Review: Phonak Virto R Infinio Hearing Aids

One of the first decisions hearing aid users have to make seems like a simple one: opt for a traditional behind-the-ear (BTE) device that represents the state of the art or an in-the-ear (ITE) offering that is more discreet. The latter seems like a no-brainer, but most ITE hearing aids have a major drawback: They don’t offer the same level of audio fidelity as BTE hearing aids.

There are a lot of reasons for this, but much of it comes down to size: ITE hearing aids are smaller, so they don’t have room for the electronics that BTE units can fit into the package. Also, since ITE aids are contained entirely within the ear canal, their microphones are less effective, trapped inside your skull instead of living freely next to it. Battery life can also be an issue with smaller ITE hearing aids, also due to size reasons. Phonak, one of the leading companies in prescription hearing aids, has been working hard to bring ITE aids up to parity with BTE models. With its Virto R Infinio, it goes a long way toward making that a reality.

Custom Fit

Photograph: Chris Null

The Infinio is easily Phonak’s most advanced ITE model to date, in large part because it is exclusively available with custom-fit ear molds. Long available on studio monitors and a few luxe hearing aids, these molds have to be made by an audiologist who squirts goo into your ear and then extracts it once it becomes firm, maintaining the unique shape of the ear canal.

This mold is then used to create the shell for the Infinios, each of which arrives as a single, bespoke, Cronenbergian piece. That means you don’t just get a snug, perfect fit: The snakelike ear-tip design also places the receiver as close to your eardrum as possible, theoretically maximizing its amplification.

This is a prescription-only product, and you’ll have to visit a licensed audiologist to be fitted for one. In fact, two appointments will be required: One for the initial molding, the other to tune the hearing aids after they’ve been crafted, which takes about a week.

The Infinio is available in two basic designs, one “open” and one “closed.” The decision of which to opt for is similar to making the choice of ear tips on a standard hearing aid. (Note that the Infinio does not require or work with additional ear tips.) The open design has a vented channel running through it, which allows just a touch of ambient sound into the ear canal. The closed design, however, is exactly that. It seals off the ear completely, like an earplug. I tried both but quickly gravitated to the open offering; the closed hearing aids were too isolating—and overkill for someone with my more modest level of hearing loss—though users who frequently use their hearing aids for streaming may find the isolation to be a plus.

In the ear, the units fit incredibly snugly and look more like earplugs than earbuds, with nothing protruding from the ear except for a tiny retrieval wire. After a little practice, they become as easy to pop in and out as my favorite earbuds, locking into place with a little swivel. The units have only a single control button on the exterior face. This is used to power the units on or off and can also be used to accept or hang up on phone calls over Bluetooth. All remaining configurations, including volume adjustments, must be done in the myPhonak mobile app.

Solid Sound

Photograph: Chris Null

The hearing aids are outfitted with Phonak’s latest processor and software, but the proof of quality really comes in the testing. Overall, quality was very good—though it was clearly short of top-tier BTE hearing aids from the likes of GN ReSound and Starkey.

Despite four default environmental programs, my audiologist encouraged me to leave them in Automatic mode as much as possible, and this was the right call. Audio was gently to moderately boosted in the frequencies where I needed it, echoes and feedback were nonexistent, and hiss was audible only if I cranked the volume up to uncomfortable levels. (Volume can be adjusted individually per ear if desired.)

I encountered an odd issue when watching TV, where high-pitched sounds (like squawking walkie-talkies) created an uncomfortable squeal. I also found this to be a slight problem with otherwise subtle high-pitched noises, namely the clicking of my mouse. Switching to the TV mode helped alleviate some of this, but I had to return to the audiologist a third time for another tweak to the high-frequency settings to temper it further. Note that all of the built-in environmental modes can be adjusted by the user, and Phonak can tweak frequency settings further in the office to help improve any additional outlying issues.

One issue Phonak can’t fix is its baffling inclusion of a charging case that does not include a battery. The enormous case includes nifty magnetic attachments for the two hearing aids, which illuminate when charging—but none of that works if the case is not plugged in via its USB-C port. Phonak claims a maximum battery life of 30 hours (without Bluetooth streaming); however, I never achieved more than 23 hours in my tests. That’s plenty for casual use, assuming you have the opportunity to charge your aids overnight, but heavy users who forget their cable on a weekend road trip may encounter trouble. I also found that the batteries drain slowly even when they’re not in use, which could compound this issue.

Photograph: Chris Null

On the plus side, the units are extremely comfortable, though I didn’t really expect them to be, considering that the entire body is crafted from hard plastic. No padding inside the ear canal? Turns out it doesn’t matter because the fit is so perfect. I was able to wear these hearing aids for hours on end without any discomfort or itchiness. At 2.28 grams each, they aren’t the lightest ITE aids on the market (by far), but they’re nonetheless largely unnoticeable, because nothing is jutting out of your ear and because they fit so well. In time, they effectively become just another part of your body.

Bluetooth streaming quality is considerably better than most hearing aids provide, with at least a nod toward including some bass in the mix. However, noise cancellation doesn’t compare to what you’ll find on top-shelf earbuds, so don’t plan on using these to stream music while on the treadmill or on the plane. A hearing aid locator system is also included in the myPhonak app, which pinpoints the last known location of the devices on a map.

Naturally, as prescription hearing aids, the Infinio comes at a cost. Audiologists all set their own prices, but Phonak says $4,000 is about average. The quality is definitely better than cheaper over-the-counter options like the $1,000 Sony CRE-C20, but is it four times better? That’s always an impossible question to answer in this industry—and since you can’t really test-drive these hearing aids without getting a custom fit version first, perhaps even more impossible.

If your budget allows and you don’t want the headaches of a behind-the-ear model, I recommend them highly.