ReSound Vivia 9 vs Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio Ultra - Clinical Comparison
Compare ReSound Vivia 9 and Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio Ultra side-by-side with clinical performance scores, FDA status, pricing, and expert recommendations
Performance Metrics
Performance Metrics
Sound Quality
Measures the fidelity, naturalness, and clarity of the amplified signal across various environments.
Sound Quality
Measures the fidelity, naturalness, and clarity of the amplified signal across various environments.
Ease of Use
Evaluates the simplicity of physical handling, charging, and daily operation.
Ease of Use
Evaluates the simplicity of physical handling, charging, and daily operation.
Wearing Comfort
Assesses long-term physical comfort, weight distribution, and ear canal irritation.
Wearing Comfort
Assesses long-term physical comfort, weight distribution, and ear canal irritation.
Battery Life
Tests the duration of use on a single charge, particularly under heavy processing or streaming loads.
Battery Life
Tests the duration of use on a single charge, particularly under heavy processing or streaming loads.
Clinical Efficacy
Clinical Efficacy
Speech Recognition & Clarity
Measures the device's ability to make human speech intelligible and clear.
Speech Recognition & Clarity
Measures the device's ability to make human speech intelligible and clear.
Background Noise Reduction
Evaluates the effectiveness of suppressing unwanted environmental sounds.
Background Noise Reduction
Evaluates the effectiveness of suppressing unwanted environmental sounds.
Overall Hearing Improvement
Assesses the total gain in hearing capability across all tested scenarios.
Overall Hearing Improvement
Assesses the total gain in hearing capability across all tested scenarios.
Frequency Response Range
Measures the breadth of frequencies the device can effectively amplify.
Frequency Response Range
Measures the breadth of frequencies the device can effectively amplify.
Specifications
| Specification | ReSound Vivia 9 | Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,199 | $3,800 |
| FDA Status | FDA 510(k) Cleared | FDA 510(k) Cleared |
| Clinical Evidence | Strong Clinical Evidence | Strong Clinical Evidence |
| Clinical Recommendation | Highly Recommended | Highly Recommended |
| Connectivity |
bluetooth
|
bluetooth
|
Value for Money
ReSound Vivia 9
Strengths
- ✓ Dedicated AI chip trained on massive datasets (13.5M samples)
- ✓ Ultra-compact microRIE form factor for maximum discretion
- ✓ Advanced Bluetooth 5.4 with native Auracast support
- ✓ 'Check My Fit' app feature helps new users ensure correct placement
- ✓ 360-degree sound processing prevents 'directional blindness'
Limitations
- × Full AI processing is only available in the rechargeable 9-series model
- × App-heavy interface might be complex for non-smartphone users
- × Battery drain increases significantly with continuous LE Audio streaming
Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio Ultra
Strengths
- ✓ Unmatched speech isolation in extreme noise (+10 dB SNR improvement)
- ✓ Dual-chip architecture (ERA + DEEPSONIC) for dedicated AI processing
- ✓ Universal Bluetooth connectivity with support for multiple simultaneous devices
- ✓ IP68-rated durability with successful completion of 135 torture tests
- ✓ Future-proofed with Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast compatibility
Limitations
- × Higher power consumption when the DEEPSONIC chip is under maximum load
- × Slightly bulkier behind-the-ear profile to accommodate the second chip
- × Premium pricing reflects the high-end medical technology
Expert Review Summary
Our clinical assessment and verdict for each device
ReSound Vivia 9
"A compact, high-efficiency hearing aid that excels at isolating speech through its dedicated AI-driven neural processor."
The ReSound Vivia 9 is GN Group's flagship response to the AI revolution in hearing health. Released in early 2025, it differentiates itself from earlier platforms by incorporating a dedicated Deep Neural Network (DNN) chip. This processor has been trained on over 13.5 million spoken sentences, allowing the device to proactively identify and separate human speech from environmental noise with 17x greater efficiency than previous generations. Clinical evaluations show that the Vivia 9's 'Ensuite Directionality III' provides a comprehensive 360-degree soundscape, ensuring users aren't 'blinded' to sounds coming from behind or the sides. Despite the dual-chip architecture, ReSound has managed to maintain the 'microRIE' form factor, making it one of the most discreet premium devices on the market. It also leads the industry in connectivity, featuring native Bluetooth 5.4 with LE Audio and Auracast support.
Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio Ultra
"The most powerful speech-in-noise processor currently available, utilizing dual-chip AI to isolate voices in complex acoustic environments."
The Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio Ultra represents a significant leap in auditory rehabilitation technology. Our clinical evaluation focused on the device's unique dual-chip architecture: the ERA chip manages standard digital signal processing and universal connectivity, while the dedicated DEEPSONIC chip operates as a high-density neural network accelerator. During laboratory testing, the Sphere processing demonstrated a superior ability to extract speech from a 360-degree radius, even when background 'babble' exceeded 75 dB. The computational throughput of 7.7 billion operations per second allows for real-time separation of harmonic vocal structures from non-vocal noise. While the device is physically slightly larger than previous RIC models to accommodate the secondary processor, the clinical benefits for patients with moderate-to-severe hearing loss in social settings are statistically significant.
Where to Buy
Verified purchase options and current availability
ReSound Vivia 9
Pure Hearing
$3,158.00ZipHearing
$3,798.00Direct Hearing
$1,599.00Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio Ultra
Top ChoiceZipHearing
$3,798.00Important Purchase Considerations
- • Prices shown are current as of the last update and may vary. Always verify pricing at the retailer's website.
- • Some medical devices may require a prescription. Check with your healthcare provider before purchasing.
- • Check with your HSA/FSA administrator for potential reimbursement eligibility and documentation requirements.
- • Look for authorized retailers to ensure product authenticity and warranty validity.