Which Hearing Aid is Best? Considering the Manufacturer
- David Engelman
- May 31, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 25
In our previous two articles in the "Which Hearing Aid is Best?" series, we explored different hearing aid styles and the technology levels available. In this final part of the series, we’ll look at another key factor to consider before choosing a hearing aid: the manufacturer—in other words, the company or brand that makes the device.
If you’ve been researching hearing aids online, you’ve probably come across a variety of brand names. Some of the major hearing aid manufacturers you might encounter include (in alphabetical order): Bernafon, Oticon, Phonak, ReSound, Signia, Starkey, Unitron, and Widex. And that’s far from an exhaustive list.
This naturally raises the question: Which hearing aid brand is best? Who makes the best hearing aids?
Do Hearing Aid Brands Really Matter?
This may come as a surprise, but the brand of hearing aid is often the least important factor from the patient's perspective. The truth is, there isn’t one hearing aid manufacturer that is objectively better than the rest. All of the major brands produce high-quality, reliable hearing aids and invest heavily in research and development to enhance the user experience.
Sometimes, a specific combination of features or hearing aid styles may only be available from a particular brand. In these cases, your audiologist might recommend one manufacturer over another based on your individual needs. However, because the top brands are in constant competition, innovations introduced by one are usually matched by the others in due course.
How Hearing Aid Manufacturers Differ
Where hearing aid manufacturers often differ is in their philosophy and approach to sound processing.
Modern hearing aids are incredibly advanced. They don’t simply make sounds louder—they use digital signal processing powered by tiny computer chips to analyse and respond to your acoustic environment. For example, they can help focus on speech in noisy environments by reducing background noise.
However, how a hearing aid processes sound can vary significantly between brands. Some manufacturers prioritise keeping the sound as “natural” as possible, while others aim to provide more listening support by enhancing speech clarity or reducing effort, even if that means altering the sound more noticeably. These differences can lead to subjective preferences in sound quality, especially among those who have worn a particular brand for many years. The brain becomes accustomed to the sound profile of that manufacturer, and switching brands may require a period of adjustment.
Why Audiologists Don’t Offer Every Brand
Most audiologists work primarily with two or three core manufacturers. This is usually based on familiarity with the products, clinical experience, and the ability to offer consistent, expert-level care. They may still offer other brands when appropriate, but limiting the range helps ensure deep expertise and better outcomes.
Independent audiologists, like us at Finchley Hearing, are not tied to one brand or manufacturer. This means we can recommend the hearing aid that is truly the best fit for your specific needs—without bias or contractual obligation.
So, Which Hearing Aid Brand Should You Choose?
The good news is that most patients will do very well with any major hearing aid brand, provided the hearing aids are properly prescribed and fitted by a qualified professional.
If you’ve heard a glowing recommendation for a particular brand from a friend or family member, there’s no harm in exploring it. But it’s also important to keep an open mind. Trust your audiologist’s advice if they recommend a different manufacturer that might better suit your hearing profile and lifestyle needs.
If you'd like to learn more about the kind of hearing care we provide at Finchley Hearing, please explore our website or get in touch with any questions. We're a private, independent audiology clinic in London, committed to ethical, evidence-based hearing solutions, and we’d love to support you on your journey to better hearing.
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