Hearing Aid Brands UK: : A full comparison

Researching Hearing Aid Brands?

Ten hearing aid brands, one independent comparison

Last Hearing Aid UK Update:  07/08/2026

We are not affiliated with any brand, so we can offer them all

There are ten main hearing aid brands available in the UK: Phonak, Oticon, Resound, Widex, Signia, Bernafon, Starkey, Unitron, Audio Service, and Rexton.

Each is owned by one of a handful of large manufacturing groups, and each takes a slightly different approach to sound processing, connectivity and design. No single brand is objectively "the best": the right one depends on your hearing loss, your lifestyle and what you want from a device.

As an independent network, HCPC-registered audiologists work with all nine brands rather than being tied to one manufacturer, so the brand comparison below and the recommendation you get during your hearing test are based on what suits your hearing, not on what a retailer needs to sell.

In regard to hearing aid brands, it all starts with research

We understand how challenging it can be to find a hearing aid, especially if you've never worn a hearing aid or even if you have and are looking to upgrade. 

Before you embark on this journey, it is important for you to spend some time researching hearing loss, your local audiologist, hearing care services, the different hearing aids available and familiarising yourself with the hearing aid brands in the industry. 

Below, we look at each brand's history, technology and typical price positioning, and finish with a straightforward steer on which brand tends to suit which kind of listener.

Comparison of hearing aid brands

On this page, we focus on the main digital hearing aid brands in the audiology industry, a little bit about their history, the technology they provide and how they compare to each other. 

You may be wondering why researching hearing aid brands is an important part of your hearing loss journey and hearing aid process. The simple answer to this is that each hearing aid brand displays technical innovation in different ways. 

What one hearing aid brand has to offer in terms of technology, style, hearing experience, connectivity, and features might not be the right hearing aid for you and your hearing loss.

The importance of researching hearing aid brands

When researching hearing aids, looking at both the hearing aid brand and the devices they offer is crucial to narrowing down the list of potential hearing solutions. 

However, after your hearing test, your audiologist will look at the results from your audiogram and advise which hearing aids will benefit you the most. 

This will be determined by the level of hearing loss, amplification needed, your lifestyle, expectations, connectivity required and what features you might need.

Hearing aid brands comparison

 Comparing the main hearing aid brands available

Here are the types of hearing aid brands in the industry:

• Phonak
• Oticon
• Resound
• Widex
• Signia (formerly known as Siemens)
• Bernafon
• Starkey
• Unitron
• Audio Service
• Rexton

Which hearing aid brand is right for me?

With ten brands to choose from, it's easy to get stuck comparing logos rather than what actually matters: how well a device suits your hearing loss, your lifestyle and your budget. As a general starting point:

• If background noise is your main frustration (restaurants, family gatherings, meetings), Phonak, Oticon and Resound have historically focused heavily on speech-in-noise processing.
• If you want the smallest possible device, Widex and Signia both have a strong track record on discreet, small-shell designs.
• If budget is the priority without giving up modern features, Unitron (Phonak's sister brand), Audio Service and Rexton (part of the WS Audiology group alongside Signia and Widex) tend to sit at a more accessible price point for comparable technology.
• If you're hard on your hearing aids (active lifestyle, outdoor work, dropping or knocking them), Rexton has built its reputation on durability and rugged, weather-resistant design.
• If you like the sound of Signia's technology but want it at a lower price point, it's worth knowing that Rexton and Signia are sister brands under WS Audiology, built on the same underlying processing platform, so you're not necessarily giving up much by choosing the more affordable option.

This is a general guide, not a recommendation for your specific hearing loss. Your HCPC-registered audiologist will confirm which brand and model suit you based on your audiogram, lifestyle and dexterity, during a free hearing test either at a local clinic or during a free home visit.

"With years of fitting hearing aids, we've never seen the brand name on the box be the thing that decides whether someone gets on with their hearing aids. It's the fit, the fine-tuning, and how closely the device is matched to that person's actual hearing loss and lifestyle."

Paul Harrison, Audiology Expert and Founder, Hearing Aid UK

Hearing aid brands Phonak

Phonak is one of the largest hearing aid manufacturers in the world, part of the Swiss Sonova Group, which also owns Unitron. Another interesting fact: Sonova also owns the majority shareholding of Boots Hearingcare.  

Phonak's company mission has always been to create hearing devices that improve the quality of life and reduce the limitations of hearing loss.  Phonak prides itself on offering innovation, a variety of models, styles and advanced hearing aids for children. Therefore, offering a choice of makes and models for all ages, all levels of hearing loss and individual preferences.

Phonak is also the first hearing aid brand to launch the world's first Bluetooth streaming hearing aid from any Bluetooth device directly, without the need for a go-between streamer accessory.  Previously, it was only iPhone users who could access this connectivity. 

Because the majority of smartphone users worldwide use Android rather than iPhone, direct Android Bluetooth streaming (without a separate streamer accessory) made a meaningful difference for a large proportion of hearing aid wearers.

Phonak's main hearing aid technology features

Phonak's current flagship platform is Infinio Ultra, built around SmartSpeech Technology, a suite that includes StereoZoom 2.0 (focused directional listening), SpeechSensor and Speech Enhancer (prioritising speech from any direction), Dynamic Noise Cancellation and Motion Sensor Hearing (adjusting automatically to movement).

Phonak states that AutoSense OS 7.0 continuously monitors the listening environment and adjusts volume, programme and noise reduction without manual input.

On the top-tier Infinio Ultra Sphere model, Phonak has added a dedicated AI chip, DEEPSONIC, working alongside the main processor purely to separate speech from background noise in real time.

Phonak says that this allows the aids to pick out speech from any direction, not just in front of the wearer, and reports meaningfully improved speech understanding in noisy environments compared to previous generations, though this is Phonak's own research rather than independent, peer-reviewed data.

Phonak states that its AutoSense OS technology automatically adjusts volume, programme and noise reduction to the listening environment, and that its SoundRecover technology lowers the pitch of high-frequency sounds to make them more audible for people with severe high-frequency hearing loss.

For anyone who regularly struggles in busy environments like meetings or classrooms, Phonak's Roger wireless microphones can also transmit speech directly to compatible hearing aids from up to 25 metres away, useful alongside any Phonak technology level rather than tied to one specific tier.

Phonak's hearing aid technology levels and models

The hearing aid technology levels are named 90, 70, 50 and 30. The higher the number, the higher the technology level and the more expensive the model.  

Each model in each Phonak range has a different name.  These are Nano (Invisible-in-the-Canal), Virto (In-the-Ear), Audeo (Receiver-in-the-Canal), Bolero (Behind-the-Ear) and Naida (the power behind the ear).

Hearing aid brands Oticon

This hearing aid brand is owned by Danish company Demant A/S, which also owns Bernafon and hearing aid retailer Hidden Hearing (now Audika).

Oticon is one of the world's leaders in hearing aid innovation and was founded in 1904 by one man's dedication to improving his wife's hearing loss.

Ever since then, their motto has always been 'people first'. Their current flagship ranges are Zeal and Intent, which build on the earlier Real, More and Opn S generations.

Oticon's main hearing aid technology features and levels

Oticon Intent's Sirius processing chip runs a second-generation Deep Neural Network (DNN 2.0), trained on a large library of real-world sound, alongside a new 4D Sensor Technology that reads head and body movement, conversational activity and the surrounding environment to judge what the wearer is trying to listen to, not just what's around them.

Oticon states this "listening intention" approach is what differentiates Intent from earlier BrainHearing-based ranges, which focused on the soundscape alone.

Oticon's MoreSound Intelligence 3.0 is the current noise-reduction layer, and Intent supports Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast, the public broadcast standard that lets compatible hearing aids pick up audio directly from venues, TVs and public announcement systems.

The technical specification for each range is labelled as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 (in some ranges) - with 1 being the highest level.

Hearing aid brands Resound

Resound, part of the Danish GN Group, has one of the longest histories in the hearing aid industry and was among the first manufacturers to develop open-fitting and "made for iPhone" hearing aids.

Resound has consistently led the industry in terms of technology, which is mainly due to its having over 147 years of experience in the audiology world.

Resound's main focus in its current range is AI-powered sound processing and Auracast connectivity, alongside the natural, realistic listening experience the brand has traditionally prioritised.

Resound's main hearing aid technology features and levels

Resound's current flagship is Vivia, launched in 2025, which Resound states was the first hearing aid with full Auracast broadcast audio support.

Vivia uses a dedicated AI chip (in addition to the main sound processing chip) running Deep Neural Network processing, and Resound states this delivers better speech clarity and noise reduction than previous generations. It offers Bluetooth LE Audio streaming and comes with IP68 dust and water resistance.

Below Vivia sits Nexia (launched 2023), which Resound positions as strong everyday performance with Bluetooth LE and Auracast at a lower price, and Savi, which covers the essentials using more established, proven technology at the most accessible price point in the range.

Resound also states that its Binaural Directionality technology shares sound information between both hearing aids to give a more balanced listening experience, and that its Tinnitus Technology feature offers a library of sounds intended to help manage tinnitus symptoms.

This hearing aid brand has six technology levels. These are 9, 7, 5, 4, 3 and 2. The higher the number, the greater the technology.

Hearing aid brands Widex

Widex is a Danish hearing aid brand founded in 1956 by Christian Topholm and Erik Westermann as a family business.  In 2019, they merged with Sivantos, and together they are known as WS Audiology. 

However, they still remain separate, as both manufacturers have different philosophies and offer unique products to consumers. They remain one of the industry's leaders in hearing aid innovation and now manufacture hearing aids in over 100 countries. 

Widex's main focus is on providing those with hearing loss the ability to differentiate between background noise and conversation easily, in all challenging environments.  

Widex's main hearing aid technology features and levels

Widex's current technology is built around PureSound with ZeroDelay, first introduced on the Moment platform in 2020. Widex states this minimises the processing delay between sound reaching the ear naturally and the amplified version arriving from the hearing aid, aiming for a more natural, less "processed" sound than earlier generations, particularly for the wearer's own voice.

The current Moment-based ranges include Moment Sheer (2022) and SmartRIC (2024), an L-shaped design that repositions the microphones for better directional focus in noise while using the same PureSound with ZeroDelay processing.

Widex's newest range, Allure, launched in March 2025 on a new chip platform, which Widex states delivers cleaner sound and better speech understanding in noise than the Moment generation.

Widex also states that its Fluid Sound Analyser makes automatic adjustments to challenging soundscapes, and that its machine learning technology adapts sound processing based on the wearer's own past adjustments.

In 2008, they launched the smallest RIC (Receiver-in-Canal, a discreet style with the speaker sitting in the ear canal) hearing aid. In 1995, they created the first digital ITE (in-the-ear, a custom-moulded style that sits fully in the outer ear) hearing aid. Widex labels their hearing aid technology levels as 440, 330, 220 and 110. 440 being the highest technical specification.

Hearing aid brands Signia

Signia's hearing aid brand legacy started as Siemens in 1978 by Werner Von Siemens.  He designed an enhanced telephone receiver for people who have hearing loss to better understand conversations on the phone.  

Siemens was purchased by the Sivanto Group in 2015 and chose to rebrand Siemens as Signia.  Before this, Siemens was renowned for making average hearing aids, but now, with this collaboration, they are creating better hearing aids and more advanced technology for their consumers.

Signia's main hearing aid technology features and levels

Signia's current technology sits on the IX platform (Integrated Xperience), built around RealTime Conversation Enhancement. Signia states this is designed to adapt automatically as conversations shift between speakers, following a group conversation rather than locking onto a single fixed direction, useful in the kind of messy, overlapping real-world conversations that older directional systems struggled with.

The IX platform spans everything from the true-wireless, earbud-styled Active Mini IX (launched July 2026) to the fully custom, invisible Insio IX and the ready-fit Silk IX. Signia states the IX hardware is Auracast-ready via Bluetooth LE Audio, with full activation dependent on a firmware update.

Signia also states that its Own Voice Processing (OVP) technology is designed to make the wearer's own voice sound more natural when hearing aids are worn, and that its TwinPhone feature streams phone calls to both ears at once. Signia's technology levels in all their ranges are named 7, 5 and 3, 7 being the greatest technology.

Hearing aid brands Bernafon

Bernafon was founded by Hans Gfeller in Switzerland in 1946.  This hearing aid brand is currently sold in 70 countries worldwide and is a part of the Demant Group, which also owns hearing aid brands Oticon and Sonic. Their hearing devices are famous for providing natural sound to the wearer without great expense.

Bernafon's main hearing aid technology features and levels

Bernafon's current ranges are Encanta, launched in 2024, and Alpha XT. Encanta uses Smart Sensor technology to detect head and body movement and adjust listening automatically between one-to-one and group conversations, in a compact miniRITE design with tap control.

Alpha XT builds on Bernafon's Hybrid Technology, which combines two signal processing approaches, and adds Hybrid Sound Care, designed to reduce noise earlier in the signal chain.

Bernafon also states that its ChannelFree processing gives full use of the audio signal without splitting it into separate channels, which it says results in a more seamless, natural sound. 9, 7, 5, 3 and 1 - the higher the number, the greater the technical specification.

Hearing aid brands Starkey

This hearing aid brand is the only American one, as three out of the six big ones come from Denmark - their HQ is based in Minnesota, USA.  They are also privately owned by the Texan billionaire Bill Austin. 

In recent years, Starkey has established itself as one of the hearing aid brands that has shown great innovation in both technology and design.  The story of Starkey began in 1963 when Harold Starkey first opened his workshop before Bill Austin bought the brand in 1967. 

They are also famous for their charitable work, establishing their Starkey Hearing Foundation in 1984 to support those with hearing loss. Starkey states its Hearing Foundation has provided hearing aids to over 1 million people worldwide since it was established in 1984.

Starkey's main hearing aid technology features and levels

Starkey's current flagship range is Omega AI, launched in October 2025, replacing Edge AI. Omega AI is built around Starkey's new G3 Gen AI Neuro Processor, succeeding Edge AI's G2 chip, and introduces DNN 360, which Starkey states is the industry's first deep neural network-powered directionality and spatial awareness system.

Starkey states this delivers up to 28% better speech intelligibility in challenging environments and an 8 dB improvement in signal-to-noise ratio for spatial awareness, without sacrificing the brand's industry-leading 51-hour battery life or water resistance, now rated to withstand 10 times more exposure than previous coatings.

The MyStarkey app lets wearers fine-tune settings, stream calls, music and TV, and access wellbeing features such as step tracking, alongside an Edge Mode+ feature that scans and optimises the listening environment on demand.

Starkey states this feature is designed to support wearers who live with tinnitus, helping with conversations directly in front of them. The technology levels in the new system are 24, 20, 16, 12 and 10 and in the legacy system: 1000, 1200, 1600, 2000 and 2400, being the highest specification.

Hearing aid brands Unitron

This hearing aid brand, founded in 1964, is owned by the Swiss company Sonova and is based in Canada's 'Silicon Valley' in Ontario.  Sonova also owns Phonak and the majority shareholding of Boots Hearingcare.  As part of the same Sonova group as Phonak, Unitron uses closely related technology at a more affordable, competitively priced point.

Very similar to Volkswagen and Audi.  Unitron has always worked closely with health professionals and academics to better understand what hearing experience consumers want and need. In 1980, they became a leading manufacturer of Behind-the-Ear (BTE) devices for those who live with severe to profound hearing loss.

Unitron's main hearing aid technology features and levels

In 2025, Unitron launched Smile, which introduced the Insera custom in-ear range in January 2026, including the brand's first rechargeable custom ITE model, using the same AutoFocus 360, HyperFocus and Pinna Effect 2 sound localisation technology found in the Moxi Smile RIC devices.

• Flex Upgrade:  If your hearing needs change over the course of your hearing aid, you can upgrade to a more advanced technology instead of purchasing a new hearing device for a small fee.
• Log it All:  Using real-world data from your common soundscape, you can now show your audiologist your hearing experience in various environments. 

They can then adapt your hearing aid settings to suit these needs so that all your hearing environments are more comfortable and clear. 800, 700, 600, 500 and 9, 7, 5 and 3.  The higher the number, the greater the technology.

Hearing aid brands Audio Service

Founded in 1977, the Lohne-based hearing aid brand's focus has always been on service orientation and providing innovation to its consumers.  Audio Service was also the first hearing aid brand to produce custom hearing aids in Germany.

Audio Service is part of the WS Audiology group, the same manufacturer group that owns Signia, Widex and Rexton, though it operates as a smaller, more specialist brand within that group, distributed mainly through independent audiologists rather than high street retailers.

One of the brand's core strengths is in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids, custom-moulded devices that sit within the outer ear rather than behind it. Modern ITE designs can now be fitted deep enough in the ear canal to be barely visible, while offering many of the same technical features found in behind-the-ear (BTE) devices.

Audio Service states that its approach centres on tailoring devices to each individual's hearing needs, lifestyle and preferences, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all range.

Audio Service's main hearing aid technology features and levels

Audio Service states that its current ranges use adaptive sound processing designed to adjust automatically to different listening environments, aiming for a natural rather than an artificially processed sound.

Like most manufacturers, Audio Service offers its ranges across Entry, Mid and Premium levels of technology, with higher tiers adding automatic environment switching, improved background noise handling and fuller smart device integration.

Hearing aid brands Rexton

Rexton was founded in Germany in 1955 and became part of Siemens Hearing Instruments in 1994. Following Siemens' 2015 restructuring and a 2019 merger, Rexton is now part of the WS Audiology group, the same manufacturer group that owns Signia and Widex.

Rexton has built its reputation on practical, durable hearing aids designed to hold up to everyday knocks, weather and active lifestyles, rather than competing purely on the smallest possible size. Rexton states it produced one of the first Receiver-in-Canal (RIC, a discreet style with the speaker sitting in the ear canal) hearing aid systems in the mid-1990s.

Rexton and Signia are sister brands built on the same underlying Sivantos processing platform. Rexton typically follows around six months behind Signia's newest platform release, at a lower price point and with a simpler naming system.

Rexton's main hearing aid technology features and levels

• Multi-Voice Focus: Rexton states this technology scans the surrounding environment 1,000 times a second using four separate focus beams, helping wearers follow multiple voices in a conversation as speakers change, without manually switching programmes.
• Voice Stabiliser: Rexton states this feature manages background noise and keeps voices at a consistent, comfortable volume even as sound levels fluctuate.
• Rexton Assist app: Allows wearers to adjust volume and settings from a smartphone, with optional remote support from an audiologist between appointments.
• ATEX certification: Rexton states some Reach models carry ATEX safety certification, making them suitable for wearers who work in industrial or explosive-hazard environments, a genuine point of difference from most other brands on this page.

Fitting styles available include RIC (receiver-in-canal), IIC, CIC, ITE and ITC custom in-ear styles, and technology levels 80, 60, 40, 30, and 20.

Conclusion

Whichever brand you're leaning towards, it's worth getting an independent view first. We work with all ten major hearing aid brands, so the recommendation you get is based on your hearing, not on what one manufacturer needs to sell. Call 0800 567 7621 or find your local audiologist to compare your options properly.