Fact Checked
How we rate hearing aids
Our review compares hearing aids on customer satisfaction, so you can find out what other Aussies think about the compared brands before you go ahead with a purchase. Think of it as asking hundreds of your closest mates which hearing aid brand they think is best!
How many Australians do we survey for our ratings?
Canstar Blue surveyed 459 Australians for their feedback on the hearing aid(s) they’ve purchased and used in the last five years.
- The outcomes reported in these ratings are measured via accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics.
What criteria are used to rate hearing aid brands?
Respondents rate their satisfaction with their hearing aid brand(s) from zero to 10, where zero is extremely dissatisfied and 10 is extremely satisfied. Brand satisfaction was rated by respondents on the following criteria:
- Overall satisfaction: measures consumer satisfaction with a hearing aid brand as an individual score, NOT a combined total of all criteria.
- Performance: performs as described given frequency of use.
- User friendliness: process for use is simple and efficient in achieving results, instructions are easy to understand.
- Value for money: quality and longevity of product for price paid.
- Design: aesthetically pleasing without compromising functionality, appropriate weight and size for device.
- Battery and charging performance: battery performance over device lifetime, multiple charging options, fast charging.
- Durability: resistant to wear and tear caused by frequent use and/or accidental damage.
How do we determine the winner?
The winning brand is the one that receives the highest overall satisfaction rating once all the scores from the overall satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged.
- Overall satisfaction is asked as a specific question and represents an individual measure, not a combined total of all criteria.
- When we cannot determine a clear winner from the criteria for the overall satisfaction rating, we will then look at the other criteria measured in the rating.
- The brand with the highest number of five-star ratings within the supporting criteria will become the five-star recipient in overall satisfaction, and thus win the award. If a clear leader still cannot be determined from the supporting criteria, joint winners will be declared.
Which hearing aid brands do we rate?
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included, so not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The brands rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.
- Widex
- Oticon
- Starkey
- Phonak
- Amplifon
- Unitron
- ReSound
- Signia
Find more detailed information on our Most Satisfied Customer methodology.
Top Hearing Aid Brand – Widex
Widex offers behind-the-ear, receiver-in-canal and in-the-ear hearing aids, in ranges called Moment, Evoke, CROS and Magnify. Moment model hearing aids use bespoke PureSound technology that aims to provide clear, natural sound, are compatible with iOS and Android devices to allow streaming directly to the hearing aids, and have a water-resistant nano-coating for greater durability. Widex’s CROS line of hearing aids caters for one-sided hearing loss or single-sided deafness. The Magnify range features what Widex says is the market’s smallest receiver-in-canal device, while the Evoke line of ‘smart’ hearing aids allow for a more personalised sound. Widex also offers hearing aid accessories such as chargers, replaceable batteries, dryers, TV Play and SoundConnect.
About our consumer experts
Kate Lockyer: Content Producer
This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Home & Lifestyle Content Producer Kate Lockyer. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Journalism at the University of Queensland. Kate’s been writing professionally for two years, and has worked as a content writer, media assistant and newsroom contributor for a variety of organisations and publications, including the National Family Violence Prevention Legal Service, community radio station 4ZZZ and Shelly’s Swim School.
Meet the Editorial Team
Samantha Howse: Consumer Research Specialist
Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and two years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.
Meet the Research Team
Past ratings
Which brands have previously won Canstar Blue’s Customer Satisfaction Award?
Here are the past winners from Canstar Blue’s hearing aid ratings:
- 2022: Starkey & Oticon
- 2021: Starkey
- 2020: Phonak
- 2019: Unitron
- 2018: Siemens Signia
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