The real impact of exceptional speech understanding on client care

As hearing care professionals, we know that speech understanding is often the deciding factor in how satisfied a client feels with their hearing aids. It influences how they engage in daily life, how often they use their devices, and how much trust they place in the technology we recommend.

In a recent independent benchmarking study¹, Phonak was rated the top-ranked brand for hearing aids that deliver exceptional speech understanding. The same study also placed Phonak at the top of the industry for innovative technology (e.g., DNN, AI), with speech understanding highlighted as a key strength.

These results align with what many clinicians observe in daily practice: that consistent, high-quality performance in this area plays a central role in positive outcomes and client satisfaction.

Supporting communication where it matters most

Clients consistently report similar priorities in clinic settings. They want to follow conversations in noise, understand soft-spoken voices, and feel less fatigued by the end of the day. While audiometric thresholds provide important insights, the real challenge often lies in helping clients follow speech in dynamic, unpredictable situations.

Phonak Infinio hearing aids address this need with adaptive technology that responds automatically as listening conditions change.

Key features include:

• SpeechSensor, which detects where speech is coming from and adjusts the microphone focus to provide access.
  
• StereoZoom 2.0, which narrows the directional focus and improves speech understanding in noise with speech coming from the front.²
  
• Speech Enhancer, which supports better speech understanding from a distance and helps reduce listening effort with soft or distant voices.³

These technologies are designed to help clients stay engaged in conversation, even when the speaker isn’t directly in front of them. Working quietly in the background and orchestrated by our intelligent automatic operating system AutoSense OS™, they allow for smoother interactions without the need for manual adjustments.

Whether in a small group, a noisy café, or a quiet one-on-one conversation, these features aim to support natural communication. By adapting to different environments, they help wearers feel more connected and comfortable throughout the day.

AutoSense OS™: The chameleon of hearing technology
Just as a chameleon intuitively adapts to its surroundings, Infinio hearing aids adjust automatically to the listening environment. Watch this video to see AutoSense OS in action.

Enhancing both client and professional confidence

One of the most rewarding aspects of hearing care is witnessing a client regain confidence in their communication. When a client reports being able to follow a conversation without asking for repetition, or feeling more present during a family gathering, this feedback reinforces that the fitting has made a meaningful impact.

From a professional perspective, knowing that we are working with technology designed to support clarity in real-world environments allows for more confident fittings. It enables greater focus on counseling and personalization, and less on managing device limitations.

Looking ahead, client expectations continue to evolve. They want more natural listening experiences, more effortless conversations, and more reliable support in noise. Speech understanding remains a cornerstone of successful hearing care, and with innovations that respond to real-life challenges — backed by a clear track record of performance — we can help clients reconnect with the people and experiences that matter most.

Want to learn more?

If you’re interested in how Phonak Audéo™ Infinio supports everyday patient outcomes through exceptional speech understanding, follow the link below.
Learn more about Phonak Infinio.

Explore our interactive listening demo to hear how AI-driven technology optimizes speech understanding in real-world scenarios. A valuable tool to share with clients when discussing the benefits of the latest hearing solutions.
Experience the demo – Hearing Aids and Solutions | Phonak

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References:

1. Sonova proprietary research. (2025). Project ID# 4759 Please contact marketinsight@phonak.com if you are interested in further information.

2. Woodward, J. & Latzel, M. (2022). New implementation of directional beamforming configurations show improved speech understanding and reduced listening effort. Phonak Field Study News, retrieved from www.phonak.com/evidence.

3. Latzel, M., Lesimple, C., & Woodward, J. (2023). Speech Enhancer significantly reduces listening effort and increases intelligibility for speech from a distance. Phonak Field Study News. https://www.phonak.com/evidence