A Long Search for the Right Fit
This is my third attempt to find suitable replacement hearing aids, and I’m happy to report I’ve finally found success with the Sennheiser Sonite R hearing aids.
Previously, I used a pair of Phonak Audeo B hearing aids for nearly seven years. They provided excellent sound clarity and were very comfortable, but their age meant they lacked Bluetooth connectivity. Streaming audio required wearing a separate pendant device around my neck, which was inconvenient and cumbersome.
The Phonak Infinio Experience – A Costly Misfire
Over time, my hearing has slowly deteriorated, making conversations more challenging to follow. Additionally, using my phone was difficult unless it was set to hands-free mode for sufficient amplification. Seeking a modern solution, I initially invested in high-end Phonak Infinio Sphere i90 hearing aids, assuming their advanced features would address these challenges. At the time, they cost $8,200 AUD from Hearing Savers in Melbourne. I had read glowing reviews, watched all the promotional videos, and was genuinely excited about the noise filtering and upcoming support.
Sadly, the reality was far from the hype. The aids were noticeably bulky—more than I had expected, even knowing in advance. Worse still, the sound experience was disappointing. I noticed no improvement in noisy environments. In fact, things got worse. In restaurants and busy settings, I often heard people behind me more clearly than those at my own table. It felt like more unwanted noise was being amplified rather than filtered.
To put it plainly, they messed with my head. I experienced sensory overload, confusion, disorientation, and mental fatigue. Despite remote adjustments by my audiologist, the discomfort persisted. I would find myself desperate to remove them by the end of each day, just to feel normal again. Eventually, I had no choice but to return them. Thankfully, Hearing Savers honoured their money-back guarantee, minus a $70 restocking fee.
Back to the Old Audeos
After that experience, I was totally turned off the idea of AI hearing aids. I went back to my old reliable pair of Phonak Audeo B hearing aids for a few more months and decided I’d wait until the next generation of AI aids came along—hopefully more refined and less chaotic.
Discovering Costco’s Hidden Gems
In the meantime, I started diving deep into online research. That’s when I discovered that Costco sells high-quality hearing aids at a fraction of the price of traditional hearing aid clinics. They often sell rebranded versions of well-known models at 60–70% less, and their customer guarantees were jaw-dropping: a 3-year warranty, 90-day satisfaction period, and even free replacements if the aids are lost. It seemed too good to pass up.
By this point, I had become somewhat addicted to hearing aid reviews on YouTube. Honestly, not the kind of addiction I ever imagined I’d have, but there I was—spending up to 10 hours a week watching video reviews, especially from qualified audiologists. A few brands kept popping up consistently, one of them being the Rexton Reach—sold exclusively through Costco. The written reviews were solid, but it was a particular video review by a fitter that convinced me these were going to be the ones.
The Rexton Reach – Promising But Flawed
So I tried the Rexton Reach hearing aids, and while the price and Costco service were excellent, the aids themselves left me disappointed. The sound quality felt tinny and harsh, and instead of making things clearer, they added to my fatigue. The lack of classic Bluetooth connectivity meant I couldn’t connect them directly to my phone or TV—a dealbreaker in today’s world. One moment that stands out was standing in a supermarket checkout line, straining to understand the cashier, even though these were brand new aids. I found myself thinking, “Wow, my old Phonak Audeo B hearing aids actually handled this better.”
Another thing that really bothered me about the Rexton Reach was the design. The receiver wire came out of the top side part of the hearing aid shell, which meant that when worn, the top of the aid stuck up above the ear line. It was clearly visible from the front, making them far more conspicuous than I was comfortable with. That might seem minor to some people, but it made me self-conscious and added to my dissatisfaction.
Ultimately, I returned them within the satisfaction period.
Enter the Sennheiser Sonite R – Smooth and Reliable
And then came the Sennheiser Sonite R.
If I had to give a one-word review of the Sennheiser Sonite R hearing aids, it would be: smooth. From the moment I put them in, everything just worked. The sound quality was clean, natural, and easy on the ears. Transitions between quiet and noisy environments felt seamless. Unlike the Rexton Reach, the Sennheiser Sonite R didn’t fatigue me over the course of a day. They were simply comfortable—not just physically, but mentally.
Bluetooth Without the Fuss
The Bluetooth connection is solid, allowing me to take phone calls and stream audio from my TV or Chromecast without needing a neck pendant or streamer. I can leave my phone in another room and still have a two-way conversation through the aids. That level of convenience has changed how I interact with people and technology throughout the day.
Another great Bluetooth feature is that you don’t need any proprietary streaming devices. I’ve had no trouble connecting these aids to my Google Chromecast, my TV, my old Android phone, or even my Linux computer. Everything just connects and works without fuss. It’s a level of cross-device compatibility that’s genuinely impressive.
Built on Proven Technology
It’s also worth noting that many people believe the Sennheiser Sonite R is a rebranded version of the Phonak Lumity platform—a newer and more advanced hearing aid line that builds on the success of the earlier Paradise models. That would help explain why the Sonite R performs so well, especially considering its price point compared to name-brand Phonak options.
The Charger Case – A Design Oversight
That said, the Sennheiser Sonite R isn’t perfect. One downside is the charging case that comes with it. While compact and well-designed, it doesn’t hold a charge on its own. Unlike the Rexton Reach case—or cases from brands like Philips and Jabra—which can recharge the hearing aids multiple times without being plugged into a wall, the Sennheiser case only works when connected to a power outlet.
At first, I didn’t think this would matter. But when planning a camping trip, I realised it could be a real issue. To solve the problem, I bought a USB power bank to plug into the charger. Unfortunately, that didn’t work well—the power bank shuts off before the hearing aids are fully charged, likely because the draw is too low and it thinks nothing is connected. So if you’re planning to be away from a power source for any length of time, it’s something to consider.
Another problem I’ve noticed with the Sennheiser charging case is what happens when it’s not connected to power. If the case loses power while the hearing aids are inside, they automatically turn on. This creates two problems. First, if you leave them in the case overnight and there’s a power outage, they’ll drain their batteries by morning. Second, because they’re on while in the case, they may emit a high-pitched whistling sound—which I can’t hear, but my family certainly can. On more than one occasion, they’ve heard them whistling in the middle of the night.
There is a workaround: you can set the aids not to automatically turn on when removed from the charger. But that comes with its own drawback.
The Final Verdict – Is It Worth It?
Despite those few drawbacks, I honestly think the Sennheiser Sonite R offers extraordinary value for money. The only real limitation I’ve noticed is that hearing in noisy environments is still a challenge. But that’s the trade-off—this model comes at roughly a quarter of the price of high-end hearing aids, and if you’re willing to accept that compromise, then everything else about the Sonite R is very, very good.
Considering the performance, ease of use, and peace of mind I now enjoy, the Sennheiser Sonite R hearing aids have been worth every cent.
It’s been a long road, but I finally feel like I’ve landed on a solution that doesn’t just tick boxes—it fits my life. Smoothly.
EDIT: It might be worth mentioning, that Costco uses system when fitting. (Just in case you were wondering)
EDIT: If you do get these hearing aids, make sure to request that the mic is deactivated when in Bluetooth mode. If its activated, it means it is also picking up room noise as well as Bluetooth. If someone does talk to you, you can double tap your ear to turn off bluetooth and then have a conversation. Another double tab of the ear will turn back on.
I can promise you that asking your fitter to have the mic off while in BT mode will improve the experience immeasurable.
EDIT: Part of this journey was the mental adjustment of transitioning from open domes to . The close domes still have two small holes and that does help with that blocked ear feeling.
Edit: Thanks to a members suggestion on here, I have found that most battery banks do allow slow charge devices to recharge if you hold down the power button for a few seconds or more. That was a great tip and have fixed up a recharging issue for me.
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