- What are performance levels in hearing aids?
- Why are there different performance levels?
- What are the differences between the various performance levels?
- The 4 performance levels of the Phonak Audéo Infinio Ultra
Choosing a new hearing aid is an important decision for better quality of life. When you start learning about the new Phonak Infinio Ultra, you'll quickly come across the model numbers Infinio Ultra 30, 50, 70 and 90, and Infinio Sphere Ultra 70 and 90. But what do these "performance levels" actually mean? And what are the differences between them?
In this post, we shed light on the matter and help you make the right choice.
What are performance levels in hearing aids?
Think of a hearing aid like a small computer in your ear. The performance level determines how "intelligent" this computer is. From the outside, the devices in a product line (such as the Phonak Infinio Ultra) usually look completely identical – the difference lies inside, in the software and processing power.
Why are there different levels?
Not everyone has the same daily life. Someone who spends a lot of time at home and enjoys reading has different requirements for a hearing aid than someone who is often in noisy restaurants, attends concerts, or listens to lectures. The different levels allow you to choose a device that offers exactly as much technology as you need for your lifestyle – so you only pay for what you actually use.
What are the differences between the various performance levels?
The main differences usually lie in these four points:
● Speech intelligibility: How well speech is highlighted in complex environments.
● Noise suppression: How well the device filters out noise (e.g. the clatter of dishes) while keeping speech clear?
● Spatial hearing: How precisely can you determine the direction a voice is coming from?
● Sound quality in music or complex situations: How natural does the environment sound when things get loud?
The most important quality feature of a hearing aid is clear speech understanding in loud, complex environments such as a busy restaurant or a lively gathering. This is precisely where the performance levels differ most strongly from one another. Only premium models such as the Phonak Infinio 90 have the most advanced technology to effectively filter out background noise and enable the best possible, effortless speech understanding even in the most demanding situations. Anyone who wants uncompromisingly good speech understanding in complex, noisy situations benefits significantly from the superior filter and processing power of the highest performance level.
The 4 performance levels of the Phonak Infinio Ultra
The Phonak Audéo Infinio Ultra is available in 4 performance levels (90, 70, 50, 30).
The Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio Ultra is available in 2 performance levels (90, 70).
Phonak (Sphere) Infinio 90 (Premium): The flagship model with the latest and best hearing technologies and the highest level of personalization.
Phonak (Sphere) Infinio 70 (Advanced): A powerful option with some premium features at a lower price.
Phonak Infinio 50 (Standard): Offers a balanced relationship between performance and price and is suitable for ordinary, everyday listening situations.
Phonak Infinio 30 (Essential): Entry-level model that handles listening in simple environments with little background noise.
Criterion | (Sphere) Infinio 90 | (Sphere) Infinio 70 | Infinio 50 | Infinio 30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Target group | complex listening situations | frequent social situations | Everyday life with moderate demands | simple hearing needs |
Noise suppression | strongest, adaptive | very good | good | basic |
AutoSense / | comprehensive; finest classification | extended; many scenes | Basic automatic | simple automatic |
Directionality / Speech focus | binaural, adaptive directionality | good directionality | simple directionality | limited |
Connectivity | full Bluetooth/ streaming & accessories | Streaming & accessories | limited streaming | Basic Bluetooth/ no extras |
You can find more information about the different technologies of the Phonak Audéo Infinio Ultra and the differences between the performance levels on the official Phonak website.
Our recommendation
The choice of performance level depends strongly on your individual needs and lifestyle. For people who like to be active, are often around others and move in complex listening situations, we recommend at least the Phonak Infinio 70. If you want the best possible sound quality and as few limitations as possible, the Phonak Infinio 90 is the right choice, as it offers all available technologies.
If you primarily use the hearing aids at home to watch TV or to have conversations in a quiet living room, then the Phonak Infinio 50 or 30 may also be the right choice for you.
45-day right of return at Migelino
At Migelino, you have a 45-day right of return. This allows you to try the hearing aids risk-free. Speak with one of our specialists today to find the right device for your needs. Book a consultation online now!
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