Many people start their search for a Phonak hearing aids alternative after realizing that not every type of hearing loss needs a high-end prescription solution. While the brand provides impressive technology and professional fittings, it comes at a cost - and it’s far from convenient.

Fortunately, you won’t have to look far for a more practical solution solution if you’re struggling with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. You can buy hearing aids online at Audien Hearing today.

As the #1 choice for OTC hearing aids, we give our customers the best of both worlds: low prices with high-performance hearing support. You’ll also enjoy world-class service from A to Z. 

Our devices start at just $98, come ready to use out of the box, and are backed by lifetime support. You can choose from traditional behind-the-ear (BTE) devices or more discreet in-the-ear (ITE) models based on your comfort and lifestyle preferences.

Reach out to our team today and learn more about our stylish hearing aids and whether they’re the right fit for you or not. Otherwise, let’s take a closer look at the best alternatives to Phonak hearing aids below. 

“A journey that took me to Audien Hearing. A journey that opened my ears to sounds once missed. A nod of thanks for such a wonderful product. May it help all those as it has helped me. Bravo!!!” - Guy

“They took care of my issue very fast and showed that they cared. They also made sure I didn’t miss a day without my hearing aids and I’m so grateful for that!” - Cooper

“I believe in SERVICE! Providing it is difficult. Audien Hearing provided what I needed and were able to expedite the process.” - Buddy

Phonak Hearing Aids Alternative (Fast Facts)

Brand

Popular Models

Type

Price Range (Per Pair)

Main Strengths

Drawbacks

Audien Hearing

Atom One, Atom Pro 2, Atom X, Ion Pro

OTC / ITE & BTE

$98 – $689

Affordable; easy self-fit; Bluetooth options; no clinic visits; lifetime support. Best for mild-to-moderate hearing loss

Not suited for severe-to-profound hearing loss

Phonak

Infinio Ultra R, Audéo Lumity, Virto Paradise, Lyric

Prescription / RIC, BTE, IIC

$2,000 – $7,500+

Top-tier clarity, connectivity, and customization

Requires audiologist fitting; very expensive

Oticon

Intent, Real, Own SI

Prescription / RIC, ITE

$2,000 – $6,000+

BrainHearing™ tech; balanced, natural sound

High price; requires ongoing clinic adjustment

Jabra Enhance

Enhance Select 50R, 100, 300

OTC / RIC

$995 – $1,995

App support, Bluetooth streaming, remote audiologist help

Subscription upsells; limited in-person service

Signia

Styletto AX, Pure Charge&Go IX, Silk Charge&Go IX

Prescription / RIC, CIC

$2,000 – $6,500

Excellent speech-in-noise; stylish design; AI assistant

Costly; requires professional tuning; short trial periods

Starkey

Genesis AI, Evolv AI, Picasso

Prescription / ITE, RIC

$2,500 – $7,000+

Strong health tracking; rechargeable; AI-based personalization

High price; extra features may not appeal to basic users

Overview of Phonak Hearing Aids

Phonak is a Swiss company operating under Sonova, one of the world’s largest hearing care companies in the world. The brand’s devices run the whole gamut of support, treating everything from mild to profound hearing loss. However, they’re all prescription-based. 

Let’s take a closer look at the lineup. 

Popular Phonak Hearing Aid Models

Phonak offers multiple product families, each built for different needs and preferences. From earbud-style ITE devices to traditional BTE hearing aids, here are the most popular models:

  • Infinio Ultra R / Ultra Sphere: Rechargeable receiver-in-canal (RIC) models featuring SmartSpeech™ and Binaural VoiceStream™ for better speech clarity and balance between ears.
  • Virto R Infinio / I-10 NW O / I-Titanium: Custom ITE devices. The I-10 NW O is discreet and non-wireless, while the R Infinio is rechargeable and Bluetooth-compatible.
  • Audéo Lumity / Life Lumity / Naída Lumity / Sky Lumity: The Lumity line runs on Phonak’s AutoSense OS 5.0, which automatically adjusts to your sound environment. “Naída” serves severe-to-profound loss, “Sky” fits pediatric use, and “Life” is waterproof.
  • Lyric™: A completely invisible, extended-wear model placed deep in the ear canal by an audiologist and replaced every few months.
  • Audéo Fit: Adds health tracking, including heart rate and activity monitoring, alongside everyday amplification.

There’s quite literally a hearing aid for every need and preference. Prices depend heavily on the audiologist clinic you work with, but expect to spend anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000 per pair.

The Process of Acquiring Phonak Hearing Aids

As you probably know already, Phonak hearing aids are available exclusively through licensed professionals. That means you’ll work with an audiologist, or in some cases, with a Costco Hearing Center.

Whatever the case, the process typically starts with a full audiological evaluation, followed by an in-person fitting where an audiologist programs the devices based on your hearing thresholds. Follow-up visits are required for fine-tuning and maintenance.

This approach guarantees a precise fit, but it also increases the overall time and cost of care. That’s part of why so many people, particularly those who just have mild-to-moderate hearing loss, are looking for something smarter and more practical. 

Why Do Customers Look for a Phonak Hearing Aids Alternative?

A lot of users find that Phonak hearing aids are too costly or complex for their level of hearing loss. The prescription route is great if you have severe to profound hearing loss, but in some cases, it can be more than what some people with mild-to-moderate loss feel they need.

Frequent office visits, service fees, and limited at-home control can make getting hearing support frustrating. That’s why so many people first explore discreet or budget-friendly OTC hearing aids that don’t require appointments or thousands in upfront costs.

For what it’s worth, though, even those who do need prescription-grade hearing support may want to explore alternatives. Phonak has a pretty abysmal 1.6/5 star rating across hundreds of verified reviews on Trustpilot. A lot of these speak to issues such as:

  • Poor customer service
  • Overpriced hearing aids
  • Unintuive app control
  • Low device reliability 

But whatever has brought you here today looking for a Phonak hearing aids alternative, you’re in luck. We’re going to introduce the top five choices on the market right now! 

Phonak Hearing Aids Alternative

Finding the right hearing aid for mild-to-moderate hearing loss shouldn’t mean choosing between performance and affordability. You can have it all with us. Here’s why Audien Hearing is the #1 alternative to Phonak for mild-to-moderate hearing loss, along with other options for severe to profound hearing loss.

Audien Hearing

Our philosophy at Audien Hearing is straightforward: hearing should be accessible to everyone. We’ve built a range of ITE and BTE models that are easy to use right out of the box, with sound quality that is designed for everyday clarity. 

Every product is FDA-registered, rechargeable, and designed with advanced noise-reduction chips that amplify what you want to hear - not the background clutter. Here’s a look at the lineup:

  • Atom One: Our most affordable model at $98, with a single hearing profile. You get clear, balanced sound and a compact fit that disappears into the ear canal.
  • Atom Pro 2: A top seller with adaptive noise control and extended battery life. It automatically adjusts to your surroundings, making conversations and TV clearer. You get four distinct hearing profiles with this device.
  • Atom X: A touchscreen-controlled hearing aid with intuitive volume and mode settings. It combines modern design with comfort and long-lasting rechargeable power.
  • Ion Pro 2: The most advanced model in our lineup. It includes Bluetooth streaming, a companion app for fine-tuning, and six custom hearing profiles - all for under $700.

Whether you’re looking for the best hearing aids under $200 or the latest and greatest technology, you’ll find it here at Audien Hearing. Everything we sell is backed by lifetime support, a 45-day money-back guarantee, and access to our US-based customer care team.

You can skip the clinic visits and start hearing better in days instead of weeks. Save thousands of dollars and get back to living life to the fullest with Audien Hearing today!

Oticon

Oticon is one of the oldest names in hearing technology, known for its “BrainHearing™” philosophy. These devices process sound the way the brain naturally does, so eventually, you forget you’re even wearing them.

The brand’s hearing aids are designed with speech clarity and spatial awareness in mind. They’re really popular for those with moderate to severe hearing loss who prefer (or need) the prescription level of care. Popular models include:

  • Oticon Intent: Built on the new Sirius™ platform, this rechargeable receiver-in-canal (RIC) model adapts automatically to listening environments using motion and conversation sensors.
  • Oticon Real: A premium-level hearing aid with wind noise suppression, feedback prevention, and clear speech processing even in noisy settings.
  • Oticon Own: A custom ITE series made to fit discreetly and powered by the Polaris™ platform for clear, balanced sound in smaller form factors.

Oticon products deliver excellent performance; there’s no denying that. The problem is that they can be out of reach for a lot of people at $3,000 to $6,000 per pair. All models require professional fitting and regular in-person visits, too, which can be a deal-breaker for those in search of a simpler, more flexible solution.

Jabra

Jabra Enhance was developed by GN Group - the same parent company behind ReSound. This is to say, you can rest assured these are high-quality hearing aids! 

Jabra has become a leader in modern, tech-driven OTC hearing aids. The brand also sells prescription devices through licensed audiologist networks. However, the Enhance Select lineup is compelling for those who want remote care, app control, and reliable Bluetooth connectivity without a full prescription process. Here’s a look at the series:

  • Enhance Select 50R: Rechargeable BTE device with 24-hour battery life, basic noise reduction and Bluetooth streaming for calls and music. Starts at $1,195 per pair.
  • Enhance Select 300: Smaller form (mini RIE with Jabra’s SoundScape™ technology for better clarity in noise, full Bluetooth, and all-day recharge case. $1,695 per pair.
  • Enhance Select 700: Most advanced offering at $1,995 per pair. “Micro” RIE size, advanced speech-focus processing, Bluetooth LE and Auracast™ readiness, IP68 all-weather rating.

You can see why Jabra is such a popular Phonak hearing aids alternative. You get tons of sophistication and support at a slightly more affordable price point. But these are still expensive relative to the other OTC options on the market, such as Audien Hearing.

Signia

Signia is owned by WS Audiology, another industry-leading hearing aid manufacturer. The brand has earned a reputation for innovative design and powerful prescription hearing aids, so they’re a good candidate to consider as well. 

Clarity, comfort, and connectivity are the defining characteristics of these hearing aids. Many even have AI-based processing so you can hear better in dynamic, noisy environments. Let’s take a closer look at the lineup:

  • Signia Pure Charge&Go IX: A rechargeable RIC model with Signia’s IX platform for advanced speech focus and directionality.
  • Signia Styletto AX: Sleek and stylish, with slim design and full Bluetooth support, aimed at users who want function and fashion.
  • Signia Silk Charge&Go IX: A nearly invisible ITE model with instant fit tips and wireless charging.

Signia does a really good job as far as sound quality and connectivity are concerned, but this comes at a cost. These are some of the most expensive prescription hearing aids on the market, ranging from $3,000 to $7,000 per pair.

They’re also only available through audiologists, so you’ll have to deal with a hearing test, fittings, and adjustments in person. These are the same issues a lot of people have with Phonak in the first place.  

Starkey

Starkey is one of the few US manufacturers that treats hearing care as part of whole-body health. The brand’s newer models include motion sensors and software that automatically adjusts settings based on your surroundings. Some even track how long you wear the device each day to help audiologists fine-tune your care!

This is exciting for people who like tech and don’t mind learning a few extra features. Here’s an overview of the three most popular models Starkey has to offer:

  • Genesis AI: The most advanced Starkey model, using Neuro Sound Technology™ to sharpen speech and adapt to background noise while tracking brain and body activity.
  • Evolv AI: Rechargeable and available in multiple styles, this line adds motion sensors and “Edge Mode” for quick one-touch sound adjustments in noisy spaces.
  • Picasso: Custom-molded ITE hearing aids for people who care about comfort and subtlety more than connectivity.

Starkey’s innovation is impressive - but it’s also REALLY expensive! Most models run between $2,500 and $7,000 a pair. Maybe you can justify that, but many of the health-tracking tools go unused by people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

Parting Thoughts on Phonak Hearing Aids Alternatives

Phonak hearing aids aren’t right for everyone. The truth is, no hearing aid brand works for every case - because hearing loss is so individualized. We hope this guide has left you feeling more confident on choosing the right Phonak hearing aids alternative. 

Our blog has more resources on Signia vs Jabra hearing aids, Oticon vs Signia, or the hearing aids Costco vs Miracle Ear has to offer. At this point, though, all that’s left to do is find out for sure if Audien Hearing can be a good fit for YOUR hearing needs.

It all starts with a conversation. From the best hearing aid under $100 to touchscreen hearing aids, we’ve got you covered. Connect with us team today for one-on-one support and put the challenges associated with mild-to-moderate hearing loss in the past!