Phonak vs. Unitron – Which Hearing Aid Brand Is Better?

Phonak Hearing Aids Overview

Phonak has consistently brought cutting-edge advancements to hearing aid technology, starting in the 1970s when they created the first behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid. Previously, hearing aids were worn on the body with a long wire traveling up to the ear.

Currently, Phonak offers a full lineup of hearing aid styles that help individuals with single-sided hearing problems and tinnitus, which affects roughly 10 percent of the adult population. In addition to hearing aids, they also offer wireless accessories such as remote microphones and TV connectors.

Phonak hearing aids are among the pricier brands, with pairs typically costing about $2,000 to $8,000 depending on the style, features, and technology level. Unfortunately, there is no option to purchase Phonak hearing aids online through their website. You’ll need to find a provider and hearing care specialist first, although you can kick-start that process online through a company such as Yes Hearing.

Phonak has a great lineup of hearing aid styles, from superpower devices for those with severe hearing loss to a CROS system for people with hearing loss on just one side. They even have a long-term wear, in-the-canal hearing aid. Regardless of the specific device, the entire Phonak lineup offers crisp, clear sound quality that competes with the best in the industry.

What has made Phonak stand out over the past few years is their Lumity and Infinio products. Phonak was the first to offer connectivity via Bluetooth to any cell phone, which means your hearing aid selection doesn’t dictate your cell phone choice. You can stream phone calls, music, podcasts, or any other sound hands-free from Bluetooth-compatible devices.

Current Phonak Models

Some of Phonak’s standout models include:

1. Phonak Lyric: An invisible hearing aid that delivers clear sound when placed directly in your ear canal. You can wear it daily for several months without removing it, making it a convenient choice for many individuals with hearing loss.
2. Phonak Naída Lumity: The latest generation of hearing aids that provides powerful sound quality and helps users easily connect to smartphones and other devices. These hearing aids are excellent for individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss, a condition that is associated with greater ADL impairment.
3. ActiveVent Receiver: This device offers superior sound quality and is compatible with all Audeo Lumity rechargeable hearing aids. Using high-quality speaker technology, it optimizes hearing performance while blocking out noise in loud environments.

Our hands-on testing revealed that Phonak particularly excels in challenging listening environments. Features like Ultra Focus provide exceptional speech clarity in noisy situations. The Phonak accessories ecosystem, including Roger microphones, significantly enhances performance in difficult listening scenarios.

Unitron Hearing Aids Overview

Credit: Unitron

Originally founded in 1964 as the first Canadian hearing aid manufacturer, Unitron’s main headquarters are in the Waterloo region of Canada, and their U.S. headquarters are located in Minnesota. The company operates in more than 70 countries worldwide and has a significant presence in the North American and European markets.

Unitron makes premium and entry-level hearing aids for all levels of hearing loss, programmed by an audiologist or other hearing care professional based on the hearing test results. The brand draws on their parent company’s R&D leadership to deliver high-performance hearing aids, especially universal wireless Bluetooth connectivity products.

The Expert Take

From Kasey Craig

Because Phonak and Unitron are sister companies, they use much of the same hardware and software. The biggest differences can be seen in sound processing. Sound quality is often a subjective experience, so if you are unsure whether you like the sound quality of one brand, make sure to test multiple brands before making a final decision.

According to our tests, three standout qualities of Unitron hearing aids include:

1. Wireless streaming: Unitron hearing aids offer exceptional connectivity options for iOS and Android smartphones and customization via the Unitron Remote Plus app.
2. Speech in noise processing: Vivante and Blu brands — particularly in the higher-technology tiers — offer an array of directional microphones and automatic sound processing strategies to help you hear better in noise, as well as a full line of accessories.
3. FLEX: This allows wearers to try out different technology tiers of the hearing aids before purchasing and upgrade the devices later as desired.

Current Unitron Models

Unitron markets four different technology platforms:

1. Vivante™ (2023)
2. Blu (2021)
3. Discover Next (2020)
4. Tempus™ (2017)

And four hearing aid styles:

1. Moxi™ Receiver-In-Canal (RIC)
2. Stride™ Behind-the-Ear (BTE) (power)
3. Max™ UP BTE (ultrapower in Tempus platform)
4. Insera™ custom In-the-Ear (ITE)

In our hands-on testing, the Unitron Vivante platform impressed us with features like HyperFocus, which aligns the hearing aid’s directional microphones to a narrow area in front of the listener in high-noise situations. This significantly improves the signal-to-noise ratio and the listener’s ability to hear speech in challenging noise environments.

Another notable feature in the Vivante platform is 360 Conversation in Car, which allows the wearer to manually switch to a program to better hear conversations in the car, regardless of where people are sitting. This may be especially helpful for wearers who need to hear passengers in the back seat.

Performance Comparison

Phonak and Unitron deliver quality sound experiences, although they’re designed with different strengths and pricing strategies. Remember that each brand offers multiple models with various features and capabilities, and both brands’ hearing aid models are highly customizable.

In quiet home environments, Phonak’s advanced models, particularly those with Lumity and Infinio technology, provide exceptional clarity and natural sound reproduction for conversations and music listening. Their directional microphone technology creates a comprehensive soundscape that closely mimics natural hearing.

>> Related: The Best Hearing Aids for Musicians

Unitron’s newest platforms also perform well, with features like Soft Speech Lift adding gain (volume) of up to 4 dB to soft speech in quieter listening environments. This helps users hear soft speech cues, such as consonants, which are often high-frequency sounds where many people experience hearing loss.

In our testing, Phonak demonstrated technical advantages in complex listening environments such as restaurants or crowded venues. Their advanced models feature Ultra Focus mode and sophisticated noise reduction that effectively isolates conversations from background noise.

Unitron’s HyperFocus feature in their Vivante platform aligns the hearing aid’s directional microphones to a narrow beam in front of the listener in high-noise situations. This improves the signal-to-noise ratio and the listener’s ability to hear speech in challenging noise environments.

>> More Options: The Best Hearing Aids With Background Noise Reduction

Features Comparison

Both Phonak and Unitron incorporate advanced audio processing technologies with many similarities, given their shared parent company.

Phonak offers an extensive array of technological innovations. Their latest platforms feature all-access directionality combined with Ultra Focus settings that enhance speech recognition in complex audio environments. Most Phonak devices incorporate wireless connectivity for direct audio transmission from compatible devices, including smartphones and remote microphones. The myPhonak application gives users detailed control over their hearing experience, enabling customized audio profiles for different locations and the ability to receive remote fine-tuning from hearing professionals.

Phonak’s extensive supplementary device ecosystem includes the TV Connector for television audio and various Roger microphone options for challenging listening situations. These accessories substantially expand functionality across various acoustic scenarios.

Unitron’s features include wireless streaming to iOS and Android smartphones, personalized noise handling via their Remote Plus app, and tap controls that allow users to start/stop audio streaming with a tap of the hearing aids. Their Vivante and Blu platforms offer automatic environmental adjustments that adapt to different listening situations without user intervention.

Unitron’s biggest feature advantage, however, is their FLEX experience for trying and upgrading technology. FLEX allows your hearing care provider to program off-the-shelf hearing aids to different technology levels you can try at home. For a fee, FLEX allows for a technology-level upgrade after you have purchased your hearing aids, typically within 12 to 18 months after your purchase.

Pricing Comparison

At around $2,000 to $8,000 a pair, Phonak hearing aids are among the pricier options on the market. The price varies based on the level of technology, the length of the warranty, and the provider’s services included in the purchase.

In comparison, Unitron prices are generally more affordable, ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 per pair. That is despite sharing many similar technologies from Sonova. This makes Unitron an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers who still want high-quality hearing aids.

Take note that both brands must be purchased through licensed hearing health care professionals. There’s no standard pricing; it varies significantly depending on the provider, location, included services, and specific model.

We should also make it clear that while Phonak’s pricing appears higher, the cost difference makes sense in many cases. Phonak tends to introduce new technologies before they eventually make their way to Unitron products, and they may offer more cutting-edge features in their premium models.

Warranties Comparison

Phonak warranty terms vary depending on the hearing health care provider. Typically, Phonak hearing aids come with a manufacturer’s warranty of one to four years, covering defects in materials and workmanship. Some providers may offer extended warranty options for an additional cost.

The Phonak warranty is valid globally, which means you can find a provider almost anywhere in the world to service the hearing aids if you need a repair in a pinch. While the repair itself would be covered abroad, there may be additional charges for the hearing health care provider.

The Expert Take

From Kasey Craig

With prescription hearing aids like Phonak and Unitron, the trial period can often be a bit flexible. If, after the initial 30 days you still think you need more time, ask your health care provider if the trial can be extended. 

Given their shared corporate ownership, Unitron offers similar warranty coverage to Phonak. However, specific terms may vary by provider. Unitron’s warranty services are managed through the same global network as Phonak’s, providing similar worldwide coverage.

Generally, neither manufacturer covers loss of the hearing aids themselves in their standard warranties, but many hearing health care professionals offer loss and damage coverage for an additional fee.

Both brands provide comprehensive hearing aid maintenance support through their provider networks for users concerned about long-term maintenance.

Customer Support Comparison

Customer support for both Phonak and Unitron is primarily delivered through the hearing health care professional who fits your devices. This approach provides personalized, face-to-face support from a professional knowledgeable about your specific hearing profile.

Phonak offers remote support through the myPhonak app. This feature allows users to receive remote adjustments from their hearing care provider without requiring an in-person visit, combining professional support with remote convenience.

Unitron offers similar remote support capabilities through its Remote Plus app. The app lets you share in-the-moment impressions of your hearing instrument performance with your hearing care provider, who can use the information to improve your program settings. It also lets you adjust the volume and program settings on your hearing aids.

During our testing, we found that both manufacturers provide excellent supporting materials, including detailed user guides and instructional videos. The quality of ongoing support will largely depend on your specific provider, as they will be your primary point of contact for adjustments, repairs, and other services.

For users who prefer more hands-on control of their hearing aids, both brands offer comprehensive smartphone apps that allow customization and adjustments without requiring provider visits.

Accessories Comparison

Phonak offers numerous accessories to enhance hearing aid performance. Their Roger system is particularly noteworthy: It works better than other remote microphone products because it allows you to participate more easily in conversations in which multiple people are speaking. Roger accessories come in three styles:

1. Roger Pen: A discreet accessory that looks like a pen, which can be held by the listener and discreetly pointed at whichever person is speaking
2. Roger Select: A disc-shaped mic designed to sit in the middle of a table and facilitate participation in group conversations. The mic automatically switches the direction of focus when the speaker changes.
3. Roger Table Mic II: Similar to the Roger Select but designed for working professionals participating in meetings

Like sister company Phonak, Unitron offers a comprehensive lineup of accessories. These include:

1. PartnerMic: A lapel-worn microphone for one-on-one conversations in noisy environments, streaming speech from the source directly to your hearing aids
2. TV Connector: Delivers sound from the TV, laptops, and tablets directly to both hearing aids
3. Remote Control and IIC Remote: Allow for simple control of volume and program changes in a small but easy-to-use remote
4. Charging stations for lithium-ion batteries: These easy-to-use charging stations have optional power packs for charging when an electrical outlet isn’t available.

Our hands-on testing revealed that both brands’ accessories significantly enhance the hearing experience, especially in challenging listening environments. The remote microphone options from both manufacturers dramatically improve speech understanding in noisy settings by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio.

These accessories can be invaluable additions to hearing aid systems for users who struggle with hearing in heavy background noise.