The global hearing aid market exceeded USD 10 billion in 2023, with six manufacturers controlling roughly 95 percent of worldwide sales, according to the Hearing Industries Association. In Australia, these same six companies supply the devices dispensed through audiology clinics, government services, and retail outlets nationwide. Yet many people shopping for hearing aids know little about the companies behind them. Understanding the strengths and specialisations of each hearing aid manufacturer helps you make a more informed decision and have a productive conversation with your audiologist about which brand suits your needs.
The Big Six: Major Hearing Aid Manufacturers
The hearing aid industry is highly consolidated. Six companies develop, manufacture, and distribute the vast majority of hearing devices sold globally and in Australia. Each has its own research teams, chip designs, signal processing algorithms, and accessory ecosystems. While all produce capable devices across the full range of technology tiers, each brand has areas where it leads or differentiates. The following overview covers each manufacturer's background, current platforms, and signature strengths.
Phonak (Sonova Group)
Phonak, headquartered near Zurich, Switzerland, is a division of the Sonova Group, the world's largest hearing aid manufacturer by revenue. Phonak distributes its products in over 100 countries and maintains a strong presence in Australia through both independent clinics and the Sonova-owned Connect Hearing retail network.
Phonak's current platforms include the Audéo Lumity and Audéo Infinio receiver-in-canal ranges. The brand's most notable technical differentiator is its use of classic Bluetooth rather than the Made for iPhone (MFi) or ASHA protocols used by most competitors. This means Phonak hearing aids pair directly with virtually any Bluetooth device: iPhones, Android phones, computers, and televisions, without relying on a specific operating system's hearing aid protocol. For users who switch between devices or use non-standard phones, this universal compatibility is a significant advantage.
Phonak also owns and develops the Roger ecosystem, a range of wireless microphones and transmitters that transmit speech directly to Phonak hearing aids in challenging listening environments. Roger pens, table microphones, and multimedia adapters are widely used in classrooms, meeting rooms, and lecture theatres throughout Australia.
Oticon (Demant Group)
Oticon is a Danish manufacturer and part of the William Demant Group, one of the world's largest hearing healthcare companies. Founded in 1904, Oticon has a long history of hearing innovation and operates one of the industry's largest research centres, the Eriksholm Research Centre in Denmark.
Oticon's current platform is the Oticon Intent, which builds on the company's "brain-first" approach to hearing aid processing. Rather than treating sound as a problem of noise removal, Oticon's BrainHearing philosophy emphasises preserving the full soundscape so the brain can orient, focus, and separate sounds naturally. The Intent platform processes sound through a deep neural network trained on 12 million real-world sound scenes, allowing the device to balance speech clarity with environmental awareness rather than suppressing background sound aggressively.
Oticon devices support both MFi and ASHA streaming protocols, providing direct audio streaming from Apple and compatible Android devices. The brand also offers the ConnectClip accessory for hands-free phone calls and remote microphone use. Bluetooth hearing aids from Oticon are known for stable connections and efficient battery management across both rechargeable and disposable battery models.
Signia (WS Audiology)
Signia is a brand of WS Audiology, formed in 2019 from the merger of Sivantos (formerly Siemens Hearing Instruments) and Widex. The combined company is co-headquartered in Singapore and Lynge, Denmark. Signia inherits decades of Siemens engineering and continues to develop some of the industry's most sophisticated noise reduction algorithms.
The Signia Pure Charge&Go IX and Styletto IX are the brand's flagship platforms. Signia's signature technology is its Augmented Focus processing, which splits incoming sound into two independent streams: one for speech and one for background noise. Each stream is processed separately with its own compression, gain, and noise reduction settings, then recombined. This dual-stream approach allows Signia devices to amplify speech clearly while keeping environmental sounds audible at comfortable levels, rather than suppressing them entirely.
Signia's Styletto range is also distinctive from a design perspective. The devices resemble high-end consumer electronics more than traditional medical devices, with slim, rectangular charging cases and a aesthetic that appeals to users who want their hearing aids to look modern rather than clinical. Signia supports both MFi and ASHA protocols for direct streaming.
ReSound (GN Group)
ReSound, manufactured by GN Store Nord based in Ballerup, Denmark, was the first company to deliver direct audio streaming from an iPhone to a hearing aid without an intermediary device. The 2014 launch of the ReSound LiNX established the MFi hearing aid category and gave ReSound a first-mover advantage in wireless connectivity that the brand continues to build on.
Current ReSound platforms include the Nexia and Omnia ranges. ReSound's signature strength lies in the stability and reliability of its wireless connections. The brand's 2.4 GHz direct-streaming technology is consistently rated among the most robust in independent testing, with fewer dropped connections and lower latency than some competitors. ReSound devices support both MFi and ASHA, and the brand offers the Multi Mic, a versatile accessory that functions as a table microphone, remote microphone, and streaming device.
ReSound's rechargeable hearing aids use lithium-ion cells that deliver 30 hours of use on a single charge, which is at the upper end of current industry benchmarks. The brand also provides a portable charging case that holds three additional full charges, useful for travel.
Starkey
Starkey is the only major hearing aid manufacturer headquartered in the United States, based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Founded in 1967, Starkey is a privately held company and the supplier for the Australian Government's Hearing Services Program through its network of clinics.
Starkey's current platforms include Genesis AI and Edge AI. The brand differentiates itself through integrated health monitoring features. Starkey hearing aids include fall detection, which sends an alert to designated contacts if the wearer experiences a fall. The devices also track physical activity, social engagement, and active listening time, all viewable through the Thrive app. Some models include an in-sensor heart rate monitor. This health-tracking capability positions Starkey devices as broader wellness tools, not solely hearing instruments.
Starkey supports MFi and ASHA streaming. The Edge AI platform processes sound through a dedicated neural processing unit designed to reduce background noise in real time. Starkey's custom hearing aids, including its CIC and IIC models, are also noted for their compact fit and are available with wireless connectivity in smaller sizes than some competitors offer.
Widex (WS Audiology)
Widex, also part of WS Audiology alongside Signia, operates as a separate brand with its own engineering team and product lines. Founded in 1956 in Denmark, Widex has built its reputation around sound quality, particularly for music reproduction and natural sound perception.
The Widex SmartRIC and Moment platforms are the brand's current flagship ranges. Widex's signature technology is ZeroDelay processing, which reduces the time between sound entering the microphone and leaving the speaker to less than 0.5 milliseconds. Typical hearing aids introduce 2.5 to 8 milliseconds of processing delay, which can create an artificial quality when amplified sound mixes with natural sound entering the ear through vents. By minimising this delay, Widex devices produce a sound that many users describe as more immediate and natural, particularly for music.
Widex was also an early adopter of machine learning in hearing aids. The Widex SoundSense Adapt feature learns from your volume adjustments and programme changes over time, gradually personalising the device's automatic behaviour to match your preferences without requiring manual intervention.
How to Compare Hearing Aid Brands Objectively
Comparing hearing aid brands is not a matter of ranking them from best to worst. No single manufacturer leads in every category. Instead, comparison should focus on specific, measurable factors that affect your daily experience.
Sound Processing Strategy
Each brand processes sound differently. Phonak and Oticon prioritise preserving the full soundscape. Signia uses split-stream processing to separate speech from noise. Widex minimises processing delay for natural sound. ReSound focuses on spatial awareness through binaural coordination. Starkey applies deep neural network processing for real-time noise classification. The best strategy for you depends on the listening environments you encounter most often and your personal preference for how amplified sound should feel.
Connectivity and Streaming
Bluetooth compatibility is now standard across mid-range and premium devices from all six brands, but the implementation differs. Phonak uses classic Bluetooth for universal device pairing. Oticon, Signia, ReSound, and Starkey support both MFi and ASHA for direct streaming from Apple and Android. If you use multiple devices across different platforms, Phonak's universal approach may suit you better. If you use a single iPhone or Android phone, any of the MFi/ASHA brands will serve you well. Consider also whether you need TV streaming, remote microphone access, or hands-free calling, as each brand's accessory ecosystem varies.
Battery Technology
All six manufacturers now offer rechargeable options. Battery life ranges from approximately 20 hours at the lower end to 30 hours at the upper end on a single charge. If streaming heavily, these figures drop by 20 to 40 percent. Compare the specific runtime claims for the models your audiologist recommends, and factor in whether you need a portable charging option for long days away from home.
Form Factor Range
Not every brand offers every style. If you need a specific form factor such as an invisible-in-canal device, a power behind-the-ear model, or a slim-tube receiver-in-canal design, confirm that your preferred brand manufactures it in the technology tier you want. Some brands specialise in certain styles and may offer more refined versions of a particular form factor.
Why Independent Clinics Offer Better Brand Choice
Not all audiology clinics carry every brand. Manufacturer-owned retail chains typically stock only their parent company's devices: Connect Hearing stores fit Phonak and Unitron exclusively, while Amplifon outlets lean heavily toward ReSound and Beltone. Independent clinics, by contrast, maintain accounts with multiple manufacturers and can select from the full range of available devices.
This distinction matters because no single brand makes the best hearing aid for every person. Your audiogram, ear anatomy, listening environments, dexterity, phone ecosystem, and personal sound preferences all influence which device will serve you best. An independent audiologist at our Melbourne clinic can compare devices from multiple manufacturers side by side and recommend the one that matches your specific needs rather than the one the parent company needs to sell.
Independent clinics also offer genuine trial flexibility. If the first device does not meet your expectations, an independent audiologist can switch you to a different brand entirely. At a brand-owned store, your options for trialling a competing manufacturer are limited or nonexistent.
Matching Brand Features to Your Needs
The practical way to choose among hearing aid brands is to start with your needs and work backward to the technology, rather than starting with a brand and hoping it fits. Here is how common priorities map to manufacturer strengths.
Smartphone Connectivity Priority
If you stream phone calls, music, and podcasts throughout the day and want seamless pairing with any device, Phonak's classic Bluetooth implementation provides the broadest compatibility. If you are an iPhone user who values battery efficiency alongside streaming, ReSound and Oticon both offer stable MFi connections with lower power draw. If you use a recent Android phone with ASHA support, Signia and Starkey provide direct streaming with no intermediary device.
Sound Quality in Noise Priority
For demanding listening environments such as busy restaurants, open-plan offices, and family gatherings, Signia's Augmented Focus dual-stream processing and Oticon's neural network noise management both perform strongly. Starkey's Edge AI also applies real-time noise classification that adapts rapidly to changing conditions. Your audiologist can arrange a comparative trial in your actual listening environments so you can hear the differences yourself.
Music and Natural Sound Priority
If you listen to live music, play an instrument, or simply prefer the most natural amplified sound possible, Widex's ZeroDelay processing delivers the least altered sound quality in the industry. Oticon's BrainHearing approach also preserves spatial and tonal detail that many musicians appreciate. ReSound's spatial awareness technology maintains the cues your brain uses to locate sounds, which contributes to a more natural overall listening experience.
Health and Wellness Tracking Priority
Starkey is the clear leader if you want health monitoring integrated into your hearing aids. Fall detection, activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, and social engagement metrics are built into the Thrive app. For users who want their hearing devices to serve a broader health function, Starkey's platform is the most comprehensive option available.
Discretion and Design Priority
If how your hearing aids look matters to you, Signia's Styletto range offers the most consumer-electronics-inspired design in the industry, with slim profiles and modern charging cases that look nothing like traditional medical devices. For true invisibility, Phonak, Oticon, and Starkey all offer IIC models, while Widex provides compact custom options with its SmartRIC range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which hearing aid brand is best in Australia?
There is no single best hearing aid brand. The right choice depends on your hearing loss profile, lifestyle, dexterity, and connectivity preferences. Phonak leads in universal Bluetooth compatibility, Oticon excels in brain-first sound processing, Signia offers strong noise reduction, ReSound provides stable wireless streaming, Starkey integrates health tracking, and Widex specialises in natural sound reproduction. An independent audiologist can trial multiple brands to find the best match for your needs.
Are all major hearing aid brands available in Australia?
Yes. The six largest global hearing aid manufacturers, Phonak, Oticon, Signia, ReSound, Starkey, and Widex, all distribute their full product ranges in Australia through accredited audiology clinics. Each brand offers devices across essential, advanced, and premium technology tiers, with styles ranging from invisible-in-canal to behind-the-ear. Australian consumers have access to the same current platforms as markets in Europe and North America.
Should I choose rechargeable or battery-powered hearing aids?
Rechargeable hearing aids are now available from every major brand and suit most users because they eliminate the need to handle small batteries. They typically deliver 24 to 30 hours of use per overnight charge. Disposable battery models remain useful for people who spend extended time away from power sources or who prefer the option to swap a battery instantly rather than wait for a charge. Your audiologist can advise which option suits your routine.
Can I try different hearing aid brands before deciding?
Yes. Independent audiology clinics like SoundClear carry multiple brands and can arrange trial periods so you can compare devices in your everyday environments. A trial lets you evaluate sound quality, comfort, Bluetooth connectivity, and ease of use before committing to a purchase. This is one of the key advantages of visiting an independent clinic rather than a brand-owned retail store.
Works Cited
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Sonova Holdings. "Annual Report 2023/2024: Innovation and Product Development." Sonova Group, 2024, sonova.com/en/investors/financial-reports.
Ng, J. H., and Loke, A. Y. "Determinants of Hearing-Aid Adoption and Use Among the Elderly: A Systematic Review." International Journal of Audiology, vol. 54, no. 5, 2015, pp. 291-300.
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