Phonak Hearing Aids: Expert Review - Audiologists.org (2024)

Founded in 1947, Zurich-based Sonova is the company behind Phonak hearing aids. As one of the oldest and largest names in the industry, Sonova — which also makes Unitron, Hansaton, and Advanced Bionics — has developed a reputation for creating quality, cutting-edge products that lean into new technology and better people’s lives.

With the vast collection of hearing aids offered by Phonak, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is best suited for you. Those purchasing a hearing aid deserve one that meets their unique needs —one that can help them engage in conversations with loved ones, enjoy phone calls (when lip-reading isn’t possible), and hear the TV.

Since Phonak hearing aids are prescription devices, you will need to see a hearing care professional before you purchase them. The good news? You’ll receive customizable, well-fitted devices made just for you.

If you don’t have a local provider, you can use our Audiologist Explorer to find an audiologist or hearing aid specialist capable of helping you find the best hearing aids for your needs.

Phonak hearing aid models

One of Phonak’s most significant calling cards is its vast portfolio. The brand currently offers 12 different hearing aid models.

Our audiologists especially recommend these three: the Audéo Lumity, Vitro Paradise, and the Naída Paradise. Each has its own set of perks and is designed to help individuals with a specific type of hearing loss.

Phonak Audéo Lumity review

If Bluetooth compatibility is a big selling point for you, the Audéo Lumity is one to consider. The 90R model, the latest for the brand, is compatible with any Bluetooth device —iPhones, Androids, even your decades-old flip phone.

But it doesn’t stop at phones.

Wearers can pair the newest Audéo Lumity with up to eight devices, including two paired simultaneously. Tablets, TVs, and even Pelotons all make the cut. Phonak Audeo Lumity Life 90R is also an ideal solution for users hoping for a completely waterproof coating to wear in the shower or swimming.

The Audéo Lumity uses Phonak SmartSpeech™ Technology to help you better understand speech when it would otherwise be difficult to do so. The ActiveVent receiver add-on physically reduces background noise, so it’s easier to hear in what would otherwise be challenging situations.

Our team goes hands-on with the Phonak Audéo Lumity | Photo by René Fielder

Compared to other Phonak hearing aids, the Audéo Lumity is arguably the company’s best-performing device. This also makes its higher-end L90 technology level one of the priciest by the brand, with just the Audéo Paradise P90 costing more.

Phonak’s Audéo Lumity and Audéo Paradise hearing aids are the only receiver-in-canal (RIC)s offered by the company. Lumity models only come with rechargeable batteries, unlike Paradise devices, which have both rechargeable and disposable options.

Otherwise, the Audéo Lumity has mostly the same features as other Phonak devices in terms of Bluetooth compatibility (which all but the Lyric have), myPhonak app functionality, and water resistance. Of all the Phonak devices, the Audéo Lumity offers the clearest speech recognition in noisy environments.

As for non-Phonak hearing aids, the Audéo Lumity best compares to the Widex Moment and ReSound Omnia in terms of price, sound quality, and the hearing loss level it is suited for. Although the Moment outperforms both devices when it comes to the ability to hear one’s own voice, the Audéo Lumity has better speech intelligibility for processing quiet sounds. The Omnia offers the most models to choose from, with seven different variations compared to the Lumity’s three.

Pros and cons of Audéo Lumity hearing aids

What our audiologists say about the Audéo Lumity

Dr. Ruth Reisman, AuD: “Phonak as a company has the widest range of hearing technology to address almost any level of hearing loss at any age. Their newest platform, Phonak Lumity, has been highly successful with my patients, additionally with the option of having a device that is fully waterproof, patients can be on-air and hearing around the clock regardless of their activity.”

Dr. Jessica Hinson, AuD: “As a hearing aid user myself, my Phonak Audéo Lumity 90 has been the most comfortable hearing aid I have worn to date. I chase my 4-year-old around, go hiking, and work in the yard and I never have to worry about it falling out, getting uncomfortable, or being affected by sweat. On top of comfort, they have impressive background noise reduction and speech clarity, with overall great streaming quality compared to its competitors.”

Who are Phonak Audéo Lumity hearing aids ideal for?

Phonak Audéo Lumity hearing aids are designed for patients with mild to severe hearing loss. Individuals with several Bluetooth devices — from phones to Pelotons — or who enjoy swimming and listening to podcasts in the shower will like the waterproof coating. People with difficulty hearing over background noise with a standard hearing aid will want to consider the ActiveVent receiver.

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Phonak Naída Lumity review

Versatility is the name of the game when it comes to Phonak’s latest hearing aid, the Naída Lumity.

Available in three models — the L-UP, L-SP, and L-PR — with four technology levels — L30, L50, L70, and L90 — this rounded behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid incorporates Phonak’s signature Bluetooth technology that makes them compatible with any smart device.

The Naída Lumity’s AutoSense OS™ artificial intelligence software reduces listening effort in most environments. The device also uses Speech Enhancer to better process quiet sounds or noises coming from a distance.

But perhaps the product’s biggest offering is its Dynamic Noise Cancellation at the L70 and L90 levels. The device uses beamforming microphones, which are designed to capture sound from specific directions to improve speech recognition. By capturing environmental sound separately, the beamforming mics can remove unwanted noise from the primary mics facing the person speaking.

The Naída Lumity shares many of the software features of other Phonak hearing aids, including echo reduction and feedback suppression. Its L90 level is one of the most expensive Phonak devices, though the Audéo Paradise P90 and Audéo Lumity P90 are both costlier.

Like other Lumitys in the Phonak family, the Naída Lumity has built-in SpeechSensor technology to better process sounds not directly in front of you, a key feature that is notably absent in Phonak’s Paradise models.

As for non-Phonak devices, the Naída Lumity offers tap controls for voice assistance and answering calls that more expensive devices like the Oticon Real do not. There are hearing aids on the market with more tap control functions than the Naída Lumity, like the Starkey Genesis AI, which has a mute function and tinnitus control.

Starkey Genesis AI and Oticon both use a telecoil to connect hearing aids to landline phones and assisted listening devices, which is a feature the Naída Lumity lacks.

Pros and cons of Naída Lumity hearing aids

What our audiologist says about the Naída Lumity

Dr. Ruth Reisman, AuD: “The Naida Lumity is the number one option for individuals with moderate to profound hearing loss. The device has the most power, great battery life, and all the advanced features of a Phonak device. The Niada Lumity device is hands down the first choice for improving quality of life in patients with very significant hearing loss.”

Who are Phonak Naída Lumity hearing aids ideal for?

Phonak Naída Lumity hearing aids are designed for patients with mild to profound hearing loss. Users who often find themselves in situations with multiple sounds coming at them, like a party or sporting event, will benefit from the device’s built-in SpeechSensor technology. People looking for a simple, user-friendly hearing aid may be overwhelmed by all the advanced customization features.

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Phonak Slim review

Perhaps one of the biggest pet peeves of hearing aid users is how the devices often become dislodged whenever they put on eyewear, hats, or masks. Those concerns have been addressed in the ergonomically-shaped Phonak Slim hearing aids.

The discreet and stylish look of these hearing aids doesn’t come at the expense of functionality. The Phonak Slim offers SpeechSensor technology to pick up sounds coming from the side and back of you, as well as StereoZoom to focus on specific sounds in noisy environments.

The Slim is a BTE-style device with SmartSpeech technology and Speech Enhancer to boost speech recognition and reduce listening efforts. Like the Audéo Luminity, the Phonak Slim only comes with a rechargeable battery, as opposed to the rechargeable and disposable options offered by the Naída Lumity.

The non-Phonak hearing aid that the Phonak Slim draws the most comparisons to is the Signia Styletto, which came onto the market about four years before the Slim.

The Styletto offers a similar sleek design aimed at reimaging typical hearing aids with a more stylized look. Some customers have reported that the Slims are bigger than Stylettos, making them a little less discreet than their predecessor. The Widex EasyWear also offers an ergonomic style, though it’s thought to be much longer and more cumbersome than other slim models on the market.

In terms of features, the biggest difference is probably the Find My Hearing Aids function in Stylettos, which is not available in Slims.

Pros and cons of Phonak Slim hearing aids

What our audiologist says about the Phonak Slim

Dr. Ruth Reisman, AuD: “The [Phonak Slim] option can be a more secure fit when patients also wear glasses and other ear paraphernalia. Some patients comment on the extended length.”

Who are Phonak Slim hearing aids ideal for?

Phonak Slim hearing aids are designed for patients with mild to severe hearing loss. They’re a great fit for users looking for a discreet device that naturally aligns with their head for comfort and fashion purposes. It may not be a good option for people who are more focused on advanced features than they are on the look of the device.

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Phonak Virto Paradise review

Some hearing aid wearers may prefer a middle ground between premium software and discreet design. For those individuals, the Phonak Virto Paradise is worth considering.

The devices are custom-made using an impression of your ear to fit deep within the ear canal. Black ones typically aren’t visible even in the shadow of a user’s ear canal, with the Titanium model being considered the most hard-to-see. Not all models have Bluetooth compatibility, but the P-312 does.

Looks aside, innovative technology like Speech Enhancer and Roger device compatibility allows wearers to tune out unwanted background noise and pick up quieter sounds without straining to listen. Customers also report that the device offers a crisp, natural sound.

Compared to other Phonak hearing aids, the Virto Paradise is the only device that comes in an in-the-ear (ITE) style and is the smallest in size. Perhaps the biggest drawback of the Virto Paradise is that it only comes with disposable batteries, despite the rest of Phonak’s hearing aids being rechargeable or having an option between the two.

The Virto Paradise is also the only Phonak device that isn’t water-resistant or Bluetooth-compatible in every model. That said, it’s also the only one with a Find My Hearing Aid function in Phonak’s line.

The Virto Paradise is higher-priced than most of its non-Phonak competitors. Some users felt that the in-the-ear style wasn’t as comfortable for all-day wear as BTE devices like the ReSound Nexia or Widex Moment.

Pros and cons of Vitro Paradise hearing aids

What our audiologists say about the Vitro Paradise

Dr. Ruth Reisman, AuD: “Phonak Virto devices allow for a custom product with the sound quality of a Phonak hearing aid. Their titanium option is the most durable custom product on the market.”

Dr. Jessica Hinson, AuD: “I would recommend the Phonak Virto Paradise or Virto Paradise Titanium for the most discreet option. After an impression of your ear is made, the Virto is custom made to fit deep in your ear canal. They are typically black in color and are not easily visible in the shadows of your ear canal. They also offer a Titanium model that is 15x stronger than acrylic (the typical material used). If your ear canal is large enough for a size 312 battery, you will even have Bluetooth capabilities with such small devices!”

Danielle K. Morgan, AuD: “The Virto Titanium is the most ‘invisible’ option, however it comes without wireless features and Bluetooth technology.”

Who are Phonak Virto Paradise hearing aids ideal for?

Phonak Vitro Paradise hearing aids are designed for individuals with mild to severe hearing loss. The sleek, in-the-ear, and difficult-to-spot models offer a more discreet look, which may help some users feel more comfortable physically and mentally.

Some models of the Phonak Vitro Paradise are not ideal for people who want the Bluetooth compatibility Phonak has built a reputation on — not all of them offer this perk, though the P-312 does.

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Phonak Naída Paradise review

Available in two models, the Phonak Naída Paradise is a strong hearing aid for users who are always out and about.

The device’s built-in motion sensor hearing (only available in the P70 and P90 levels of the P-PR model) uses an accelerometer to detect if you are stationary or on the move and adjusts accordingly.

The Naída Paradise also uses environmental balancing to differentiate between streamed media and your surroundings. Bluetooth compatibility ensures the Naída Paradise connects to your iPhone, Android, and other media sources, giving someone the freedom to make hands-free calls.

The Naída Paradise offers the most color variations of any Phonak hearing aid. Like the Audéo Paradise (and unlike the Virto Paradise), the Naída Paradise is available with either rechargeable or replaceable batteries.

It’s also the only Paradise model with the BTE style, though it’s worth noting that some users found it to be bulkier than most other BTEs on the market. The tap control function in its P-PR model is also unique, but it’s only one button on a rather small device.

Compared to other BTE hearing aids on the market, like Widex Moment or Oticon Real, the Naída Paradise is more expensive despite those devices also having AI-driven technology to adjust levels as you move to different environments.

Nonetheless, the Naída Paradise does a great job of amplifying quiet sounds like the rest of Phonak’s devices.

Pros and cons of Naída Paradise hearing aids

What our audiologist says about the Naída Paradise

Dr. Ruth Reisman, AuD: “The Naida line is the number one option for individuals with moderate to profound hearing loss. The device has the most power, great battery life, and all the advanced features of [a] Phonak device.”

Who are Phonak Naída Paradise hearing aids ideal for?

The Naída P-PR is designed for people with severe to profound hearing loss, while the P-UP is for individuals with severe to profound loss. The numerous functions help wearers feel confident in hearing situations by assisting them in blocking background noise and hearing people and media better. They may not be a great fit for users who want more tap control functionality than the single button available on the Naída Paradise.

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Phonak Audéo Paradise review

When the Phonak Audéo Paradise came on the scene, it was the world’s first waterproof rechargeable hearing aid. That’s no longer the case, but it’s still a favorite among outdoorsy users with its crisp sound quality that can really capture the full soundscape of the natural world.

The tap control function of the device uses Bluetooth to seamlessly pick up calls, start/pause media, and use voice-activated commands.

As with most Phonak hearing aids, the Audéo Paradise comes equipped with speech enhancement and Dynamic Noise Cancellation for drowning out annoying sounds.

Its P90 model is the most expensive Phonak hearing aid on the market, making it less accessible than other top-tier devices in the brand’s line, like the Audéo Lumity or the Naída Paradise.

Similar to Naída Paradise hearing aids, Audéo Paradise has both rechargeable and disposable battery models. It’s worth noting that the latter isn’t water-resistant like the rechargeable version.

The Audéo Paradise lacks certain features of other RIC hearing aids on the market, like the orientation censors of the Starkey Genesis AI or the environmental adaptation of the Audicus Omni.

But Audéo Paradise’s WhistleBlock technology is unique to the product and adds to the list of reasons why it’s favorable among outdoor enthusiasts.

Pros and cons of Phonak Audéo Paradise hearing aids

What our audiologist says about the Audéo Paradise

Dr. Ruth Reisman, AuD: “The Phonak Paradise is the platform that precedes the Lumity and was a great hit after its release. These devices offer the same quality and assurance that you get from any Phonak device!”

Who are Phonak Audéo Paradise hearing aids ideal for?

Phonak Audéo Paradise hearing aids are designed for individuals with mild to profound hearing loss. The crisp sound quality and wind-blocking technology make it a good fit for users who spend a lot of time outdoors.

The higher-end versions of this product are expensive, which probably isn’t favorable for people on a budget.

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Phonak Lyric review

The award for most unique hearing aid may just have to go to the Phonak Lyric. This tiny ITC device is placed near your eardrum by a trained audiologist, where it can stay all day, every day for months on end, making it 100% invisible.

Rather than capturing sounds outside the ear with a microphone and relaying them back to you, the Lyric can amplify sounds as you hear them naturally. This makes not only outside noises appear more authentic, but also the sound of your own voice.

Because the device is worn 24/7, it offers a unique ability to relieve conditions like tinnitus at all times, whereas a traditional hearing aid would need to charge for around 3 hours before being placed back in.

This product differs greatly from the rest of Phonak’s line in that it takes an out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach that isn’t possible with BTE or ITE hearing aids. That said, it also lacks some features of other Phonak devices, most notably Bluetooth compatibility.

And while you won’t have to worry about charging or replacing the battery for months, you should be aware that the device itself will need to be professionally removed and discarded at the end of that time.

So does that mean I have to spend thousands of dollars every few months? Not quite. Phonak offers a subscription service for Lyric hearing aids with tiers for one year and two years. During this enrollment period, you can have the device replaced as many times as necessary.

👉For more comparable options, check out our full review of the best invisible hearing aids.

Pros and cons of Lyric hearing aids

What our audiologist says about the Phonak Lyric

Dr. Ruth Reisman, AuD: “[The most discreet hearing aid is] the Lyric device because it is an extended wear invisible in-the-ear device that makes the device very easy to manage and cosmetically appealing.”

Who are Phonak Lyric hearing aids ideal for?

Phonak Lyric hearing aids are designed for people with mild hearing loss. It is a good device for users who don’t want to keep up with the daily maintenance of having to charge their hearing aid and would prefer a natural sound to one that is heavily processed. If you have a busy schedule, the semi-regular appointments required for replacing the device may pose a problem.

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Phonak for children

Have a child who is in need of a quality hearing aid?

The Phonak Sky Lumity treats pediatric hearing loss with the same AutoSense OS™ software and SmartSpeech technology as Phonak devices geared toward adults. The Sky Lumity comes in a wide variety of bright colors for kids to choose from. Parents can also pair the devices to Roger remote microphones for classroom assistance.

And that’s not all. Phonak also has a myPhonak Junior app designed to provide an age-appropriate experience for children. Parents can use control settings to limit unsupervised access to certain features and forward data to their child’s audiologist. The app even features a kid-friendly design and character named Leo the Lion!

Comparing Phonak hearing aid models