Phonak
The latest model by the Phonak hearing aid company is the Phonak Infinio Sphere. It offers a substantial upgrades from its predecessor, Phonak Lumity and Paradise, with its new DeepSonic AI computer chip for improved speech in noise performance.
What sets Phonak apart from other hearing aid manufacturers is designing hearing aids that manage diverse listening situations using sensors that monitor the environment and automatically adjust the settings in the device to best optimize hearing. Phonak is also known as having the only “true” Bluetooth connectivity to allow the devices to directly connect to Bluetooth television or laptops with an accessory.
SEE PRICING BELOW
FEATURES
DeepSonic Sound Processing
Deep Sound Optimized Neural Integrated Chip is an absolute game changer, It separates unwanted noise from speech, delivering a level of clean and clear speech far beyond any existing technology (Phonak website 2024).
AutoSense OS 5.0
The Phonak Infinio hearing aids computer chip inside the hearing aids is trained with artificial intelligence-based machine learning to automatically and accurately identify different sound environments. Once identified, Phonak Infinio hearing instruments chooses the optimal comfort and speech understanding features to adapt to the listener’s personal sound environment, thus optimizing the listening experience. Real-world benefits include:
Advanced Directionality & Noise Reduction
Speech Enhancer
Phonak hearing instruments feature that makes it easier for users to hear soft or distant speech in quiet
Motion Sensor Hearing
Technology activated when the hearing aid user is walking in a noisy environment. Once activated, other settings are adjusted to allow for more environ
Universal connectivity
Thanks to ERA, a new ultra-responsive chip, Infinio allows for up to 8 Bluetooth® enabled devices to be paired while 2 can be simultaneously connected
Roger On Technology
A small hand-held or necklace accessory used with the Phonak Infinio hearing aids, Phonak Roger On technology measures the surrounding noise level and adapts the volume accordingly. The accessory is small and compact and can be pointed at people or objects (television) from a distance to pick up the speech more easily. The Roger On can be used anywhere that background noise, distance, or the combination of the two is causing problems with communication. Roger microphones can provide:
TECHNOLOGY LEVELS
The Phonak Infinio comes in 3 technology levels-premium, advanced and standard, while the Infinio Sphere come in advanced and premium technologies only. The pricing listed below is for the Infinio models. The Sphere model is $150 more for the pair.
All three Phonak hearing aids technology levels offer Bluetooth wireless connection with Smartphones using the MyPhonak app for phone calls, and user ability to change settings and volume of the hearing aids. All three levels also offer a 3-year manufacturer warranty including office visits.
The differences between the 3 different technology levels are not in the outside design or appearance of the hearing aid, but the computer chip on the inside. Most hearing aid brands look almost the same on the outside. And, all major hearing aid brands manufacture sleek, discreet looking device that are lightweight, very comfortable, durable and secure, even when removing eyeglasses.
Generally speaking, the more advanced technologies offer more sophisticated features for managing background noise and adjusting the hearing aid to the individual’s hearing loss. The explanation of each feature can be found below. If you are interested in Phonak hearing aids but have not had your hearing tested, visit Peninsula Hearing Services to schedule an appointment.
Infinio 50
Per Pair
Features
• Channels-16
• Ultra Zoom
• Motion Sensor Hearing
• Calm Situation
• Speech in Noise
Infinio Sphere 70
Per Pair
Features
• Channels-20
• Speech in 360 Degrees
• Speech in Loud Noise
• StereoZoom 2.0
• Dynamic Noise Cancellation
• Music
Infinio Sphere 90
Per Pair
Includes Infinio 50 & 70 plus the following additional features:
• Channels-20
• Echoblock
• Speech Sensor
• Speech Enhancer
• Speed in Car
• Comfort in Echo
| Phonak Infinio | Features & Benefits |
|---|---|
| Calm Situation | Creates a comfortable listening environment to enjoy one-on-one conversation |
| Channels | Filters that process sound by tone or frequency and provide discreet adjustments to the hearing aid based on a user’s hearing prescription |
| Comfort in Echo | Reduces distracting echo in reverberant environments like large buildings |
| Dynamic Noise Cancellation | Automatically reduces background noise so it is easier to understand speech in front |
| EchoBlock | Detects and suppresses reverberation caused by reflection of sound from walls, ceilings or windows |
| Motion Sensor Hearing | Detects whether you are standing or moving and adjusts the microphones in the aid to optimize your ability to hear in a noisy environment |
| Music | Offers a full and rich music experience |
| SoundRelax | Cushions unpleasant impulse sounds |
| Speech in Car | Listening effort is reduced in the care for more enjoyable hearing and speech |
| Speech in Loud Noise | With both hearing aids working together, reduces noise from the back and sides and focuses on speech coming from the front |
| Speech in Noise | Noise is reduced from the back allowing you to focus on the conversation in front of you |
| Speech in 360 degrees | Automatically selects the direction of speech, improving speech understanding without the need for the user to face the speaker |
| SpeechSensor | Optimizes ability to hear speech from the side and back in noise |
| StereoZoom 2.0 | Automatic activation of hearing aid microphones to focus on a speaker in front of the user in a noisy environment |
| Ultrazoom | Automatically reduces background noise around you so that it is easer to hear speech in front of you |