ReSound vs. Beltone, Compared by an Audiologist
ReSound offers the best in noise cancellation and speech recognition tech, while Beltone has an array of hearing aids for mild to profound hearing loss.
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ReSound and Beltone are two reputable prescription aid hearing brands that provide hearing solutions for a wide range of hearing loss levels. With two excellent brands and so many hearing aid models and style options, it can be overwhelming to pick the best provider and hearing aid for you.
Beltone makes dependable hearing aids in six different models, with offices available in all 50 states. ReSound, on the other hand, offers seven hearing aid product lines and dozens of styles, built with some of the latest technological advancements in the industry. ReSound also made it onto our annual best hearing aids list. Our team of tech experts spent over 50 hours researching and comparing hearing aids from both brands. We also consulted with Dr. Ruth Reisman, an audiologist with experience prescribing ReSound and Beltone hearing aids.
Comparison Table
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| Bluetooth Capability | Yes | Yes |
| Tinnitus Support Help | Yes | Yes |
| Customer Service | Videos, phone, online support | Videos, phone, FAQ, online contact form |
| Accompanying App | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | Yes, only products sold by distribution providers | 12-month standard warranty from the date of purchase |
| Free Trial | Yes, 90-day return policy | Yes, 90-day return policy |
| Website |
See Pricing
Links to Zip Hearing
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See Pricing
Links to Beltone
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ReSound vs Beltone: What’s the Difference?
Both ReSound and Beltone are dedicated to continually researching and developing new hearing aid products with cutting-edge technology to provide users with an impeccable hearing experience. Each company has a variety of apps available to make the handling of hearing aids as simple as possible.
FYI: 65.3 percent of American adults ages 71 and over have some level of hearing loss, but less than one-third of them use hearing aids.1 Check out our hearing aid buyer’s guide to learn more.
ReSound has been in business since 1943, and is now sold in more than 80 countries. It was the first company to deliver 2.4 GHz technology in hearing aids for direct connectivity. It also manufactured the world’s first Made for Apple hearing aid, which allows consumers to take advantage of direct stereo sound streaming!
» You Might Like: Best iPhone Hearing Aids
Since 1940, Beltone has been offering a wide variety of hearing aids for different levels of hearing loss. It has won several awards, like an Edison Award and a Big Innovation Award, for carrying stellar products. Beltone’s hearing aids come in many distinct styles, sizes, and colors to suit everyone’s tastes and needs.
Equipment
In our experience, ReSound hearing aid users appreciate ReSound’s Organic Hearing Technology, which delivers a clear and natural sense of sounds in the vicinity. It’s especially noteworthy when tested against comparatively simple, low-cost OTC hearing aids available through providers like MDHearing. Additionally, ReSound’s technology allows consumers to hear sounds from 360 degrees, eliminating the need to constantly turn your head to hear what someone is saying. ReSound’s hearing aids are protected by the iSolate Nanotech coating, which guards against perspiration, humidity, and moisture. This makes ReSound a great choice for seniors who live a more active lifestyle, which can result in more perspiration and exposure to the elements.
Testing out ReSound BTE hearing aids
ReSound has seven types of hearing aids, and each offers distinct features to accommodate people with varying hearing aid needs. Regardless of what model you choose, you can stream sound to an iPhone or similar smart device like a TV or tablet. If you are sensitive to noise distortion, the OMNIA may be worth considering. The full microphone range allows sounds to be processed without distortion.
Did You Know? About 80 percent of older adults who could benefit from hearing aids do not use them. One common reason is the stigma of wearing a visible hearing device. 2
The Custom models by ReSound resemble wireless headphones, and any hearing aid adjustments can be made by a health care professional remotely. People with severe to profound hearing loss will benefit most from ReSound’s ENZO Q. It boasts a reported 60 percent better understanding of speech in noisy situations, though Phonak hearing aids typically perform better than ReSound or Beltone in loud environments.
» Compare Providers: Phonak vs. ReSound
Beltone carries a multitude of hearing aids for varying levels of hearing loss. Depending on your preference, you can pick a hearing aid that is invisible in-canal, completely in-canal, in-the-canal, in-the-ear, or behind-the-ear. ReSound offers all of the same styles, albeit with different underlying tech to reduce background noise and recognize human speech.
» Also Check Out: Best Invisible Hearing Aids
Beltone Boost Ultra
Their smallest device is an invisible in-the-canal hearing aid, about the size of a raspberry. A few popular models in Beltone’s product line include Serene, Achieve, Rely, and Boost Ultra. Beltone Achieve hearing aids deliver phenomenal sound quality, are discreet, and allow for personal wireless control. Users can link it with the app on their smartphone to get the best hearing aid experience.
Serene is one of Beltone’s newest models, which uses the company’s latest microphone and receiver-in-ear (M&RIE) technology to deliver the most natural sound for the user. This hearing aid can be connected to any device, like smartphones, tablets, and TVs. Boost Ultra was made for those with severe to profound hearing loss.
» Learn More: Best Hearing Aids for Severe Hearing Loss
ReSound vs. Beltone Pricing
Interested in finding out the exact cost of a specific hearing aid model from either ReSound or Beltone? The best way would be to contact a local hearing aid provider, as neither brand lists their prices online. In addition to discussing costs, a hearing aid professional will be able to answer any questions about any hearing aids you may be interested in. In our experience, prices for both providers start at roughly $1,000 per ear.
Pro Tip: Make sure to budget for your hearing aids, as research shows that spending $2,500 on a pair of hearing aids could constitute a “catastrophic expense” for 77 percent of American seniors. 3
ReSound and Beltone vs. the Competition
ReSound is a heavy-hitter in the hearing aid industry, but Beltone has been around for just as long and offers excellent hearing aid solutions. Choosing the right option for you gets even harder when you consider all of the other great hearing aid providers out there! Here is a closer look at ReSound and Beltone compared with some of their biggest prescription hearing aid competitors:
| ReSound | Beltone | Phonak | Widex | Oticon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $1,000 per ear | $1,000 per ear | $1,000 per ear | $1,000 per ear | $1,000 per ear |
| Best for those who want | Remote microphones, MFi hearing aids, and custom earmolds | Plenty of styles and accessories for seniors who are not as tech-savvy | Streaming to most mobile devices and better listening in noisy environments | Fast-charging options and more advanced tinnitus relief | Long-lasting hearing devices that greatly improve voice quality |
| Free trial | Yes, 90 days | Yes, 90 days | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 40 to 60 days | Yes, 30 days |
| Hearing loss levels | Mild to profound | Mild to profound | Mild to profound | Mild to profound | Mild to profound |
| CROS available | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tinnitus solutions | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile apps | 3 apps | 3 apps | 3 apps | 4 apps | 1 app |
| Battery types | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable | Rechargeable and disposable |
Our Methodology
Dr. Reisman has prescribed hearing aids from both brands. In this photo, she is programming a pair of ReSound hearing aids for a patient.
How We Researched ReSound and Beltone Hearing Aids
Our resident audiologist, Dr. Ruth Reisman, has prescribed ReSound for years and has also personally tested hearing aids from Beltone and ReSound. We discussed both providers at length with Dr. Reisman. We also spent an additional 50 hours researching each provider based on their offerings, consumer feedback, customer service, and pricing availability. Here’s what our research process looked like:
- We conducted simple hearing tests with ReSound and Beltone. Then, we compared our results to in-person hearing evaluations from an audiologist.
- Our tech team evaluated the offerings from both providers, including hearing aids and hearing accessories. We not only examined the variation in styles and features, but we also looked for hearing aids that could address specific issues like tinnitus and single-sided hearing loss.
- We tried out the mobile apps offered by ReSound and Beltone, ensuring that they were easy to use and accessible on different devices (primarily iOS and Android).
- Our team contacted the customer service teams at ReSound and Beltone several times to evaluate their overall quality of care.
The Factors We Used to Compare ReSound and Beltone
Using Dr. Reisman’s professional opinion as the basis of our evaluations, we focused our attention on the following factors:
- Product lineup: Over-the-counter hearing aid providers are sometimes limited in the features, models, and even styles they offer. Prescription hearing aid providers like ReSound and Beltone offer more advanced styles and more options to choose from.
- Hearing technology: ReSound is known for its modern hearing solutions, but Beltone offers some equally effective hearing aids. The tech is up to date with the latest advances in hearing loss solutions, and both providers get a thumbs-up from our resident audiologists.
- Mobile app: We test out hearing aid mobile apps so you don’t have to! Some apps can be a pain to set up or navigate, so we go through the entire process to ensure that providers have seniors (tech-savvy or not) in mind.
- Bluetooth connectivity: Bluetooth lets seniors connect to their favorite devices and enjoy a more natural listening experience. Both ReSound and Beltone offer Bluetooth-ready hearing aids.
- Brand reputation: We value brand reputation, as it indicates consistency, quality, and consumer trust. Fortunately, both ReSound and Beltone are respected brands that offer quality hearing products.
Why Trust Us?
Our team of tech experts tries out the latest gadgets and devices for seniors each year. We’ve logged hundreds of hours testing and reviewing hearing aids from dozens of brands.
In addition to our hands-on research, we work alongside experts with decades of experience prescribing hearing aids and helping seniors with hearing loss. Our resident licensed audiologist, Dr. Reisman, has firsthand experience with the brands we discuss, including ReSound and Beltone.
ReSound vs. Beltone: The Bottom Line
If you have a pretty good idea of what you need and are simply looking to narrow down your options, then ReSound may be a great fit. Their products, apps, and accessories are packed with useful features to help people hear better. To top it off, ReSound offers many ways to reach their customer service department with any questions. Interested in learning more about ReSound’s hearing aid products? Check out our full ReSound review!
If you’re just beginning your shopping, you’ll be pleased to know that Beltone has several hearing aid models in unique styles and sizes, with different features to enhance hearing. Beltone also offers a plethora of apps to support various hearing aid needs. Most of Beltone’s customer service is through online support, which means you can easily get assistance without leaving your home. For more information about Beltone, read our review.
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Starkey. (2024). Hearing Loss Likelihood Increases After Age 70 — As Do Health Risks.
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AARP. (2017). I Don’t Need a Hearing Aid.
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National Library of Medicine. (2020). Hearing Aid Affordability in the United States.
