Score 4.00
Cost per Pair $2,498 to $4,598
Hearing Aid Type RIC
Battery Rechargeable
Bluetooth Streaming Yes
How to Adjust App or buttons on hearing aid
Trial Period Dependent on retailer
Warranty Length Dependent on retailer
Financing Available Dependent on retailer
Phonak prescription devices are made by the Swiss company Sonova, the world’s largest manufacturer of hearing aids. Backed by years of research in sound technology and fully customizable for a variety of hearing loss degrees and profiles, the Audéo Lumity is the newest Phonak device and our choice as the best for severe hearing loss.
While they can be used by people with mild or moderate hearing loss, Audéo Lumity really shines as a choice for those with severe hearing loss. There are four main degrees of hearing loss, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): mild, moderate, severe, and profound. The Audéo Lumity can also treat profound hearing loss with the addition of a custom power earmold.
Audéo Lumity Features
While features will vary somewhat based on which level you buy, all Audéo Lumity models provide advanced understanding of speech in noisy surroundings due to their updated operating system called AutoSense OS 5.0.
Phonak is one of several manufacturers that use a type of artificial intelligence (AI) called machine learning to train hearing aids on environmental sounds. The hearing aids analyze and make sense of thousands of sounds the way our brains do: by trial and error. After repeated exposure to traffic sounds, for instance, the hearing aids learn that traffic is a background sound and should be reduced rather than amplified.
AutoSense OS 5.0 uses AI to scan your environment every 0.4 seconds, choosing the best combination of settings to give you the best listening experience. And it does this all automatically as you move between environments.
The Audéo Lumity comes in four technology levels: L30, L50, L70, L90. Each has its own price range and package of features. The L70 and L90 have an additional feature for improved speech recognition called StereoZoom 2.0. This automatically narrows the focus on sounds in front of you as your environment gets louder, allowing you to understand conversations with less effort. And SpeechSensor, available in the L90, detects speech from any direction, so you can more easily have a conversation when walking or listening to someone beside or behind you.
Features included in every Phonak Audéo Lumity model, regardless of technology level, include:
- Eight colors
- Complete customization by your hearing-care provider
- Rechargeable batteries, with a battery life of up to 16 hours per charge
- Health activity tracking in the myPhonak app
- Universal Bluetooth connectivity with iOS and Android devices
- Water resistance (Phonak Audéo Life Lumity is waterproof)
- Pairing with Roger Wireless Accessories for classroom, auditorium, or workplace settings
Audéo Lumity Pricing
You can check out more details on the Phonak website, but here’s a breakdown of the average price per pair for each level:
- Essential (L30) $2,600 to $3,500
- Standard (L50) $3,200 to $4,000
- Advanced (L70) $3,800 to $5,000
- Premium (L90) $4,600 to $6,500
Phonak, like all prescription brands, negotiates its own pricing, warranty, and financing terms with each hearing clinic, so the exact price will vary depending on where you go. This means you may want to compare prices before making a purchase.
Keep in mind that some clinics include ongoing maintenance, reprogramming, and repairs with your purchase price, while others charge for these services at each visit. It’s important to ask what the purchase price includes before buying prescription hearing aids.
How to Buy the Audéo Lumity
Because Phonak hearing aids are prescription devices, they require an in-person hearing exam, prescription, and fitting appointment. Many clinics now provide hearing exams at little or no cost — a small time investment that can pay off big time for your health. If your hearing exam reflects a loss of hearing, you’ll be in the right place to receive guidance on choosing the right hearing aid for your needs.
While the Audéo Lumity is a popular choice for severe hearing loss, it can also be used for people with mild, moderate, or profound hearing loss. You can also choose an OTC hearing aid if your hearing loss is mild or moderate, but prescription hearing aids can be adjusted for your hearing profile to a much greater extent than OTC models. Self-fitting OTC devices allow users to change only a small number of parameters, such as bass and treble, left-right balance, and directionality.
Are Prescription Hearing Aids More Customizable Than OTC Hearing Aids?
Brian Murray, a hearing instrument specialist based in Raleigh, North Carolina, walked us through how he programs Phonak hearing aids for patients using the results of a hearing test and audiogram. We were surprised at the number of settings he could manipulate in the hearing aid software — far more than OTC hearing aid apps allow.
Murray can gradually adjust the degree of amplification during a patient’s first few weeks of wearing a hearing aid, allowing them to get used to hearing louder sounds a little at a time rather than all at once. This can increase a person’s long-term success with hearing aids, says Murray, as many people have a hard time tolerating louder sounds in the beginning and may stop wearing their hearing aids completely if the amplification is too strong.
The personalized care available from a hearing specialist and the detailed programming built into prescription hearing aid software is well worth the extra cost for many people. If you have severe hearing loss or often find yourself in challenging listening environments, such as those with lots of background noise, you may want to investigate prescription devices such as Phonak.
Get Phonak Audéo Lumity at YesHearing.com.
