Unitron Vivante Stride 9 Hearing Aids

Unitron Vivante Stride 9 Hearing Aids Overview

If your hearing loss is more significant, or you simply want a hearing aid with the power and processing to handle the busiest, loudest situations life throws at you, the Unitron Vivante Stride 9 hearing aids are worth considering. Launched in March 2024, it sits at the top of the Vivante Stride range, a Behind-the-Ear (BTE) model built for stronger amplification

In practice, this means the Stride 9 automatically works out where speech is coming from and brings it into focus, whether you're in a quiet conversation, a busy background, or a crowded room, without you needing to adjust anything yourself.

You can also engage in conversation in the car using a dedicated manual program that recognises and amplifies speech from all directions, wherever you and your passengers are sitting.

In terms of sound performance, Pinna Effect 2 helps restore some of the natural cues your outer ear normally provides for working out where a sound is coming from, cues that hearing aids can otherwise reduce. The Stride 9 compensates for this using a binaural microphone mode, meaning both hearing aids share information with each other to build a fuller picture of your surroundings.

What's new when comparing Vivante hearing aids with Blu?

• The Integra OS automation system has evolved to have a new 8th listening environment - Conversation in Loud Noise.  This utilises Unitron's new HyperFocus feature to support wearers in the most complex listening environments.
• There is a new 360 Conversation in Car manual program that allows you to focus on speech, no matter where you or your passengers are sitting in the car.

Main features

Integra OS automation system

This system combines powerful binaural communication and automatic optimisation of your sound performance in high and low-complexity listening environments. This ultimately reduces the impact of those typically lost acoustic cues when wearing hearing aids.  Integra OS uses soft speech processing to make quieter, subtler speech sounds more pronounced.

AutoFocus 360

• Speech from front

AutoFocus 360 successfully focuses on speech from all directions.  It can identify and focus on speech from in front of you the most at this top performance level.  The dynamic noise reduction is also active and adjustable to further reduce surrounding noise.  For face-to-face conversations, in challenging listening situations, HyperFocus narrows the aid's focus to the person speaking directly in front of you.

• Speech from the back and speech from the side

AutoFocus 360 can identify and focus on speech from any direction while reducing interfering background noise wherever you are.

Hearing aid technology that will improve quiet and challenging conversations 

Automatic programs for 8 environments: 

• Conversation in Quiet
• Conversation in Noise
• Conversation in a Small Group
• Conversation in a Crowd
• Conversation in Loud Noise
• Music
• Quiet
• Noise

Manual programs:

• Conversation in Loud Noise
• 360 Conversation in Car

Hearing aid models and colours available

• Stride V9-PR:  Sleek rechargeable lithium-ion BTE hearing aid with a push button and Bluetooth connectivity.
• Stride V9-UP:  A disposable BTE hearing aid with a 675 battery, push button, telecoil, and Bluetooth connectivity.  Ideal for severe to profound hearing loss.
• Stride V9-M:  312 - battery, push-button, telecoil, and Bluetooth connectivity.
• Stride V9-SP:  13 - battery, push button, telecoil, and Bluetooth connectivity.
• Colours available:  These hearing aids come in colours amber, espresso, charcoal, platinum, pewter, and sand.

Your audiologist will confirm whether this is the right fit based on your hearing test.

Connectivity and compatible accessories

This is a Made for All hearing aid (meaning it's designed to work with a wide range of smartphones, not just one brand), and includes hands-free technology, connectivity to two Bluetooth devices at the same time, and compatibility with Unitron's hearing aid accessories.  Such as Remote Control, PartnerMic, and TV Connector.

Hearing aid app

These hearing aids are also compatible with the Unitron Remote Plus hearing aid app. This is designed to give you more control via Android and Apple iOS devices.  You can gain from helpful insights, and the app allows you to add any feedback on listening experiences.  That feedback goes to your audiologist, who uses it to fine-tune your settings in person at your next appointment. It doesn't replace your in-person fitting, just helps make it more precise.

Who is the Unitron Vivante Stride 9 suited to?

The Stride 9 is a strong choice if:

• You have a more significant hearing loss and need a BTE hearing aid with stronger amplification than smaller styles can provide
• You regularly find yourself in loud, unpredictable, multi-speaker environments and want automatic help with focusing on speech
• You're an NHS hearing aid wearer who wants meaningfully more capability than standard NHS BTE provision, including Bluetooth streaming and automatic environment handling
• You use a hearing loop system regularly and want a model with a telecoil built in

If your hearing loss is milder and your day-to-day listening is mostly quiet and steady, a lower tier in the Vivante Stride range, or a smaller, more discreet style altogether, may suit you better. Your audiologist will tell you honestly if that's the case.

Who might it not suit?

If discretion matters more to you than raw power, and your hearing loss doesn't require a BTE-level aid, you may be better suited to a smaller style. That's not a mark against the Stride 9; it's simply built for stronger amplification needs, and one of our qualified audiologists will say so plainly if a different style or tier would serve you better.

A word on independence: Unitron is part of the Sonova group, the same parent company as Phonak. Our HCPC-registered audiologists are not affiliated with any manufacturer, so if a different brand or model would serve you better, that's what they'll tell you.

"The Stride 9 is the BTE we'd recommend to someone who needs real power behind their hearing aid, not just features, but the amplification to match a more significant hearing loss, combined with automatic processing that does the heavy lifting in noisy situations. If your hearing loss is milder, we'd say so honestly rather than recommend more aid than you need."

Paul Harrison, Audiology Expert & Founder, Hearing Aid UK

What's included in the price with Hearing Aid UK?

When you choose the Stride 9 through us, you're getting considerably more than just the hearing aids:

• Full hearing test and fitting by an HCPC-registered audiologist
• Aftercare for life, not just the warranty period
• Free home visits available across the UK (we come to you at no extra charge)
• Free clinic appointments in your area across 93+ clinics
• 60-day money-back guarantee - try them risk-free
• Full manufacturer's warranty
• Truly independent advice - we're not affiliated with any manufacturer
• With over 30,000 happy customers, we are recommended by Which? when compared to the large hearing aid provider chains
• Looking on behalf of a loved one? You're welcome to attend with them - many family members find it helpful to be there for the discussion.

Why choose us?

We're completely independent, which means there are no manufacturer agreements, no brand quotas, and no incentives influencing what our audiologists suggest. If the Stride 9 is right for you, they will say so. If something else would serve you better, they will say that instead. That is what independent advice actually means in practice.

Our audiologists are fully qualified and experienced with all the latest technology. Getting hearing aids can feel like a big step, and our audiologists understand that. They will explain what they are recommending and why, answer your questions honestly, and make sure you walk away feeling like you actually understand what happens next.

Key takeaways: Unitron Vivante Stride 9

• The Stride 9 is the top tier in the Vivante Stride range, a Behind-the-Ear (BTE) style built for stronger amplification than smaller hearing aid styles can offer
• AutoFocus 360 identifies and enhances speech from any direction, working alongside automatic Dynamic Noise Reduction, across all eight Integra OS listening environments
• It's available in four versions, V9-PR (rechargeable), V9-M (312 battery), V9-SP (13 battery), and V9-UP (675 battery), so your audiologist can match the right power and battery type to your hearing loss and lifestyle
• Telecoil is built into the V9-M, V9-SP, and V9-UP, useful if you regularly use hearing loop systems in places like theatres or places of worship
• Pinna Effect 2 and binaural microphone mode work together to help restore some of the natural localisation cues hearing aids can otherwise reduce
• The Stride 9 connects to a wide range of Android and Apple smartphones, with Remote Plus app support and compatibility with Roger Direct wireless microphones for added clarity in meetings or larger gatherings
• All prices include the hearing test, fitting, and aftercare for life, with no hidden costs
• A 60-day money-back guarantee applies to all purchases

Conclusion

The Vivante Stride 9 is built for people who need genuine power behind their hearing aid, whether that's because of a more significant hearing loss or because automatic help in loud, unpredictable environments matters to daily life.

If your needs are milder or your priority is discretion over amplification, a lower tier or a different style altogether may suit you better, and an honest audiologist will say so. A free hearing assessment is the only way to know which version is genuinely right for you, with no obligation either way.

Want to know more about Unitron Vivante Stride 9 hearing aids?

Not sure what to expect? When you get in touch, you'll speak with someone who can answer your questions and arrange a free hearing test if you decide you'd like one. The test is free, the advice is impartial, and there is no obligation to buy anything.

Call us free on 0800 567 7621 to speak with one of our audiologists about the Unitron Vivante Stride 9 digital hearing aids and whether they're right for you and your hearing loss needs, or book a free home visit or free clinic appointment here.

Please note that there will be an additional surcharge of £125 if we are pairing a single hearing aid with an existing aid bought from another company, where we are taking over the aftercare responsibilities and looking after both hearing aids.

Other performance levels in the Unitron Vivante Stride model:

• Unitron Vivante Stride 7 hearing aids
• Unitron Vivante Stride 5 hearing aids
• Unitron Vivante Stride 3 hearing aids

FAQs for the Unitron Vivante Stride 9

What is the difference between the Stride V9-PR and the other Stride 9 models?

The V9-PR is rechargeable, with a built-in lithium-ion battery, while the V9-M, V9-SP, and V9-UP use disposable batteries of different sizes and include a telecoil for use with hearing loop systems, which the V9-PR doesn't have.

Is the Stride 9 suitable for severe hearing loss?

The Vivante Stride range includes models built for varying levels of hearing loss, including more significant loss. Your audiologist will confirm which version is right for your specific hearing test results at your free assessment.

Does the Stride 9 work with Android phones?

Yes. As a Made for All hearing aid, it's designed to connect with a wide range of Android and Apple smartphones, not just one brand.

What's included in the price?

All prices through Hearing Aid UK include the hearing test, the fitting appointment with a qualified audiologist, and aftercare for life. The standard charger or battery options are included depending on the model you choose.

Can I try the aids before committing?

Yes. All hearing aids purchased through Hearing Aid UK come with a 60-day money-back guarantee, so if they're not right for you, you'll receive a full refund.