STÄFA, SWITZERLAND – Phonak has announced the launch of Roger On Sphere™, a new wireless remote microphone that incorporates deep neural network (DNN) technology to separate speech from background noise in real time. The device brings AI-based speech enhancement to the company’s established Roger microphone platform, with the goal of improving communication in challenging listening environments where hearing aids alone may not provide sufficient benefit.
Designed for use in restaurants, meetings, family gatherings, classrooms, and other demanding environments, Roger On Sphere combines Phonak’s Sphere speech-processing technology with the Roger wireless transmission system. According to the company, the new microphone provides an additional 3 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) benefit compared with its predecessor, while automatically adapting to different listening situations.
Phonak describes Roger On Sphere as the first remote microphone to incorporate DNN-based speech-from-noise separation in real time. The product is scheduled to become available in most markets beginning in mid-November 2026.
Bringing AI Speech Separation to Roger Technology
Remote microphone systems have long been used to help individuals with hearing loss access speech in situations involving distance, competing noise, or multiple speakers. By capturing speech closer to its source and transmitting it wirelessly to compatible hearing devices, these systems can improve the signal-to-noise ratio reaching the listener.
Roger On Sphere builds on this approach by incorporating AI-based speech separation directly into the microphone. Rather than relying solely on microphone directionality and wireless transmission, the new system uses a dedicated deep neural network to analyze incoming audio and distinguish speech from surrounding noise.
The technology draws on Phonak’s existing Sphere processing architecture, which applies AI-based techniques to speech understanding in noisy environments. In Roger On Sphere, the processing is integrated into the remote microphone itself, allowing enhanced speech signals to be transmitted to compatible hearing aids and other hearing devices.
According to Phonak, its RogerSense OS™ continuously analyzes the acoustic environment and applies speech-from-noise separation across all microphone modes and noise levels.
“Roger has transformed communication in demanding listening environments for nearly two decades,” said Alain Kertész, Senior Director Roger. “Roger On Sphere brings AI-driven speech separation to a remote microphone, giving users greater clarity and confidence in situations that were previously difficult to manage.”
Phonak Reports Additional 3 dB Signal-to-Noise Benefit
One of the primary performance claims accompanying the launch is an additional 3 dB improvement in signal-to-noise ratio compared with the previous Roger On microphone.
Phonak states that this improvement is equivalent to approximately 50% less noise power, potentially allowing users to communicate in environments with twice the noise level while maintaining a comparable signal-to-noise ratio.
The company attributes these findings to a 2026 Phonak Insight publication by Roh, Gigandet, and Sans, titled Expand your world, with Roger On Sphere. The reported 3 dB advantage applies within the device’s typical operating range.
For hearing care professionals, the distinction is relevant because even advanced hearing aids can have difficulty maintaining speech intelligibility when the target talker is distant or competing sounds are particularly strong. Remote microphones address part of this challenge by improving access to the desired speech signal, while Roger On Sphere adds AI-based processing intended to further reduce interfering noise.
However, the manufacturer’s reported SNR improvement should not be interpreted as a guaranteed improvement in speech understanding for every listener or environment. Individual benefit will depend on factors including hearing status, microphone placement, background noise, and the connected hearing technology.
Automatic Adaptation Across Listening Environments
Roger On Sphere is designed to support a range of everyday communication situations without requiring users to manually switch between microphone modes.
The system automatically adjusts its operation for settings such as meetings, lectures, online calls, restaurants, family gatherings, and car journeys. This allows the microphone to adapt to different communication arrangements, including conversations involving multiple speakers.
Key capabilities include AI-powered speech-from-noise separation through RogerSense OS, automatic microphone mode adjustments, and low-latency wireless transmission using Phonak’s Roger protocol.
The new model also introduces an updated hardware design and enhancements to the myRogerMic experience.
By integrating automatic microphone control with DNN-based noise reduction, Phonak aims to reduce the need for users to make adjustments as they move between different listening environments.
Compatibility with Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants
Roger On Sphere is intended to work with a broad range of hearing solutions, including hearing aids and cochlear implant systems.
Phonak specifically identifies compatibility with products across the Sonova portfolio, including Phonak Naída and Virto hearing aids and Advanced Bionics cochlear implant systems.
This broad compatibility is important for individuals who rely on remote microphones as part of their hearing rehabilitation, particularly those with substantial communication difficulties in background noise or over distance.
For cochlear implant recipients and hearing aid users alike, remote microphone technology can provide access to speech that may otherwise be difficult to distinguish from surrounding sounds. The addition of AI-based speech separation represents another approach to improving the quality of the signal delivered to the listener’s hearing devices.
Specific connectivity requirements and any necessary Roger receivers or accessories should be confirmed for each hearing aid or cochlear implant configuration.
Clinical Applications and Availability
Phonak is encouraging hearing care professionals to demonstrate Roger On Sphere during clinical appointments, allowing patients to experience its potential benefits in realistic listening conditions.
Such demonstrations may be particularly relevant for patients who report persistent difficulty understanding speech in restaurants, group conversations, workplace meetings, or other noisy environments despite receiving appropriately fitted hearing aids.
Beyond conventional hearing aid fittings, remote microphone systems may also be considered as part of broader communication strategies for individuals who require additional support in educational, professional, and social settings.
Phonak Roger On Sphere is expected to become available in most markets beginning in mid-November 2026. The company has not specified pricing in its launch announcement.
Additional information is available at www.phonak.com.
References
1. Roh, M., Gigandet, X., & Sans, M. (2026). Expand your world, with Roger On Sphere. Phonak Insight. Reported 3 dB signal-to-noise ratio benefit compared with the preceding Roger On model, within the typical operating range.
About Phonak
Founded in 1947 and headquartered in Stäfa, Switzerland, Phonak develops hearing aids, wireless communication systems, and other hearing solutions as part of the Sonova Group. Its portfolio includes hearing technologies designed to improve communication across everyday listening environments. Phonak’s Roger wireless microphone systems provide additional speech access for individuals with hearing loss in challenging acoustic conditions. For more information, visit www.phonak.com.
