Hearing Aid reviews
The following reviews are based on current research, performance, design, comfort and feedback from users as well as my own experience with the devices.
Beltone Illuminate
Beltone is the brand GN Hearing supplies exclusively to independent audiology clinics in Australia.
Illuminate, launched October 2026, is Beltone's latest AI enhanced hearing aids with remarkably claims about superior performance understanding speech in noise. Two models, Illuminate 17 & 9, use Deep Neural Network (DNN) technology to suppress noise while enhancing speech. Along with the DNN noise suppression, Illuminate uses four microphone beaming forming directional technology to focus in on the speech, separating it from the noise.
As Illuminate has just been launched I can not give any client feedback. However, I am impressed with the specifications.
Oticon Reveal - Dual AI hearing Aid Score: 4.9 out of 5
Oticon introduced Intent in 2024, which represented a significant step forward for the company. It delivered a much smarter deep neural network and introduced 4D Sensor technology, allowing the hearing aid to respond more intelligently to movement and listening intent. In practice, I have found Intent to be an excellent device that lives up to much of Oticon’s marketing. Many long‑term Oticon users reported that upgrading to Intent was well worth it, describing more natural sound and reduced listening effort across a wider range of environments.
Reveal is Oticon’s latest release. It offers improved feedback control and stronger wind‑noise suppression. Most importantly, it introduces a Dual AI system: one AI trained specifically for speech, similar to the Intent platform, and a second AI trained on environmental sounds to provide a more natural and connected listening experience. Reveal is a very strong hearing aid built on the success of Intent.
Is it significantly better than Intent? For someone already using Intent, Reveal may not represent a major upgrade. However, for users with older‑generation hearing aids, Reveal should be considered as the preferred upgrade path. As with Intent, Reveal offers versions of its AI technology across the entire product portfolio. Reviewed Oct 2026
Reveal is Oticon’s latest release. It offers improved feedback control and stronger wind‑noise suppression. Most importantly, it introduces a Dual AI system: one AI trained specifically for speech, similar to the Intent platform, and a second AI trained on environmental sounds to provide a more natural and connected listening experience. Reveal is a very strong hearing aid built on the success of Intent.
Is it significantly better than Intent? For someone already using Intent, Reveal may not represent a major upgrade. However, for users with older‑generation hearing aids, Reveal should be considered as the preferred upgrade path. As with Intent, Reveal offers versions of its AI technology across the entire product portfolio. Reviewed Oct 2026
Phonak Infinio Ultra Sphere Audeo 90 Score: 4.8 out of 5 - Impressive Premium Technology
Phonak’s Infinio Sphere platform introduces the company’s first dedicated AI chip, engineered to separate speech from noise in real time. The dual‑chip architecture allows the device to apply advanced noise reduction from any direction, making it particularly effective in group conversations where talkers shift around the listener.
Phonak continues to use its universal Bluetooth system across the entire portfolio, ensuring compatibility with virtually all phones and devices.
Independent testing by HearAdvisor awarded the Infinio Sphere an A grade, highlighting exceptional performance in Speech‑in‑Noise and Sound Quality. Phonak’s own study also found that participants preferred the Sphere’s sound quality in complex, multi‑talker environments compared to both competitors and Phonak’s previous generation.
In my own experience with the Infinio Sphere 90, the sound quality is smooth and natural, and it performed exceptionally well in restaurants and social settings. The app offers extensive personalisation options, though I rarely felt the need to adjust anything—the automatic processing handled most situations effortlessly. The device is a little large on the ear, and I occasionally needed to reposition it around my glasses, but this was a minor and manageable issue. Reviewed Feb 26
Phonak continues to use its universal Bluetooth system across the entire portfolio, ensuring compatibility with virtually all phones and devices.
Independent testing by HearAdvisor awarded the Infinio Sphere an A grade, highlighting exceptional performance in Speech‑in‑Noise and Sound Quality. Phonak’s own study also found that participants preferred the Sphere’s sound quality in complex, multi‑talker environments compared to both competitors and Phonak’s previous generation.
In my own experience with the Infinio Sphere 90, the sound quality is smooth and natural, and it performed exceptionally well in restaurants and social settings. The app offers extensive personalisation options, though I rarely felt the need to adjust anything—the automatic processing handled most situations effortlessly. The device is a little large on the ear, and I occasionally needed to reposition it around my glasses, but this was a minor and manageable issue. Reviewed Feb 26
oticon Intent Product Family Score 4.8 out of 5 - Intent represents a family of high quality hearing aids across different technology tiers and prices.
Oticon Intent is built on Oticon’s newest platform, powered by the 4D Sensor technology and a next‑generation Deep Neural Network (DNN) trained on 12 million real‑world sound scenes. This neural network is designed to recognise complex acoustic environments and support the brain’s natural ability to separate speech from competing noise. The result is a hearing aid that aims to deliver clearer, more stable sound in dynamic, everyday listening situations.
Intent's 4D Sensors measures head movement, body movement, conversation activity, and acoustic environment to determine the user’s listening intent and adjust directionality and noise reduction accordingly.
Oticon Intent is available in multiple technology tiers, with higher levels offering more advanced neural‑network processing, stronger noise reduction, and greater automation. All tiers share the same underlying platform but differ in the strength and sophistication of the DNN‑driven features. This is a very strong product portfolio. Intent RIC model is noticeable small than Oticon's previous RIC version.
Independent testing by HearAdvisor awarded Oticon Intent an A grade, with particularly strong results in Speech‑in‑Noise and Sound Quality. These findings align with Oticon’s long‑standing focus on open, natural sound supported by advanced neural‑network processing.
Oticon’s internal studies also show that participants preferred Intent’s sound quality in complex environments, especially in situations with multiple talkers and shifting background noise. I have not yet had the chance to use Intent and will update this review with my experience after test driving it. UPDATE: I have found Oticon Intent to genuinely live up to the performance claims made by Oticon. My clients who were already experienced Oticon users have consistently reported that upgrading to Intent was well worth it. They describe the sound as more natural, with noticeably less listening effort across a much wider range of everyday environments. Reviewed Feb 26
Intent's 4D Sensors measures head movement, body movement, conversation activity, and acoustic environment to determine the user’s listening intent and adjust directionality and noise reduction accordingly.
Oticon Intent is available in multiple technology tiers, with higher levels offering more advanced neural‑network processing, stronger noise reduction, and greater automation. All tiers share the same underlying platform but differ in the strength and sophistication of the DNN‑driven features. This is a very strong product portfolio. Intent RIC model is noticeable small than Oticon's previous RIC version.
Independent testing by HearAdvisor awarded Oticon Intent an A grade, with particularly strong results in Speech‑in‑Noise and Sound Quality. These findings align with Oticon’s long‑standing focus on open, natural sound supported by advanced neural‑network processing.
Oticon’s internal studies also show that participants preferred Intent’s sound quality in complex environments, especially in situations with multiple talkers and shifting background noise. I have not yet had the chance to use Intent and will update this review with my experience after test driving it. UPDATE: I have found Oticon Intent to genuinely live up to the performance claims made by Oticon. My clients who were already experienced Oticon users have consistently reported that upgrading to Intent was well worth it. They describe the sound as more natural, with noticeably less listening effort across a much wider range of everyday environments. Reviewed Feb 26