Phonak vs. Beltone
Phonak is our top pick in 2025 for severe to profound hearing loss, while Beltone offers a wide variety of award-winning hearing aids.
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To ensure that you get the best hearing aids for your lifestyle and needs, it’s important to shop around. Phonak and Beltone are two trusted names in the hearing aid business. Phonak consistently makes our list of the top prescription hearing aid providers thanks to its advanced hearing and AI tech, while Beltone is an alternative provider that has been consistently producing high-quality prescription hearing aids for more than 80 years. Let’s see how their products compare.
Comparison Table
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| Bluetooth capability | Yes (phone, TV) | Yes (capabilities vary depending on model) |
| Tinnitus support help | Yes | Yes |
| Customer service | Online FAQ, online form, phone | Videos, phone, FAQ, online contact form |
| Accompanying app | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | Yes, 1-year limited international warranty valid from date of purchase | Yes, 1-year standard warranty from date of purchase |
| Free Trial | Yes, 30-day free trial | Yes, 30-day free trial |
| Website |
See Pricing
Links to ZipHearing
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See Pricing
Links to Beltone
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Phonak vs Beltone: What’s the Difference?
Phonak’s hearing aids are recognized by their Paradise and Lumity technologies, which provide clear, rich sound. Similar to many hearing aids from prescription providers such as ReSound and Signia, Phonak’s devices can be recharged and connected to your smartphone and other compatible devices through the Phonak app. That makes Phonak a great choice for tech-savvy older adults who want to stay connected so they never again have to miss a phone call or their favorite TV show due to hearing loss.
» You Might Like: Best Smartphones for Seniors
Beltone is a reputable brand that distributes superior hearing devices and accessories through a network of hearing centers in all 50 states.1 Whether you have mild, moderate, severe or profound hearing loss, you will likely find a Beltone hearing aid that works for your listening needs. You can even customize your experience with distinct styles, colors and sizes. Phonak gives you tons of customization options, as well, with even more styles for older adults who want ultra-discreet hearing aids.
Did You Know? Among adults ages 55 to 64, 10 percent have disabling hearing loss.2 Check out our guide to the best hearing aids for severe hearing loss to learn more about your options.
If you’re trying to budget on a fixed income, Phonak’s hearing aids may be worth looking into further. Their prices are equal to and sometimes lower than the average cost of other prescription hearing aids on the market. Beltone’s hearing aids tend to be more expensive than those of Phonak. Phonak’s hearing aid prices range from roughly $2,000 to $4,260 per pair, while Beltone’s hearing aids fall between $2,800 and $7,000 per pair.
» Save More: Best Cheap Hearing Aids for Seniors
To put things into perspective, the average cost of prescription hearing aids is about $4,700 per pair, so you may be able to find comparatively affordable options from both Phonak and Beltone. Just remember: You can’t purchase Phonak and Beltone hearing aids online, and prices will vary from one location to the next. That makes it difficult to give exact prices, so it’s best to consult with your local office to learn more about prices. Check out our hearing aid buyer’s guide for more information on pricing and resources to help you find the best fit for you and your budget!
Equipment
Whether you are looking for a hearing aid that can be worn in the ear or one that’s invisible, Phonak has several varieties to consider. Phonak’s hearing aids come in many different colors and sizes to suit an array of consumer preferences. If you require hearing aids for single-sided hearing loss, you’ll be pleased to learn that Phonak carries hearing aids designed to help with the condition.
Phonak has several hearing aid models to select from. Some noteworthy ones include Virto P-Titanium, Lyric and Audeo Marvel. Phonak’s Virto P-Titanium is constructed with titanium, boasting a casing 15 times stronger than the acrylic standard of existing hearing aid shells. Virto P-Titanium is a great choice for older adults who are prone to dropping their devices and want hearing aids durable enough to withstand wear and tear.
FYI: According to Phonak, Lyric is the world’s first and only 100 percent invisible hearing aid.3 It also made our list of the best invisible hearing aids for seniors.
Depending on your personal needs, the Lyric model can be customized for mild to severe hearing loss. Phonak Lyric can be worn inside the ear canal for several months without being removed. Lyric uses the natural anatomy of the ear to deliver clear sound 24/7. Although Beltone has invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) and completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids, it doesn’t have a model designed to be worn for months at a time like Phonak’s Lyric.
Available in many colors, the Phonak Bolero Marvel hearing aid gives a clear, rich sound experience. The hearing aid can help you hear better, make hands-free calls, listen to music and more! The Bolero Marvel is a solid choice for older adults who want a rechargeable behind-the-ear (BTE) model with all the bells and whistles.
Testing out Phonak hearing aids
Beltone’s family of hearing aids improves hearing for people with all levels of hearing loss. You can purchase a Beltone hearing aid in the following forms: IIC, CIC, BTE, in-the-canal (ITC), in-the-ear (ITE), receiver-in-ear (RIE) and mic-in-helix (MIH). If you are looking for something small, Beltone’s IIC hearing aid is only about the size of a raspberry, although their larger BTE models often have more features and enhanced hearing tech.
» Learn More: Best Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids
Some popular models in Beltone’s product line include Amaze, Envision, Commence, Rely, Achieve, Boost Ultra and Serene. All of these models have different levels of Bluetooth compatibility, so make sure to choose one that fits your needs.
» Stay Connected: Best Bluetooth Hearing Aids
Beltone Serene uses the company’s latest microphone and receiver-in-ear (M&RIE) technology to deliver the most natural sound. Beltone Achieve boasts features such as surround sound and noise reduction that enhance the listening experience without sacrificing simplicity. If you have profound hearing loss, Beltone Boost Ultra is likely your best option.
Watch the video below to learn more about Beltone hearing aids.
Phonak vs. Beltone Pricing
Both Phonak and Beltone do not advertise product prices online. Get in touch with a hearing aid professional near you to find out exact hearing aid costs and determine which device is right for you. Phonak often has lower starting prices than Beltone, so you may be able to save by choosing Phonak.
Phonak and Beltone vs. the Competition
Phonak is an industry leader in both features and enhanced listening tech, making it an ideal choice for older adults who want a truly natural listening experience that comes with all the extras. For older adults who are willing to pay a little more to visit a Beltone hearing center for testing, fitting and adjustments, Beltone may be the better option. Either way, it’s important to consider all the options at your disposal! Here is a closer look at Phonak and Beltone compared with some of their biggest prescription hearing aid competitors.
| Phonak | Beltone | ReSound | Widex | Oticon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $1,000 per ear | $1,400 per ear | $1,000 per ear | $1,000 per ear | $1,000 per ear |
| Best for those who want | Streaming to most mobile devices and better listening in noisy environments | Plenty of styles and accessories for older adults who are not as tech-savvy | Remote microphones, MFi hearing aids and custom earmolds | Fast-charging options and more advanced tinnitus relief | Long-lasting hearing devices that greatly improve voice quality |
| Free trial | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 90 days | Yes, 40 to 60 days | Yes, 30 days |
| Hearing loss levels | Mild to profound | Mild to profound | Mild to profound | Mild to profound | Mild to profound |
| CROS available | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tinnitus solutions | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile apps | 3 apps | 3 apps | 3 apps | 4 apps | 1 app |
| Battery types | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable |
Our Methodology
Dr. Reisman has prescribed and tested hearing aids from the providers we review, including Phonak, as pictured here.
How We Researched Phonak and Beltone Hearing Aids
Our resident audiologist, Dr. Ruth Reisman, has been prescribing Phonak and Beltone hearing aids for years. She has tons of hands-on experience, and we spoke with her and her patients to learn as much as we could about the pros and cons of each provider. We also conducted 50 hours of research on both providers to make sure we knew each one backward and forward. Here’s what our research process looked like:
- We tried the hearing tests available from Phonak and Beltone, and then compared our results to in-person hearing evaluations from Dr. Reisman.
- Our tech team individually evaluated each model from both providers. We also considered additional offerings and factors, such as accessories or models to address specific hearing issues such as tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss.
- We tested the mobile apps from Phonak and Beltone (six in total), ensuring that they were easy to use and accessible on different devices (namely iOS and Android).
- Our team contacted the customer-service representatives from Phonak and Beltone to evaluate their overall quality of care.
The Factors We Used to Compare Phonak and Beltone
Our tech team has been testing hearing aids for a while, but we still defer to experts like Dr. Reisman on the most important factors to consider for older adults who need hearing aids. We asked her for the factors she considers when choosing one provider over another. Using Dr. Reisman’s professional recommendations and our own experiences with hearing aid providers, we narrowed down the most important factors to use when comparing Phonak and Beltone.
- Product lineup: Most prescription hearing aids offer at least four or five product lines, most of which have multiple styles and designs to choose from. We adhere to the more-is-better mentality, since it’s generally better to have too many options than too few.
- Hearing technology: Phonak and Beltone offer advanced hearing tech, but they’re not carbon copies of each other. We considered what types of tech each provider excels in and how the differences affect the experiences of older adults with hearing loss.
- Mobile app: Mobile apps can make or break a user’s experience with a pair of high-end hearing aids. If the app is easy to navigate and allows users to make the adjustments they need without contacting support, it wins extra points in our book.
- Bluetooth connectivity: Bluetooth is built into the vast majority of prescription hearing aids these days. Advancing tech is changing how Bluetooth works, however, which is something to consider for ensuring that hearing aids work well for years to come. Some providers (including Beltone), for example, offer hearing aids with Auracast functionality, which represents the next big step in Bluetooth tech.4
- Brand reputation: We value brand reputation, because it indicates consistency, quality and consumer trust. Fortunately, both Phonak and Beltone are respected brands that offer quality hearing products.
Why Trust Us?
Our team of tech experts tries the latest gadgets and devices for older adults each year. We’ve logged hundreds of hours testing and reviewing hearing aids from dozens of brands.
In addition to our hands-on research, we work alongside experts with decades of experience prescribing hearing aids and helping older adults with hearing loss. Dr. Reisman has firsthand experience with the brands we discuss, including Phonak and Beltone.
Phonak vs. Beltone: The Bottom Line
Phonak carries a multitude of products to accommodate diverse consumer needs. The company is applauded for introducing the world’s only 100 percent invisible hearing aid. Phonak also has an app that users can access on their smart devices to customize their hearing aid experience. Should any issues arise, customer service can be reached either online or by phone.
Although on the pricier side, Beltone offers an excellent product line of hearing aid models in various sizes and styles, with different functions to help people hear better. Beltone also makes plenty of apps and accessories available to support a plethora of hearing aid needs. With multiple avenues of online support, users can get assistance easily without leaving the house.
Check out our full review of Phonak and our review of Beltone for additional information on pricing, features and more!
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Beltone. (2025). All Locations.
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National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (2023). Quick Statistics About Hearing, Balance, and Dizziness.
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Phonak. (2025). Phonak Lyric.
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Bluetooth. (2025). Auracast.
