Based in Zurich, Switzerland, Phonak is one of the leading hearing aid manufacturers in the world. With more than 60 years of experience producing premium hearing aids, Phonak has positioned itself as one of the most innovative and consistent brands on the market. In 2007, the company renamed itself Sonova Group, and they are the largest hearing aid manufacturer in the world. The company offers one of the broadest lines of hearing aids in the world, and within those lines you can find almost any feature, style, color, and technology that you can imagine. Phonak continues to push the envelope in an attempt to give everyone with hearing loss a shot at a premium listening experience.
The Phonak Naida Link Marvel (M) is a multifunctional power hearing aid that can be paired to an Advanced Bionics Naida sound processor. The Naida Link M allows the wearer to have a state-of-the-art hearing aid with a monaural or binaural configuration, and if cochlear implants become a part of your hearing journey they can pair with that as well. Sometimes, a hearing aid in each ear is not enough, and in those cases a cochlear implant may be recommended. With the Naida Link M, you can have a hearing aid in one ear and a cochlear implant in the other and they can work together to help you hear. The following is a description and review of the Phonak Naida Link M.
Things to Consider Before Buying
The Phonak Naida Link M is a power hearing aid with the features of the Marvel line of Phonak devices. Marvel hearing aids can recognize and automatically adapt to your environment and listening situation. You get the AutoSense 3.0 Operating System (OS) that adjusts your settings to predetermined levels depending on where you are. The Naida Link M gives you rich, clear sound with high end connectivity so that you get the power of a Naida hearing aid and the features of a Phonak Marvel.
Power hearing aids are made specifically for people who suffer with severe to profound hearing loss, but sometimes even hearing aids as powerful as the Phonak Naida Link are not enough. When that is the case, a cochlear implant may be recommended by your doctor, and when that is the case, one Naida M can be paired with a Phonak Advanced Bionics Naida processor. You can actually begin with a pair of Naida M hearing aids, and If your hearing gets worse to the point that you need the cochlear implant your Naida Link M hearing aid will pair with that device as well.
Pros
- Can be used in tandem with cochlear implants when needed.
- Has the features included in the Marvel line of hearing aids while also giving you the amplification of a power hearing aid.
- Universal connectivity.
- One of the few power hearing aids on the market that also have many of the same connectivity and sound quality features you find in more traditional hearing aids.
- RogerDirect allows you to connect directly to Roger Mics without the need for a separate device.
- The myPhonak app is feature-rich and easy to use.
- A good lineup of compatible accessories.
- The Phonak name is synonymous with quality and innovation.
- Access to the Hearing Success Portal so that you can practice listening with your new, powerful hearing aids.
- AutoSense 3.0 Operating System (OS) automatically adjusts settings to your preferences and environment.
- Connects seamlessly to Android devices and iPhones and gives you hands-free calling as well.
Cons
- No In-The-Ear (ITE) options.
- No rechargeable options.
- An expensive option.
- If you do not have severe or profound hearing loss, there are other, better solutions.
- You myPhonak app will not work with the Advanced Bionics Naida CI M90 sound processor.
Features & Benefits
Design/Type of Hearing Aid
The Phonak Naida Link M was created for people with severe to profound hearing loss. It is a BTE hearing aid and the receiver sits in your ear canal.
Fit and Wearability
The earpiece that sits in your canal can and should be customized to your ear’s shape and size. This can be done with the help of an audiologist who can also walk you through design, features, and power options as well. You cannot really customize the device that sits behind your ear, but it is small and lightweight so that you can get used to it pretty quickly.
Performance
- Battery
There are no rechargeable options with the Naida Link M hearing aid, and the disposable battery is one of the most common hearing aid battery sizes, 13.
- Sound quality
- Directionality
Uses UltraZoom and Real Ear Sound to both pinpoint the direction of speech and other sounds. The ability to pinpoint specific sounds allows you to hear speech with more clarity and to more clearly hear the things that you need to hear. There are multiple microphones in the Naida Link M that can work together to triangulate sounds.
- Adaptability
It can take time to get used to your device both from a feel and performance standpoint. All of the Naida Link M hearing aids are BTE hearing aids so they sit on the outside of your ear, and that can take time to get used to. It is a lightweight and discreet device, however, and you will get used to how it feels quickly.
The more difficult part, in terms of adaptability, is all of the new sounds and noises you will have access to. It can be difficult to learn how to listen, but the Phonak hearing success portal gives you ample time to practice and get used to hearing with this powerful device.
- Noise cancellation
WhistleBlock and WindBlock along with NoiseBlock that is discussed below, cancels the unwanted noise that wind and whistling can cause.
- Adaptive noise reduction
Noise Block Processing is Phonak’s noise reduction technology. It is effective at reducing the environmental noise, especially in louder environments, that may make hearing more difficult or uncomfortable. NoiseBlock recognizes speech and differentiates it from non-speech sounds so that it can remove the unwanted noise and you can focus on speech.
- Automatic sound adjustment based on environment
SoundSense 3.0 is an important aspect of the Naida Link M because your hearing aids can sense your environment and listening situation and adjust settings and features to predetermined levels based on your environment. With this feature, you do not even have to touch your device or the app as your hearing aids do the work for you.
- Streaming
The Phonak Naida Link M can stream audio from almost any Bluetooth enabled device directly without the need for an extra piece of equipment. If you want to connect your hearing aids to devices that are not Bluetooth enabled, there are some accessories available that could help you do that. You also get the RogerDirect technology that allows you to directly connect with high-quality Roger microphones without the need for extra equipment. You can stream music, phone calls, podcasts, books, etc. and you get stereo-quality sound while you stream.
Accessories
- Roger Microphones
Even with all of the available technology to help boost the performance of hearing aids in noisy environments or over distances, many hearing aid wearers still report challenges with their hearing in these situations. Roger digital wireless technology can boost the performance of your Phonak hearing aids even in the most challenging environments. These high end microphones help to improve your speech understanding in noisy places, enhances your listening experience in groups, and gives you access to multiple talkers in meetings or other gatherings. Even if you need cochlear implants and you pair your Naida Link M with the Advanced Bionics Naida CI M90 sound processor, both devices will pair together and connect to Roger products over Bluetooth. The available Roger Microphones include:
- Roger On
Created for when conversations are held in places with a lot of background noise or over a great distance.
- Roger Select
Designed to help with group conversations like around a table, in a small group setting, or any other time you are conversing with a group of people and want to hear everyone.
- Roger Table Mic
A great device for business meetings where you can set the device on the table and it can use its multiple microphones to pick up everyone’s voice.
- Roger Touchscreen Mic
A classroom-specific microphone that is designed to be placed anywhere in a classroom so that a child can actively participate in the classroom with the teacher, small group, or whole class together.
- Phonak Partner Mic
A very easy-to-use remote microphone when you need a little extra help with a one-on-one conversation. Regardless of the environment and noise level, you will be able to converse with the person you are with clearly and with less effort.
- TV Connector
You can stream audio from any television or stereo directly to your hearing aids with great sound quality. It is a simple plug-and-play device that will give you great streaming capabilities immediately.
- Phonak Remote Control
If you do not want to use the myPhonak app, this Phonak remote control is the best way to control your hearing aids with a handheld device. There are three large buttons that are easy to use without even looking at the device, and the device is so discreet people might not even know you have it.
Unique Perks and Features
Bluetooth connectivity
With most power hearing aids, you can either connect to a few devices or you get no connectivity at all. With the Naida M, on the other hand, you get the universal connectivity that Phonak Marve devices are known for with the power of the Naida line of devices. Even when you pair a Naida M hearing aid with the Advanced Bionics Naida CI M90 sound processor, you can connect both devices to almost any Bluetooth enabled electronic device.
MyPhonak App
The myPhonak app is free to access and use with the purchase of the Phonak Naida M hearing aids and using this app is the best way to get the most out of your hearing aids. The app is compatible with most smartphones out there, and it will help you both control your hearing aids and allow them to reach their full potential. It is important to note that the myPhonak app only works when your Naida Link M devices are in monaural mode or connected with each other. It will not work when connected to your cochlear implant. Here are some of the features included with the app:
- Remote Support
With remote support you can video chat with a hearing professional and that same professional can adjust your hearing aids remotely in real time.
- Remote Control
You can control your hearing aids with your smartphone simple by adjusting the settings and features you desire. You can adjust volume, select programs, adjust noise cancellation, and create your own preferred settings and programs.
- Hearing Diary
With the “Hearing Diary” feature you can rate your listening experience, see your usage, share feedback with your hearing professional, and more. This feature helps your hearing aids learn how to help you more.
- “My Hearing Aids”
Everything going on with your hearing aids can be found in this section of the app. You can find your battery level, Bluetooth configuration, wearing time statistics, etc.
Hearing Success Portal
This online learning tool helps you to make sense of the new sounds that you hear with your new device. The portal is filled with resources that you can customize to your own listening experience and practice your listening skills any time and any where.
Hands-Free Calling
WIth most devices, hands-free calling can only be found with an accessory or if you have a made-for-iPhone device. The Audeo Marvel can seamlessly connect to almost any of your Bluetooth devices to provide hands-free calling with no need for an accessory or a specific model phone.
AutoSense 3.0
AutoSense 3.0 is one of the features that sets the Audeo Marvel apart. With AutoSense 3.0 your hearing aids can sense your environment and adjust settings and features to predetermined levels based on your environment. With this feature, you do not even have to touch your device or the app as your hearing aids do the work for you.
Binaural VoiceStream Technology
Allows you to stream full audio bandwidth in real time. This feature enables Phonak hearing aid wearers to focus on a single voice in challenging listening situations.
Remote Support
As mentioned above, you get direct support through the myPhonak app.
Tinnitus Relief
The “Tinnitus Balance Noise Generator” generates a broadband sound for use in tinnitus management therapies. You can either mask the effects of tinnitus or add a sound therapy like “Tinnitus Retraining Therapy” to train your ears to fight against it.
Cost
The Phonak Naida Link M is a little easier to price because there are not many models or technology levels associated with the device. The Naida Link M was designed to be used either as a set or to be paired with cochlear implants, but the cost described here does not take cochlear implants into account. You can expect to pay at least $3,000 for a set of Naida Link M hearing aids, but as much as $5,000 or more depending on the service you receive from your audiologist and the accessories and other supplies you purchase.
FAQs
- Does Phonak Naida Link M have Bluetooth?
Yes. One of the best features of the Naida Link M hearing aid is that it is a power hearing aid with universal connectivity. You can connect directly to almost any other Bluetooth-enabled device and that includes hands-free calling both with iPhones and Android devices.
- What is the most advanced Phonak hearing aid?
The latest Phonak release is the Audeo Paradise and it is also the most feature-rich and technologically advanced hearing aid that Phonak makes. The Marvel line of hearing aids are feature-rich and technologically advanced, but the Paradise line of hearing aids have more automatic features and are more intuitive an faster than the Marvel line. They are also generally more expensive. The Bolero Marvel hearing aids are some of the simplest and easiest to use of the Phonak lines and many hearing aid wearers prefer these features even over advanced technology.
- What is Phonak Naida Link M?
The Phonak Naida is a power hearing aid that offers the same level of connectivity that you can find in traditional hearing aids. The problem with many power hearing aids is that, while they offer greater levels of amplification, you lose certain features because of the extra power. Usually the primary feature that you lose is connectivity, but not in the Phonak Naida Link M. The “M” stands for Marvel which means you get Phonak’s “universal connectivity” along with other Marvel features in a power hearing aid. It is also in the “Link” line of Phonak devices which means it can connect directly to cochlear implants when they are needed.
With the Phonak Naida Link M you get all of the power of a Naida device with the connectivity and features of the Phonak Marvel line. These hearing aids will work alone as power hearing aids or when connected to the Phonak Advanced Bionics Naida CI M90 sound processor. This means that if there is a chance that cochlear implants are in your future, you should start with the Naida Link M so when it is time for the cochlear implants, you do not have to change your hearing aid as well. One of the most important things that the Naida Link M provides is connectivity. While many power hearing aids do not connect directly to other devices, the Naida Link M does and that feature becomes more important every day. If you have severe or profound hearing loss, the Naida Link M is a good option, but if there is a chance you will need cochlear implants in the future then you should definitely take a look at this hearing aid because of its features.
