ReSound is the flagship brand of GN Hearing, the world’s fourth-largest manufacturer of premium hearing aids. Headquartered in Denmark, GN Hearing is a subsidiary of GN Store Nord AS (GN Group), a holding company founded in 1869 as a telegraph company. Today, with over 5,500 employees, GN Resound Group sells its hearing aids through a global network of hearing professionals in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Resound is the flagship hearing aid product fit by professionals while Jabra is their OTC version of the hearing aids that are DIY.
ReSound Hearing Aids at a Glance
ReSound offers a wide range of hearing aids, including their latest flagship model, the OMNIA, launched in September 2022. This model is designed to provide better speech understanding in background noise while improving how people interact with the world around them. Other notable models include the ReSound One which introduced the M&RIE receivers, the LiNX Quattro, and the ENZO Q, each offering unique features and catering to different hearing needs.
ReSound Hearing Aid Options and Prices
| Hearing Aid Model | Price (per pair) |
|---|---|
| Resound Omnia 9 | $4498 |
| Resound Omnia 7 | $3798 |
| Resound Omnia 5 | $3198 |
Older models of hearing aids may be a few hundred dollars less however, I would highly encourage you to get the latest models.
- ReSound OMNIA: The OMNIA is the newest flagship hearing aid from ReSound. It’s designed to provide better speech understanding in background noise and comes in three technology levels. OMNIA offers several models, including RIC-style aids, BTEs, and custom in-ear styles.
- ReSound One: Launched in August 2020, the ReSound One offers the unique Microphone & Receiver-in-Ear (M&RIE) technology that places a microphone in the ear to improve sound quality, localization, and wind noise
- Custom Made by Resound: This fully-custom rechargeable hearing aid offers 24-hour battery life and wireless streaming from iOS and Android devices. It delivers a 30% improvement in speech understanding compared to ReSound’s previous custom hearing aids.
- ReSound Enzo Q: The ENZO Q is specifically made for consumers with severe-to-profound hearing loss. It utilizes Binaural Directionality III to improve spatial sense and provides high levels of amplification without feedback.
Key Features of Omnia RIC and BTE Models
The Omnia RIC models come in both lithium-ion rechargeable and zinc-air non-rechargeable models in eight colors. They provide a full day of battery life on a single charge, while the RIE 61 and the slightly larger RIE 62 (which includes a telecoil) use a size 312 and 13 disposable battery, respectively—with both designed to last about a week before needing a battery change.
The BTE 77 and BTE 88 rechargeable models come in two different power levels with different tonehooks, with the former offering the option for a slim-tube for a more discreet appearance, and the other providing better power options for more severe hearing losses. Both BTEs have a telecoil and use Resound’s Desktop Charger.
The Resound Omnia RIC and BTE hearing aids represent a significant step forward in hearing aid technology, providing improved speech understanding and a range of features designed to enhance the user experience. Offering robust connectivity options and the latest in sound processing technology, these hearing aids are designed to help users overcome the challenges of hearing loss and interact with the world around them more effectively.
Customs By Resound Hearing Aids
The only rechargeable hearing aid on the market with an indicator light on it.
Form Factor: Half Shell and Full Shell
Custom Hearing Aids by ReSound are available in two primary form factors to accommodate varying degrees of hearing loss and aesthetic preferences: the Half Shell (HS) and Full Shell (FS) both are rechargeable.
Half Shell (HS)
The Half Shell hearing aid is a smaller device that fits partially in the ear canal, with a portion extending into the outer ear. This form factor is generally suitable for mild to moderately severe hearing loss. The compact design of the Half Shell makes it less visible compared to the Full Shell, providing a degree of discretion while delivering powerful amplification. Despite its small size, the Half Shell hearing aid houses sophisticated technology that facilitates improved spatialization, personalized control, and seamless connectivity.
Full Shell (FS)
The Full Shell hearing aid is a larger device that fills the concha—the bowl-shaped part of the outer ear—and extends into the ear canal. It is designed for individuals with moderate to severe hearing loss who require more substantial amplification. The larger size of the Full Shell model allows it to house a more robust battery and additional features. Although more visible than the Half Shell, the Full Shell hearing aid offers excellent functionality and is easier to handle, which may be beneficial for individuals with dexterity issues.
Both the Half Shell and Full Shell models are designed with comfort in mind. They are custom-made to fit the individual’s ear anatomy, ensuring a comfortable fit and optimal sound delivery.
Custom Hearing Aids by ReSound: Revolutionizing the Listening Experience with Omnia Technology
One of the primary challenges faced by individuals with hearing loss is the struggle with spatial perception. This difficulty in localizing sound sources and differentiating signal from noise has remained a persistent problem with conventional hearing aids. However, Custom Hearing Aids by ReSound are designed to address these challenges, offering an enhanced listening experience through innovative technology and design.
Enhancing Spatial Perception
Custom Hearing Aids by ReSound work to improve spatial perception, a critical aspect of hearing, by using in-ear microphone placement and ear-to-ear communication facilitated by All Access Directionality. This approach enables the brain, rather than the hearing aids, to select which sounds to focus on.
ReSound hearing aids preserve interaural cues in binaural fittings. The microphones maintain an omnidirectional response in the low frequencies and an independent fixed directional response in the high frequencies. This design preserves interaural timing and level cues, improving sound localization, aiding in separating multiple sound sources, and enhancing overall sound quality.
Weighted Binaural Beamformer
One of the unique features of these custom-made hearing aids is the weighted binaural beamformer. In a noisy situation, a third band applies a unique weighted binaural beamformer to the mid frequencies to improve the signal-to-noise ratio.
Consider an example of a user, Joan, having lunch with her family at an outdoor restaurant. There’s road noise and construction sounds to her right, and quieter conversations and birds chirping to her left. The hearing aids don’t simply split the signal equally from each ear. Instead, they weigh the input based on the signal-to-noise ratio in each ear. The ear with less noise and clearer speech gets more weighting in the final distribution. This dynamic adjustment helps remove noise and improve the signal-to-noise ratio, enhancing speech understanding.
All Access Directionality and Ultra Focus
The All Access Directionality feature adjusts directional modes automatically, providing a natural and effortless listening experience. This feature is adaptive and, in challenging environments, uses a binaural listening mode with a focused ear and a monitor ear. This feature reduces competing noise while preserving the ability to hear sounds around the user.
For particularly challenging environments, the Ultra Focus program prioritizes speech in front. Using a unique weighted binaural beamformer, speech input from both ears is weighted in the final signal, giving more emphasis to clear speech and less emphasis to noise.
Personalized Control and Connectivity
In addition to providing automatic improvements to speech intelligibility, ReSound also offers additional control options for patients, especially in noisy situations. For example, the Ultra Focus program can be selected when stronger directionality from the front is desired.
Custom Hearing Aids by ReSound also features hands-free phone calls, making it easy for patients to integrate conversations into their daily routines without disruption. Direct streaming of music, movies, and podcasts from iOS and Android devices is supported. Additionally, the ReSound Smart 3D app allows users to personalize settings, enhancing their control over their hearing experience.
Customization Options and Special Features
ReSound hearing aids offer a range of customization options and special features. The different styles of models available range from custom invisible-in-canal (IIC) to powerful behind-the-ear (BTE) solutions, with multiple levels of technology and features to accommodate users’ individual needs.
New ReSound hearing aids also offer multiple options utilizing lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. See how their battery life compares to competitors. Furthermore, ReSound control apps make it easy to change program settings on the fly. Additionally, most models use the ReSound Smart 3D App to control the devices and also have push-button or a multi-function button for manual control.
Are ReSound Hearing Aids Covered by Insurance?
Whether or not ReSound hearing aids are covered by insurance depends on the specific terms of your health insurance policy. Some insurers provide coverage for hearing aids, while others do not. It’s recommended to contact your insurance provider directly to determine what your policy covers.
ReSound Hearing Aids: Warranties and Discounts
Warranties and discounts on ReSound hearing aids may vary depending on the retailer or audiologist providing the hearing aids. But Resound usually has a loss and damage policy on the hearing aids for at least 2 years. It’s recommended to inquire about warranties and potential discounts at the time of purchase.
What Audiologists Say
Audiologists often recommend ReSound hearing aids due to their innovative technology and wide range of models catering to different hearing needs. ReSound’s pioneering technology in hearing aids, such as the introduction of “Microphone & Receiver-In-Ear (M&RIE),” is often appreciated in audiology.
What VA Sales Data Say About Audiologists’ Opinions on ReSound
The Veterans Affairs (VA) hearing aid sales data provides invaluable insights into the preferences of audiologists. This data is particularly significant because it represents the choices of over 2000 VA audiologists regarding different hearing aid devices, without the influence of price. VA patients do not bear the direct cost of their hearing aids, and VA audiologists are not bound by budget constraints when selecting hearing aids for patients. Therefore, the sales data is one of the most unbiased representations of what audiologists truly think about hearing aids.
ReSound, a GN Hearing brand, maintains a steady market presence. While not as prominent as Phonak or Oticon, ReSound holds a moderate market share. This indicates a consistent trust and preference for ReSound among VA audiologists, albeit less than the leading brands.
A more detailed breakdown of the data reveals some interesting trends for specific hearing aid types. In the rechargeable Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) hearing aids category, GN ReSound’s market share ranges from 9.41% to 10.47% throughout the last year. For rechargeable In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing aids, GN Resound’s market share ranges from 10.15% to 15.09%.
Personally, Resound is not in my top 3 recommendations. But there are still times I order them for patients. Particarlly when it is a patient who struggles with tinnitus or could benefit from the M&RIE receiver.
ReSound hearing aid models
ReSound OMNIA hearing aids
ReSound OMNIA is the company’s newest flagship hearing aid launched in September 2022. OMNIA is designed to provide better speech understanding in background noise while improving how people interact with the world around them. OMNIA RIEs come in both lithium-ion rechargeable and zinc-air non-rechargeable models in eight colors. These hearing aids use the new OMNIA chip and have been notably enhanced to provide a 150% improvement in noise compared to older models, according to ReSound.
ReSound One hearing aids, the previous generation
ReSound One was released in August 2020 and shares many hardware and software features with the LiNX Quattro, including the same smartphone app (ReSound Smart 3D™) as previous generations of LiNX hearing aids. One signals the end of the line for the long-running LiNX series, which all started with the world’s first Made-For-iPhone hearing aid back in 2013.
ReSound hearing aid apps and accessories
| Accessory | Function |
|---|---|
| Unite Phone Clip+ | Streams phone calls and audio directly to hearing aids from any Bluetooth-enabled device. |
| TV Streamer 2 | Streams stereo sound from the television directly to hearing aids |
| Micro Mic remote microphone | Allows hearing from a distance up to 80 feet away |
| Multi Mic remote microphone | Useful in group meetings, can be clipped to an individual’s clothing or set on a conference table |
| Remote Control 2 | Provides control of the volume and program settings of hearing aids |
| Smartphone Control+ app | Allows control of hearing aid when used with the Phone Clip+ |
| ReSound Smart 3D and Smart apps | Adjusts sound settings, manages tinnitus settings, monitors battery use |
ReSound Unite Phone Clip+
The ReSound Unite Phone Clip+ streams phone calls and audio straight to your hearing aids from any Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone or smartphone. It’s a wireless device small enough to clip onto your shirt collar. Phone Clip+ also connects your hearing aids to two separate Bluetooth devices at the same time. Note: if you have an iPhone or newer Andriod device, this is not needed.
TV Streamer 2
The ReSound Unite TV Streamer 2 streams stereo sound from the television directly to your hearing aids from up to 22 feet away. (The hearing aids have to be in a clear line of sight from the TV Streamer). All ReSound Smart Hearing aids and TV models are compatible with TV Streamer 2.
Micro Mic remote microphone
The ReSound Micro Mic remote microphone lets you hear from a distance up to 80 feet away (with a clear line of sight). A matchbox-sized wireless accessory, the Micro Mic can clip onto the wearer’s clothing and and transmit their voice directly to your hearing aids.
Multi Mic remote microphone
The ReSound Multi Mic is a flexible remote microphone that can be clipped to an individual’s clothing or set on a conference table to help you hear better in group meetings.
Remote Control 2
ReSound Unite Remote Control 2 is a wireless handheld accessory that gives you simple control of the volume and program settings of your hearing aids. That is if you don’t want to use an app but want to carry something else in your pocket.
ReSound Smart 3D and Smart apps
ReSound Smart 3D and ReSound Smart are apps for iOS and Android devices. These apps rank high compared to the other hearing aids companies. You can use the apps to adjust the sound settings, manage tinnitus settings, and monitor your battery use, among other things. See if your phone is compatible.
The apps offer a robust set of features that not only hold their own against other hearing aid apps in the market but also push the boundaries of what’s possible with hearing aid technology.
ReSound Smart 3D app offer seamless integration with ReSound OMNIA, One, LiNX Quattro, LiNX 3D, and Enzo 3D hearing aids. The apps let you personalize your hearing experience with a set of highly customizable features like the mix-in streaming, which allows the hearing aid to combine phone streaming with the listening program active when answering a call or streaming from a mobile device. This feature eliminates delays and ensures you won’t miss the first few words of your phone call or the initial directions from a navigation app.
The Sound Enhancer feature in the app provides extensive personalization options across all programs, with adjustments now available for noise reduction, wind noise reduction, and speech focus. The Tinnitus Manager, part of the Sound Enhancer screen, provides options for white noise variations, nature sounds, bandwidth adjustments, and ear-specific tinnitus sound generator volume, enabling users to control their tinnitus needs better.
The apps also offer innovative functionality specific to ReSound Omnia, One, and LiNX Quattro devices. For instance, the apps showcase the battery level of rechargeable devices and provide indicators for when the battery is low and when it’s charging. With this technology, you can monitor your device’s battery life directly from your phone.
ReSound tinnitus solutions
Tinnitus, often described as a subjective experience of ringing, humming, or buzzing sounds, can be challenging to manage. ReSound provides a comprehensive solution that aims to alleviate the effects of tinnitus, using a combination of sound therapy, counselling, education, and multi-sensory stimulation.
ReSound hearing aids come with a built-in Tinnitus Sound Generator (TSG). This TSG masks the annoying tinnitus sounds, replacing them with more soothing, ambient noises. The NatureSounds feature offers a variety of relaxing sounds, including water-inspired options like “ocean”, “beach surf”, and “calming waves”.
In addition to sound therapy, ReSound provides a comprehensive tinnitus management program through the ReSound Relief app (A different app than the Smart App). The app includes a variety of tools and features designed to educate, engage, and comfort individuals struggling with tinnitus.
Sound Therapy
The ReSound Relief app provides a robust sound therapy feature, offering customizable soundscapes to cater to individual preferences. Users can layer up to five sounds, adjusting the volume of each independently. The app’s flexibility enables users to create dynamic, personalized soundscapes that can evolve with their changing preferences.
Multisensory Stimulation
The Relief app also incorporates visual and tactile elements to engage users more fully. For example, users can interact with the app by popping background bubbles, a non-competitive activity designed to distract from tinnitus.
Coping Skills
The app features a section titled “Coping with Your Tinnitus,” based on coping practices taught within Progressive Tinnitus Management (PTM). It provides seven coping skills, including lifestyle choices, participation in meaningful activities, and relaxation techniques.
Changing Thoughts
The app includes a feature for cognitive restructuring of thoughts and beliefs about tinnitus. By presenting common negative thoughts and offering positive alternatives, the app assists users in challenging and controlling distressing thoughts about their tinnitus.
Guided Meditation
Inspired by mindfulness, the Relief app provides various guided meditation exercises. Mindfulness training can help individuals change their relationship with tinnitus, reducing the associated struggles.
Pleasant Activities
The app encourages users to engage in pleasant activities that make life more enjoyable. Users can set reminders for activities they enjoy, contributing to a sense of well-being.
Better Sleep
Sleep hygiene is important for tinnitus patients, and the app provides tips for achieving a good night’s rest. A good night’s sleep contributes to reducing stress and anxiety, thus potentially easing tinnitus symptoms.
The ReSound Relief app, in combination with the built-in Tinnitus Sound Generator in ReSound hearing aids, provides a comprehensive approach to managing tinnitus. It’s important to remember that while these solutions can help mitigate the effects of tinnitus, individual experiences may vary. It’s recommended to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice and treatment options.
