Phonak Hearing Aids vs Jabra

Phonak Hearing Aids vs Jabra: Which One Is Right for You?

  • Mar 31, 2025

Choosing between Phonak hearing aids vs Jabra can feel overwhelming when you're searching for the right hearing solution. Both brands offer advanced technology and remote programming options, but understanding their key differences will help you make the best decision for your hearing needs and lifestyle.

At Direct Hearing, we specialize in Phonak hearing aids because they represent the gold standard in hearing technology—combining Swiss engineering excellence with proven performance that we've seen transform thousands of lives. While Jabra Select hearing aids serve a specific market segment, Phonak's comprehensive lineup, professional-grade technology, and long-term reliability make them our top recommendation for anyone serious about addressing their hearing loss.

Understanding Phonak Hearing Aids vs Jabra: A Fair Comparison

When comparing Phonak hearing aids vs Jabra Select devices, you're essentially comparing two different approaches to hearing care. Phonak is a traditional hearing aid manufacturer with over 75 years of experience, while Jabra Enhance represents a newer player that entered the hearing aid market through their parent company GN Group (which also owns ReSound).

 

Phonak's Heritage and Technology Leadership

Phonak hearing aids are powered by advanced AI to help people hear better in the real world, with automatic and precise AI adaptation to surroundings Phonak. The Swiss manufacturer has built its reputation on solving the most difficult hearing challenges, working directly with audiologists and hearing aid users worldwide to refine their technology.

Direct Hearing offers Phonak's latest innovations, including the groundbreaking Phonak Audéo Sphere Ultra Infinio, which features the world's first dedicated AI chip for speech separation. We also carry the Phonak Audéo Infinio and Phonak Audéo Lumity lines, ensuring you have access to technology that matches your specific hearing needs and budget.

Jabra's Position in the Hearing Aid Market

Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids come in three technology levels: the Select 700 (flagship model at $1,995), Select 300 ($1,495), and Select 50R (entry-level at $995-$1,195). These devices are designed for mild to moderate hearing loss and include three years of US-based audiology support with custom programming and unlimited adjustments Jabra Enhance.

It's worth noting that Jabra discontinued their Enhance Plus OTC earbud-style hearing aids in October 2024, choosing to focus exclusively on their Select line of receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids. This strategic shift reflects the company's recognition that traditional hearing aid form factors deliver superior performance compared to earbud-style devices.

Technology Comparison: Phonak Hearing Aids vs Jabra Select

The most significant difference when evaluating Phonak hearing aids vs Jabra becomes apparent in their underlying technology and performance capabilities.

Speech Clarity in Noisy Environments

Phonak's newest models, particularly the Audéo Sphere Ultra Infinio, represent a quantum leap in hearing aid technology. The DEEPSONIC AI chip performs 7.7 billion operations per second to separate speech from noise in real time, delivering unprecedented speech clarity from any direction Phonak. Independent audiologists have called this technology "possibly the best performing hearing aid in background noise" they've ever tested.

Jabra Select hearing aids use SoundScape technology for speech clarity, which works well in many situations. The Select 700 features SoundScape with Auto Focus that intelligently improves speech clarity in noisy environments like restaurants Jabra Enhance. However, this represents more traditional directional microphone technology rather than the dedicated AI processing found in Phonak's flagship models.

For anyone who regularly finds themselves in challenging listening environments—restaurants, family gatherings, business meetings, or social events—the performance difference between Phonak hearing aids vs Jabra becomes immediately noticeable.

Connectivity and Bluetooth Performance

Both brands offer Bluetooth streaming, but Phonak's implementation provides broader compatibility and more reliable performance. Phonak's Infinio models feature Bluetooth 5.3, allowing you to pair up to eight devices and connect to two simultaneously. This means you can seamlessly switch between your smartphone, tablet, and laptop without constantly re-pairing.

Jabra Select 700 and 500 models support Bluetooth LE Audio (Auracast-ready) and offer hands-free calling for compatible iPhones and some Android devices. The Select 300 provides hands-free calling for iPhones but requires Android users to keep their phones nearby. The entry-level Select 50R lacks hands-free calling entirely.

Battery Life and Charging

Phonak Infinio Ultra Sphere offers up to 56 hours of battery life with its rechargeable lithium-ion batteries Phonak, though real-world usage typically delivers 16-18 hours depending on streaming and AI feature usage. This extended battery life ensures you can wear your hearing aids throughout even the longest days without worry.

Jabra Select hearing aids provide approximately 24-30 hours of battery life depending on the model, with portable charging cases that hold three additional charges. While adequate for most users, this represents shorter battery life compared to Phonak's latest technology.

Form Factor and Design: Phonak Hearing Aids vs Jabra

When comparing the physical design of Phonak hearing aids vs Jabra Select, both brands use the popular receiver-in-canal (RIC) style that offers an excellent balance of performance, comfort, and discretion.

Size and Discretion

Jabra markets their Select 500 and 700 models as 25% smaller than standard RIC hearing aids, emphasizing their "micro" design. These compact devices come in multiple color options and sit discreetly behind the ear.

Phonak's standard Audéo Infinio models are similarly sized and comfortable. The Audéo Sphere models are noticeably larger due to their dual-processor design and enhanced battery capacity, though most wearers find them comfortable despite the increased size. If discretion is your primary concern, Phonak offers the Audéo Lumity line, which provides excellent performance in a sleeker package.

Durability and Water Resistance

Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio hearing aids exceed their published IP68 rating, making them among the most water-resistant hearing aids on the market Hearing Aids. This exceptional protection gives you confidence whether you're caught in the rain, sweating during exercise, or accidentally wearing them in the shower.

Jabra Select hearing aids also carry strong IP ratings for moisture and dust protection, meeting industry standards for reliability and durability.

Professional Support and Service: A Critical Difference

Here's where the comparison between Phonak hearing aids vs Jabra reveals an important advantage for Direct Hearing customers: the level and quality of professional support you receive.

Direct Hearing's Phonak Programming Advantage

We provide comprehensive remote programming services delivered by our licensed hearing specialists and audiologists. When you purchase Phonak hearing aids from Direct Hearing, you receive:

  • Professional pre-programming based on your audiogram or our free online hearing test
  • Initial remote fitting appointment with a licensed specialist
  • Unlimited programming adjustments via our dedicated service line at (855) 731-1975
  • Access to the same clinical-grade programming software used in traditional clinics
  • Ongoing support throughout the lifetime of your hearing aids

This isn't generic customer service—we're providing the same professional-level care you'd receive at a hearing clinic, just delivered remotely for your convenience.

Jabra's Telehealth Model

Jabra Enhance includes three years of professional hearing care with their Premium Package, featuring remote audiology support and unlimited adjustments through their app. While their U.S.-based audiology team is qualified and responsive, some customers report wait times of 2-3 weeks for initial telecare appointments during busy periods.

Price Comparison: Phonak Hearing Aids vs Jabra

 At Direct Hearing, we offer Phonak hearing aids at substantially lower prices than traditional clinics—often thousands less—while maintaining the same professional programming and support services. Jabra models start at $995 for the lowest technology tier.

The real question isn't just about upfront cost, but long-term value. Call us at (855) 603-3541 to discuss which Phonak model fits your budget and hearing needs. We'll provide transparent pricing and help you understand exactly what you're getting for your investment.

Phonak's Superior Fitting Range

One critical advantage when comparing Phonak hearing aids vs Jabra involves the range of hearing loss each can address. Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids are specifically designed for mild hearing loss only—this is both a legal requirement for OTC-style devices and a practical limitation of their technology.

Phonak's professional-grade hearing aids accommodate a much broader range of hearing loss, from mild to profound. This means:

  • Future-proof investment: If your hearing changes over time, Phonak devices can be reprogrammed to address more significant loss
  • More precise programming: Greater flexibility allows our specialists to fine-tune your hearing aids to your exact hearing profile
  • Better performance: Professional-grade technology simply delivers superior results, particularly for complex hearing loss patterns

Real-World Performance: What Users Say

According to independent testing by HearingTracker, Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio achieved a SoundGrade of A and ranked in the top 10% of all prescription hearing aids tested—and in the top 5% of all hearing devices tested, including OTC options.

Jabra Select 300 and 500 models also scored well in independent testing, landing in the top tier of OTC hearing aids. User reviews consistently praise Jabra's customer service and the quality of their remote audiology support.

However, the performance gap between Phonak hearing aids vs Jabra becomes most apparent in the most challenging listening situations. Users who've tried both brands frequently report that Phonak's AI-powered speech processing makes a dramatic difference in noisy restaurants, large gatherings, and other complex sound environments.

Why Direct Hearing Recommends Phonak

After working with thousands of customers and comparing performance across every major hearing aid brand, we've chosen to specialize in Phonak for several compelling reasons:

Proven Long-Term Reliability: Phonak's Swiss engineering and rigorous testing protocols result in hearing aids that simply last longer and perform more consistently over their lifespan.

Comprehensive Technology Range: From the budget-friendly Audéo Lumity to the groundbreaking Sphere Ultra Infinio, Phonak offers the right solution for virtually any hearing loss profile and lifestyle.

Superior Noise Performance: If you struggle to hear in background noise (and most people with hearing loss do), Phonak's AI-powered speech processing delivers results that OTC alternatives simply can't match.

True Professional Programming: Our remote programming services give you access to the same clinical-grade fitting protocols used by audiologists worldwide, ensuring optimal performance from your investment.

Future-Ready Technology: Phonak's commitment to innovation means your hearing aids will benefit from software updates and new features as technology evolves.

Making Your Decision: Phonak Hearing Aids vs Jabra

Both Phonak and Jabra Enhance Select hearing aids offer legitimate solutions for hearing loss, but they serve different needs and priorities.

Consider Jabra Enhance Select if:

  • You have confirmed mild hearing loss
  • You prefer a completely self-directed purchasing process
  • Budget is your primary concern (Though we do offer a budget hearing aid option as well as other lower priced models)
  • You want to start with an entry-level device before committing to premium technology

Choose Phonak hearing aids from Direct Hearing if:

  • You want the absolute best performance in noisy environments
  • Your hearing loss falls anywhere from mild to profound
  • You value professional-grade technology and programming
  • You want a hearing solution that will serve you well for years
  • Long-term value matters more than lowest upfront cost

Experience the Phonak Difference at Direct Hearing

The real advantage of working with Direct Hearing isn't just access to superior Phonak technology—it's receiving professional-level care at a fraction of traditional clinic prices. We've helped thousands of people hear better by combining cutting-edge hearing aids with remote programming services that eliminate the markups and overhead of brick-and-mortar clinics.

Ready to discover how much better you could be hearing? Start with our free online hearing test to understand your hearing profile, then call our team at (855) 603-3541 to discuss which Phonak model best fits your needs.

When comparing Phonak hearing aids vs Jabra, the choice ultimately comes down to whether you want good hearing aids or the best hearing aids available. At Direct Hearing, we're confident that once you experience the difference Phonak's technology makes—especially in the challenging listening situations that matter most—you'll understand why we've made them our exclusive focus.

Your hearing deserves the best technology, delivered with professional care, at a price that makes sense. That's the Direct Hearing difference, powered by Phonak innovation.