Phonak vs Widex Hearing Aid Comparison

In the world of hearing aids, two companies stand out as some of the most popular: Phonak and Widex. Both of these companies have decades of experience in the industry, and each of them offers a wide array of hearing solutions.

But which one has the hearing aids for you? Let’s take a closer look.

Phonak and Widex Similarities

With both of them being high-tech, national hearing aid brands, Phonak and Widex offer relatively similar technology. Each of these providers offers hearing aids in a variety of styles, with a full range of advanced hearing features such as wind reduction, remote sound adjustments, and streaming capabilities. Here are some other features you can find with both companies:

• Smartphone apps
• Tinnitus solutions
• Advanced background noise reduction
• TV streamers
• Microphones
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Solutions for profound hearing loss

Phonak Features

When it comes to delivering natural sound quality, Phonak hearing aids truly excel. Their most advanced series, Audéo Infinito features custom noise cancellation, speech understanding, and even voice assistant capabilities. This comes in handy when looking to adjust the volume or other settings. The Audéo Infinio can come in a variety of styles, and it has rechargeable batteries with a case.

Widex Features

What separates Widex from other hearing aid brands is its ability to create hearing aids with impressively natural sound. Based in Denmark, this brand is known for its made-for-iPhone technology, long-lasting batteries, and tinnitus therapies. Their most recent series, the MOMENT, features advanced sound processing that cuts down on the delay between a sound and the aid’s ability to process it. Ultimately, this creates a more natural-sounding hearing experience.

The Expert Take

From Kasey Craig

Many hearing aid manufacturers have hearing aids with the “Made-for-iPhone” label. Any hearing aid with this label can take advantage of Apple’s Live Listen feature, which allows you to stream your phone microphone directly to your hearing aids. For example, in a crowded restaurant, you can turn on Live Listen and put your phone on the other side of the table, allowing you to hear your dinner companions more directly.

Pricing and Purchasing

Neither Phonak nor Widex retails directly to consumers, meaning you’ll have to visit a local retailer in order to be fitted for and to purchase one of their hearing aids. Since every seller is different, the prices for these two brands will vary.

Generally speaking, Phonak aids will run you about $1,400-$3,804 each, while Widex devices will cost about $1,200-$3,500. In terms of pricing, these companies are mostly equivalent.

Our Favorite

When it comes to buying hearing aids, there’s hardly a best option; rather, there are options that are best for you and your individual needs.

The Expert Take

From Kasey Craig

All of the “Big Five” hearing aid manufacturers, including Phonak and Widex, create top-of-the-line products; you really can’t go wrong with any of them. Your personal satisfaction will likely be based on a combination of the product’s performance and your hearing healthcare provider’s customer service, so make sure you are satisfied with your provider and your aids and all the features, like Bluetooth streaming, smartphone app adjustments, and tinnitus therapy, prior to finalizing your purchase.

In terms of hearing aid quality, Widex scores a bit higher than Phonak, due to its advanced streaming features and high-quality batteries. Phonak, on the other hand, offers stellar customer service. To start your search, I’d recommend visiting your local hearing healthcare provider. There, you’ll be able to receive the best guidance as it relates to your particular variety of hearing loss.