The Best Hearing Aids in 2026 – A Phoenix Audiologist's Guide

With so many hearing aids on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Every manufacturer claims to have the best technology, the longest battery life, and the clearest sound. But here's what most people don't realize: the brand and model of your hearing aid matters far less than how well it's programmed for your unique hearing loss.

At Applied Hearing Solutions, we've seen patients come in with some of the most advanced hearing aids available, yet they still struggle to hear clearly. The reason? Their devices were never properly fitted using Best Practice protocols like Real Ear Measurement. When hearing aids are programmed using manufacturer default settings rather than verified to match your specific hearing loss prescription, you're leaving a significant amount of benefit on the table.

That said, if you're curious about which hearing aids represent the best technology available in 2026, here are our top five picks for the greater Phoenix area.

Oticon Intent

Oticon hearing aids are well known for their high-frequency amplification capabilities that help restore speech clarity. The Intent uses lithium-ion rechargeable batteries that provide up to 24 hours of use on a single charge. Oticon was the first manufacturer to incorporate a trained Deep Neural Network for artificial intelligence sound processing, and their second-generation DNN makes the Intent one of the best-performing hearing aids in background noise. The new 4D sensor combined with DNN 2.0 delivers a 35% improvement over their previous generation technology. The Intent also features Bluetooth LE Audio, which enables Auracast broadcast audio—a technology that will eventually allow you to stream audio directly from public venues like theaters, churches, and sports arenas.

Phonak Audéo Ultra Sphere Infinio

The Ultra Sphere Infinio received Phonak's Ultra firmware update at the end of 2025, providing 30% better battery efficiency on top of already impressive performance. This is the first hearing aid to use two chips: the DeepSonic chip focuses exclusively on separating speech from background noise using artificial intelligence, while the ERA chip handles all other processing. This dual-chip approach delivers up to a 10 dB signal-to-noise ratio improvement, making difficult listening situations much more manageable. Third-party testing labs have rated these as the best-performing hearing aids in noise. The device provides over 20 hours of battery life per charge and uses Bluetooth Classic for universal connectivity with up to eight devices.

Starkey Omega AI

The Omega AI is the best hearing aid that United States-based manufacturer Starkey has ever released. Their new G3 neuroprocessor uses a Deep Neural Network not only to separate speech from background noise but also to control directionality through their DNN360 feature. This dual application of neural network technology allows the Omega AI to perform exceptionally well in noisy environments. Unlike many competitors, Starkey offers both disposable battery and rechargeable versions, with the rechargeable option providing up to two days of use on a single charge. The Omega AI is available in receiver-in-canal and rechargeable in-the-ear styles. These hearing aids use Bluetooth LE Audio with Auracast capabilities, and the My Starkey app includes features you won't find in other hearing aid apps.

Oticon Zeal NXT

The Oticon Zeal is a new type of in-the-canal hearing aid that performs more like a receiver-in-canal device while remaining extremely discreet. It fits inside your ear canal with either a rubber dome or custom-molded ear tip, and despite its small size, it's rechargeable with up to 20 hours of battery life. The Zeal includes Bluetooth capabilities through a clear wire that also serves as a removal string—making it nearly invisible when worn. This antenna allows streaming of phone calls, music, and other audio directly from your smartphone. The Zeal uses Oticon's second-generation Deep Neural Network, providing the same excellent background noise performance as the Intent. Oticon's encapsulation manufacturing technique makes these hearing aids both compact and durable enough to withstand the demanding environment inside your ear canal.

Lyric Extended Wear

The Lyric is the only hearing aid designed to stay inside your ears 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for up to two months at a time. Finding a clinic that works with Lyric can be challenging since only a handful of certified providers exist in the greater Phoenix area. A Lyric-certified audiologist places the device approximately four millimeters from your eardrum, where it remains while you sleep, shower, and exercise. The Lyric has recently been FDA-approved for self-removal and replacement, giving you more flexibility in managing your devices. Many individuals with tinnitus find relief with Lyric because the constant amplification helps suppress ringing even while sleeping. Here at Applied Hearing Solutions, we are certified Lyric providers.

Why Best Practice Care Matters More Than the Hearing Aid Brand

While all five of these hearing aids represent excellent technology, it's worth repeating: the hearing aid itself is only part of the equation. Research shows that over 70% of hearing aids are not programmed correctly because most providers rely on manufacturer first-fit settings rather than verifying the programming with Real Ear Measurement.

Real Ear Measurement is a verification procedure where we place a probe microphone inside your ear canal to measure the actual amplification your hearing aids are providing. We then adjust the programming to match your specific hearing loss prescription for soft, average, and loud speech. Without this verification, your hearing aids are essentially programmed based on a guess—and that guess is often wrong.

At Applied Hearing Solutions, every hearing aid fitting includes Real Ear Measurement as part of our comprehensive Best Practice protocols. This is why our patients consistently achieve better outcomes than the industry average.

Find Your Best Hearing Solution in Phoenix

If you live in the greater Phoenix area and want help identifying which hearing aid is right for you, we invite you to schedule an Applied360 Discover consultation. During this two-hour appointment, we'll identify your hearing priorities, perform a comprehensive audiologic evaluation, and make a personalized hearing aid recommendation based on your unique needs. Give us a call at (602) 877-0000 or visit our clinic at 4045 E Union Hills Dr, Suite D128, Phoenix, AZ 85050.