A simple Google search for the best hearing aid brands in India or the best hearing aid company in India might not seem all that simple. There are over 15 International hearing aid brands prevalent in the Indian market, and each would carry a product range in excess of 100 products.
According to a market report, the India hearing aid devices market size was valued at USD $74.54 million in 2024 and is projected to grow with a CAGR of 4.75% through 2030. This shows the potential and demand for hearing aids in India.
But, it is virtually impossible for you to research the right hearing aid for yourself with the confusing sponsored advertising you come across on Google. So, we decided to try to help you narrow your search down to the ‘right’ companies to consider.
As with any maturing industry, the hearing aid industry has also seen several mergers and acquisitions, bringing the real players to just a handful today. Though there are several small companies trying to manufacture or contract-manufacture hearing aids, there are essentially the Big 6 Manufacturers that one would consider. Amongst them, they control more than 90% of the global market.
The Big 6 The Best Hearing Aid Brands in India:
Which of these Are The Best Hearing Aid Brands in India?
Yet the big question remains unanswered – Which of these brands is the ‘best’ and how should you choose the right company for you?
This is not an easy question to answer as each of these companies makes extremely competitive, highly sophisticated hearing devices. It can be quite surprising to many consumers to learn the degree of technology and innovation involved in modern hearing instruments. Moreover, very often new products are launched or new technologies are introduced by companies so frequently that the best product in the market might very well keep changing every few months!
Having said that, there are some products or technologies your experienced hearing care professional would choose for you depending on your requirements. He (or she) would ideally take into account your nature of hearing loss, case history, age, dexterity, lifestyle, and experience with using hearing aids before selecting the ‘type’ of instrument for you.
Knowing the ‘type’ and what technologies (features) are required can certainly help select a company known for producing that type of instrument or feature.
What Should You Consider Before Selecting The Right Company?
There are certain things you should consider before making your choice:
1. Sound Quality
No hearing aid can replicate normal hearing, but they all strive to provide the closest to normal hearing. Traditionally, Phonak and Widex have been known for their fantastic sound quality.
- Phonak has been selling its Lumity range of digital hearing aids with improved features for optimum speech-in-noise.
- Widex has launched PureSound “zero-delay” technology in their latest families of Moment and smartRIC.
2. Reliability
Widex and Phonak are 2 brands known for their reliability and easy maintenance.
- Phonak has recently introduced 100% waterproof hearing aids in most styles of instruments with the Phonak Life Lumity-RL hearing aids
- From the other companies Signia Pure C&G, ReSound Omnia and Nexia instruments are also waterproof.
3. Local Support
Depending on the city or town you are in, it would be wise to inquire which company would be able to provide you with the quickest service. Most companies have repair facilities in the top 4-5 Indian metro cities. However, you should ask your dispenser about the expected turn-around times for sending an instrument for service or repair.
Locate your nearest centre now!
Note: Companies do not entertain the end users directly at their service centres. It is advisable to buy hearing aids from an authorised clinic. The after-sales support in terms of programming, fine-tuning, repair, and servicing is always the clinic’s responsibility during the warranty phase of your purchased instrument.
4. Value for Money
Phonak and ReSound are both known for the features they offer, even at competitive price points. In the industry, hearing aids at 30,000-50,000 rupees each are reasonably good value for money as they have the basic features required for a relatively active lifestyle. As you move up the price list towards the more expensive models, most companies offer very similar features at those price points.
Phonak has very recently rationalised the prices of their upper-end Lumity 70 and Lumity 90 hearing aids. This makes upper-end features affordable for many more patients.
Read our blog on Phonak hearing aids here for updates on prices and features
Check our latest Ultimate Guide on Hearing Aid Prices for further details.
5. Connectivity with Mobile Phones (Made for iPhone/Made for All)
Almost all companies have now launched ‘Made for iPhone’ hearing aids that are directly compatible, without any middle-wear to be carried on your person.
- Phonak remains the first and, at this time, the only company to introduce Made for All (iPhone and Android connectivity). From 2017 till today Phonak remains the only company with direct connectivity with all Android phones, as well as iPhones.
- Widex claims to have the most battery-efficient MFI hearing aids with the clearest sound. Now compatible with certain Android handsets with ASHA protocol.
- ReSound uses its proprietary 2.4 GHz technology and Phone Unite (a microphone that can be clipped to your shirt) to communicate with other phones. Now compatible with certain Android handsets with ASHA protocol.
- Sivantos also have their instruments fully compatible with iPhones. Now compatible with certain Android handsets with ASHA protocol.
Read more on ASHA protocol here.
Also Read: Hearing Aids with Mobile Connectivity – Bluetooth vs 2.4 GHz Technology
6. Connectivity with TV
All companies today offer accessories to connect to your TV set or Set-Top Box.
7. Battery-operated or Re-chargeable Hearing Aids
Phonak has been the clear innovator in rechargeable hearing aid technology.
Today all companies offer rechargeable hearing aids across different types of hearing aids – BTEs, RICs, ITCs as well as smaller CICs.
Read this article for the latest innovation from Sivantos (Signia Silk) – offering rechargeability in small invisible hearing aids too:
8. Pediatric Hearing Aids
ReSound’s UpSmart and Phonak’s Naida & Sky continue to be leading pediatric hearing solutions globally.
9. Invisible Hearing Aids
Oticon and Starkey are known today as the leaders in invisible-in-the-canal hearing aids. Starkey can offer small instruments which cover a higher degree of hearing loss, though Oticon in India appears to make the smallest instruments.
Silk Charge&Go IX can be charged on the go with a sleek, pocket-sized case with an integrated power bank that provides up to four additional charges and can be charged wirelessly (Qi) for added convenience.
A word of caution: Invisible hearing aids are not suitable for many ear canals and hearing losses.
But Why Don’t You See The Other Best Hearing Aid Brands in India Here?
The 6 large parent companies – William Demant Holding, Sonova Holding, Sivantos, Widex, Starkey, GN – all have second and some even third and fourth brands under their umbrella. Though most likely those instruments are made in the same factories as the primary brand, the companies choose to introduce the latest technologies only with their Premier brands. The 2nd and 3rd brands usually follow suit several months or years later.
In our opinion, prices are not so different across the brands so it makes sense to stick with the primary brands from each stable. Plus, you would probably get much better product support from these brands.
Which are these Other Brands?
Refer to the article ‘Hearing Aid Brands In India‘ for more information.
Take a look at the hearing aids we offer here.
In Conclusion
It is ideal to:
1. Choose one of the Big-6 hearing aid brands
2. Finding the right Hearing Care Professional who you are comfortable with and can trust is probably more important than the product.
Let the professional choose the best hearing aid brands in India so that he or she gets the best results and best support. You might presume this decision is largely commercial (in favour of where they get better margins), but a professional would mostly make this decision on the basis of what gives the client a better experience. At the end of the day, the hearing care professional is relying on your spreading a good word amongst your friends and colleagues to further develop his or her practice.
If you or a loved one are suffering from hearing loss, get in touch with Centre For Hearing! We offer the most comprehensive diagnostic facilities across India, including Mumbai, Gurgaon, Delhi, the Chandigarh Tricity Area (Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula), and select locations in Punjab (Ludhiana, Patiala, Jalandhar). We provide only the latest and best technology in hearing aids and other instruments.
To book your consultation or learn more about our services, contact us now!
Find out more about our ongoing SPECIAL OFFERS on hearing aids in Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala and more. Get up to Rs.35,000 OFF on your purchase.
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