Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Phonak Audéo Lumity

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid ($250) that earns a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.4/5 in our lab testing. This visible-in-ear device delivers strong performance in several key areas while showing limitations in others. In our testing, the AirPods Pro 3 excels at music streaming, scoring 4.3/5—a strong result that sits 2.37 points above the OTC category average. Speech understanding also performs well, with speech in quiet scoring 3.5/5 (0.86 points above average) and speech in noise at 2.7/5 (1.57 points above average, though only mixed in absolute terms). Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5, meaning users shouldn't experience whistling issues. The notable weakness is own-voice comfort, which scores 1.9/5—a low result that falls 0.59 points below the category average. Users who are sensitive to hearing their own voice may find this bothersome, particularly during extended conversations. The AirPods Pro 3 shows substantial improvement with tuning, jumping from a normalized Initial Score of 3.1/5 to a Tuned Score of 4.4/5. This suggests the device benefits significantly from personalized adjustments through Apple's hearing test feature. With iPhone and Android streaming, hands-free functionality, and rechargeable batteries, this device suits tech-comfortable consumers who prioritize music quality and wireless convenience alongside hearing support.

The Phonak Audéo Lumity is a premium prescription behind-the-ear hearing aid released in 2022, currently available at $4,398. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.3/5, ranking #11 among 36 prescription hearing aids tested. Speech performance is a clear strength for the Lumity. Speech in quiet scores an excellent 4.8/5, measuring 1.37 points above the category average. Speech in noise comes in at 2.3/5—above the category average by 0.75 points, though still mixed in absolute terms. This reflects a common challenge across the category rather than a specific shortcoming of this device. Music streaming quality is strong at 4.1/5, outperforming the category average by 1.46 points, making it a solid choice for users who frequently stream audio from their phone. Feedback handling is excellent at 5.0/5. However, own-voice comfort scores low at 1.0/5, falling 1.75 points below the category average—a notable weakness that some users may find bothersome. The Lumity is best suited for users who prioritize speech clarity and streaming quality and can tolerate potential own-voice discomfort. It has earned HearAdvisor's Expert's Choice Award in both 2023 and 2024. Buyers in this premium price range should also consider the higher-scoring Oticon Intent or newer Phonak Sphere Infinio if maximum performance is the priority.