Phonak Infinio vs Oticon Intent: A Dr. Cliff Review

The hearing aid industry has seen significant advancements in recent years, with manufacturers continually pushing the boundaries of technology to improve sound quality and user experience. Two standout products in this arena are the Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio and the Oticon Intent hearing aids. Both devices represent the pinnacle of their respective manufacturers' offerings, and they are unique from each other in that their strengths and features may appeal to different users.

Technology Levels and Customization

The Oticon Intent comes in four technology levels (Intent 1, 2, 3, and 4), with Intent 1 being the premium offering. This tiered approach allows users to balance features and cost according to their needs and budget. In contrast, the Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio is available in just two levels - 90 and 70, with 90 being the top-tier option.

When it comes to customization, the Oticon Intent offers up to 24 adjustment bands in its top-tier device, allowing for precise tuning to a user's hearing loss prescription. The Phonak Sphere Infinio provides up to 20 adjustment bands, slightly less than the Intent but still offering significant customization options.

The Oticon Intent excels in amplifying high frequencies, particularly when using rubber domes. However, it has fewer digital features for customization compared to the Phonak device. The Sphere Infinio, while potentially struggling with high-frequency amplification when using rubber domes, offers a wide array of digital features including AutoSense OS 6.0 for automatic program adjustments, noise reduction, and soft speech enhancement.

Bluetooth Connectivity and Apps

Both devices offer Bluetooth connectivity, but with different approaches. The Oticon Intent supports three Bluetooth protocols: LE Audio, Bluetooth Low Energy, and ASHA. The LE Audio protocol, in particular, offers superior sound quality and lower battery drain, though it's not yet widely adopted by other devices.

The Phonak Sphere Infinio uses Bluetooth Classic with version 5.3, allowing connection to up to eight devices with two active connections simultaneously. While it doesn't currently support LE Audio, a future firmware update is expected to add this capability.

Both hearing aids come with companion smartphone apps for adjusting settings and programs. The Oticon Companion app and Phonak's My Phonak app both offer similar basic functionalities, including volume control, program switching, and remote care options.

Battery Life and Charging

Both hearing aids use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with contact charging for faster recharge times. The Oticon Intent offers up to 20 hours of use on a full charge, with a two-hour charging time from empty to full. The Phonak Sphere Infinio provides 16 hours of use, but this drops to 7 hours when using the advanced speech-in-noise program. It takes three hours to fully charge from empty.

The charging cases for both devices have some differences. The Oticon Smart Charger includes an internal power bank, while the Phonak charger can store a charge for on-the-go charging but has a smaller well that may not accommodate larger custom earmolds easily.

Size and Design

One of the most noticeable differences between these devices is their physical size. The Oticon Intent is significantly smaller than the Phonak Sphere Infinio in both length and width. This size difference may impact comfort and visibility, especially for users who wear glasses. However, the larger size of the Phonak device accommodates its dual-chip design and enhanced waterproofing features.

Water Resistance

Both hearing aids boast an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. However, the Phonak Sphere Infinio is noted to exceed this rating significantly, with impressive resistance to water exposure from swimming, showering, or heavy sweating.

Accessories

The Phonak Sphere Infinio has a clear advantage when it comes to accessories. While Oticon offers a limited range of accessories that haven't seen significant updates in recent years, Phonak provides a wide array of options. These include standard accessories like TV connectors and remote controls, as well as their advanced Roger microphone system for improved hearing in challenging noise environments.

Performance in Background Noise

Both hearing aids utilize deep neural network technology to separate speech from background noise, but with different implementations. The Oticon Intent uses a 4D sensor combined with their updated deep neural network, trained on 12 million sound samples. This allows for up to 9 decibels of signal-to-noise ratio improvement and 12 decibels of noise reduction.

The Phonak Sphere Infinio employs a dedicated Deep Sonic Chip alongside its main ERA chip. The Deep Sonic Chip, trained on 22 million sound samples, activates in noisy situations to separate speech from background noise. Combined with directional microphones, it can achieve up to 10 decibels of signal-to-noise ratio improvement.

In independent testing by Hearing Advisor, both devices performed exceptionally well in background noise, with the Phonak Sphere Infinio scoring slightly higher (4.6 out of 5) compared to the Oticon Intent (3.7 out of 5).

Cutting Edge Hearing Aid Technology

Both the Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio and Oticon Intent represent the cutting edge of hearing aid technology, each with its own strengths. The Oticon Intent offers a more compact design, longer battery life, and excellent high-frequency amplification. It's also available in more technology levels, potentially offering more budget-friendly options.

The Phonak Sphere Infinio, while larger, provides superior water resistance, more digital features for customization, and a slight edge in background noise performance. It also offers a more comprehensive range of accessories, which could be crucial for users with specific hearing needs.

While these hearing aids represent the pinnacle of current technology, the expertise of the hearing care professional in properly fitting and programming the devices is crucial for achieving the best outcomes. Ultimately, the choice between these two excellent devices will depend on individual needs, preferences, and the recommendation of a qualified hearing care professional. Factors such as the user's specific type and configuration of hearing loss, lifestyle needs, and budget will all play a role in determining which device is the better fit. Both hearing aids demonstrate the impressive capabilities of modern hearing technology and represent significant advancements in helping users hear better in a variety of environments.