ReSound Vivia vs. Phonak Sphere Infinio

When it comes to AI-powered hearing aids, ReSound Vivia and Phonak Sphere Infinio stand out. Both are prescription-only, professionally programmed devices designed for people who demand excellent hearing performance in noise, seamless connectivity, and all-day comfort. But while they both boast impressive features, their designs, sound processing, apps, and everyday usability are surprisingly different. If you’re deciding between these two industry leaders, read on. We’ll break down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your ears, your lifestyle, and your hearing goals.

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AI Sound Processing: Two Supercomputers in Your Ears

Artificial intelligence is not just for self-driving cars or creepy robots anymore. It’s revolutionizing hearing aids. Both ReSound Vivia and Phonak Sphere Infinio use deep learning and machine learning to deliver smarter, more adaptive sound processing. But they take very different routes to get there.

ReSound Vivia features a Deep Neural Network (DNN) trained on 25 years of real-world conversations—13.5 million sentences in over 30 acoustic environments. This isn’t just marketing fluff. That massive dataset allows Vivia’s AI to understand what speech sounds like in context and enhance it, even in noisy environments. What really sets Vivia apart is its Intelligent Focus feature, which prioritizes the direction you’re looking. So if you turn your head toward someone in a restaurant, Vivia focuses on their voice. The goal? Mimic how natural hearing works with visual cues.

Phonak Sphere Infinio, on the other hand, is powered by the proprietary DEEPSONIC chip and runs on the upgraded AutoSense OS 6.0. It delivers what Phonak calls Spheric Speech Clarity. This system uses real-time environmental detection to automatically shift sound processing. You walk into a coffee shop, it switches modes. Someone starts talking on your left, it adjusts directionality. The Sphere Mode adds a layer of AI-powered denoising that reduces listening effort by up to 45%. It’s designed to make speech pop out of the chaos. Phonak’s AI processing is about adaptability and clarity in motion.

One thing to keep in mind: while both hearing aids use AI to process sound, ReSound’s DNN is always running. Phonak’s advanced Sphere Mode may need to be manually activated in some cases—a small thing, but it can impact how much of that AI magic you’re getting minute-to-minute.

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Battery Life: Power for the Long Haul

Battery life is one of those things you don’t think about—until your hearing aids die mid-conversation.

ReSound Vivia is the clear champion when it comes to battery longevity. On a full charge, it delivers up to 30 hours of power. If you stream a lot of audio or use Intelligent Focus regularly, you can still expect about 20 hours. Running DNN and streaming continuously brings it down to around 10 hours, but that’s extreme usage. And if you’re in a pinch? A 10-minute quick charge gets you an extra 2.7 hours of use. The Vivia also comes in a disposable battery option if you prefer not to recharge.

Phonak Sphere Infinio offers a solid 16 hours of battery life per full charge. But here’s the catch: if you rely heavily on Sphere Mode in noisy settings, that battery life can drop to 7 hours. The high-powered AI engine uses more juice. That said, Sphere comes with a handy charging case that provides up to 3 extra full charges, perfect for travel or long days. Charging takes about 3.5 hours for a full top-up.

If you want to set-it-and-forget-it for the day, Vivia has the clear advantage. But Phonak’s charger adds convenience and peace of mind.

Size, Style, and Discretion

Let’s face it: if you’re going to wear something all day, it better be comfortable—and ideally invisible.

ReSound Vivia offers the world’s smallest microRIE (Receiver-In-Ear) hearing aid. This sleek, lightweight device is practically invisible behind the ear and still manages to include top-tier technology. It comes in three styles: the MicroRIE, RIE 61, and RIE 62 (which includes a telecoil). All models are IP68 rated, so you can wear them in dusty or humid environments without worry. And they come in 10 color options to match your skin tone, hair, or mood.

Phonak Sphere Infinio is larger, and some users with smaller ears or who wear glasses may find it a tight fit. That said, Phonak does offer a wider range of models, including custom-fit in-the-ear (ITE), completely-in-canal (CIC), and invisible-in-canal (IIC) options. If personalization and style options are your priority, especially for hard-to-fit ears, Phonak has more to offer.

In short, ReSound wins on discretion and comfort, while Phonak provides a broader range of fit solutions.

Bluetooth and Connectivity: Streaming, Hands-Free Calls, and Auracast

Modern hearing aids are more than amplifiers—they’re also Bluetooth headsets. Let’s compare how these two handle wireless tech.

ReSound Vivia supports Bluetooth LE Audio 5.2 and is Auracast-ready. That means you can stream directly from iPhones and most Android phones. iOS users get native hands-free calling, while Android users may need a clip-on accessory. Vivia connects to ReSound’s line of accessories like remote microphones, TV streamers, and phone clips. Vivia’s app also supports remote care appointments, perfect for tweaking your settings from home.

Phonak Sphere Infinio steps it up with Bluetooth 5.3 Dual Mode, offering stronger transmission power and longer streaming range—6 times more power and double the distance compared to older Phonak models. It can pair with 8 devices and maintain two active connections at once. Android and iOS users both get true hands-free calling. The Infinio is also Auracast-ready, and it pairs with Phonak’s suite of accessories like Roger microphones, PartnerMic, and TV Connector.

If you live on Zoom calls, stream audio all day, or juggle multiple devices, Phonak gives you more flexibility. If you want simplicity, Vivia keeps it clean and easy.

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App Control and Customization

Having an app that actually does what you want matters—especially when it comes to hearing preferences that change daily.

ReSound Vivia uses the Smart 3D app, which is intuitive and easy to navigate. You can adjust volume, switch programs, fine-tune sound quality with a 3-band equalizer, and activate tinnitus masking. Tap controls on the microRIE model let you control calls and audio with a simple double tap. You can even schedule remote sessions with your hearing care provider. ReSound focuses on usability and convenience, without overwhelming you with features.

Phonak Sphere Infinio uses the robust myPhonak app. It includes everything from volume control to program switching, plus a health tab that tracks steps and hearing aid usage. You can create custom programs, adjust noise reduction and speech focus, and use the AI Dome Proposer for more precise acoustic performance. There’s even a “Find My Hearing Aids” feature in case they disappear between couch cushions.

Phonak’s app offers more granular control, which is great for tech-savvy users. ReSound’s app is more straightforward and accessible to most users.

 

Everyday Listening: What Users Are Saying

Let’s get to the good stuff—how do these hearing aids actually perform?

ReSound Vivia gets high marks for speech clarity in noise, particularly when users engage Intelligent Focus. Its directional awareness is natural and intuitive. Many users report less fatigue in noisy environments like restaurants or outdoor gatherings. Some reviews note that real-ear measurements are essential to get the best from Vivia, as out-of-the-box settings may feel too soft.

Phonak Sphere Infinio earns praise for its Sphere Mode, especially in extremely noisy places. The AI-based processing truly shines when background noise is intense. The sound is described as rich and full, with minimal effort needed to follow conversations. However, the size and shorter battery life can be a drawback for some, and Sphere Mode may need manual activation in certain settings.

Overall, both deliver premium performance, but your experience may depend on how often you’re in noisy environments, how tech-comfortable you are, and what style you prefer.

Which One Belongs in Your Ears?

Choosing between ReSound Vivia and Phonak Sphere Infinio comes down to lifestyle, personal preferences, and hearing needs.

• Want a sleek, ultra-small device with outstanding battery life and simple controls? Go with Vivia.
• Need a power-packed device with deep app control, custom-fit options, and long-range connectivity? Sphere might be the better fit.

Remember, both are prescription hearing aids—not over-the-counter. That means they’re best programmed by a professional and fine-tuned over time.

Ready to Try One? 

At Injoy Hearing, we specialize in premium prescription hearing aids like ReSound and Phonak. Our licensed hearing care providers offer remote programming, real-ear measurements, and ongoing support. We don’t service hearing aids bought elsewhere—we focus on getting it right the first time.

If you’re ready to explore the latest AI hearing aid technology, let us guide you toward the model that fits your life.

Contact Injoy Hearing today and take the first step toward better hearing.