Phonak Brio 3: How Does It Work, Complaints & Alternatives DEV

Key Takeaways

Phonak Brio 3 series, designed for Costco, offered versatility with receiver-in-canal (RIC), behind-the-ear (BTE), and in-the-ear (ITE) options.

While Brio 3 aids improve hearing comfort and quality, complaints include high cost, poor call quality, lack of tinnitus-reducing features, and limited accessory compatibility.

Nano Hearing Aids has advanced features like Bluetooth, noise reduction, and rechargeability at more affordable prices.

With FDA registration and a 45-day money-back guarantee, Nano caters to adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss effectively.

About Phonak Hearing Aids and The Phonak Brio 3

Phonak is one of the world’s largest and industry-leading hearing aid companies. Established in 1946 in Zurich, Switzerland, the company has been in business for about 75 years.

The brand has a reputation of being long-lasting and technologically advanced. However, the brand is also somewhat criticized for its higher price range when compared to similar types of hearing aids.

The Brio 3 series by Phonak was exclusively designed for Costco customers and can only be purchased there. There are five types of RIC, two types of BTE, and four types of ITE hearing aids available in the Phonak Brio 3 range.

*Update: Since the time of writing, the Phonak Brio 3 series have been discontinued.

Nano Hearing Aids are FDA-registered, Class I devices. These OTC hearing aids are designed for individuals over 18 years of age with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment. Nano won the Top ENT Solution Provider 2023, has 24/7 customer care, and has an affordable price compared to others.

How Does Phonak Brio 3 Work

C/AT: Phonak Brio 3 hearing aid.

Phonak claims the Brio 3 series to be versatile and is ideal "for those who demand the best hearing performance.” The company claims that the series delivers the best performance without compromising comfort or style. The price also fluctuates greatly since there are various models to choose from.

The series has a lot of options in terms of battery types (rechargeable/non-rechargeable), wireless or limited wireless, variation in volume and power level switches, and many more. Overall, the Phonak Brio 3 series is fully automatic and works well for mild to profound hearing loss.

Users have expressed satisfaction in the comfortable fit of the products. They have also expressed that their hearing experience has improved after using Phonak Brio 3 series hearing aids. While not all products of the series come with Bluetooth features, users applaud the ones that do.

C/AT: Phonak Brio 3 hearing aid.

Complaints About Phonak Brio 3

Even though the series has a wide price range, it is one of Costco’s most expensive lines of hearing aids. But despite being expensive, most products of this line are also not Bluetooth-enabled - hence the considerable amount of negative feedback. Users have complained about not being able to stream music, audiobooks, or other forms of audio media.

Some users also said while the fit might be comfortable, hearing sounds or receiving phone calls in one ear is uncomfortable (for the versions with the Bluetooth feature). Some have also complained the phone calls have poor quality and low volume.

Only one out of the 11 types of products of the Phonak Brio 3 series has a rechargeable battery. Most products are not compatible with accessories.

Best Phonak Brio 3 Alternatives

C/AT: Nano First Ear Plus BTE

NANO is one of the top choices if you’re looking for Phonak Brio 3 alternatives. Established in 2017, we already have a large volume of positive reviews from users. All our hearing aids have advanced features and are priced affordably.

C/AT: Nano First Ear Plus BTE

Model	Price	Type	Key Features	Battery Life	Additional Notes
Audacity® RIC	$697	Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)	Bluetooth enabled, directional microphones, noise reduction, feedback management, app for control	Up to 17 hours per charge	Includes multifunction button and app for customizable settings.
First Ear Pro BTE	$497	Behind-the-Ear (BTE)	Omnidirectional microphone, noise reduction	Up to 20 hours per charge	Features a multifunction rocker for easy adjustments.
First Ear Pro CIC	$397	Completely-in-Canal (CIC)	Nearly invisible design, multifunction button	Up to 18 hours per charge	Discreet design, ideal for users seeking a virtually invisible hearing solution.
First Ear Plus CIC	$297	Completely-in-Canal (CIC)	Noise reduction, two program settings	Up to 18 hours per charge	Offers multiple listening modes for different environments.
First Ear Plus BTE	$297	Behind-the-Ear (BTE)	Omnidirectional microphone, noise reduction	Up to 20 hours per charge	Features a multifunction rocker for user-friendly operation.
First Ear Plus ITE	$347	In-the-Ear (ITE)	Touch switch for adjustments, portable magnetic charging case with a built-in dehumidifier	Up to 38 hours per charge	Long-lasting battery life and convenient charging options for on-the-go users.

Most importantly, all Nano hearing aids are FDA-registered, have a 45-day money back guarantee, 24/7 lifetime support, and are suitable for individuals above 18 years old with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Which Phonak hearing aid is the best?

One of the newest lines, Phonak Paradise, is considered the best Phonak hearing aid line. These products are rechargeable, let you wirelessly stream, and are Bluetooth compatible. The line of products incorporates the latest technologies Phonak has to offer.

Why are Phonak hearing aids so expensive?

Phonak is often criticized for being more expensive than the average hearing aid. This is because Phonak uses custom-made technology for each of their lines or series of hearing aids.

How long do NANO hearing aids last?

All Nano OTC hearing aids models are rechargeable and can last between 17 to 38 hours (for Nano Audacity® RIC and Nano First Ear Plus ITE models, respectively). These devices come with a small, portable charging case. The Nano First Ear Plus ITE model’s charging case also has a dehumidifier.