STÄFA, SWITZERLAND – Phonak announced that its Virto R Infinio and Infinio Ultra Sphere hearing aids have been named winners in the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Awards, presented by the Business Intelligence Group.
The annual awards program recognizes organizations, products, and technologies applying artificial intelligence to drive measurable impact across industries.
Both devices were recognized in the health category for their use of AI to enhance speech clarity and reduce background noise, with the goal of improving hearing outcomes in everyday listening environments.
“This recognition reinforces our commitment to developing intelligent hearing solutions that automatically adapt to changing sound environments. By applying AI in meaningful ways, we’re empowering people with hearing loss to communicate more effortlessly in the real world.”
–Oliver Frank, Vice President of Phonak Marketing
Pushing AI Forward in Hearing Technology
Phonak Virto R Infinio
The Virto R Infinio uses AI to classify listening environments—such as quiet, speech in noise, or music—and automatically adjust hearing aid settings in real time.
This approach enables the device to optimize features such as noise reduction and directionality, supporting a more personalized listening experience.
Phonak Infinio Ultra Sphere
The Infinio Ultra Sphere applies AI directly to sound processing, using a deep neural network to separate speech from background noise in real time. Rather than only adjusting device settings, the system is designed to enhance the speech signal itself, particularly in complex listening environments.
Since its launch in 2025, the Virto R Infinio has received multiple industry recognitions, including the 2026 iF Design Award, a 2025 Hearing Technology Innovator Award, and the 2026 Business Intelligence Group Innovation Award. The Infinio Ultra Sphere also received a 2026 iF Design Award earlier this year.
The recognition highlights Phonak’s continued focus on applying artificial intelligence within hearing technology, with an emphasis on improving real-world listening performance.
About Phonak
life is on. Since 1947, Phonak has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with hearing loss. Seventy-five years later, our passion for creating life-changing hearing solutions that help people thrive physically, socially, and emotionally remains. By offering the industry’s broadest portfolio of hearing solutions, we’re committed to creating a world where “life is on” for everyone.
At Phonak, innovation is not limited to products. We work to change the conversations surrounding people with hearing loss. We do this by fighting the stigma of hearing aids and creating an understanding of how hearing is connected to the broader context of healthy living.
About Sonova
Sonova is a global leader in innovative hearing care solutions: from personal audio devices and wireless communication systems to audiological care services, hearing aids and cochlear implants. The Group was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Stäfa, Switzerland. Sonova operates through four businesses – Hearing Instruments, Audiological Care, Consumer Hearing and Cochlear Implants – and the core brands Phonak, Unitron, AudioNova, Sennheiser (under license) and Advanced Bionics as well as recognized regional brands. The Group’s globally diversified sales and distribution channels serve an ever-growing consumer base in more than 100 countries. In the 2024/25 financial year, the Group generated sales of CHF 3.9 billion, with a net profit of CHF 547 million. Around 18,000 employees are working on achieving Sonova’s vision of a world where everyone enjoys the delight of hearing.
Sonova has a long-standing commitment to innovation and was ranked no. 12 among the most innovative companies in Europe in 2025 by Fortune magazine, selected from 300 companies across 21 countries and 16 industries. For more information, please visit www.sonova.com.
Source: Phonak
