ReSound’s History of Innovation

For some context, ReSound has a fascinating history of innovation and growth. In 1973, famed American inventor Edgar Vilchur came up with the idea of a multichannel compression amplifier for hearing aids, which he published publicly.throw

In the late 1980s, a group of physicians in Redwood City, California, developed a hearing aid based on Vilchur’s work and began selling it as ReSound. It was one of the first game-changers in hearing aids since the invention of the transistor in 1947. In 1999, the Great Nordic Group bought out ReSound and became part of the GN Group, fueling growth for the company in global markets.

ReSound Products

ReSound Technology

Before getting into ReSound’s product line, let’s talk about their technology. In addition to the early use of multichannel compression, ReSound was also the first hearing aid to use the 2.4 GHz wireless platform. This tech provides a longer range and lower power consumption than traditional Bluetooth technology. It’s also the foundation of the next generation of Auracast Bluetooth LE (low energy) streaming technology (more on this technology later!).

ReSound offers this in all technology levels and styles of its hearing aids. This capability allows ReSound hearing aids to connect to smartphones, accessories, and public audio communication systems in places, like airports and lecture halls.

It also allows the hearing aids to share information. This “ear-to-ear” communication synchronizes volume and program changes and optimizes directional microphone settings. In the real world, this reduces listening effort in the presence of background noise.

ReSound’s tiers are labeled as 9 (premium), 7 (mid-range), and 5 (entry-level). All of the devices described below are available in mini receiver-in-canal (RIC), RIC, in-the-ear (ITE) from full shell to completely-in-canal (CIC), and ReSound’s own unique Mic-in-Helix (MIH) design.

With the MIH hearing aid, the main part of the device hides in your ear canal. The hearing aid microphone is worn within the curved groove of your ear, still out of sight. A small transparent tube sends sound from the microphone to the component in your ear canal. This product, unique to ReSound and shared with sister company Beltone, places the microphone in the helix of the outer ear. This position has been shown to improve speech understanding in background noise. ReSound and Beltone are the only brands that offer the MIH style. But this “semi-remote” microphone technology is also found in Advanced Bionics cochlear implant speech processors (called the T-Mic) and gives directional microphone benefits in a small space.

ReSound offers standard and “fun” colors for their RIC and BTE hearing aids, including three versions of digital camouflage specifically designed for the Veterans Health Administration. ReSound is one of my top picks for my patients. If you are looking for a completely invisible hearing aid, I’d recommend Phonak’s hearing aids instead. The brand has unique offerings, like the Lyric, an invisible-in-canal device designed for 24/7 use.

ReSound RIC and BTE models

ReSound offers a wide range of hearing aid models for all levels of hearing loss, similar to other top providers like Widex, Beltone, and Starkey. Below, I’ll cover some of ReSound’s most popular models.

ReSound Custom Products

ReSound LiNX Quattro

Quattro is one of ReSound’s top-tier designs. This is the third iteration of a design that was first introduced in 2014 as the LiNX. This was the first Made for iPhone hearing aid. Since then, ReSound has fine-tuned this proven platform. The Quattro is available in all form factors including a superpower BTE called the Enzo Q for people with severe to profound hearing loss. The Quattro line can use either standard zinc-air batteries or a rechargeable lithium-ion system.

ReSound LiNX Quattro

ReSound Nexia

Nexia is one of ReSound’s newest hearing aid additions. It’s a rechargeable, RIE hearing aid for people with hearing loss ranging from mild to profound. Nexia is top-rated for hearing conversations in noisy places. These devices are lightweight and small, making them comfortable enough for all-day wear. They also hold a charge for 30 hours.

Nexia is ReSound’s first hearing aids to work with Auracast Bluetooth streaming technology. Auracast lets you stream audio directly into your hearing aids from your own devices. It also lets you stream public sources of audio in places like concert halls, bus terminals, and airports.

Through ReSound’s app, you can activate the Hear in Noise program that lets you fade background sounds down to a comfortable level while keeping directional focus on the person speaking in front of you. The value of this for my patients is more than just comfortable hearing; it’s also a way they can remain (or get back into) connection with people in social and business situations.

ReSound Nexia

ReSound Enya

ReSound also offers an “essential” or entry-level (read lower cost) device called the Enya. This is essentially a “de-featured” LiNX-era hearing aid. It has fewer adjustments and less automatic functionality, but it’s still a very solid hearing aid, especially when coupled with wireless accessories as part of a “system” approach to hearing in complex settings. It still has all of the essential features like understanding speech in noisy environments, wind and noise protection, and elimination of whistling sounds.

ReSound Up Smart

ReSound Up Smart

The Up Smart is the pediatric version of the Quattro, but it actually has a lot of features well-suited for seniors with memory loss. The standard battery door can be swapped for a tamper-resistant one, and there’s a programmable LED indicator that can alert a caregiver that the hearing aids are not functioning. Like the other devices in this review, the Up Smart is compatible with all ReSound wireless accessories.

ReSound Accessories

ReSound offers several accessories and apps to go along with its hearing aids. All these accessories operate within a 2.4GHz wireless. This is a very robust and long-range (about 60 feet in most buildings) way to overcome additional challenges of distance, reverberation, and background noise.

ReSound Micro Mic

ReSound Micro Mic

These small portable microphones allow you to hear what people are saying when they speak into them. The sound streams directly into your hearing aid. The official range is 80 feet, but realistically, I’ve found that depending on certain environmental factors, they are very reliable up to 60 feet.

The Micro Mic has a directional microphone and accelerometer that senses if the microphone falls and mutes it before the “clunk” of the floor happens.

ReSound Multi Mic

ReSound Multi Mic

The Multi Mic, in my experience, offers some of the best value in Hearing Assistive Technology (HAT). In addition to the features above, it also allows for manual adjustment of the microphone sensitivity from omnidirectional to ultra-narrow. The accelerometer automatically switches to “Omni” when placed on a flat surface. What makes this device one of my favorite hearing system components is that you can use it as a hub for other technologies.

On the bottom of the Multi Mic, there are two sockets: one for a standard 3.5mm audio cable (included) and a three-hole “Euro” jack. These allow you to connect other audio devices to the Multi Mic and stream to your hearing aids.

I’ve used this feature on ReSound hearing aids to allow folks to listen to MP3 players, hearing assistive devices in theatres, or in the case of students, take advantage of FM systems like the Phonak Roger that uses a Euro plug.

As if all that wasn’t enough, the Multi Mic also has a telecoil to allow for connection to wide-area “hearing loops” found in auditoriums and houses of worship. This is great because even if you have a smaller hearing aid without a telecoil, you can use this very effective technology for combatting distance, reverberation, and background noise.

ReSound TV Streamer 2 and ReSound TV Streamer+

ReSound TV Streamer 2

These devices connect to a television or other audio-producing device and stream the sound to your hearing aid. It is very easy to connect and supports both analog and digital inputs.

Streaming reduces the negative effects of distance and reverberation on speech understanding. For those with different TV tastes than their partners, MediaStreamer 2 allows you to hear clearly when the TV speakers are very low or even muted.

ReSound Phone Clip+

ReSound Phone Clip+

The current line of ReSound hearing aids stream to iPhones, some iPads, and some Android devices. If you use an older Android model, the Phone Clip+ converts the Bluetooth signal from your phone to the 2.4 GHz signal of your hearing aids. This allows you to hear in both hearing aids, hands-free and also controls the basic functions of the hearing aid. That means you can stream music and phone calls straight from your phone.

ReSound Remote Controls

ReSound Remote Controls

With this small remote, you can adjust the hearing aid volume and switch streaming devices. This is extremely helpful for those with dexterity problems or who require assistance in daily living, as it allows a caregiver to easily control the hearing aids.

Smartphone and Smartwatch Apps

ReSound offers several very helpful applications for both Android and iOS (Apple) portable devices. They range from very simple remote controls to sophisticated tinnitus treatment programs.

ReSound Control App

ReSound Control App

This app offers the similar basic functions of ReSound Remote Controls straight on your smartphone. This easy-to-use interface is great for not only those with dexterity limitations but also those who may need assistance with their hearing aids, including those with memory loss.

ReSound Smart 3D App

ReSound Smart 3D App

This app is like the command central for your hearing aids and accessories. In addition to basic volume and program control, this app allows for fine-tuning noise reduction and pitch control.

If you enable location services, you can “drop a pin” where you’ve fine-tuned, and the app will automatically return the devices to that optimized setting when you arrive at that place.

One of the reasons I really like the ReSound app is that it provides more than one way to access programs and features (buttons, swipes, etc.) To me, this shows that the development team is plugged into the non-hearing aid app user experience. This helps more tech-savvy folks easily begin using the app, and it also helps new users find a user interface that works for them.

ReSound Tinnitus Relief App

ReSound Tinnitus Relief App

In my practice, this is one of the best and most effective supportive apps for tinnitus. A trial of this app has been part of my standard protocol for tinnitus patients, regardless of their hearing aid brand. It’s logical, easy to use, and based on solid tinnitus research very similar to the Progressive Tinnitus Management program developed by the Veterans Administration. While ReSound’s tinnitus features are excellent, if tinnitus management is one of your top reasons for purchasing hearing aids, I tend to recommend Widex. Visit our Widex review to learn more.

All in all a good deal

ReSound has a long history of innovation, quality, and value. In my clinical practice, they have been in my top three go-to brands, particularly with patients who also need Hearing Assistive Technologies like media streaming and remote microphones. As the first out of the gate with iPhone compatibility, I tend to recommend ReSound first for people needing or wanting that feature. A few of the physical reasons I like ReSound include a good selection of domes, including a “Tulip” dome which I have found to fit almost every ear. The Tulip is especially good for folks who struggle with feedback or movement using typical round domes. They have always been durable, and, in the experience of most of my patients, easy to handle. That said, I would recommend the smartphone app for most folks since the on-board buttons are a bit small and the short-press, long-press system has confused a fair number of my patients.

For patients who require or prefer a custom earmold, the ReSound lab does a very good job with both hard and soft materials. Looking at all of the above, I’m very comfortable saying that those looking for a good quality device and supportive company should put ReSound on their research short-list.

If you are still trying to decide which hearing aids are best for you, watch my video below on tips for choosing the right hearing aid based on my decades of experience as an audiologist.