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Philips HearLink 9050 vs. Widex Allure

Check out our comparison of the Philips HearLink 9050 vs Widex Allure. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.

Philips HearLink 9050 miniRITE
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Philips

HearLink 9050 miniRITE

$1,599.99 per pair
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Score
4.3
Widex Allure RIC R D 440
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Widex

Allure RIC R D 440

SoundScore 4.5/5
$4,398 per pair
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HearLink 9050
$1,599.99 per pair
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Allure
$4,398 per pair
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Product Overview

HearLink 9050
Allure
Form Factor
Form FactorThis type of hearing aid sits behind the ear. A wire runs along the top of the ear and down to a speaker sitting inside the ear canal. An custom-fitted mold may be required.
Form FactorThis type of hearing aid sits behind the ear. A wire runs along the top of the ear and down to a speaker sitting inside the ear canal. An custom-fitted mold may be required.
Expert Rating
N/A
Score
4.3
User Rating
3.619 reviews
5.01 reviews
Hearing Loss LevelHearing Loss LevelThis represents HearingTracker's best guess on suitability. Please consult a licensed audiologist to confirm your own candidacy for this device.
MildModerateSevere
MildModerateSevere
Product Features
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidTelecoilIP68
Hands-freeRechargeableAndroidTelecoilIP68

Expert Ratings

Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.

HearLink 9050
Allure

HearingTracker Score

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Allure
4.3AVERAGE

Widex Allure is the brand’s most refined take yet on natural sound, pairing its signature low-delay PureSound approach with stronger speech processing and an excellent HearAdvisor A SoundGrade that places it among the top tier of prescription hearing aids, though it’s currently limited in styles and still waiting on key firmware updates like Auracast.

Read full review

HearAdvisor SoundScore

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Allure
4.5EXCELLENT

Widex Allure RIC 440 achieved a SoundScore of 4.5/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #7 of 36 Prescription Hearing Aid devices tested. The Prescription Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.91/5.

Build Quality

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Allure
4.9EXCELLENT

Widex Allure hearing aids have an impressive build quality, featuring a top-of-the-line IP68 ingress rating and a sturdy tabletop charging base.

Battery

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Allure
3.7AVERAGE

Moment Allure offer 25 hour all-day rechargeable battery life, with an impressive 7 hours of streaming. Recharging Allure will take around 4 hours and there is also a quick charge feature where 30 minutes of charge provides an additional 4 hours of power.

Bluetooth

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Allure
5.0EXCELLENT

Widex Allure hearing aids are Bluetooth compatible with both iOS and Android devices, allowing for audio streaming and hands-free calling. While they do not currently offer Auracast, they are future ready with Bluetooth LE audio.

App Features

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Allure
4.0BELOW AVERAGE

The Widex Moment app is all around impressive with its modern, high-contrast appearance and comprehensive features, including sound customization options like a multi-band equalizer. The app also offers dedicated tinnitus features which can be optimized with your hearing care provider.

Comfort

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Allure
5.0EXCELLENT

I found Sheer sRIC very comfortable due to their smaller size and ergonomic design. Your hearing care provider should help fit them with optimal comfort and hearing benefit.

Design

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Allure
5.0EXCELLENT

Sheer sRIC have a modern design and are available in a range of colors from discrete to bold. Personally, I appreciate how Widex hearing aids have a smoother shape and a subtly textured feel.

Value

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Allure
3.2BELOW AVERAGE

Widex Allure RIC 440 has a value score of 3.2/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Handling

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Allure
5.0EXCELLENT

I did not run into any issues while using Widex Moment Sheer hearing aids. They are very easy to use once setup by your hearing care provider. First-time users may need some practice to get accustomed to inserting the receiver-in-ear style properly.

Pro Support

HearLink 9050

Not yet rated by our experts

Allure
5.0EXCELLENT

You should receive quality hearing care and support from your provider. Telehealth, or remote care options, are also available though this requires some extra setup with a separate app and necklace dongle.

Lab Recordings

Listen to direct output recordings from our acoustic test lab.

HearLink 9050
Allure
Busy CafeBusy CafeSpeech intelligibility improvement in loud environments
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
HearLink 9050

Lab recordings not yet available

Allure
Quiet OfficeQuiet OfficeSpeech intelligibility improvement in quiet and moderate environments
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
HearLink 9050

Lab recordings not yet available

Allure
Streaming MusicStreaming MusicStreaming music provides a full range of bass and treble
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
HearLink 9050

Lab recordings not yet available

Allure

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
Allure
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.

Charge n Clean+1

The new Charge n Clean charger offers a stylish design and combines charging with automatic UV-C sanitization and drying for added hygiene. It features LED indicators, a 4-hour full charge, 30-minute fast charge, and runs a maintenance cycle while charging. It eliminates up to 99.9% of bacteria, yeast, and viruses and connects via USB-C.

Standard Charger

The new standard charger delivers hassle-free, reliable charging in a compact, stylish design. It features LED indicators, a 4-hour full charge, 30-minute fast charge, and convenient USB-C connectivity.

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.

RC-DEX

RC-DEX allows you to adjust the volume and switch between programs without directly touching your hearing aids. It features three simple buttons and is small enough to fit on a keychain, making it convenient to carry and use. As you activate its functions, verbal or tone cues in your hearing aids confirm your selections, and an LED indicator on the remote lights up during operation.

Smartphone App
None

Allure App

The Widex Allure app is a powerful companion for Widex hearing aid users, designed to enhance accessibility, personalization, and control. With features like real-time sound adjustments, battery status, AI-powered assistants, and a customizable equalizer, users can fine-tune their hearing experience to match specific environments. The app also includes helpful guides, troubleshooting support, Apple Watch compatibility, and a "Find My Hearing Aids" function to locate misplaced devices. It supports audio streaming on both iOS and compatible Android devices and offers a seamless, intuitive interface for greater independence and confidence.

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.

TV PLAY 2

TV PLAY 2 streams audio wirelessly from your TV directly to your Widex hearing aids.

Hardware

HearLink 9050
Allure
AccelerometerAccelerometerThis hearing aid is capable of measuring acceleration through an embedded sensor.
Yes
No
Bluetooth® AudioBluetooth® AudioThis hearing aid is capable of streaming Bluetooth® audio certain phones and/or devices.
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Android (ASHA)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
  • Bluetooth® Auracast™
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Android (ASHA)
GyroscopeGyroscopeThis hearing aid is able to determine orientation using embedded sensors.
Yes
No
Hands-Free CallingHands-Free CallingIt is possible to have a hands-free phone call with this hearing aid. You are not required to hold the phone up to your mouth.
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Android (ASHA)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
IP RatingIP RatingIP Ratings rate sealing effectiveness of hearing aids against intrusion from foreign solid matter (dirt, dust) and moisture.
IP68
IP68
Push ButtonPush ButtonThe hearing aid features a push button which allows toggling across different sound processing programs
  • Program control
  • Volume Control
  • Mute control
  • Power on/off
  • Call accept/reject
  • Tinnitus volume
  • Airplane Mode
  • Program control
  • Volume Control
Rechargeable BatteriesRechargeable BatteriesCharge your batteries overnight in a docking station and get a full day's use (in most cases) of battery life the following day.
Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion
Tap ControlsTap ControlsThe hearing aid may be controlled by physically tapping it with your fingers.
  • Accept/end calls
  • Accept/end calls
TelecoilTelecoilThe hearing aid is able to pick up audio from landline telephones or public audio systems without using its acoustic microphones. This minimizes background noise and improves clarity and understanding, even over great distances. At performing arts venues, events, government meetings, etc., look for assistive listening systems (hearing loop, FM, and infrared systems), which must be provided at no cost under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other international regulations.
Yes
Yes

Software Features

HearLink 9050
Allure
Adjustment BandsAdjustment BandsThese are frequency-divided sections that can be adjusted in a hearing aid in order to amplify sounds. Although there are rarely more than 10 frequencies measured in a hearing assessment, having more bands that can be adjusted may allow for improved speech understanding and user comfort.
Yes
15
AI Noise RemovalAI Noise RemovalArtificial Intelligence is utilized to remove or modify background noise from the sound signal to help isolate speech for better speech understanding.
AI Noise ReductionAI Noise ReductionHearLink 50 quickly removes background noise with the help of AI-powered technology, so speech is easier to understand in noisy environments.
No
Better Ear FocusBetter Ear FocusSome modern hearing aids can share sound from one ear to the other. In some cases the sound from the less noisy side can be shared to the other ear, enabling the listener to hear a cleaner sound in both ears.
Yes
No
Dedicated Streaming CompressorDedicated Streaming CompressorImproved sound quality of streamed sound, made possible by a separate streaming compressor.
No
Yes
DirectionalityDirectionalityDepending on the types and number of microphones a hearing aid has, the hearing aid may be able to boost sounds from specific directions (by reducing sounds from other directions). This can be helpful to focus on a speaker directly in front of the hearing aid user, as well as to give the user information about where different sounds are coming from.
No
High Definition Locator: 15High Definition LocatorAutomatic, adaptive, channel specific directionality to improve speech understanding in background noise
Ear SimulationEar SimulationThe outer ear, or pinna, can have a significant effect on the frequency shape of sound arriving at your inner ear. Some hearing aids mimic the "pinna effect" when producing sound, to deliver more natural sound to the listener.
3 options
Digital PinnaDigital PinnaThe central auditory system uses input from both ears to form spatial judgment, such as spatial awareness, localization, distance estimation, etc. The use of independent fast-acting compression in each ear can disrupt the loudness and timing relationship of sounds between ears (IID and ITD cues). This may alter the spatial relationship of sounds and lead to poorer spatial performance. The use of algorithms, such as the digital pinna, are designed to preserve the front/back localization cues. Source: Hearing Review
Environmental AdaptationEnvironmental AdaptationThe hearing aid can detect different acoustical environments, like speech in noise, and adjust the sound of the hearing aid accordingly to drive comfort or speech understanding, etc.
No
Sound Classifier Categories: 11Sound Classifier CategoriesHearing aids will adapt automatically to different listening situations to support clarity, comfort, and audibility.
Extended bandwidthExtended bandwidthHearing aid provides amplification at frequencies (pitches) higher than the typical hearing aid.
10kHz
No
Extended Dynamic RangeExtended Dynamic RangeExtended dynamic range typically makes louder sound clearer. This may help with the reproduction of loud music or loud speech in a very noisy environment.
Yes
No
Extended Input Dynamic RangeExtended Input Dynamic RangeTechnology used to reduce peak clipping resulting from sound passing through analog-to-digital converters (ADCs).
No
True-Input TechnologyTrue-Input TechnologyTrue Input technology solves increases the amount of sound you can hear through your hearing aid before clipping or distortion occurs.
Feedback SuppressionFeedback SuppressionIf any sound amplified by the hearing aid escapes the ear canal, it may reach the hearing aid’s own microphone and cause a harsh whistling noise. Some hearing aids are able to recognize when this feedback occurs and reduce or eliminate it.
Yes
Dynamic Feedback ControllerDynamic Feedback ControllerThe new Dynamic Feedback Controller adapts in real-time to manage feedback effectively while preserving the sound quality.
Frequency LoweringFrequency LoweringUnderstanding certain speech sounds is dependent on the high frequency parts of these sounds. For individuals with high frequency hearing loss, this feature can take high frequency speech information and move it to lower frequencies where it will be audible.
Yes
No
Handling noise reductionHandling noise reductionReduces noises related to hearing aid movement on the ear and noises related to hands or objects touching the hearing aid while worn.
Yes
No
Listening ProgramsListening ProgramsNumber of manually accessible listening programs (using push button, remote, app, or other switching method)
4
5
New User AdaptationNew User AdaptationProvider may set the hearing aid to gradually get louder over the first few weeks or months of a new hearing aid fitting. This can be convenient for new users who want to experience maximum benefit without making a lot of trips to the provider for tune ups.
Yes
No
Noise ReductionNoise ReductionThis feature uses modern hearing aids’ processing power to examine the incoming sound signal, determine if noise is present and reduce the volume of the troublesome sound to increase comfort.
No
YesSoft-level noise reductionSoft-level noise reductionProviding more gain for soft sounds (low compression thresholds) is good for amplifying soft speech but it can also mean soft unwanted sounds - such as the noise from fans, refrigerators, or even hearing aid microphone noises, are audible even when in quiet environments. The Soft Level Noise Reduction Algorithm differentiates unmodulated soft sounds from modulated soft sounds and reduces their amplification. This results in an enhanced sound quality for the user.
Processing ChannelsProcessing ChannelsThese are all the frequency-divided sections the hearing aid is able to examine at a single time. The hearing aid uses this information to determine whether the contents of each section are noise, speech, or something else and amplify the sound in each section accordingly.
64
15
Soft Speech BoostSoft Speech BoostMore aggressive amplification for softer speech sounds
Yes
No
Spatial AwarenessSpatial AwarenessListening to sound through hearing aids is not a natural experience, and your ability to tell where a sound is coming from may be impacted by the way sounds are amplified with hearing aids. Some hearing aids attempt to fix this problem by preserving cues to sound localization like between-ear level differences, etc.
4 options
No
Spatial Noise CancellationSpatial Noise CancellationThis feature recognizes where sounds are coming from and can reduce noise coming from behind or to the side of the listener. This helps the listener focus on the speaker, usually in front of them.
Yes
No
Streaming Bass BoostStreaming Bass BoostBoosts bass when streaming audio
Yes
No
Sudden Loud Noise ReductionSudden Loud Noise ReductionThis feature detects loud sounds and reduces their volume to a comfortable level. Though not a replacement for hearing protection, this technology can greatly improve listener comfort.
SoundProtect Transient Noise Reduction: 6 optionsSoundProtect Transient Noise ReductionThis feature detects loud sounds and reduces their volume to a comfortable level. Though not a replacement for hearing protection, this technology can greatly improve listener comfort.
Hammer DetectorHammer DetectorDetects and minimizes undesirable loud transient soundsTruSound SoftenerTruSound SoftenerPreserves comfort for sudden sounds at any input level by taking the edge off impact/impulse sounds.4 Modes
Tinnitus ReliefTinnitus ReliefTinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be addressed by hearing aids in several different ways, such as introducing a soft therapeutic signal or targeted notched noise.
Tinnitus SoundSupportTinnitus SoundSupportTinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be addressed by hearing aids in several different ways, such as introducing a soft therapeutic signal or targeted notched noise.
No
Unique Amplification StrategyUnique Amplification StrategyHearing aids all process sounds a little bit differently. Sometimes it varies even within one model.
SoundGuideSoundGuideBy using motion sensing technology to detect whether they are walking on a noisy street, sitting down with a loved one over coffee, or out and about with a group of friends, speech and other important sounds are now clearer than ever.SoundMap 3SoundMap 3SoundMap 3 uses AI Noise Reduction (AR-NR) and advanced directionality to carefully remove noise and prioritize speech in noisy environments...Speech ClarifierSpeech ClarifierSpeech Clarifier feature helps conversations stand out, even when you’re surrounded by noise.5 options
Allure PureSound™Allure PureSound™The Allure PureSound™ program enhances speech intelligibility in noise by 4.3dB for those with mild to moderate hearing loss, combining ZeroDelay technology with advanced processingSpeech Enhancer ProSpeech Enhancer ProA 52-band spectral analysis system that is designed to provide unparalleled granular control over speech and noisePremiumTruAcoustics™TruAcoustics™TruAcoustics™ provides customized, tailor-made fitting possible for patients of all hearing losses.
Wind Noise ReductionWind Noise ReductionAs wind blows against the microphones of hearing aids, unpleasant noise may be generated. Some hearing aids have the ability to recognize this wind noise and reduce its level. Such reductions may also affect the audibility of desired sounds, like speech.
SoundProtect Wind Noise ManagementSoundProtect Wind Noise ManagementAs wind blows against the microphones of hearing aids, unpleasant noise may be generated. Some hearing aids have the ability to recognize this wind noise and reduce its level. Such reductions may also affect the audibility of desired sounds, like speech.
Smartwind Manager: PremiumSmartwind ManagerKeeps speech and other important sounds audible while significantly reducing the wind annoyance.