The Best RIC Hearing Aids in 2026, by Dr. Cliff

Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) hearing aids have dominated the hearing aid market since around 2012, and for good reason. Today, over 80% of all hearing aids we dispense in the United States are RIC devices. Their popularity stems from their versatility, comfort, feature capabilities, and performance. They can fit nearly every type of hearing loss, severity, and configuration while feeling practically invisible. With the latest features like rechargeability and wireless connectivity, RIC hearing aids continue to set the standard for hearing treatment.

As an audiologist who has reviewed countless hearing aids and uses them to treat patients in our clinic, I want to share my top picks for the best RIC hearing aids of 2026. These selections are based purely on my personal experience and performance—no manufacturer can pay their way onto this list. Here are my top picks.

Phonak Audéo Ultra Sphere Infinio

The Phonak Sphere Infinio made waves in August 2024 with impressive deep neural network artificial intelligence noise reduction. At the end of 2025, Phonak released a firmware update upgrading all Sphere hearing aids to the new Ultra line, taking an already excellent device to another level.

The Phonak Audéo Ultra Sphere Infinio features AutoSense OS 7.0, which is 24% more precise at identifying different listening environments. This means the hearing aids automatically switch to the proper program settings for each situation more effectively than before. The system has been trained to recognize a broader range of music styles, including classical, jazz, hip hop, and electronic music.

Sphere Speech Clarity 2.0, powered by the DeepSonic Chip, can now be used more frequently thanks to a 30% improvement in battery efficiency—previously the device's main weakness. You can easily get over a full day of battery life, with up to 10 hours when using the Sphere Speech in Loud Noise Artificial Intelligence program.

Independent testing lab Hearing Advisor ranked the Sphere as the best-performing hearing aid in background noise they've ever tested—by a significant margin. The new EasyGuard dome prevents wax from entering the hearing aid, eliminating the need for frequent wax trap changes. With one-step pairing through the MyPhonak app, universal connectivity with multiple devices, and excellent wireless accessories, the Phonak Ultra Sphere Infinio stands out as a top choice.

Starkey Omega AI

The Omega AI builds on Starkey's popular Edge AI line with remarkable advancements. These hearing aids utilize a deep neural network using the new Gen 3 Neuro Processor for AI sound processing in background noise. The new DNN 360 feature uses artificial intelligence to control the directional microphones, allowing the Omega AI to significantly outperform hearing aids using traditional microphone beamforming technology.

Unlike most hearing aids on this list, the Omega comes in both rechargeable and disposable battery RIC options, with telecoil and CROS options for individuals with single-sided deafness. The rechargeable battery life is exceptional—you can wear these hearing aids for nearly two days straight without charging. The rechargeable mRIC and RIC RT models feature indicator lights showing power status and Bluetooth pairing, plus a Find My Hearing Aid feature that makes the devices flash when activated through the MyStarkey app.

The MyStarkey app includes impressive features like the Gen AI Assistant and TeleHear AI. The expanded Balance Builder program provides exercises to improve your balance. Edge Mode+ uses artificial intelligence to give you the best overall sound, enhanced speech, or maximum background noise reduction.

The Omega AI works best with Apple products but also supports LE Audio Bluetooth and Auracast. LE Audio Bluetooth provides better streaming sound quality and lower battery drain, while Auracast enables broadcast audio in public venues. The new Starkey Edge TV Streamer uses Auracast to stream to your Starkey hearing aids and any other hearing aids or earbuds with Auracast capabilities.

Oticon Intent

The Oticon Intent makes my best hearing aids list for the third consecutive year. Oticon was the first manufacturer to release a hearing aid trained with a deep neural network for AI sound processing in 2021, and the Intent already uses second-generation technology while other manufacturers are still on their first generation.

The Intent excels at keeping you aware of different sounds around you while still helping you hear and understand the person you want to hear in noisy situations. This is largely due to the combination of Deep Neural Network 2.0 and the 4D sensor technology.

I recently traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark to Oticon headquarters to see how they've been advancing their hearing aid technology through research and development, and it's no wonder why the Oticon Intent is one of the best hearing aids available. Oticon has been making firmware updates for the Intent throughout the past couple of years. The firmware update released at the end of 2025 enabled Auracast and Google Fast Pair. The Auracast broadcast audio is clean and sounds better than many hearing loop systems with telecoil—in my opinion, it sounded better than the loop system in my office.

From a hearing perspective, the Oticon Intent is one of the best hearing aids I've ever programmed to match prescriptive targets for individuals with high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. Since high frequencies are where the clarity components of human speech are located, Oticon hearing aids provide significant clarity improvement. The Intent is also a super small hearing aid with long battery life, and the Oticon Companion app is one of the most user-friendly apps available.

Signia Pure Charge&Go IX

Between the Pure Charge&Go IX and the Pure Charge&Go BCT IX, Signia covers different connectivity preferences. The IX uses Bluetooth Low Energy and the ASHA Bluetooth protocol, with future readiness for LE Audio Bluetooth and Auracast. The BCT IX (Bluetooth Connectivity Transformed) uses Bluetooth Classic but lacks future compatibility with LE Audio Bluetooth or Auracast. The IX version also offers a CROS transmitter for individuals with single-sided deafness.

The headline feature is Real Time Conversation Enhancement, which allows the hearing aids to track main talkers in a noisy environment even as they move. According to Signia, this provides 22-24% better speech understanding in noise compared to competitor hearing aids using artificial intelligence. While I cannot confirm these exact percentages, I can tell you that these hearing aids are fantastic, especially when programmed using Real Ear Measurement.

The IX is slim for a rechargeable hearing aid, with excellent battery life—up to 34 hours with five hours of streaming—thanks to galvanic charging. Own Voice Processing 2.0 is helpful for new hearing aid users who don't like the sound of their own voice when amplified. You can train these hearing aids to recognize your voice and reduce amplification when you speak, without impacting other people's voices.

The Signia app includes a feature where you can point the microphones in different directions—in front, next to, or even behind you to eavesdrop on a table at a restaurant. With the right provider who follows best practices, the Signia Pure Charge&Go IX and BCT IX can perform exceptionally well.

Widex Moment SmartRIC

The Widex Moment SmartRIC isn't Widex's newest hearing aid—that would be the Widex Allure—but in my opinion, it remains their best option. While the Allure is excellent, it lacks key features found in the Moment SmartRIC that I value. I do expect Widex to keep adding new features to the Allure line throughout 2026, so maybe you'll see the Allure on next year's list.

The SmartRIC features PureSound ZeroDelay sound processing, processing sound in as little as 0.5 milliseconds compared to 3-8 milliseconds for other manufacturers. This speed is achieved by reducing the amount of signal processing, which keeps sound more natural and reduces the comb filter effect when amplified sound combines with natural sound entering the ear canal.

The high input dynamic range makes this one of the best hearing aids for musicians and audiophiles who want live music to sound as natural as possible. The unique physical design features more horizontal microphone placement (ranging between 12 and 20 degrees between front and rear microphones compared to 37 degrees on older models), improving the Directivity Index by 1.25 decibels—roughly a 12.5% improvement in speech understanding in noise. This design also reduces wind noise by 20% and handling noise by 88%.

The SmartRIC is rechargeable with galvanic charging, providing up to 37 hours of battery life without streaming and 27 hours with streaming. The Widex Moment SmartRIC probably has the best tinnitus masking features available thanks to Zen fractal tones. While I'm not a fan of using maskers as a standalone tinnitus treatment, I do value incorporating tinnitus masking into a comprehensive tinnitus treatment protocol. The Widex Moment app includes Sound Sense Learn, which uses machine learning to identify your preferences based on A/B comparisons you make in real listening situations.

The Most Important Factor

If you remember nothing else from this article, remember this: it does not matter how great any of these hearing aids are unless they've been fit and programmed by a hearing care professional who follows comprehensive audiologic best practices. You can take the best hearing aid in the world and make it perform poorly if it's not fit and programmed properly. This includes using Real Ear Measurement to verify that your hearing aids are programmed accurately to your hearing loss prescription.

Find a HearingUp Provider

Ready to experience the difference that best practice hearing care can make? I highly recommend that you visit HearingUp.com to find a HearingUp network member in your area. All HearingUp providers have been personally vetted by me and are committed to following comprehensive best practices, including Real Ear Measurement for all hearing aid fittings and validated outcome measures. 

Whether you choose the Phonak Ultra Sphere Infinio, Starkey Omega AI, Oticon Intent, Signia Pure Charge&Go IX, or Widex Moment SmartRIC, a HearingUp provider will ensure you get the maximum benefit from your hearing aids. Don't settle for anything less than the best hearing care—find your HearingUp provider today.