Phonak is the flagship hearing aid brand of Sonova, the world’s largest hearing aid manufacturer. 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. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, Phonak has more than 60 years of experience producing premium hearing aids, and has positioned itself as one of the most innovative and consistent hearing aid brands on the market. Phonak continues to push the envelope in an attempt to give everyone with hearing loss a shot at a premium listening experience.
The Phonak Virto M is another in a long line of innovative and high-quality hearing aids from Phonak. The Virto line is the smallest and most discreet hearing aid that Phonak makes, and the Virto Black Titanium is one of the smallest on the market. You can find many of the same features and much of the same technology that you see in any of the Phonak Marvel line of hearing aids. You get universal connectivity to almost any Bluetooth-enabled electronic, direct connection to Roger Microphones, incredible sound quality and stereo-quality streaming, the AutoSense Operating System (OS), and much more all in a small and discreet package. The following is a review and description of the Phonak Virto Marvel line of hearing aids.
Why Invisible Hearing Aids?
It is estimated that only about 31% of people between the age of 45 and 65 who suffer from hearing loss actually purchase and use hearing aids. While cost is an obstacle it is not the only reason that people do not get help with their hearing. By making some of the smallest hearing aids on the market that sit far enough inside your ear canal that they are invisible, much of the stigma that comes along with hearing aids is gone because people do not even know they are there.
Things to Consider Before Buying
The Phonak Virto M is an ITE hearing aid that is custom-molded to fit inside your ear canal. There are numerous versions of the Virto M hearing aid including a titanium model, a Virto Black, Invisible-In-the-Canal (IIC), and other ITE hearing aids. While the most important feature of the Virto M devices are their size, they also offer a myriad of other features that hearing wearers find important. Other than the small size of the devices, you also get universal connectivity and hands-free calling, not to mention the stereo-quality sound that you get when streaming music or other audio. You also get the technology and sound quality that you find in the Marvel line of Phonak hearing aids.
Pros
- Phonak’s smallest and most discreet hearing aid.
- Many of the same features you find in the Marvel line of Phonak hearing aids.
- Each one is custom-fit to the size and shape of your ear.
- Multiple “invisible” options so that other people may not even know you are wearing a device.
- Directionality features help you to pinpoint the source of the sound you are hearing which helps with conversations and overall hearing.
- NoiseBlock and WindBlock help keep ambient sounds from affecting your hearing.
- Great connectivity features especially for an ITE hearing aid.
- Some are so small that the occlusion effects that many hearing aid wearers suffer from are virtually nonexistent.
- The fitting process done by your audiologist means that it will fit better than most other hearing aids.
- The IP68 rating means that it is dust and water resistant, but the device should be removed prior to bathing, swimming, or any other time they could be submerged in water.
- Models like the Virto Black and Virto Titanium have even more customization features and are either invisible or stylish depending on the model.
Cons
- No rechargeable option.
- Can be difficult to clean and be affected by ear wax.
- On the expensive side.
Features & Benefits (link a benefit to each feature)
Design/Type of Hearing Aid
The Virto line of hearing aids are the smallest ITE and invisible hearing aids that Phonak offers. They are made to be discreet and many of the Virto models are even invisible. The Virto Marvel has the same connectivity, sound quality, and directionality features as many other Marvel hearing aids just in a very small package. You can find Virto Marvel hearing aids for almost any level of hearing loss from mild to profound and in multiple models so that you can find the shape and features that you want.
Fit and Wearability
Along with the size of the Virto M, the fit and wearability are one of the things that hearing aid wearers like most about the Phonak Virto. Every hearing aid must be fitted to the size and shape of your ear by a licensed audiologist and this makes them both very wearable and very comfortable. They do not take that long to get used to, and they sit far enough in your ear canal that they are virtually undetectable.
Performance
- Battery
All Virto Marvel hearing aids use zinc-air batteries so none of the Virto models are rechargeable. It is difficult to find a rechargeable option in a model as small and discreet as the Phonak Virto, so hearing aid wearers have to choose between the convenience of a rechargeable hearing aid and the discretion of an invisible one. The average person will get approximately 60 hours worth of use out of a size 312 battery though that can vary based on streaming time and hearing loss.
- 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 each Bolero Marvel device so that they can work together to triangulate sounds.
- Adaptability
Almost any hearing aid is going to take some time to adapt to. However, the small size and professional customization and fitting that go along with the Virto M make these hearing aids much easier to adapt to than most. Many of the Virto M models sit so far in your ear that you do not physically see them, and after a while you do not even think about them anymore either. Because of where they are placed, Phonak Virto M hearing aids are able to use the natural shape and acoustics of your ear to aid in hearing, and the occlusion that is common with many hearing aids is virtually non-existent with these.
- Noise cancellation
WhistleBlock and WindBlock work together to take away two of the most annoying noises that can affect a person with hearing aids. They work together with NoiseBlock to effectively cut down on the amount of ambient and extra noises that creep into your hearing aids. The size and placement of these IIC hearing aids also help to keep out any extra environmental noises.
- 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 can also reduce the very loud and uncomfortable noises in your environment so you can focus on the sounds that are important. 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
AutoSense 3.0 is one of the features that sets the Marvel line of hearing aids 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
- Streaming
The Virto M streams directly from almost any Bluetooth-enabled device directly to your Virto M hearing aids. You get stereo-quality sound, hands-free calling, and the convenience of a one-push button to answer calls when they come in. The streaming quality and universality of the connection make this one of the most advanced ITE and IIC hearing aids out there.
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. A hearing professional can install a Roger receiver directly into your hearing aid so that all you need is the Roger microphone. 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. 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.
- Phonak Charger
The Phonak charger is, of course, vital if you have one of the rechargeable models. This charger also dries your hearing aids and treats them with UV light when charging.
Unique Perks and Features
Bluetooth connectivity
Phonak Marvel is known as the first line of hearing aids that had universal connectivity and could connect directly to Android devices as well as iPhones. Smartphones, tablets, televisions, and almost any other Bluetooth-enabled device can be connected to the Phonak Virto M.
MyPhonak App
The myPhonak app is free to access and use with the purchase of the Phonak Audeo Marvel 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. 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.
Personalization/Customization/Adjustments
The personalization and customization of the Phonak Virto Marvel is one of its most important features. The Phonak Virto M is one of the smallest hearing aids on the market, and as such there are some challenges to it. It can be difficult to put in and take out, the battery can be challenging, there are no rechargeable options, and earwax can cause issues for the device. The primary reason that people like this device is because it is invisible and comfortable to wear, and a lot of that comfort and discretion is based on the fact that every device is customized to your ear’s size and shape. There are some really good technology features as well, but it is the ability to customize this device and place it inside your ear canal that sets the Virto M apart.
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
With any other hearing aid, the final cost can vary greatly depending on the model, the technology, the place where you buy it, and the technology and materials present. With the Virto M, the prices vary even more. If you purchase the Virto M Titanium, you can expect to pay a minimum of $5,000 for a set or even more. Some of the other Virto M hearing aids can be found at a better price, but because of their size and high quality construction, you can expect to pay more for the Virto M than other hearing aids.
FAQs
- How much is the Phonak Virto Marvel?
For an ITE or ITC hearing aid with all of the features and rechargeability of the Phonak Virto M, you can expect to pay between as much as $5,000 and $7,000 or more for a pair. It is difficult to find an ITE or invisible hearing aid with the features of the Virto M.
- Is the Phonak Virto M rechargeable?
No. There is no rechargeable option with the Phonak Virto line of hearing aids. With the devices being so small and customized, the Virto M needs the power of a disposable battery as well as the room to house as much technology as possible.
- What is Phonak Marvel?
Phonak Marvel is a technology platform associated with Phonak hearing aids. It is used to describe a large line of hearing aids with many different designs, features, and styles, but built on the same platform. Marvel hearing aids offer universal connectivity, great hearing performance, high sound quality, and good speech clarity.
- When did Phonak Marvel come out?
The Marvel line of hearing aids was introduced in 2018. At the time, the Roger line of microphones was very popular and Phonak promised an upgrade by the Fall of 2019 that would allow Marvel devices to connect to Roger accessories. Marvel was based on universal connectivity to iPhones, Android devices, and most Bluetooth enabled devices, and the addition of Roger microphone connectivity would set Marvel devices apart even more. RogerDirect was introduced in 2019 and now you can connect your Marvel hearing aids directly to a Roger microphone with no need for any other accessory. In early 2020, the first Phonak Naida Marvel was introduced combining the features of the Marvel line with the power of the Naida.
The Phonak Virto Marvel hearing aids are the smallest in the Phonak arsenal and some of the smallest and most discreet on the market. Many people who would greatly benefit from hearing aids will not wear them because of the stigma associated with the device themselves. Phonak took that information and developed an almost imperceptible line of hearing aids in the Phonak Virto M. They offer many of the same features and most of the same technology that you can find in any Marvel hearing aid, including universal connectivity and hands-free calling. If you need hearing aids for any level of hearing loss from mild to profound, then schedule a time to meet with your audiologist and find out if the Phonak Virto M is the right solution for you.
