Who makes Phonak hearing aids?
Phonak is based in Switzerland and belongs to the Sonova group. Sonova also owns Unitron, so the two brands are sister companies, although they design and market their hearing aids separately. Phonak is one of the names people most often see when they start looking at private hearing aids, partly because it is widely fitted by independent audiologists across the UK.
Being a large manufacturer matters in a practical way. It usually means a long product line, a wide choice of accessories, steady software updates and good parts availability for repairs. None of that makes a Phonak automatically the best choice for you, but it does mean the brand has a model for most hearing needs.
Current Phonak ranges
Phonak releases new technology every couple of years and older ranges stay on sale for a while alongside the newest. Current ranges include the following. Your audiologist will show you the latest models at your appointment, because names and options change.
Audéo
Audéo is Phonak’s receiver-in-canal family: a small case behind the ear with a thin wire carrying the speaker into the ear canal. This is the style most adults are fitted with, and it suits mild to severe hearing loss depending on the receiver chosen.
Infinio and Sphere Infinio
Infinio is the name of Phonak’s recent technology platform. Sphere Infinio is a version that Phonak has aimed squarely at following speech in noisy places. If restaurants and family gatherings are your main problem, it is worth asking whether it fits your hearing and budget, and trying it in those places during a home trial.
Lumity
Lumity is the platform before Infinio. It remains a capable option and can be a sensible choice when value matters more than having the newest release.
Slim
Phonak Slim has an unusual long, thin shape designed to follow the curve behind the ear. Some people like the look; others prefer a conventional case. It is a matter of comfort and taste.
Naída
Naída is Phonak’s range for severe to profound hearing loss. These are larger behind-the-ear aids with more power and are fitted with a custom earmould where needed.
Which Phonak style suits which hearing loss?
| Style | Typical fit | Things to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| Receiver-in-canal (Audéo, Slim) | Mild to severe loss | Discreet and usually rechargeable; the receiver is easy to replace if it fails |
| Power behind-the-ear (Naída) | Severe to profound loss | More visible, but gives the volume and stability strong losses need |
| Custom in-the-ear | Mild to moderate loss | Depends on ear canal size and how easily you can handle small devices |
If being seen wearing hearing aids worries you, our page on invisible and rechargeable hearing aids explains what is realistic for different ears.
What are Phonak hearing aids good at?
Every major brand makes good hearing aids now, so differences tend to be about emphasis. With Phonak, people often mention:
- Phone compatibility. Phonak has a long record of connecting to a wide range of phones, including many Android handsets. Compatibility still varies by phone, so we check yours before you commit.
- Choice of accessories. Remote microphones and TV streamers can make a big difference in lectures, meetings or a noisy kitchen.
- Breadth. From mild loss to profound loss, the range rarely runs out of options.
Some people find the sound character of one brand more natural than another. That is personal, and the only way to know is to listen. A trial at home tells you more than any review.
Things to weigh up
No brand is perfect for everyone. Because Phonak makes so many models and accessories, the choice can feel overwhelming, and it is easy to be steered towards features you will rarely use. A remote microphone is excellent for a weekly committee meeting, for example, but adds little if you mostly chat at home. Ask your audiologist to explain what each extra would do for you in plain terms, and whether a simpler set-up would cover your day.
It is also worth thinking about the first few weeks. New hearing aids of any make can make the world sound sharper and busier than you expect, especially if your hearing has been declining slowly for years. That is not a sign the brand is wrong. Most people settle as their brain adjusts, helped by fine-tuning at follow-up appointments.
How does Phonak compare with other brands?
Phonak, Oticon, Signia, Starkey, ReSound, Widex and Unitron all make premium, mid-range and entry-level aids. Within the same price level, the quality is closer than marketing suggests. What tends to separate them is how each one handles noise, the feel of the app, the shape of the case and how well it pairs with your phone. Our guide to the best hearing aids in the UK explains how to compare by need rather than by brand ranking.
How much do Phonak hearing aids cost?
Phonak, like the other manufacturers, makes each range at several technology levels. Higher levels do more automatic adjusting in complex sound, such as a busy pub, while entry levels suit quieter routines. At Sutton Hearing Care, hearing aids are priced by technology level rather than brand: Essential from £1,595 a pair, Advanced from £2,845 and Premium from £3,445. Every price includes real ear measurement at fitting, follow-ups in the first two weeks, a 5-year manufacturer warranty and 5 years of aftercare. Our hearing aid prices page has the detail.
Trying Phonak hearing aids in Sutton Coldfield
Start with a free hearing test at our clinic on Sutton Oak Road in Streetly. It takes up to 90 minutes and includes a look in your ears, a middle ear check, a full hearing test and speech-in-noise testing, with your audiogram explained on the day. If hearing aids would help and Phonak fits your results, we can set up a free 14-day home trial so you can judge the sound in your own life. If another brand looks a better match, we will say so and explain why. You also have a 60-day money-back guarantee after buying.