Only if the added fitting precision matters to you: the Infinio Ultra offers 20 adjustment bands for a hearing professional to fine-tune your response, a spec not documented for the HearLink 9050. If budget is the priority, the HearLink 9050 delivers telecoil access and IP68 durability at a much lower price.
Philips HearLink 9050 vs. Phonak Audéo Infinio Ultra
Check out our comparison of the Philips HearLink 9050 vs Phonak Audéo Infinio Ultra. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.
Published Updated
Quick Verdict
AI summarizedSummarized with AI assistance from our human-researched product information, in-lab testing, objective sound measurements, and expert ratings.
The real choice is between the HearLink 9050's telecoil and roughly $3,000 lower price versus the Infinio Ultra's 20-band fitting precision at a steep premium, and the HearLink is Costco-exclusive while the Infinio Ultra is not.
HearLink 9050
Choose the Philips HearLink 9050 if you want telecoil compatibility for looped venues and IP68-rated durability at roughly $3,000 less per pair than the Infinio Ultra, and you're comfortable buying through Costco's hearing centers.
Audéo Infinio Ultra
Choose the Phonak Audéo Infinio Ultra if you want a hearing professional to have 20 discrete adjustment bands to fine-tune your fit, and you're willing to pay a large premium for that finer in-clinic control.
What actually separates them
AI summarizedPrice gap
PriceThe HearLink 9050 runs about $3,000 less per pair than the Infinio Ultra, a difference large enough to be the deciding factor for most buyers unless the extra adjustment control below is worth that premium to you.
Fitting precision (adjustment bands)
SpecThe Infinio Ultra offers 20 adjustment bands for a hearing professional to shape the frequency response in detail; the HearLink 9050's band count isn't specified, so buyers who want documented fine-grained fitting control have a clearer answer with the Infinio Ultra.
Telecoil access
SpecOnly the HearLink 9050 includes a telecoil, useful for connecting to induction loop systems in theaters, places of worship, and some public venues; the Infinio Ultra has no telecoil.
Purchase channel
SpecThe HearLink 9050 is sold only through Costco's hearing centers, while the Infinio Ultra is not tied to that single retailer, which matters if you have a preferred audiology clinic or don't have Costco access nearby.
Product Overview
HearLink 9050
Audéo Infinio Ultra
Form Factor
Expert Rating
N/A
Score
4.5
User Rating
3.619 reviews
3.47 reviews
Hearing Loss Level
MildModerateSevere
MildModerateSevere
Product Features
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidTelecoilIP68
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidIP68
Expert Ratings
Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.
HearLink 9050
Audéo Infinio Ultra
HearingTracker Score
HearLink 9050
Not yet rated by our experts
Audéo Infinio Ultra
4.5EXCELLENT
Phonak’s Infinio Sphere delivers genuinely standout speech clarity in loud, noisy places thanks to its DEEPSONIC “Sphere mode,” but you’ll trade some discretion and may wrestle with fit or Bluetooth pairing to get that top-tier performance.
Read full reviewHearAdvisor SoundScore
HearLink 9050
Not yet rated by our experts
Audéo Infinio Ultra
4.9EXCELLENT
Phonak Sphere Infinio Ultra achieved a SoundScore of 4.9/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #3 of 39 Prescription Hearing Aid devices tested. The Prescription Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 4.19/5.
Build Quality
HearLink 9050
Not yet rated by our experts
Audéo Infinio Ultra
5.0EXCELLENT
Phonak Audéo Sphere Ultra have an excellent build quality with a robust, portable charging case and a high ingress rating of IP68.
Battery
HearLink 9050
Not yet rated by our experts
Audéo Infinio Ultra
4.6EXCELLENT
Ultra is designed to deliver all-day use, with battery-life figures of up to 56 hours under ideal conditions (i.e., in quiet with no streaming) and about 10-11 hours when Sphere mode is continuously engaged. They take 3 to 4 hours to recharge, and a 30-minute quick charge can provide an additional 6 hours of use.
Bluetooth
HearLink 9050
Not yet rated by our experts
Audéo Infinio Ultra
5.0EXCELLENT
Phonak Infinio Ultra are compatible with both iOS and Android, offering wireless audio streaming and hands-free calls. Pairing is now easier directly from your phone's Bluetooth menu.
App Features
HearLink 9050
Not yet rated by our experts
Audéo Infinio Ultra
5.0EXCELLENT
I found the MyPhonak Hearing Aid app easy to use with many useful features, including health and fitness tracking.
Comfort
HearLink 9050
Not yet rated by our experts
Audéo Infinio Ultra
5.0EXCELLENT
Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio Ultra were extremely comfortable and lightweight in my ears. In general, hearing care providers can make numerous physical changes to prescription hearing aids to improve comfort.
Design
HearLink 9050
Not yet rated by our experts
Audéo Infinio Ultra
4.1AVERAGE
Phonak's new Audéo Sphere Infinio Ultra model shares the same notably larger size as the original Phonak Infinio Sphere. This is needed for its increased AI processing. While the larger size may be more noticeable, Sphere Ultra remains comfortable, and your provider should have no trouble adjusting the fit to your preference.
Value
HearLink 9050
Not yet rated by our experts
Audéo Infinio Ultra
3.6BELOW AVERAGE
Phonak Sphere Infinio Ultra has a value score of 3.5/5 based on lab performance and public display price.
Handling
HearLink 9050
Not yet rated by our experts
Audéo Infinio Ultra
4.8EXCELLENT
Infinio Ultra are easy to use and adjust using either the large multi-function button or MyPhonak app. I had no issues making adjustments with either.
Pro Support
HearLink 9050
Not yet rated by our experts
Audéo Infinio Ultra
5.0EXCELLENT
Prescription hearing aids like Infinio Sphere Ultra are fit by hearing care providers so you should receive quality care. The MyPhonak app also opens the possibility for remote programming and virtual follow-up appointments.
Lab Recordings
Listen to direct output recordings from our acoustic test lab.
HearLink 9050
Audéo Infinio Ultra
Busy Cafe
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
HearLink 9050
Lab recordings not yet available
Audéo Infinio Ultra
Quiet Office
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
HearLink 9050
Lab recordings not yet available
Audéo Infinio Ultra
Streaming Music
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
HearLink 9050
Lab recordings not yet available
Audéo Infinio Ultra
HearingTracker partners with HearAdvisor to provide recordings and performance data from an acoustic laboratory that follows standard scientific procedures. All hearing aids are fitted and performance-tested for mild sloping to moderate hearing loss. All audio samples cutoff above 10kHz.
Accessories
Compatible accessories for each hearing aid
HearLink 9050
Audéo Infinio Ultra
Accessory Connectivity
None
RogerDirect™
As a break-through in hearing technology, Marvel hearing aids feature RogerDirect™ which allows the Roger technology to stream directly to Marvel hearing aids without having to attach an external receiver. This major innovation makes Roger technology easier to use and more attractive for a broader group ranging from mild to profound hearing loss. Roger technology makes use of intelligent and adaptive algorithms that continuously measure and precisely analyze noise levels to keep the Roger signal clearly audible above the background noise.
Battery Charger
Charger Plus miniRITE+1
A fast, portable charger for traveling light and charging on the go. Charge for a full day's power in 1 hour or get 4 hours of use from a quick 15-minute charge.
HearLink desk charger
A faster contact charger for a full day’s power in one hour, or up to four hours of hearing in only 15 minutes.
ChargerGo RIC Sphere Infinio+1
Charger with integrated battery
Remote Adjustments
None
myPhonak App+2
The myPhonak app allows you to access remote support, information about their hearing aids, and a hearing diary. The app also allows you to adjust the volume and pitch of your hearing aids, and change program settings.
Remote Control
AudioClip+3
The Philips AudioClip is a hearing aid accessory that serves as a remote microphone to help you better hear one-to-one conversations in noisy environments or when listening to someone speak from a distance.
Remote Control
To turn the volume up and down on your hearing aids you can use the Philips HearLink app. In case you prefer using the Philips Remote Control we have this option as well.
HearLink 2 app+2
App allows you to change programs, adjust the volume, mute your hearing aids, activate streaming options and personalize your sound. You can also use the app to connect with your hearing care specialist if you need to have your hearing aid settings adjusted remotely.
RemoteControl
The Phonak RemoteControl provides a discreet way to control your Phonak hearing aids.
Remote Microphone
None
Roger Table Mic II+1
Phonak Roger Table Mic II is a microphone dedicated for working adults who participate in various meetings. It selects the person who’s talking and switches automatically between the meeting participants.
PartnerMic™
Discreet remote microphone that helps to boost your partners voice in one-to-one conversations in noise.
TV Streamer
TV Adapter
Connect the Philips TV Adapter to your TV so you hear the sound from the TV directly in your hearing aids. This allows you to watch TV at your preferred volume.
Roger Select™+4
Phonak Roger Select is a microphone specifically designed to help boost your hearing performance and keep you at the heart of the conversation.
TV Connector
The Phonak TV Connector is a wireless accessory that streams audio directly from your TV or stereo system to your Phonak hearing aids, transforming them into wireless stereo headsets. Enjoy high-quality sound, independent volume control, and a long transmission range of up to 15 meters.
Roger On+1
Phonak Roger On is an advanced remote mic accessory developed by Phonak. It is designed to improve speech understanding in noisy environments, over distance, and when many people are speaking simultaneously. Equipped with MultiBeam 2.0 Technology, it provides a boost in understanding by capturing voices from all directions. The Roger On can connect to a variety of multimedia devices and is fully compatible with almost all hearing aids and cochlear implants that have a T-coil or a Roger receiver.
Hardware
HearLink 9050
Audéo Infinio Ultra
Accelerometer
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth® Audio
- Made for iPhone (MFi)
- Android (ASHA)
- Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
- Bluetooth® Auracast™
- Bluetooth® (A2DP)
- Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
- Auracast™ Ready
Gyroscope
Yes
No
Hands-Free Calling
- Made for iPhone (MFi)
- Android (ASHA)
- Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
- Bluetooth® (HFP)
- Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
IP Rating
IP68
IP68
Push Button
- Program control
- Volume Control
- Mute control
- Power on/off
- Call accept/reject
- Tinnitus volume
- Airplane Mode
- Program control
- Volume Control
- Audio Stream Mix
Rechargeable Batteries
Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion
Tap Controls
- Accept/end calls
- Voice assistant
- Accept/end calls
- Pause/Resume
- Tinnitus program
Telecoil
Yes
No
Voice Assistant
No
- Siri
Volume Rocker
No
Yes
Software Features
HearLink 9050
Audéo Infinio Ultra
Adjustment Bands
Yes
20
Adjustment Synchronization
No
QuickSync
AI Noise Removal
AI Noise Reduction
No
Audio Stream Mixer
No
Environmental Balance
Better Ear Focus
Yes
No
Directionality
No
StereoZoom 2.0UltraZoomPremium
Ear Simulation
3 options
Real Ear Sound
Environmental Adaptation
No
AutoSense OS: 6.0
Extended bandwidth
10kHz
No
Extended Dynamic Range
Yes
No
Feedback Suppression
Yes
WhistleBlock
Frequency Lowering
Yes
SoundRecover2
Handling noise reduction
Yes
No
Listening Programs
4
4
New User Adaptation
Yes
auto Acclimatization
Noise Reduction
No
NoiseBlock
Occlusion Reduction
No
AOV
Phone in Stereo
No
DuoPhone
Preference Adaptation
No
User Preference Tuning
Processing Channels
64
No
Soft Speech Boost
Yes
No
Spatial Awareness
4 options
No
Spatial Noise Cancellation
Yes
Dynamic Noise Cancellation
Streaming Bass Boost
Yes
No
Sudden Loud Noise Reduction
SoundProtect Transient Noise Reduction: 6 options
SoundRelax
Tinnitus Relief
Tinnitus SoundSupport
Tinnitus Balance
Unique Amplification Strategy
SoundGuideSoundMap 3Speech Clarifier5 options
Motion Sensor HearingSpeech Enhancer
Wind Noise Reduction
SoundProtect Wind Noise Management
WindBlock
Bottom Line
AI summarizedThe Verdict
The Philips HearLink 9050 is the pragmatic pick: it costs about $3,000 less per pair, adds a telecoil for looped venues, and carries an IP68 rating, though you'll need to buy it through Costco's hearing centers.
The Phonak Audéo Infinio Ultra asks for a large premium, and its main documented edge is 20 adjustment bands giving your fitter finer control over the frequency response.
Which is right for you?
If budget and telecoil access matter to you, the HearLink 9050 is the easier justification. If your priority is giving a hearing professional maximum room to fine-tune your fit and you're not constrained by price, the Infinio Ultra's adjustment range is the more defensible reason to spend more — but that premium isn't backed here by any measured performance advantage.
What to ask at your fitting
AI summarizedAsk about adjustment-band fitting on the Infinio Ultra
With 20 adjustment bands available, discuss with your fitter how finely they can tailor the Infinio Ultra to your specific audiogram versus the HearLink 9050.
Confirm telecoil needs before choosing
If you regularly use induction loop systems, the HearLink 9050's telecoil is a capability the Infinio Ultra does not offer.
Weigh the $3,000 gap against your budget
Ask your fitter whether the Infinio Ultra's added fitting precision justifies its roughly $3,000 premium over the HearLink 9050 for your specific hearing loss.