Phonak vs. Signia: Which Hearing Aids Are Best for You?
Phonak vs. Signia: Which Hearing Aids Are Be...
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Key Takeaways
- Phonak and Signia are two high-tech hearing aid manufacturers that produce hearing aid options for individuals with mild to profound hearing loss.
- Phonak and Signia both have behind-the-ear, receiver-in-the-ear, and invisible-in-the-ear options.
- The Phonak lineup includes Lyric, a 100 percent invisible hearing aid that remains in the ear for around three months.
- The Signia lineup includes Signia Active Pro, an earbud-like hearing aid for people with undiagnosed hearing loss.
- Both brands are sold exclusively through hearing aid professionals, such as audiologists.
Phonak vs. Signia
Choosing hearing aids is an important life decision. If you’re weighing a decision between Signia vs. Phonak brands, you’ve already narrowed down the playing field to two great technological options.
There’s such a large number of hearing aid manufacturers and styles on the market today, which makes trying to figure out which make and model is best for you a daunting task. If you’ve narrowed your search down to Phonak vs. Signia, you’re on the right track, as both brands produce high-quality, technologically advanced hearing aids for mild to profound hearing loss.
Phonak and Signia are sold and distributed by hearing care professionals, like audiologists. The audiologist you choose will provide you with an audiogram (prescription) that indicates your hearing loss level. These experts will also help guide you towards the hearing aid style that is best for you.
Signia and Phonak both offer behind-the-ear (BTE), receiver-in-the-ear (RIC), and in-the-ear (ITE) options. Read on to learn more about the similarities and differences between both brands.
About Phonak Hearing Aids
Phonak is a division of Sonova, a Swiss-based hearing care company. Phonak produces a very extensive line of technologically advanced hearing aids suitable for all levels of hearing loss.
Phonak is known for producing crystal clear sound quality, and for its leading-edge technological advancements in the hearing care field. Some of these advancements are highlighted below:
- The company is currently the only hearing aids manufacturer that offers Lyric, an extended-wear, 100 percent invisible in-canal hearing aid. Lyric is inserted deep into your ear canal by an audiologist. It then provides 24/7 hearing support for months at a time.
- Phonak uses Marvel proprietary technology to create crystal clear, rich, and natural sound. Marvel technology supports your hearing aids to identify streamed music, speech, and other sounds for the highest quality hearing experience.
- Phonak was the first hearing aid company to launch universal Bluetooth connectivity for hearing aids.
In addition to behind-the-ear, receiver-in-ear, and invisible-in-the-ear hearing aids, Phonak has options for unilateral (one sided) hearing loss. Most Phonak hearing aids have Bluetooth connectivity for streaming media and phone calls.
About Signia Hearing Aids
Signia is a division of WS Audiology, a global hearing care company based in Denmark and Singapore. Signia manufactures hearing aids for all levels of hearing loss, from mild to profound.
Signia is known for producing rich, natural sound, as well as its sleek styling and innovative, technological advancements.
- Signia hearing aids use a unique sensor system that detects your body’s movements and situational changes in the environment that impact hearing.
- Most Signia hearing aids have Bluetooth connectivity for streaming media and phone calls.
- Signia was one of the first manufacturers to offer in-ear hearing aids with rechargeable batteries.
- Signia’s own Voice Processing Technology recognizes your voice, so it sounds natural to you through your hearing aids.
In addition to hearing aids for mild to profound hearing loss, Signia also manufactures the Signia Active Pro, a hearing aid for people who don’t have diagnosed hearing loss. The Signia Active Pro looks like earbuds, rather than hearing aids. They’re designed to increase hearing capacity in noisy environments, such as concerts and restaurants.
Comparing Features
Tinnitus Relief
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is a common element of hearing loss. If you have tinnitus, Signia and Phonak both have hearing aids you may wish to consider.
For instance, every Phonak digital hearing aid contains a noise generator that dulls tinnitus sounds, allowing your brain to reclassify them as unimportant. You can also stream tinnitus therapy sounds from a library directly into your hearing aids. Tinnitus sound therapy trains your brain to ignore tinnitus sounds, making it fade into the background over time.
As for Signia hearing aids, these devices have a built-in noise function that blocks out tinnitus noise. Your hearing aids can play static sounds or ocean wave sounds that push tinnitus noise into the background. Signia hearing aids also have built-in Notch Therapy, which reduces the sounds of tinnitus inaudibly over time. According to the company, Notch Therapy has the potential to eliminate tinnitus completely.
Microphone Features
Phonak’s microphones are nicknamed “Roger.” Roger digital wireless technology can be activated to boost hearing ability in challenging environments, such as lecture halls, convention settings, meetings and restaurants. Roger microphones are not separate devices. Rather, they’re chips that get inserted directly into each hearing aid’s receiver by a hearing professional. If you prefer a separate device, you can opt for the Roger On clip-on microphone or the Roger Table Mic II.
Signia hearing aids can be used with the Signia StreamLine Mic. The Mic lets you stream audio hands-free in premium stereo quality from any Bluetooth device, including smart assistants like Siri and Alexa. The StreamLine Mic also operates as a remote microphone you can use to boost hearing in challenging environments. With the Mic, you can stream a lecturer’s voice from roughly 66 feet away, and it will sound crystal clear.
Rechargeable Battery and Disposable Battery Options
Phonak and Signia both offer an extensive variety of rechargeable, in-the-case hearing aids, including in the ear models. Hearing aids that require disposable batteries are also available in some styles from both manufacturers.
Signia’s newest rechargeable hearing aids use inductive (wireless) charging, a feature which really sets them apart.
App Compatibility and Bluetooth Connectivity of Signia vs. Phonak
Phonak’s Bluetooth compatible hearing aids let you stream phone calls and media, such as music, podcasts, and television, directly into your hearing aids. Your hearing aids can also be adjusted through your iOs or android smartphone with the myPhonak app.
Some Phonak hearing aids, including the Audeo B-Direct, support Facetime, WhatsApp, and Skype for phone and video calling. You’ll hear the audio directly in your hearing aids, without the video component. Many Phonak hearing aids let you connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously, so you can alternate between them.
Signia’s Bluetooth compatible hearing aids let you stream phone calls, music, and TV audio directly into your ears. Some devices require a small remote control for full Bluetooth connectivity.
Bluetooth compatible hearing aids can use the Signia Assistant feature in the Signia app for iOS and android. Signia Assistant uses AI (artificial intelligence) to learn your hearing preferences and preferred environments. You can use the app to optimize and adjust your hearing aids in challenging hearing situations and in your day-to-day environments.
Signia made for iPhone, iPod, or iPad (Mfi) hearing aids connects directly to your Apple device. Signia’s AX (Augmented Xperience) hearing aids stream directly to Android via the Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) standard.
Cost of Phonak and Signia
Neither Signia nor Phonak publish costs online. The amount you pay for your hearing aids may vary, based on the hearing professional you work with and your geographic location.
Both brands are technologically advanced. For that reason, they’re more expensive than some other hearing aid brands.
As a ballpark estimate, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,000-$4,000 for a pair of Signia hearing aids. As for Phonak hearing aids, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000 per pair.
Other Hearing Aid Brands We Recommend
In addition to Signia and Phonak, there are many hearing aid brands that we recommend. Some of the best hearing aids available include:
Oticon is a technologically advanced hearing aid manufacturer that produces an extensive line of hearing aids for mild to profound hearing loss. Oticon’s trademarked hearing aid technology is called BrainHearing because it delivers sound directly into the brain for better processing and sharper sound.
Starkey hearing aids address all levels of hearing loss. Some models include automatic fall detection and alerts, which is a huge plus for seniors and people with certain health conditions.
Lexie hearing aids are a budget-friendly alternative to more expensive brands. Unlike Phonak and Signia, you can buy Lexie hearing aids online directly from the manufacturer.
Summary
Signia and Phonak are two well-established and reputable manufacturers of hearing aids. Both brands are sold through hearing aid professionals, such as audiologists.
Signia and Phonak are technologically advanced. Each company’s hearing aids produce crystal clear sound and provide a comfortable hearing experience. If you have tinnitus, you’ll find tinnitus relief options from both brands.
Phonak and Signia have hearing aids for every hearing loss level, from mild to profound. Each also offers rechargeable and disposable battery options. Bluetooth streaming and proprietary apps that support your hearing aid experience are built into both brands.
Why You Can Trust Our Expert Review
Our experts research and recommend products that can help give you a better quality of life. Using our high standards and rigorous testing methodology, we’ve spent more than 4,000 hours, collectively, researching the best hearing aids to help you find the device that’s best for you. Throughout our research process, we did the following:
- Consulted with audiologists and geriatric care experts
- Mystery shopped the brands
- Surveyed hundreds of hearing aid users
- Tested various models of hearing aids
- Interviewed experts in the field
- Read thousands of verified customer reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
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This is a tough question to answer, as both brands are technologically advanced and on the pricier side. There are also options available from each brand for all levels of hearing loss. Furthermore, sound quality and features like Bluetooth connectivity and app compatibility are available from each. In general, you can’t go wrong with either brand. However, Phonak has a completely invisible, extended wear option, which is unlike anything Signia offers. Signia has earbud-like hearing aids for people who do not need high-powered hearing aids and who haven’t been diagnosed with hearing loss. Phonak has nothing comparable.
Pricing is accurate as of May 11, 2022.
WRITTEN BY
Corey Whelan is a writer, health care professional, and Brooklyn, New York native. She is a reproductive health advocate who has helped countless patients through the trials and triumphs of infertility and adoption over the past 25 years. Corey's passion is sharing her knowledge of health and wellness through her writing, and no topic is off limits. She's mom to two grown children and two rescue dogs who captured her heart.
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