues with your daily
hearing aid use, hence my not having this be an issue with any of my hearing aid patients.

Phonak’s contact charging system

Phonak have opted to go back to contact charging, as from my understanding they’ve identified industrywide issues with the reliability of inductive chargers when it comes to warmer climates. As a result, you’ll notice two titanium pins on the bottom of these hearing aids that weren’t on their previous Lumity Life model. When the hearing aids are dropped into the charger, you’ll feel them pulled down securely with built-in magnets that ensure an effective connection is made. All I’ll say is make sure that the bottom of this well is free of dust and debris, as it could potentially interfere with proper contact being made and stop the hearing aids from charging properly.

I’m also pleased to share that whilst the charger is powered by a USB-C cable, surprisingly for its size, it also has a built-in battery, with Phonak quoting 3 days’ worth of life; however, I’ve had some patients reporting up to five. When the hearing aids are on charge, the LED lights up in the centre, so you know that they’re charging, and it utilises a traffic light-based system, starting from red when the battery is running low, through to amber, and then green when they’re full. It will take around 3 hours to fully charge these hearing aids, and the LED in the centre of the charger also adopts the same principles to update you about its battery life.

Suitability for different hearing loss levels

Whether you have a mild, moderate, severe, or profound hearing loss, the hearing aids can be adapted to your hearing by switching the power of the receiver between an S, M, P, or UP, or even their ActiveVent technology, as well as changing the receiver.

The way that these hearing aids are coupled to your ears can be personalised too, with a selection of medical-grade silicone domes to choose from or various custom tips such as Phonak SlimTips, seashells, or ActiveVent that I mentioned before.

Now, believe it or not, the tip on the end of your hearing aid is incredibly important, and all too often I see hearing aid users lost in online forums looking for guidance on the most appropriate tip for them. And if that’s you, I feel incredibly sorry for you, as that’s not your job; that’s the job of your audiologist. Now, the wrong tip can completely transform the way that a hearing aid sounds, from how much clarity it provides, how well it copes in background noise, how good it sounds when you’re streaming, and of course the comfort of the thing. And I will always personally try and put custom tips on as many ears as possible when they’re appropriate for that particular individual.

Phonak’s unique ActiveVent Receiver

Phonak’s ActiveVent receiver is compatible with Sphere and the reason that it is so special is because of its built-in moving piston that changes its position depending on your listening environment and diverts either more or less sound naturally down your ear canal or, on the contrary, via your hearing aids.

In turn, this can change how well you hear in noise, how clear your voice sounds, how clearly you hear, and also how music sounds when being streamed from your phone. And if you’re wondering whether or not this matters, it does. Yes, it does. It matters a lot.

There are both positives and negatives to having your ear canals either open or closed, and depending on your hearing loss, sometimes it’s beneficial to have a hearing aid that can do both on different occasions, which, until ActiveVent was released by Phonak, wasn’t possible. For example, in a quiet environment, you might want the vent to be open, allowing natural sound in and out, giving you a nice natural feeling, and connecting you with your environment.

Yet, when in noise, it’s better to have your ears closed, so that all of the sound that you hear is via your hearing aids, having been cleaned of background noise. The same thing goes for music and streaming, so when streaming from your phone, the ActiveVent will close, both blocking sound in and blocking sound out, which enhances music, giving it a greater fullness and richness when being streamed from your phone.

Having also fitted my fair share of Sphere patients with ActiveVent, I can confirm that it does what it says on the tin and boosts its functioning in background noise even further still.

I’ve got to mention, at the same time as this being fantastic, one thing that it’s important that you’re aware of if you’re considering this setup is that when the ActiveVent both engages or disengages (i.e., it opens or closes), you will notice a perceivable clicking sound in your ears. I’ve found that most of my patients don’t mind as long as I’ve warned them beforehand, which I would do with everybody. However, there have been one or two that haven’t been able to get used to it, so we’ve had to switch to standard ear moulds instead.

Technology levels

Audéo Sphere Infinio is available in two different technology levels: firstly, the 90, which is Phonak’s premium technology level, and then the 70, which is their advanced model.

Every hearing aid manufacturer creates the best possible hearing aids that they can with the technology and the research and developments that are available at that moment in time, and brand that as their premium hearing aid, which in this instance is the Infinio Sphere 90.

This hearing aid tends to have the most automation, the most clarity, and the best ability to cope in noisy situations. Phonak then has various technology levels beneath that, with certain features that they’ve stripped away, and you do pay a little bit less for the less-spec hearing aids. But again, it’s down to you and your audiologist to work together and identify which technology level is the most appropriate for you.

Sound Quality: Phonak’s AutoSense OS 6.0

In these new hearing aids, Phonak have developed their AutoSense feature further still, which is one of my favourite adaptive programs out there. It uses sophisticated algorithms to ncontinuously analyse the acoustic environment around you and make real-time adjustments to optimise sound clarity and comfort. And so now they’re on OS 6.0, which Phonak are boasting enhances speech understanding by 16% and reduces listening effort by up to 45%, with the hearing aids automatically categorising your environment into six different listening situations, starting from speech in quiet, speech in noise, speech in loud noise, speech in car, comfort in noise, and music, all without you needing to switch over to manual programs at all.

From my point of view, the great thing about Phonak, over and above any other hearing aid manufacturer, is that as an audiologist I have the ability to manually make adjustments to each of these acoustic scenarios to match my patients’ needs.

Motion sensors

Working alongside its artificial intelligence, Phonak utilises accelerometers, also known as motion sensors, in its hearing aids. This concept isn’t in itself new, with Phonak first introducing motion sensors into their hearing aids way back in 2020.

Motion sensors provide more information to the hearing aids when determining your listening environment, thus anticipating with greater accuracy your specific hearing needs in that situation.
In practice, this means if you’re sat down in a restaurant, you would normally want to hear the person that’s speaking in front of you, and perhaps a little bit to the side too. However, as soon as you stand up and start walking, you would normally want to be able to hear the person by your side as you’re walking along, as it’s unlikely that you would have somebody in front of you walking backwards – and the motion sensors help the hearing aids to recognise this.

Real-Time AI chip for Speech in Noise

Phonak’s 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 background noise. This artificial intelligence sets a new bar in terms of hearing in background noise, and at the heart of this innovation lies their new Deep Sonic chip, which is a proprietary AI sound processing chip working alongside their brand-new ERA chip.

This is a giant leap in hearing aid technology, providing dynamic, real-time adjustments to speech separation from background noise. With 21 times more memory and four times more power efficiency, this leads to 53 times more processing power than any existing industry chip. All in all, from your point of view, this means that this hearing aid is capable of performing 7.7 billion operations per second—and it works.

Phonak boasts that in total there are four and a half million neural connections, 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 which, in relative terms, is massive and essentially means that you’re three times more likely to understand speech when you’re in noise compared to any other manufacturer’s hearing aids.

In practical terms, every single person—yes, every patient—that I’ve fitted with these hearing aids has reported an improvement in both speech clarity and performance in noisy environments, such as a busy restaurant, for example. And that’s whether they’re new to hearing aids or if I’ve updated them from older tech from either Phonak or any other manufacturer out there too.

Our lab testing

Hearing Tracker have teamed up with HearAdvisor, an independent hearing aid vetting lab who have built a breathtaking audio lab that allows for the independent testing of all hearing aid technology.

Click play on the video below to see how Phonak’s Sphere Infinio holds up to its claims.

Bluetooth connectivity

Phonak are the only manufacturer to use classic Bluetooth, which allows you to connect to any Bluetooth source including your smartphones, tablets, and computers.This integration supports a wide range of audio codecs, ensuring high-quality audio streaming regardless of the source, and also supports dual streaming, allowing you to connect to multiple devices simultaneously,
which isn’t possible from any other manufacturer.

In the Infinio, Phonak have improved the transmission power over their previous models, providing a more stable Bluetooth connection, which firstly ensures consistent audio quality and connectivity over longer distances, and secondly creates a lag-free transition when switching between different audio sources. I haven’t had any complaints with regard to connectivity since I fitted them.

In terms of future-proofing, you will be pleased to hear that the Audéo Sphere Infinio is also Auracast-ready.

Hands-free calling

The Spheres also support hands-free calling, which is pretty limited with other hearing aid manufacturers, meaning that you can keep your phone in your pocket and the microphones on your hearing aids will pick up your voice to send to the person on the other end of the phone. In my opinion, Phonak have carried forward a legacy issue with this hands-free setup, and I have had two people complain about this setup out of everybody that I’ve fitted with this technology.

It’s great to have the ability to have hands-free phone calls, but the downside is that if you answer the phone in a particularly noisy environment, the person on the other end of the call may struggle to hear you. Now, I won’t lie; this is an issue with all manufacturers. However, everybody else allows you to toggle it on and off.

I don’t know if this will change when the LE Audio Auracast features are enabled down the line with a firmware update, so stay tuned and I will report on this as soon as I know any more.

But what I do know is that there is a fix if you’re an Apple user, which is to enable Voice Isolation mode on your phone itself. When enabled, this Voice Isolation feature isolates the microphones on your hearing aid to pick up your voice only and cut out that surrounding background noise, making it better for the person on the other end of the phone to be able to hear you. But I’ve got to say, it’s still not perfect, but you will see an improvement.

MyPhonak app updates

Phonak’s MyPhonak app is one of the most intuitive out there to date and can be as simple or as complicated as you like. If you want to simply use it to adjust the volume, mute your hearing aids, or change the program, then the home screen is perfect for you. However, if you really want to get into the weeds, then you can adjust the graphic equaliser, noise settings, and dynamic range of your hearing aid.

The app itself has only had one new feature in this latest update to version 6.9, which is a Find My Hearing Aid feature. In practice, this means that if your hearing aid falls out or goes missing, the GPS on your smartphone will show you the last time that your phone and your hearing aid were together, so if you’ve lost one, you can retrace your steps and you’ll be able to find it.

Now, there are a couple of things that I’ve come across in clinic that it’s worth mentioning. So firstly, the app itself will ask for your permission to use your location services. You have to allow this, and it must be set to “always allow.” If you don’t take that step, then it won’t work very simply. Secondly, I’ve also been assured that Phonak (or Sonova) doesn’t have access to your location data, so don’t panic; they will not be tracing your every movement. Now, it’s worth mentioning that I’ve had some patients report that it has excessively drained their phone battery having this feature activated, so as a result, they’ve turned the feature off. Interestingly, I’ve only had this with a couple of patients.

No telecoil or CROS compatibility

There is no telecoil and no CROS compatibility with the Phonak Infinio Spheres, and I am a big fan of both. So if you’re interested in the telecoil, then you have to stick with Phonak Lumity family of hearing aids or look to one of their competitors. However, if you’re interested in a CROS system, then you can look to the standard Infinio for those of you out there with single-sided deafness.

In all honesty, the lack of a telecoil shouldn’t be an issue going forward with the introduction of LE Audio and Auracast. However, until we see the global rollout of those transmitters into public venues, and if you’re used to utilising a loop system, then these hearing aids may not be right for you. Saying that, I would still recommend giving these hearing aids a test drive if your main challenge is hearing in background noise, and if you’re used to using a telecoil on your current technology, perhaps you can keep them in reserve for any time that you’d need them.

Durability: Waterproof & sweatproof testing

Phonak have made what was their previous “Life” model their minimum standard when it comes to robustness and water protection, which is only rivalled by Starkey. Now, they’ve done this by adding additional microphone protection, they’ve coated the components with a Parylene coating and then they have brutally tested it in the lab to ensure that it does what they promise, with a total of 135 different tests.

These include a simulated sweat test representing two workouts a week for a 5-year period, a saltwater test, a seawater test, a chlorinated water test simulating two swims per week over a 5-year period as well, and then finally freshwater testing performed in a pressurized container testing down to a depth of 50 cm, 520 times. With the positive track record that the Lumity Life hearing aids have had when it comes to waterproofing, I’m pretty confident that these won’t fail on you with a splash of water. It’s a little too early to know if this extensive testing works, but it certainly did with their Lumity Life hearing aids, and only time will tell if their efforts will pay dividends.

Phonak Accessories: Roger microphones & more

Phonak have been great at recognizing where hearing aid technology alone will struggle to overcome hearing challenges, and as a result, they have a range of accessories such as their
TV Connector and their Roger range, such as the Roger On, Table Mic II, Touchscreen Mic, Roger Select, and their Roger neck loop.

I think you’ll be especially interested in the Roger microphones, which are designed to boost your hearing in loud noise and over a distance. For example, you can place it in the middle of a table at a restaurant with friends or at the opposite end of a conference table in a meeting. You can even clip it to the person speaking at a lecture, worship service, or any other social activity and have their voice streamed directly to both of your ears.

Contact us for Phonak’s Infinio Sphere hearing aids

Interested in trying Phonak’s Audéo Infinio Sphere for yourself? Get in touch with Harley Street Hearing to book a hearing test, and your audiologist will advise if this technology is suitable for you.

We Fitted 500+ Phonak Infinio Sphere Hearing Aids. Review & Patient Feedback Shared… Video

Matthew Allsop is a Partner at Harley Street Hearing, and a content creator for Hearing Tracker, where he shares his honest opinion on all new hearing aid technology. Hearing Tracker is the world’s first truly independent resource for hearing aid customers. You can view his review on Phonak’s Audéo Infinio Sphere below.

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ReSound have announced their brand-new hearing aid, Vivia, which I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of at CES 2025.

In this blog, I’ll share everything there is to know about it and when you can expect to get your hands on it.

Looking into ReSound’s portfolio

There is no question now that ReSound is an incredibly strong hearing aid manufacturer with a wide portfolio of hearing aids within their Nexia family. However, recently I haven’t fitted as many ReSound hearing aids as I have in the past. With the strong competition in the hearing tech space and the massive leaps we’ve seen when it comes to artificial intelligence in hearing aids, I felt that a couple of manufacturers – of which ReSound is one – have lagged behind a little.

However, this is about to change with the introduction of ReSound Vivia. I recently travelled to the Consumer Electronics Show in the US, which is the biggest tech show in the world, where all manufacturers of all technologies show off their latest developments. Interestingly, of the Big Six traditional hearing aid manufacturers – Phonak, Signia, Starkey, Widex, Oticon, and ReSound—ReSound was the only manufacturer there and I managed to needle my way into an exclusive event to see what the Vivia was all about.

ReSound Vivia models

Vivia is available in four new models to start off with:

• The Vivia RIE 312, which uses a size 312 disposable battery.
• The Vivia RIE 13, which uses a size 13 disposable battery.
• The Vivia Micro RIE, which has to be one of the smallest rechargeable Auracast-ready hearing aids out there.
• CROS, which is for those with single-sided deafness

ReSound’s “Have it all” philosophy

At the event, ReSound’s chief scientific officer and I took the opportunity to learn as much as possible about why ReSound feels their new hearing aid technology is unique in the hearing tech space for 2025. In doing so, there was one catchphrase that resonated throughout the presentations: their “Have It All” philosophy.

Watch the video below for my exclusive ReSound interview at CES 2025.

“Have It All” means they feel there is no compromise with their new technology. So, what exactly are their unique selling points?

Artificial intelligence

ReSound has finally caught up with the likes of Oticon, Starkey, and Phonak and has introduced an offline form of AI (artificial intelligence) into this new model of hearing aid, in the form of a deep neural network.

They’ve named this feature “Intelligent Focus,” which has been trained using over 13 million speech sentences, working across 3.9 million sound parameters, and, as a result, performing 4.9 trillion operations—all in order for the hearing aids to recognise speech within your environment, whether that’s a restaurant, car, or walking down the street, and to prioritise and focus on the speech sounds you want to hear while attenuating the sounds you don’t.

ReSound’s data shows that 83% of users experience better hearing in noise with their new Clear Focus technology when compared to leading solutions from other manufacturers with four-mic beamforming setups. Additionally, 64% experience better hearing in noise compared to other leading AI solutions.

Hardware developments

Now, when they say “Have It All,” in my opinion, the first thing they’re referring to is the size of these new hearing aids. While the likes of Phonak and Oticon have had to increase the size of their hearing aids to fit everything inside, it’s a joy to see that ReSound has been able to maintain the same size as their previous hearing aids, the Nexias.

They’ve followed in the footsteps of Phonak and introduced a second chip to power this artificial intelligence, which obviously requires significantly more power to run. So, I’m impressed with the engineering that’s clearly gone into making this work without an increase in the size of the technology.

Microphones

The microphones have also had a redesign which isn’t that much of a big deal in terms of improving the sound but it will have a positive impact in terms of robustness, meaning that the new microphone covers will prevent debris ingress and can be changed by you at home or in-clinic rather than needing to be sent back to ReSound HQ if there’s a fault.

Battery life

Now, with other manufacturers, we’ve heard there’s a limit in terms of how long their AI tech can be engaged due to its massive consumption of battery life. And when I say “others,” it’s Phonak that I mean. I have to tell you that, to date, their ability to cope in noisy situations is unrivalled by any other manufacturer, so I appreciate why it’s so power-hungry. Of course, because today is launch day and my first opportunity to share anything with you about these hearing aids, I haven’t yet had the chance to fit this tech into any patients’ ears. That will all come in time, and when I do, or when I have, I’ll upload a full review with both my and my patients’ feedback.

ReSound is claiming that, despite the incredible work their AI will be doing, you’ll be able to wear the hearing aids non-stop for 30 hours on a single charge – reduced to 20 hours with the addition of streaming. The AI can technically be engaged for 10 hours straight, which, if the claims are true, is three times longer than Phonak allows. I cannot wait to test these.

Auracast

While this isn’t ReSound’s first hearing aid with low-energy Bluetooth and Auracast integration – and while every other manufacturer apart from Widex already has Auracast functionality – ReSound is the first hearing aid manufacturer to have fully activated Auracast streaming, putting them way ahead of the competition. And I have seen and heard it in action, it’s pretty awesome.

For those unfamiliar with this new technology, in my opinion, Auracast is going to change your life for two main reasons. Firstly, you’ll see an improvement in the Bluetooth capabilities with your phone when it comes to sound quality and battery consumption—whether you’re listening to the radio, music, podcasts, or streaming phone calls. But that’s not all.

The second and main benefit is that public venues can have a built-in Auracast transmitter. This new form of transmitter is specifically designed to work with newer LE Audio technology and can technically send any signal directly to your hearing aids. For example, if you head to a football game and want to hear the commentator, walk into an airport and hear the announcements, or go to a place of worship and want to hear the sermon, Auracast can stream that audio directly to your hearing aids.

Over the next few years, it’s likely that we’ll see public venues installing these Auracast transmitters. Auracast-broadcasted audio will replace the century-old loop systems built into public venues, allowing multiple hearing aid users to simultaneously connect to audio in public spaces—all with improved sound quality and significantly lower battery consumption. This is going to be a game-changer, not just for those of you wearing hearing aids but I predict that this will be built into regular headphones too. So, ReSound’s brand-new Vivia technology is available as of now, February 2025.

When will ReSound Vivia be available?

ReSound Vivia is not yet available in the UK, but you can contact us using the form below and we’ll let you know when they are available at Harley Street Hearing.

Four New ReSound Vivia Hearing Aids: First Look and EVERYTHING You Need to Know Video

Matthew Allsop is a Partner at Harley Street Hearing, and a content creator for Hearing Tracker, where he shares his honest opinion on all new hearing aid technology. Hearing Tracker is the world’s first truly independent resource for hearing aid customers. You can view his first look at ReSound Vivia video below.

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In this exclusive CES 2025 interview, Matthew Allsop speaks with Davide D’Alena from Nuance Audio about their AI-powered, FDA-cleared platform that’s transforming the OTC hearing aid market.

Read on for Matthew’s discussion which explores the groundbreaking Nuance Audio glasses—stylish eyewear with completely invisible OTC hearing aids built into the frame.

Tell us all about being at CES 2025 and what you guys have in store for the next year ahead

CES is always a great opportunity to show innovation as you know we have been presenting the first time the product last year. We have been working in the last 12 months to further improve the product on the software side, on the app side, and so we are very close to launch now and are very happy to show our Innovation to the world.

So, what is that innovation?

Well, it’s Nuance Audio. Nuance Audio, is a normal pair of glasses that integrates an invisible hearing aid in the temple. The glasses look just like a normal pair of glasses, weighing 40 grams and the only difference is that in this small and teeny temple, you have a hearing aid which is incredible actually.

You know better than me that there are millions of people in the world with mild to moderate hearing loss who are not really approaching traditional aids for a number of reasons. The reasons are stigma which is probably the most important one, second is comfort because it’s not really comfortable to have something in your ear canal 12-14 hours per day, and the third is affordability.

With this we are going to break down all those barriers, completely invisible and this is the first time ever we have something with a completely open ear.

It’s going to come with a plano lens transition, meaning photochromatic lenses so you can mount any kind of prescription lenses.

Where will people be able to buy them?

Since the beginning, we have been talking about the open network model, so in the US we are going to distribute this product in our retail networks like Lens Crafter, Target Optical, and Pearle Vision. Then, you’ll be able to find them in any kind of ECP, so optical channel, and then also in audiological channel. So it’s an open network model, and every consumer will be able to choose where to buy and where to find this product but it’s not yet on the market.

How can audiologists get involved in the distribution of Nuance Audio glasses?

We have a commercial team in the US which are looking after both optical channels but also audiological channels. We are about to start and connect with all audiologists in the industry but also the independent players to get them on board.

When will the rest of the world have access to this technology?

We have great news because just before Christmas we got the CE Mark for European (we have the CE certification) and now we are in the phase to deep dive with the last mile with each country but hopefully by H1 next year we are going to be in the top five European countries and then we are going to roll out in the
rest of the world.

Which countries are there those those top five European countries?

Italy, France, Germany, UK, Spain.

Who are Nuance Audio glasses suitable for?

They are for people with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. There are certain situations where there is probably 70, or 80 dB of noise in the background. So, for people
with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss who are struggling to follow a conversation in a noisy environment, it may be a noisy restaurant, a business conference or a trade show, and in these conditions you want something simple to put on which is also improving your speech in noise understanding.

Our main target audience is people from 50 plus as there is a natural degenerative process of the vision which is the same for hearing so people after 50 can start to have some small loss of hearing.

How do they work?

They’re not just designed to look good and discreet which we’ve covered already but there’s nothing that actually goes into the ears on these things, so how do they actually direct sound down your ear canals?

The product has six microphones which are spread in the front and in the temple. Then you have two speakers in the bottom here which are delivering the sound directly into your ears and then there is the software inside which is doing the job so it’s capturing the sound, cleaning the sound and is going to amplify only in the direction that you are looking at. It’s a beamforming technology.

Then you still have the option through the app to control the product so if you open the app you have all the chance to control the product – increase, decrease volume, switch on and
switch off, and then change a different level of preset. The presets are different compensation curves according to the kind of hearing loss you have, so some presets include amplifying more of the lower frequency, some others amplifying the higher frequency.

The last feature is that you can still choose the audio mode, whether it be frontal amplification or all-around amplification. There are certain circumstances where you need the 360° amplification. For example, if you are driving a car, there is someone seated on your back, on your right… you want amplification 360.

What about the battery life on them?

It’s hard to answer because it really depends on how you are going to use the product. If you expose the product to always being on in a very noisy environment it’s probably is going to be around seven, or eight hours. If you use more in a mixed context it’s going to be probably more 10 hours, 11 hours.

This is pretty good if I think about some of the OTC hearing aids out there which are Apple AirPods for example. They last for four, five, or six hours depending on use so if you can get a full day of use out of these, then that would be great.

What styles are available?

This is just the first generation so it’s the first kind of its kind but this is going to be an innovation platform. So more is going to come. More styles, more colours, more features. So for us, it’s just the starting point.

We have two main styles. One is more rounded and then one is more square, and then you have three different calibers so 56, 54, and 48 with two main colours: red burgundy and black.

Nuance Audio glasses get FDA Approval

EssilorLuxottica has received FDA clearance in the U.S. and EU certifications for its Nuance Audio smart glasses. This marks the first FDA-cleared preset Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) for hearing aids in the U.S.

When they will be available in the UK

Nuance Audio will launch in the U.S. in Q1 2025, followed by a phased rollout in Europe, starting in Italy. EssilorLuxottica plans to leverage its retail and audiology networks to expand accessibility.

Click here to join a mailing list to find out as soon as the Nuance Hearing Glasses are available in the UK.

Nuance Audio’s Revolutionary Hearing Aid Glasses are CHANGING the Hearing Health Game! | CES 2025 Video

Matthew Allsop is a Partner at Harley Street Hearing, and a content creator for Hearing Tracker, where he shares his honest opinion on all new hearing aid technology. Hearing Tracker is the world’s first truly independent resource for hearing aid customers. You can view his CES 2025 interview below.

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