If you find yourself having more and more trouble hearing, then you should know that getting a hearing aid will likely improve your quality of living. Hearing aids used to be quite rudimentary, but today there are a variety of new technologies that make these devices incredible. ReSound and Oticon are two companies that produce some of the most advanced hearing aids out there. Which one of these brands is right for you? Take a look as we break down the differences between ReSound and Oticon hearing aids and explore every aspect, from technology to cost, in-depth.
ReSound vs Oticon at a Glance
Both these companies have a long history of making hearing aids. You can trust each of them to be reliable and to produce a high-quality product. They do, however, have slightly different priorities. Oticon goes to great lengths to provide tons of customization options and lots of different kinds of hearing aids. This allows you to hand-pick the hearing aid that matches your needs exactly.
On the other hand, ReSound strives to make its hearing aids both accessible and functional. There are many pieces of technology that can only be found in ReSound devices. Which company is right for you will depend on your specific needs. Let’s take a closer look at some of the features each of these companies provides.
ReSound’s Features
Hearing aids from ReSound come in many different styles:
- Behind-the-ear aids
- Invisible-in-the-canal aids
- In-the-canal aids
- In-the-ear aids
Two pieces of technology that really make ReSound hearing aids stand out are Spatial Sense Technology and 360-degree sound. These together aim to mimic a more natural type of hearing. The 360-degree sound makes it possible to hear in all directions without turning your head. Spatial Sense Technology makes it easier to tell which direction sounds are coming from, like the human ear is normally able to distinguish.
ReSound also has a vast library of different apps and accessories to enhance your hearing aid usage further. The accessories include microphones, streamers, and more. ReSound’s apps also allow you to track the hearing aid’s battery and change its volume, so you can make adjustments without seeing a specialist. The hearing aids are equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, which lets you stream the sounds of your TV or phone directly to the aid.
Oticon’s Features
Oticon generally has more options when choosing the style and model of your hearing aid. Oticon has all the same styles as ReSound, but with more model options as well, which increases your choices exponentially. A huge aspect that sets Oticon apart is its commitment to catering to different needs. For example, there are hearing aids designed to diminish background noise or to help with profound hearing loss.
Oticon has the same Bluetooth technology as ReSound, although Oticon claims to be the first to implement it. Oticon also has a dedicated app, which is lacking some of the features of ReSound’s app, but also has other features that Resound’s app lacks. For instance, the Oticon app can control different home functions, such as lights or locks. Oticon also implements HearingFitness technology, which tracks your hearing aid usage.
Support
Both these companies offer extensive support options. With either ReSound or Oticon, you will find online support and a phone line that offers help when you need it. ReSound’s support is slightly better, as it also has online videos to demonstrate how to fix common problems.
Cost
When it comes to price, there is one clear winner: ReSound. Make no mistake, however; both of these hearing aid brands are on the more expensive side. With ReSound, you should expect something in the range of $1,700 to $3,000. Oticon’s prices range from $2,600 to $3,500. Keep in mind that your health insurance may be able to cover a portion of the cost, but if price is an important aspect to you, ReSound’s prices are usually lower.
Recap
We know this is probably a lot of information to take in all at once. To make it a little easier to understand the differences between these two brands of hearing aids, take a look at this chart of all the features side-by-side.
| ReSound | Oticon |
| Long, successful history | Long, successful history |
| Several hearing aid styles | Many more hearing aid styles and models |
| Focus on accessibility and function | Focus on catering to different hearing problems |
| Bluetooth connectivity | The first Bluetooth hearing aid |
| Spatial Sense Technology and 360-degree sounds | HearingFitness tracking and background noise reduction |
| Multiple apps with adjustment options | One app with additional home connectivity options |
| Online support, phone support, and instructional videos | Online support and phone support |
| Less expensive | More expensive |
With all this information in mind, you can make the best decision possible. If you value many hearing aid options, consider Oticon, and if you value high function of your hearing aid, consider ReSound.
