Phonak is one of the oldest hearing aid companies on the market. Established more than seven decades ago, it works to design, produce, and sell hearing aids and devices for adults, teenagers, and kids. According to the company’s website, its philosophy is that better hearing isn’t just about hearing quality but also about enhancing physical, mental, and interpersonal well-being.

Phonak devices help with all types of hearing loss. The brand has a wide range of designs with various features, including:

This article goes into the advantages and disadvantages of Phonak hearing aids. We also show you how much each model costs and weigh their pros and cons.

Our experts have spent more than 2,500 hours conducting thorough research on hearing aids. Throughout this process, we did the following:

To help you find the best hearing aid for your needs, we researched dozens of hearing aid brands. From traditional hearing aids sold through an audiologist’s office to direct-to-consumer brands, our reviews team took a close look at what each company had to offer.

Phonak products stand out in the hearing aid industry because of their advanced technology. Phonak hearing devices sell worldwide in more than 100 countries, thanks to the company’s international network of distributors and affiliates.

In our product review team’s February 2022 survey of more than 600 hearing aid users, a majority of Phonak customers said it was extremely easy to change or charge the batteries in their hearing aids. They also reported that their Phonak hearing aids helped them hear conversations in groups of five people or less more clearly.

Phonak hearing aids are available in four styles, and each one is suitable for various degrees of hearing loss.

A powerful behind-the-ear hearing aid that offers crisp sound, the Naída Paradise model also features smartphone and TV streaming compatibility. And it is equipped with technology like a speech enhancer, dynamic noise cancellation, motion sensor hearing, and one-tap controls.

A receiver-in-canal hearing aid model that includes the ActiveVent receiver, an intelligent speaker designed to help you hear more clearly in challenging listening environments.

The Audéo Marvel is a receiver-in-canal model that uses modern technology for wireless connectivity, rechargeable batteries, and remote sound controls. It’s also one of the only Bluetooth hearing aids that fully supports binaural (from both ears) streaming from iPhone and Android devices.

The Virto Marvel is a custom in-the-ear hearing aid that looks like a typical earbud and offers wireless calling and connectivity.

The Lyric is a 100 percent invisible in-the-canal hearing aid that uses the natural anatomy of your ear to amplify sound — and it can stay in your ear for months without needing to be taken out. It’s only available with an annual subscription, which includes replacement devices and servicing.

An audiologist or hearing center can provide you with Phonak hearing aids. You can also find them online through discount providers such as ZipHearing, which offers hearing aids at discounted prices across local hearing centers and specialists.

If you purchase a Phonak hearing aid, your provider will place an order, and you will finish purchasing and payment through their office. You’ll also receive your hearing aids through your provider, who will fit and adjust them for you.

Though it may be convenient to purchase hearing aids online, there are benefits to seeing a hearing loss specialist in person. According to Trisha Muth, AuD, doctor of audiology at Bay Area Audiology in Bel Air, Maryland, “Audiologists confirm via a hearing evaluation you are, in fact, a hearing aid candidate, and they rule out any medically treatable hearing condition that would require a referral to an otolaryngologist.” Dr. Muth adds that audiologists also use in-person exams to “determine which hearing aid style and technology is appropriate for your hearing loss and listening needs, size your hearing aids for your ears, and ultimately fit and program your hearing aids to your hearing loss.”

Hearing aids from Phonak are available in various designs and models to suit different demands. However, they are more expensive than other brands on the market, and you may therefore want to consider more budget-friendly options.

Alternatives include Eargo and Lively, which are both accessible online and cost substantially less, with an average price of $1,850 per pair. You can compare the price, features, and aesthetics of these hearing aids to Phonak options. MDHearingAid, which sells devices starting at $399 for a complete pair, is also a valuable resource for finding an easy-to-use, inexpensive hearing aid.

Phonak hearing aid prices can vary depending on your provider and your level of hearing loss. In general, Phonak prices range from $1,349 to $2,399 per device.

You may be able to get some of the cost of the hearing aids covered through your private insurance. This coverage could involve hearing exams, screenings, and some financial assistance with buying the hearing aids themselves. However, many insurance providers do not cover hearing aids, so it’s essential that you double-check with your specific provider. Several state insurance mandates also require coverage for children younger than 18, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Hearing aids are not covered by Medicare Parts A or B, according to the official Medicare website, which means people with that kind of coverage are responsible for the full cost of the hearing aids and exams. Medicare Part C may pay some of the costs of hearing aids. Another option for paying for hearing aids is to use a flexible spending account or a health savings account.

When you buy hearing aids, some audiologists and hearing centers may bundle charges. This coverage may include the cost of a hearing test, examination, hearing aid devices, follow-up care, and rental hearing aids, among other things. Consider bundling if you don’t like unexpected expenses and want confidence that you’ll receive comprehensive care. You can also choose to pay as you go for services as needed in most cases, although that approach may end up costing you more.

Customer service at Phonak is comparable to that of other hearing aid manufacturers. Virtual assistance, a customer service hotline, and online resources and troubleshooting instructions are all available. You may not need to use Phonak customer service at all since these hearing aids require an audiologist or hearing professional to prescribe them. In many cases you will work directly with your audiologist to help manage any issues with your hearing aids.

Follow-up treatment, warranties, and return policies will differ depending on the hearing provider. Phonak offers a 45-day, risk-free trial for their hearing aids, which is fairly common. One drawback with Phonak, however, is that they only offer a one-year limited manufacturer’s warranty, instead of a three-year warranty. You will need to talk to your local provider about any additional warranty coverage.

Hearing aid reviews for Phonak are divided. On BBB, Phonak has an A+ rating, with a customer review score of 3 out of 5. However, that’s based on only four reviews, so the results are easily skewed. On Trustpilot, Phonak has a customer rating of 2.4 out of 5, based on 10 reviews.

Positive reviews: Reviews on both sites report satisfaction with hearing aid performance, as well as the nearly invisible style of some of the devices.

Negative reviews: These focus on difficulties with pairing the hearing aids with Bluetooth, as well as lengthy repair times. However, more than three-quarters of the Phonak users in our survey reported that they were able to pair their hearing aids with their mobile phone or other device in three tries or fewer.

“I’ve bought the Bluetooth hearing aids which are generally brilliant. The general quality of the sound is top quality … wax guards have fallen off in my ears (twice and I hope they’ve come out in the shower). I’ve had another make of hearing aid before and I had to change the wax guards 10 times less.”

— PETER, VERIFIED CUSTOMER (REVIEW FROM TRUSTPILOT.COM)

“Love my hearing aids much better than my old pair and very small, no one can tell I am wearing them.”

— DEREK, VERIFIED CUSTOMER (REVIEW FROM TRUSTPILOT.COM)

“I’m enjoying music for the first time in 20 years, both heard directly and streamed from my iPhone.”

— NED, VERIFIED CUSTOMER (REVIEW FROM BBB.ORG)

Whether you go with Phonak or not, there are certain things you should look for whenever you’re shopping for hearing aids. Well-equipped hearing aids have features that can make a big difference in your hearing. Stick with the fundamentals if you prefer simplicity, but if you decide to upgrade to a highly technical hearing aid, you may want the extra functionality of Bluetooth, smartphone compatibility, noise reduction, and feedback suppression.

The following are additional advanced hearing aid features that may help you hear better:

Our research team reviewed the latest research on hearing loss and hearing aid technology, interviewed experts in the field, combed through customer reviews on third-party websites, and conducted a survey of more than 600 hearing aid users to determine the top brands.

After narrowing down our selections, we consulted with an audiologist who medically reviewed each brand and model. We determined our top picks based on the following criteria:

Phonak hearing aids are generally dependable, technologically innovative, and effective. Phonak is a trustworthy brand among audiologists, and it is generally regarded as one of the best hearing aid brands on the market. The Phonak Naída Paradise model is particularly well known for its top-rated performance. Phonak’s various models are available in multiple styles and are made for varying levels of hearing loss. Most Phonak users in our survey reported that their hearing aids connected to their smartphone and other devices immediately and without issue.

Phonak makes hearing aids for all types of people, from infants to adults, and it has been in the industry for more than 70 years. Unfortunately, its one-year manufacturer’s warranty is limited, but local warranties can last up to three years, depending on your provider, and the brand offers a risk-free trial of its hearing aids for nearly a month and a half.

If you are looking for the ease and convenience of buying a hearing aid online, this brand isn’t for you. You can only purchase Phonak hearing aids from a hearing center or an audiologist, and Phonak’s hearing aids are significantly more expensive than others on the market. According to survey respondents, the biggest drawback with Phonak hearing aids is the cost.

The Phonak Brio in-the-canal and behind-the-ear hearing aids are available at Costco. The Brio 4 B-312, Brio 4 B-13, and Brio 3 B-675, all designed for substantial hearing loss, are the behind-the-ear versions. The Phonak Brio 4 I-10 NW O and 312 devices are the in-the-canal models. The in-the-canal model costs $2,699 for each pair, while Phonak behind-the-ear hearing aids start at $2,499 per pair at Costco.

Phonak produces some of the most advanced hearing aids in the industry. Roger wireless technology — the company’s unique exterior microphones that connect wirelessly to the hearing aid — is a feature of the Marvel and Paradise models, but it needs to be activated at an additional cost to the user. You can either purchase an “in” version of the Roger microphones (Roger On in, Roger Select in) or a Roger X receiver and a standard Roger microphone. A Roger microphone can cost more than $1,500. Roger tech can help you hear better in difficult conditions, such as loud environments or social venues.

A variety of factors can determine the lifespan of your Phonak hearing aids, including how well they are cared for, how often they are worn, where and how they are stored, maintenance and service schedules, moisture and heat exposure, and normal wear and tear. Hearing aids worn behind the ear survive longer than those worn in the ear or those with a receiver in the canal. Rechargeable Phonak hearing aids are battery tested to last six years with proper care.

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