The French hearing aid market is undergoing a phase of consolidation that directly alters the fitting conditions. Comparing Audika and Amplifon in 2026 is not just about brand choice: the capital structure, adaptation protocols, and recent regulatory constraints weigh as heavily as the catalog of hearing devices offered.
Vertical concentration and independence of Amplifon and Audika hearing centers
Amplifon is currently negotiating the entry of GN Hearing into its capital. According to LeGuideAuditif.fr, 17.2% of hearing aid retail outlets in France are already owned by a group controlled by a manufacturer. If the acquisition is approved by the competition authorities, this share could rise to 28.2%. The price of the capital increase reserved for GN has been set at 11.267 euros per share, which would give GN Hearing about 17% of Amplifon’s capital.
This vertical integration between distributor and manufacturer is not neutral for the patient. A center owned by a manufacturer may steer fittings towards its own models, thereby reducing the actual choice. We observe that audioprosthetists working in an integrated network have a narrower prescription latitude than their independent counterparts.
Audika distributes its own white label while referencing other manufacturers. The logic is comparable, but the capital concentration is less advanced there. To gather reviews on Amplifon or Audika in this context, one must check which manufacturers are actually offered at the visited center, not just on the national site of the brand.
100% Health hearing aids: what changes concretely in the center
The 100% Health scheme guarantees zero out-of-pocket costs on a range of Class I hearing aids. Both brands are required to offer these hearing aids. The difference lies in the quality of the adaptation protocol and the transparency of the comparative quote between Class I and Class II.
Since January 2025, presenting the Vitale card is mandatory to benefit from third-party payment at the time of delivery. This amendment signed in October 2024 aims to limit fraud observed in 100% Health in audioprosthetics. In practice, this means that the patient must physically bring their card, complicating remote deliveries that some centers practiced.
On the ground, we recommend checking three points during the first appointment:
- The standardized quote must present at least one Class I hearing aid and one Class II, detailing the technical characteristics (number of channels, Bluetooth connectivity, type of behind-the-ear or in-ear)
- The audioprosthetist must conduct a complete hearing assessment with tonal and vocal audiometry before any fitting proposal, not just a simple screening test in an open booth
- Post-fitting follow-up (adjustments, checks) must be included in the price for the entire lifespan of the hearing aid, in accordance with regulations
Class I vs Class II: the real arbitration
Class I devices cover common needs, but their noise reduction algorithms and microphone directionality are limited. For an active profile in a noisy environment (meetings, restaurants), Class II provides adaptive directionality and direct connectivity that justify the out-of-pocket costs.
Both brands charge comparable prices for Class II for equivalent models. The price difference between Audika and Amplifon is more about optional follow-up services than the device itself.
Audioprosthetist in Audika or Amplifon center: skills and staff turnover
A hearing aid is only as good as its adjustment quality. The fine tuning (frequency gain, compression thresholds, feedback management) directly depends on the audioprosthetist who follows you. And this is where the comparison between major brands reveals an often-overlooked angle: the stability of the referring professional in the center.
Networks with high staff turnover pose a concrete problem. Each change of audioprosthetist involves a resumption of the file, a reevaluation of the settings, and sometimes a modification of the adaptation protocol. The patient loses continuity of care.
Amplifon claims more than 700 centers in France, Audika more than 600. This density facilitates geographical access, but it does not guarantee the permanence of the same professional. Before choosing your hearing center, ask the question directly: how long has the audioprosthetist been working at this specific center?
Decrees 2026-2027 on the copayment: impact on the price of hearing aids
Recently published decrees modify the rules for coverage by Social Security. This tightening affects both brands in the same way, but it makes the choice of complementary health insurance more decisive than the choice of the brand itself.
The actual out-of-pocket cost depends more on the mutual insurance contract than on the price displayed by the center. A Class II hearing aid billed at the same price at Audika and Amplifon will produce a different out-of-pocket cost depending on the level of coverage subscribed. We recommend simulating reimbursement with your mutual insurance before signing any quote.
- Check the annual reimbursement ceiling for hearing aids of your complementary health insurance
- Ask the center for a detailed quote mentioning the Social Security reimbursement base and the mutual insurance supplement
- Compare the total cost over four years (standard renewal period), including follow-up appointments and any repair costs
The choice between Audika and Amplifon is rarely made based on the catalog or the catalog price. It is the competence of the local audioprosthetist, the transparency of the quote, and the mutual coverage that determine the actual quality of the fitting. Prioritize a first appointment at each brand to compare the evaluation protocols before committing.
