What to know about ReSound hearing aids

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ReSound does not sell its hearing products on its website. Instead, a person can enter their information on the site to find a local hearing care professional who distributes ReSound hearing aids.

In addition to hearing aids, ReSound sells accessories that allow a person to stream TV shows, music, and phone calls directly to a hearing device.

This article discusses the ReSound brand, its reputation, and its products, and lists alternatives people can consider.

ReSound North America has been in business since 2002. Its office is in Bloomington, MN, and it is part of the Danish company GN Group.

ReSound describes its philosophy as organic and holistic, which means that it works with the anatomy of the ear to closely mimic how it delivers sounds to the brain.

On its website, the company says that it has won several awards, including:

• Hearing Technology Innovator Bronze 2020
• Edison Award 2020
• Silver Stevie Award 2021
• Gold Stevie Award 2021
• Best in Biz Award for New Product of the Year 2021
• Big Innovation Award 2021

ReSound is a hearing aid brand selling products suitable for those with mild to severe hearing loss in a range of popular styles. This includes behind-the-ear (BTE), receiver-in-ear (RIE), and custom hearing aids.

This variety makes the brand a good match for a wide range of people.

The company also provides hearing aids to veteran clinics and supports the Fisher House Foundation, which offers comfort housing to the families of veterans during hospital stays.

ReSound does not have accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). It has an F rating.

There are just five customer reviews on ReSound’s BBB page, and the average rating is 1 out of 5 stars.

The reviews mention high levels of interference, difficulty contacting customer service, and faulty products.

Trustpilot has one customer review. The average rating is 3.7 out of 5 stars, although the single review gave the company 5 stars. The author writes that the sound quality of ReSound devices is good and more natural than other brands.

Below, we look at the top options for each type of ReSound hearing aid.

Best digital hearing aid: ReSound Key

• Type: digital BTE, customs
• Who it is best for: those who like hearing aids with smart technology
• Pros: offers four kinds of digital hearing aids; features Bluetooth connectivity
• Cons: most digital hearing aids are BTE; a person needs a smartphone to use the app

This hearing aid is in the company’s digital hearing aid line. It connects with smartphones and tablets.

Its features include:

• rechargeable battery
• 30-hour battery life
• Bluetooth streaming from compatible devices
• suitability for all types of hearing loss
• connectivity with the ReSound Smart 3D app for iOS and Android, which provides access to healthcare professionals for remote care and easy adjustments on the go

According to the manufacturer, the difference between analog and digital hearing aids is the sound quality.

Analog hearing aids have a continuous and uniform flow, so they miss the nuances and details in sound. A person may have to turn the volume up to hear everything, which can make them uncomfortable, especially because a person cannot reduce background noise on an analog hearing aid.

Digital hearing aids have variable sound signals that reduce background noise and bring a more natural speech noise level and variation. They are also easy to adapt and personalize.

The other digital hearing aid models are:

• ReSound Omnia
• Resound One
• ReSound Enzo Q
• Customs

Best invisible: ReSound LiNX Quattro

• Type: invisible BTE, RIE, and IIC
• Who it is best for: those who want a less noticeable hearing aid
• Pros: offers three styles and a range of colors; suitable for all levels of hearing loss
• Cons: IIC models are unsuitable for people with severe or profound hearing loss

ReSound has invisible RIE, invisible-in-canal (IIC), and BTE models. IIC models are custom-made to fit the shape of a person’s ear and suitable for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.

RIE models are suitable for those who want a small model outside of the ear.

BTE models are suitable for all hearing loss types and provide the most amplification.

The invisible ReSound LiNX Quattro has the following features:

• a portable case that carries three full charges
• 30-hour battery life with standard use
• 24-hour battery life when streaming 50% of the time
• easy use, with 90% of users claiming they never needed to reference the instructions
• connectivity with the ReSound 3D app
• Bluetooth connectivity

Best for Bluetooth connectivity: ReSound Enzo Q

• Type: Bluetooth BTE
• Who it is best for: those who want to prioritize streaming; those with severe to profound hearing loss
• Pros: offers five types of Bluetooth hearing aids; offers suitable options for mild to profound hearing loss
• Cons: the BTE hearing aid for severe to profound hearing loss is larger than other types of hearing aid

Bluetooth hearing aids from ReSound connect with Apple and Android devices to stream music, TV, and phone calls. They can also connect with other Bluetooth devices, such as laptops.

The ReSound Enzo Q has the following features:

• high quality sound, offering a 60% improvement in speech recognition in noisy environments
• automatic adjustment to the environment
• ability to make 89% of loud noises more comfortable
• personalization with the ReSound Smart 3D app
• Find My Hearing Aid option on the app to help a user find lost hearing aids
• geotagging on the app, which helps a user save their preferable sound programs
• tinnitus relief
• availability in a range of colors

The other models include the ReSound One, LiNX Quattro, Omnia, and Customs.

Best rechargeable: ReSound One

• Type: rechargeable BTE and RIE
• Who it is best for: people who want an easy charging system and a long battery life
• Pros: saves money buying batteries; comes in eight color options; has a long battery life
• Cons: available in just two styles

Rechargeable hearing aids help a person save money, as they do not need to regularly replace hearing aid batteries.

The rechargeable range of ReSound hearing aids includes the ReSound One, which the company says is its most natural-sounding hearing aid.

Features of ReSound One include:

• rechargeable batteries that last for up to 3 days
• directionality to zone in on important sounds
• ultra focus to ensure one-to-one conversations are audible in any environment
• microphone and RIE design (M&RIE) that adapts to a person’s unique ear shape to deliver the most natural sound
• assistance from healthcare professionals via video calls
• Bluetooth music streaming and phone calls

There are four other rechargeable models from ReSound, which include the LiNX Quattro, Key, Omnia, and Customs.

Best for a custom fit: ReSound Customs

• Type: ITC, ITE full shell, ITE half shell, completely-in-canal (CIC)
• Who it is best for: those who want a custom fit
• Pros: comfortable and discreet
• Cons: users must charge them every day

The ReSound Customs range includes ITC and CIC options. A person can choose between full- and half-shell ITE options.

These hearing aids are designed to fit a person’s ear size, shape, and structure. This can create a better hearing experience for the user, and according to ReSound, 48% of users prefer a custom fit option after a hearing loss diagnosis.

Features of the Custom hearing aids include:

• a range of sizes and colors
• discreet design
• reduced wind interference
• Bluetooth connectivity
• ReSound 3D app connectivity
• lightweight
• easy removal
• do not interfere with glasses or masks
• superior sound quality

Accessories

The company also offers hearing accessories and smartphone apps. For example:

• The ReSound TV Streamer 2 turns hearing aids into wireless headphones.
• The ReSound Phone Clip+ streams music and calls from a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone directly to a hearing aid.
• The ReSound Remote Control enables a person to adjust volume and change the settings of their aids with the touch of a button.
• The ReSound Multi-Mic delivers sound from up to 80 feet away.

ReSound does not list prices on its website. A person must go to a recommended retailer to see how much their hearing aid will cost and whether the company offers a payment plan.

Health insurance will not typically cover the cost of hearing aids. A person should check with their provider to see if they can add on a hearing plan, which can cover the cost of tests and fittings.

Warranty

ReSound offers a warranty of 1–4 years if a person buys their hearing aid through an authorized distributor.

The company also offers protection against loss, theft, and damages for 1 year.

Refund policy

If a person is not satisfied with their hearing aid, they can return it to the hearing care center that sold it. The hearing aid should be in its original condition.

ReSound does not sell hearing aids on its website. Instead, it provides a form that a person fills out to find a hearing care professional selling ReSound products in their area. A person can then make an appointment.

The hearing care professional will typically perform an ear examination and hearing test before prescribing a specific hearing aid. At this stage, if a person wishes to purchase a ReSound product, they may do so.

Follow-up care

The ReSound website offers downloadable guides for its hearing aids. People can also access help through the company’s app.

A person might decide to purchase a hearing aid online or in person. Some alternatives to ReSound include:

• MDHearing: This company provides four over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids in BTE and ITC styles. There are rechargeable options and a smartphone app. The minimum charge is 15 hours, and prices start from around $500 per hearing aid.
• Oticon: This brand offers four RIE and BTE hearing aids for mild to severe hearing loss. A person must visit a retailer to find out the price of Oticon hearing aids.
• Eargo: Eargo provides OTC hearing aids, including a discreet ITC hearing aid with noise reduction and feedback cancellation technology and 16 hours of charge. A person can claim an Eargo purchase on their insurance.
• Widex: This company offers BTE and ITE hearing aids for mild to profound hearing loss. Prices are available at one of the company’s recommended hearing centers.

Learn more about the best OTC hearing aids.

Sound amplifiers

Sound amplifiers are different from hearing aids. While they make the sounds of an environment louder, they are not designed for people with hearing loss.

The distinction relates, in part, to the fact that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has regulatory oversight over hearing aids but not sound amplifiers.

Hearing-assistive devices

A person with hearing loss may benefit from a range of devices, including:

• Assistive-listening devices: These amplify the sounds that a person wants to hear, and a person can use them with or without hearing aids.
• Alerting devices: These use a certain sound or light to let the person know that a doorbell or telephone is ringing.
• Alternative and augmentative communication devices: These help people with severe hearing loss communicate in other ways. One example is a computer program that turns text into speech.

Experts do not always recommend buying a hearing aid online. If someone purchases a hearing aid online without a complete hearing test, for example, the device may not meet their needs.

For people who think they need hearing aids, the FDA recommends:

1. having an exam from an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor
2. visiting an audiologist for a comprehensive hearing test
3. buying hearing aids only from a licensed hearing care professional

A person should speak with a doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms of hearing loss:

• difficulty hearing other people clearly
• difficulty hearing in noisy environments
• frequently asking people to repeat themselves
• listening to music or TV at a higher volume than usual
• feeling tired or stressed from concentrating on what other people are saying
• finding it difficult to keep up with conversations

A person should see an audiologist for a complete hearing test or an ENT specialist if they have bleeding, pain, dizziness, or rapid-onset hearing loss.

Below, we answer some of the top frequently asked questions about ReSound.

What is the average cost of a ReSound hearing aid?

ReSound hearing aids can cost from $3,000–6,000, depending on the model. Prices may also vary by retailer.

How long will ReSound hearing aids last?

According to ReSound, the typical lifespan of a ReSound hearing aid is 5 years.

Which is the best hearing aid on the market?

The best hearing aid for one person may not be the best for another. A person should look for a hearing aid that addresses their level of hearing loss, is comfortable to wear, offers a range of customizable options, and provides access to ongoing support from the brand. A person may also wish to consider a rechargeable hearing aid, which will cost less over time and is better for the environment.

How much are ReSound LiNX hearing aids?

ReSound LiNX hearing aids cost between $1,200 and $1,800, depending on the retailer.

ReSound offers a range of hearing aids, some of which are technologically enhanced. A person can only purchase them from local distributors, not online.

Buying online may be cost-effective, but hearing aids are complex devices, and the FDA urges people to undergo an examination and a hearing test from a qualified professional before making a purchase.