7 of the best hearing aid manufacturers

If you haven’t shopped for hearing aids in a while, the landscape can feel a little like walking into a tech store when you still miss flip phones. Today’s best hearing aid manufacturers aren’t just making louder ear gadgets they’re building tiny, AI-powered computers that sit on or in your ears, stream music, talk to your phone, and help your brain sort speech from noise.

The good news: you don’t have to learn every chipset and buzzword to find a great hearing aid brand. A handful of global manufacturers consistently show up at the top of expert rankings and audiologist recommendations, thanks to strong sound quality, smart features, and solid customer support.

Below, we’ll walk through seven of the best hearing aid manufacturers, what makes each one special, and who they’re best for. We’ll also share real-world tips and experiences to help you feel more confident when you head into an audiology clinic (or shop OTC online) to choose your first or next pair.

What to look for in a hearing aid manufacturer

Before we dive into specific hearing aid brands, it helps to know what actually matters when you compare manufacturers:

• Sound processing and noise reduction: Modern hearing aids use advanced chips and sometimes deep neural networks (DNNs) to separate speech from background noise and keep sound as natural as possible.
• Connectivity: Most top brands now offer Bluetooth for phone calls and music, and some support new Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast, which lets you tap into public audio streams in places like airports and theaters.
• Styles and comfort: Behind-the-ear (BTE), receiver-in-canal (RIC/RIE), and in-the-ear (ITE/CIC) options make a big difference in comfort, battery life, and visibility.
• Apps and personalization: Brand apps let you adjust programs, volume, and even train the hearing aids to learn your preferences in specific environments.
• Reliability and support: Warranty, repair options, and the size of the professional network (audiologists and hearing specialists who fit that brand) all influence your long-term experience.
• Price and access: Some brands are sold strictly through clinics, while others (especially OTC options) can be purchased online with remote support.

With that in mind, let’s look at seven hearing aid manufacturers that stand out in 2025.

1. Phonak: Connectivity powerhouse with strong speech clarity

Best for: People who want excellent speech understanding and top-tier Bluetooth connectivity across many devices.

Phonak, part of Sonova Group, is one of the biggest names in prescription hearing aids worldwide. Recent flagship lines, such as Phonak Audéo Lumity and Naída Lumity, focus heavily on making conversations easier in noisy places. Their SmartSpeech™ Technology and AutoSense OS automatically analyze your environment and adjust settings to prioritize speech.

What makes Phonak stand out

• Universal Bluetooth: Phonak was one of the first brands to offer broad Bluetooth compatibility with iOS, Android, and many other devices, including TVs and laptops.
• Strong in noise: Independent reviews and brand data highlight improved speech understanding in restaurants and group situations, which is where many wearers struggle most.
• Accessory ecosystem: Accessories like the Roger microphones send speech directly to your ears, which is a huge plus for meetings and classrooms.

Phonak is an especially solid choice if you’re constantly switching between calls, meetings, music, and TV or if you just want your hearing aids to behave more like wireless earbuds that happen to help you hear better.

2. Oticon: Brain-based “open sound” and advanced AI

Best for: People who want a natural soundscape and cutting-edge AI that supports how the brain processes sound.

Oticon, part of the Demant Group, is known for its BrainHearing™ philosophy the idea that hearing aids should support your brain’s ability to make sense of sound, not just make everything louder. Its Oticon Real and newer platforms are built on the Polaris R™ chip, which uses an on-board deep neural network trained on about 12 million sound scenes to better distinguish speech and meaningful sounds from noise.

Why audiologists like Oticon

• Natural sound: Many users describe Oticon’s processing as “open” or “less boxed-in,” because it tries to preserve a full 360-degree sound scene while still highlighting speech.
• AI-trained DNN: The deep neural network helps the devices handle real-world complexity, like sudden sounds and wind, without making everything harsh.
• Pediatric and adult options: Oticon also has strong pediatric offerings, using the same DNN-based approach to support kids in school and play.

If you’re sensitive to “processed” sound or you want the hearing aid to feel more like a subtle assistant rather than a spotlight on voices, Oticon is a great brand to explore.

3. ReSound: Early Auracast leader with flexible styles

Best for: Tech-forward users who care about future-proof connectivity and strong performance in noise.

ReSound, from GN Hearing, is widely recognized as one of the first manufacturers to lean into Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast broadcast audio. The ReSound Nexia family is designed for mild to profound hearing loss and is available in multiple styles, including receiver-in-ear, BTE, and custom models.

ReSound highlights

• Auracast and LE Audio: Nexia supports the latest Bluetooth LE standard, which allows emerging features like public audio broadcasts in compatible venues and more efficient streaming.
• Great in noise: Brand data and independent reviews emphasize improved signal-to-noise ratio and higher user satisfaction for hearing in noisy environments.
• Accessory support: TV streamers and remote microphones integrate tightly with the hearing aids, making TV and group listening more comfortable.

ReSound is a strong contender if you want something that plays nicely with upcoming Android and Auracast features and you often find yourself in crowded public spaces.

4. Starkey: U.S.-based brand with brain-inspired AI

Best for: Buyers who want a U.S. manufacturer, in-ear custom options, and advanced on-device AI.

Starkey is a major American hearing aid manufacturer and a pioneer in custom in-ear devices. Its Genesis AI platform is built around processing sound the way the auditory cortex does, making real-time adjustments to fill in gaps caused by hearing loss.

What sets Starkey apart

• Brain-mimicking processing: Genesis AI can perform up to tens of millions of adjustments per hour to keep speech clear and sound natural as environments change.
• Strong custom lineup: Starkey offers a wide range of in-the-ear and invisible-style devices for people who don’t want anything behind their ear.
• Well-developed app: The My Starkey app allows fine-tuning, remote care, and connectivity features that help you manage your devices day to day.

Starkey is an excellent option if you prioritize discretion, want a U.S. brand, or need custom-molded devices that fit unique ear shapes.

5. Widex: Natural sound and stylish design wins

Best for: Listeners who care deeply about sound quality, music, and a more “audiophile” listening experience.

Widex has long marketed itself as the brand for pure, natural sound. Its Widex Moment and newer Moment Sheer and SmartRIC offerings aim to minimize the “tinny” or delayed sound some people notice with digital processing, while offering robust Bluetooth streaming and app control.

Widex strengths

• Natural sound signature: The Moment platform is designed to reduce sound delay and preserve the timbre of speech and music, which many musicians and music lovers appreciate.
• Personalization with AI: Features like AI-powered personalization in the Widex Moment app allow you to “teach” the hearing aids which sound profiles you prefer in different situations.
• Award-winning design: Widex has received design awards for products like SmartRIC and accessories, reflecting some of the most modern styling in the industry.

Choose Widex if you’re picky about how things sound especially music and want a sophisticated, stylish device that focuses on acoustic quality.

6. Signia: Conversation-focused tech for active social lives

Best for: People who are constantly in group conversations and want extra help tracking multiple speakers in noise.

Signia’s Integrated Xperience (IX) platform is all about group conversation. It uses a multi-stream architecture that can detect and enhance several moving speakers at once, rather than just locking onto a single voice in front of you.

Why Signia earns a spot on this list

• Group conversation enhancement: Studies show IX can improve speech understanding in noisy group settings more than many competitors, with measurable gains in signal-to-noise ratio.
• Discreet form factors: Some IX models are among the smallest Bluetooth RIC hearing aids with notably long battery life, blending tech and discretion.
• Strong streaming and app control: Signia’s app offers on-the-go adjustments and streaming options for people who move between social events, work, and home.

If your calendar is full of dinners, meetings, and family gatherings, Signia IX can be a game-changer in keeping you “in” the conversation instead of guessing at punchlines.

7. Eargo: Discreet OTC option for mild to moderate hearing loss

Best for: Adults with mild to moderate hearing loss who want nearly invisible, over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids with online support.

Eargo is a U.S.-based, direct-to-consumer hearing aid manufacturer best known for its tiny, completely-in-canal devices that are almost invisible when worn. Founded in 2010, the company helped define the modern OTC space long before the FDA’s official OTC category launched in 2022.

Eargo’s niche

• OTC & online-first: You can purchase Eargo devices online without an in-person audiology visit, and you receive remote support from hearing professionals via phone or app.
• Discreet CIC design: Eargo’s devices sit deep in the ear canal with open, “petal”-style tips, making them a favorite for people who really don’t want visible hardware.
• Rechargeable and app-connected: Modern models like Eargo 7/8 and Eargo SE offer rechargeable batteries, smartphone control, and automatic sound adjustments.

Eargo is not for everyone it’s intended for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, not severe or complex losses but it’s a strong manufacturer to consider if you value discretion and a DIY, online-first approach.

How to choose the right hearing aid brand for you

So, which of these seven manufacturers is “best”? Here’s the secret: the best hearing aid brand is the one whose technology matches your hearing loss, lifestyle, and budget and that you can get properly fitted and supported.

Questions to ask your audiologist (or yourself)

• How severe is my hearing loss? People with more complex or profound hearing loss may do better with brands known for powerful BTE models (for example, Phonak, ReSound, or Oticon).
• Where do I struggle most? If it’s group conversations in noise, Signia IX or ReSound Nexia might get extra consideration. If it’s overall sound comfort and “naturalness,” Oticon or Widex might shine.
• How techy am I? If you love gadgets and streaming, Phonak, Signia, and ReSound offer very robust connectivity ecosystems. If you want a simpler, nearly invisible solution, Eargo or certain Starkey custom models may appeal more.
• Do I want clinic-based or OTC care? Prescription brands (Phonak, Oticon, ReSound, Starkey, Widex, Signia) are usually fit through clinics with real-ear measurements and in-depth fine-tuning. Eargo is OTC and remote, which can be convenient but less personalized for complex losses.

Whatever you choose, make sure there’s a clear trial period, good follow-up support, and the option to adjust or swap models if something doesn’t feel right.

Real-world experiences and practical tips with top hearing aid brands

Brand brochures are great, but what does life look like once those devices are actually in your ears? Here are some experience-based insights that often come up in clinics and user reviews the kind of details that help you picture day-to-day life with these seven leading manufacturers.

Life with highly connected hearing aids (Phonak, ReSound, Signia)

If you’re the kind of person who always has a phone in your hand and a laptop nearby, brands like Phonak, ReSound, and Signia can quickly feel like an upgrade to your entire tech life, not just your hearing. Phonak users often talk about how seamless it feels to answer calls hands-free or pop into a Zoom meeting with audio streaming directly to their ears no extra earbuds needed.

ReSound wearers, especially with the Nexia line, describe a similar “always connected” experience, with the added bonus that the devices are ready for emerging Auracast broadcasts. Imagine sitting in an airport where, instead of straining to hear the garbled overhead announcements, you simply connect your hearing aids to the announcement stream the way you’d join a Wi-Fi network. That’s the kind of future Nexia is built for.

Signia IX wearers often notice the difference most in noisy group settings. Users describe being able to hang onto a conversation even when everyone at the table is talking and shifting around the exact scenario where basic amplification tends to fall apart. The tradeoff is that all this smart processing means you’ll want to spend real time with your provider or app to make sure the programs match your lifestyle.

For sound purists and comfort seekers (Oticon, Widex, Starkey)

On the other side of the spectrum are people who say, “I don’t need every bell and whistle I just want things to sound normal again.” That’s where Oticon, Widex, and often Starkey shine.

Oticon users frequently mention that they feel less “boxed-in” compared with older models or more directional brands. Because the devices are designed to give your brain a broad, balanced sound scene, you may find that you can follow conversations without feeling like everything else has been aggressively muted. It’s subtle, but for many, fatigue goes down because the brain isn’t working quite as hard.

Widex wearers especially musicians often rave about the quality of music. Guitar players and singers sometimes report that Widex’s processing preserves the warmth of instruments better than what they’ve tried before. If you’re the type of person who notices when the high notes in your favorite song sound “off,” this kind of brand-level tuning can matter a lot.

Starkey sits in a sweet spot for people who want sophisticated technology but in very discreet or custom-molded shells. Someone who never wore hearing aids because they were self-conscious about behind-the-ear devices may discover that a tiny custom Starkey Genesis AI in-the-canal device gives them the confidence to finally treat their hearing loss without fielding constant questions about “what’s on your ear.”

Invisible and OTC journeys (Eargo and first-time users)

For first-time users with mild to moderate loss, especially people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s who aren’t quite ready for full-on clinic visits, Eargo can be a gentle first step. Many Eargo wearers talk about liking the “try it at home” model you order, pair with your phone, do some app-based tuning, and talk to remote specialists only when needed.

Because Eargo devices are so small and sit deep in the canal, some people around you may never notice you’re wearing hearing aids at all. That can be a self-esteem boost, but it’s also important to be realistic: if your hearing loss is more than mild to moderate, or if you have unusual ear anatomy or medical concerns, an in-person evaluation with a licensed professional and a more traditional brand may be safer and more effective.

Common lessons people learn the hard way

• Give yourself a real trial: Most people need several weeks for the brain to adjust to amplified sound. Whether you choose Phonak, Oticon, or Eargo, plan to wear your devices for several hours a day and attend follow-up fine-tuning visits or remote adjustments.
• The app matters: With almost every brand on this list, your satisfaction will be higher if you’re willing to learn the companion app. Simple tweaks like dropping the “noise” slider a bit in a restaurant can make a big difference.
• Be honest about your lifestyle: If you rarely stream music or take calls on your phone, you don’t need the most cutting-edge connectivity. If you’re at concerts and meetings constantly, it’s worth paying more for the top wireless and noise-handling tech.
• Don’t skip the professional piece: Even if you buy OTC, consider at least one in-person hearing evaluation. It helps rule out medical issues and gives you a baseline audiogram to compare over time.

The bottom line: people who are happiest with their hearing aids tend to choose a reputable manufacturer, work with a pro (or responsive remote team), and stay patient through the first few weeks while their brain and devices learn each other.

Conclusion: 7 great manufacturers, one personal best choice

Phonak, Oticon, ReSound, Starkey, Widex, Signia, and Eargo all earn their reputations as some of the best hearing aid manufacturers in the world. Each brings something different to the table whether it’s Phonak’s universal Bluetooth, Oticon’s brain-inspired DNN, ReSound’s Auracast-ready connectivity, Starkey’s U.S.-made custom options, Widex’s natural sound, Signia’s group conversation focus, or Eargo’s nearly invisible OTC design.

There is no single “winner” for everyone. But with the right combination of manufacturer, model, fitting, and follow-up care, you can move from guessing at conversations and faking laughs to hearing more clearly, participating fully, and feeling like yourself again just with better audio.

Important note: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a licensed hearing care professional or physician for diagnosis and personalized recommendations.