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Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs. ReSound Nexia

Check out our comparison of the Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs ReSound Nexia. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.

Score
4.1
Apple AirPods Pro 3
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Apple

AirPods Pro 3

SoundScore 3.4/5
$239.95 per pair
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Score
4.2
ReSound Nexia microRIE 9
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ReSound

Nexia microRIE 9

SoundScore 3.9/5
$2,998 per pair
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AirPods Pro 3
$239.95 per pair
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Nexia
$2,998 per pair
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Product Overview

AirPods Pro 3
Nexia
Form Factor
Form FactorNon-custom earbud style device.
Form FactorThis type of hearing aid sits behind the ear. A wire runs along the top of the ear and down to a speaker sitting inside the ear canal. An custom-fitted mold may be required.
Expert Rating
Score
4.1
Score
4.2
User Rating
—
3.71 reviews
Hearing Loss LevelHearing Loss LevelThis represents HearingTracker's best guess on suitability. Please consult a licensed audiologist to confirm your own candidacy for this device.
MildModerate
MildModerateSevere
Product Features
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidIP57
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidIP68

Expert Ratings

Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.

AirPods Pro 3
Nexia

HearingTracker Score

AirPods Pro 3
4.1ABOVE AVERAGE

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are wireless earbuds that offer hearing aid functionality. Our tests show they effectively amplify speech in everyday situations. While background noise can be challenging, proper tuning and reducing ambient noise reduction pushes the AirPods Pro 3 closer to being a truly competitive OTC hearing aid.

Read full review
Nexia
4.2ABOVE AVERAGE

The ReSound Nexia Hearing Aids with Auracast are advanced hearing devices that feature the latest Bluetooth LE standard and Auracast broadcast audio technology, enhancing wireless connectivity and streaming capabilities. Launched in September 2023, these hearing aids offer a range of models suitable for mild to profound hearing loss, with options for hands-free calling, rechargeable batteries, and sophisticated noise reduction features.

Read full review

HearAdvisor SoundScore

AirPods Pro 3
3.4AVERAGE

Apple AirPods Pro 3 achieved a SoundScore of 3.38/5 and a SoundGrade of B in HearAdvisor lab testing. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.47/5.

Nexia
3.9ABOVE AVERAGE

Resound Nexia achieved a SoundScore of 3.87/5 and a SoundGrade of B in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #21 of 35 Prescription Hearing Aid devices tested. The Prescription Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.91/5.

Build Quality

AirPods Pro 3
4.8EXCELLENT

The build quality is solid with a pocket-worthy portable case. AirPods 3 also have a slightly improved IP57 rating meaning they should offer better protection from debris and moisture. AirPods commonly last around 2-3 years.

Nexia
5.0EXCELLENT

Resound Nexia Micro RIE have an excellent build quality with a robust, portable charging case and a high ingress rating of IP68.

Battery

AirPods Pro 3
4.6EXCELLENT

Airpods Pro 3 offer around 10 hours of use per charge with their Hearing Aid feature. This is an improvement over the previous generation. While this still may not be enough for all-day use, recharge time is fast with several quick-charge options.

Nexia
4.6EXCELLENT

Nexia Micro RIE offer all-day battery life up to 30 hours, with a quick recharge time of 3 hours in the portable charger.

Bluetooth

AirPods Pro 3
5.0EXCELLENT

I have found Bluetooth to work almost flawlessly on iPhones, offering a solid connection every time. I can't speak for Android devices though Apple reports they are fully compatible with other Bluetooth devices.

Nexia
5.0EXCELLENT

Nexia are compatible with both iOS and Android, offering wireless audio streaming and hands-free calls.

App Features

AirPods Pro 3
4.0AVERAGE

AirPods Pro 3 offer impressive and useful features to aid speech clarity. I particularly like the ability to take an app based hearing test, or directly upload hearing thresholds. While the menu system is not user-friendly, you also have other options for personalizing your experience such as active noise cancellation.

Nexia
4.5EXCELLENT

I found Resound's Smart3D app easy to use with many useful features, including "Check My Fit" which helps with correct insertion. The app unfortunately lacks health and fitness tracking.

Comfort

AirPods Pro 3
4.0AVERAGE

AirPods Pro 3 are generally comfortable, though my initial impressions favor the fit of the previous Gen 2. With that said, Apple claims to have improved the overall fit with improved ergonomics and new foam-infused ear tips.

Nexia
5.0EXCELLENT

Nexia Micro RIE were extremely comfortable and lightweight in my ears. In general, hearing care providers can make numerous physical changes to prescription hearing aids like Real to improve comfort.

Design

AirPods Pro 3
5.0EXCELLENT

AirPods Pro are unmistakably Apple with their sleek, bright white, aesthetic. You will want to look elsewhere if you are searching for a discrete hearing solution. Furthermore, earbuds are commonly associated with being distracted or disconnected and people will not know that you are using them as hearing aids to stay present and engaged in conversation.

Nexia
5.0EXCELLENT

Nexia are sleek, smaller than ever, and modern looking prescription hearing aids. They also allow you to customize the look of your hearing aids with an array of color options.

Value

AirPods Pro 3
5.0EXCELLENT

Apple AirPods Pro 3 has a value score of 5.0/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Nexia
3.1BELOW AVERAGE

Resound Nexia has a value score of 3.1/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Handling

AirPods Pro 3
4.0AVERAGE

I find Bluetooth pairing and general use exceptionally easy. However, navigating the deeper personalization features, and touch controls, could be more user friendly.

Nexia
4.5EXCELLENT

Nexia are easy to use and adjust using either the multi-function button or Smart3D app. I had no issues making adjustments with either.

Pro Support

AirPods Pro 3
1.0BELOW AVERAGE

You can receive technical support from Apple, but no audiologic support is offered at this time. You may be able to find a hearing care provider willing to assist with programming your AirPods Pro based on your needs.

Nexia
5.0EXCELLENT

Prescription hearing aids like Nexia are fit by hearing care providers so you should receive quality care. The Smart3D app also opens the possibility for remote programming and virtual follow-up appointments.

Lab Recordings

Listen to direct output recordings from our acoustic test lab.

AirPods Pro 3
Nexia
Busy CafeBusy CafeSpeech intelligibility improvement in loud environments
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
AirPods Pro 3
Nexia
Quiet OfficeQuiet OfficeSpeech intelligibility improvement in quiet and moderate environments
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
AirPods Pro 3
Nexia
Streaming MusicStreaming MusicStreaming music provides a full range of bass and treble
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
AirPods Pro 3
Nexia

HearingTracker partners with HearAdvisor to provide recordings and performance data from an acoustic laboratory that follows standard scientific procedures. All hearing aids are fitted and performance-tested for mild sloping to moderate hearing loss. All audio samples cutoff above 10kHz.

Accessories

Compatible accessories for each hearing aid

AirPods Pro 3
Nexia
Battery Charger
None

Premium Charger

Charges device when connected to power outlet, and also holds up to three full charges due to its onboard battery.

Standard Charger

Charges device when connected to power outlet.

Desktop Charger

A desktop charger for ReSound hearing aids. Does not charge on the go.

CROS System
None

Nexia RIE CROS

Wirelessly transmits sound from the non-hearing ear to the hearing ear—offering all-day battery life, intuitive balance controls, Bluetooth® LE Audio and Auracast™ connectivity, and support for wireless accessories like the Multi-Mic+ and TV-streamer+. Compatible with other receiver-in-canal devices.

Remote Control
None

Unite Remote Control 2

Gives you push-button control of volume and program settings on your hearing aids and lets you manage streaming accessories.

Unite Phone Clip++2

Small enough to clip onto your shirt collar, it streams phone calls and audio to your hearing aids from any Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone or smartphone.

Remote Microphone
None

Micro Mic

A matchbook-sized remote wireless microphone that lets you hear from a distance up to 80 feet away.

Multi Mic++3

The Multi-Mic+ is a versatile wireless accessory designed to help hearing aid users hear more clearly in challenging situations. It can be clipped onto clothing or worn on a lanyard to pick up a speaker’s voice and stream it directly to compatible hearing aids, or it can be placed on a table to capture group conversations in “table mode.” In addition to acting as a remote microphone, the Multi-Mic+ connects to other audio sources through a built-in telecoil, FM receiver (optional), or a standard 3.5 mm line-in cable, allowing users to stream sound from loop systems, FM transmitters, computers, TVs, or other devices. With a streaming range of up to 25 meters (82 feet), automatic mode switching, volume controls, and app integration, it provides flexible, high-quality sound input across a wide variety of listening environments

Smartphone App
None

ReSound Smart 3D app+2

Adjusts sound, volume and balance settings, tinnitus settings, and allows your provider to make remote adjustments to your hearing aid programs.

TV Streamer
None

Unite TV Streamer 2

Streams stereo sound from the television directly to your hearing aids from up to 22 feet away.

ReSound TV Streamer+

The ReSound TV-Streamer+, which supports Bluetooth Auracast, streams high-quality sound with speech clarity directly to your hearing aids at the volume you prefer.

Hardware

AirPods Pro 3
Nexia
AccelerometerAccelerometerThis hearing aid is capable of measuring acceleration through an embedded sensor.
Yes
No
Bluetooth® AudioBluetooth® AudioThis hearing aid is capable of streaming Bluetooth® audio certain phones and/or devices.
  • Bluetooth® (A2DP)
  • LC3
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Android (ASHA)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
  • Bluetooth® Auracast™
Disposable BatteriesDisposable BatteriesCommon disposable batteries last anywhere from a few days to two weeks or more. For more information Google "how long do hearing aid batteries last" and click on the Hearing Tracker link.
No
312
GyroscopeGyroscopeThis hearing aid is able to determine orientation using embedded sensors.
Yes
No
Hands-Free CallingHands-Free CallingIt is possible to have a hands-free phone call with this hearing aid. You are not required to hold the phone up to your mouth.
  • Bluetooth® (HFP)
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Accessory required (Android)
IP RatingIP RatingIP Ratings rate sealing effectiveness of hearing aids against intrusion from foreign solid matter (dirt, dust) and moisture.
IP57
IP68
Mic + Speaker In EarMic + Speaker In EarPlacing a microphone in the ear allows hearing aids to measure the effect that your pinna (outer ear) has on the sound arriving at your eardrum. This may allow the hearing aid to better emulate the natural sound of your ear.
No
Yes
Push ButtonPush ButtonThe hearing aid features a push button which allows toggling across different sound processing programs
No
  • Program control
Rechargeable BatteriesRechargeable BatteriesCharge your batteries overnight in a docking station and get a full day's use (in most cases) of battery life the following day.
Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion
Tap ControlsTap ControlsThe hearing aid may be controlled by physically tapping it with your fingers.
  • Play/Pause
  • Audio passthrough on/off
  • Accept/end calls
  • Accept/end calls
TelecoilTelecoilThe hearing aid is able to pick up audio from landline telephones or public audio systems without using its acoustic microphones. This minimizes background noise and improves clarity and understanding, even over great distances. At performing arts venues, events, government meetings, etc., look for assistive listening systems (hearing loop, FM, and infrared systems), which must be provided at no cost under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other international regulations.
No
Yes
Voice AssistantVoice AssistantCertain devices will allow you to interact with voice assistants using "Hey Siri", "Hey Google", "Hey Alexa", etc commands.
  • Siri
No
Volume RockerVolume RockerA volume rocker or wheel to allows the adjustment of volume with a finger.
No
Yes

Software Features

AirPods Pro 3
Nexia
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)ANC is different than typical hearing aid noise reduction in that it reduces both steady state and dynamic background noise using sound wave inversion.
Yes
No
Active occlusion cancellation (AOC)Active occlusion cancellation (AOC)A microphone measures the sound of your own voice inside your ear canal and cancels the sound using phase inversion. This reduces the boominess that often occurs with closed-canal hearing aids.
Yes
No
Adjustment BandsAdjustment BandsThese are frequency-divided sections that can be adjusted in a hearing aid in order to amplify sounds. Although there are rarely more than 10 frequencies measured in a hearing assessment, having more bands that can be adjusted may allow for improved speech understanding and user comfort.
No
17
DirectionalityDirectionalityDepending on the types and number of microphones a hearing aid has, the hearing aid may be able to boost sounds from specific directions (by reducing sounds from other directions). This can be helpful to focus on a speaker directly in front of the hearing aid user, as well as to give the user information about where different sounds are coming from.
Conversation BoostConversation BoostUses the dual beam-forming microphones to boost the volume of a person talking in front of you, making it easier to listen to someone who's chatting with you.
All Access DirectionalityAll Access DirectionalityAutomatically adjusts directional microphone patterns according to a binaural hearing strategy.Binaural Directionality™ IIIBinaural Directionality™ IIIBinaural Directionality III provides the ultimate balance for supporting natural hearing: a signal-to-noise ratio improvement similar to bilateral directional microphones and a significant benefit in ease of listening compared to other directional microphone strategies.Front FocusFront FocusA high resolution binaural beamformer directional microphone program.Synchronized SoftSwitching™Synchronized SoftSwitching™SoftSwitching (synchronized between ears) uses sound level and speech detection algorithms to decide when directionality is likely to be advantageous in a certain listening environment. It also offers the same four selections of MultiScope beamwidth settings: the default AutoScope, Narrow, Medium and Wide. The SoftSwitching mode differs from MultiScope Adaptive Directionality in that it uses slower transitions between directional settings and the omnidirectional setting, which is sometimes more comfortable and preferable among certain hearing aid users.Ultra FocusUltra FocusThe user-controlled Ultra Focus uses a powerful combined directional pattern from both hearing aids to focus on the person in front of you.
Environmental AdaptationEnvironmental AdaptationThe hearing aid can detect different acoustical environments, like speech in noise, and adjust the sound of the hearing aid accordingly to drive comfort or speech understanding, etc.
No
360 All Around360 All AroundA microphone steering system that selects the best listening mode even in unstable background noiseEnvironmental OptimizerEnvironmental OptimizerProvide automatic adjustment of hearing instrument settings.Environmental Optimizer IIEnvironmental Optimizer IIThe Environmental Optimizer II automatically adjusts both gain and Noise Tracker II’s speech-in-noise settings according to the listening environment.
ExpansionExpansionExpansion reduces audibility for very soft sounds. This can help to remove microphone noise, which is generated by soft environmental sounds.
No
3 settings
Feedback SuppressionFeedback SuppressionIf any sound amplified by the hearing aid escapes the ear canal, it may reach the hearing aid’s own microphone and cause a harsh whistling noise. Some hearing aids are able to recognize when this feedback occurs and reduce or eliminate it.
No
DFS Ultra IIIDFS Ultra IIIReduces feedback while preserving amplification without compromising sound quality.
Listening ProgramsListening ProgramsNumber of manually accessible listening programs (using push button, remote, app, or other switching method)
No
Fully flexible programs: 4Fully flexible programsCustom listening programs
New User AdaptationNew User AdaptationProvider may set the hearing aid to gradually get louder over the first few weeks or months of a new hearing aid fitting. This can be convenient for new users who want to experience maximum benefit without making a lot of trips to the provider for tune ups.
No
Synchronized Acceptance ManagerSynchronized Acceptance ManagerSynchronized Acceptance Manager gives a gradual and automatic increase of the gain in the hearing aid over time.
Noise ReductionNoise ReductionThis feature uses modern hearing aids’ processing power to examine the incoming sound signal, determine if noise is present and reduce the volume of the troublesome sound to increase comfort.
No
NoiseTracker™ II: 5 settingsNoiseTracker™ IINoiseTracker II uses a technology called spectral subtraction. Spectral subtraction works by subtracting the short-term noise spectrum from the signal, leaving only the speech portion behind ... ReSound’s NoiseTracker II is able to use spectral subtraction successfully because the Environmental Classifier has identified speech and noise so precisely.
Resonance NormalizationResonance NormalizationMicrophones measure sound in the ear canal in order to adjust cancel the effects of individual resonance.
Adaptive EQAdaptive EQInward-facing microphones detect what you’re hearing, then adjust low and midrange frequencies to deliver the rich details in every song, customized for you in real time.
No
Self-fittingSelf-fittingThis hearing aid allows you to fit yourself without professional assistance. Typically found in OTC products.
  • Tuned based on hearing test through device
  • Tuned based on audio preference selections
  • Tuned by user directly
No
Spatial AudioSpatial AudioHead tracking is performed so that audio appears to originate from a static location as your head moves.
Yes
No
Sudden Loud Noise ReductionSudden Loud Noise ReductionThis feature detects loud sounds and reduces their volume to a comfortable level. Though not a replacement for hearing protection, this technology can greatly improve listener comfort.
No
Impulse Noise Reduction: 3 settingsImpulse Noise ReductionReduces amplification for sudden, brief noises.
Tinnitus ReliefTinnitus ReliefTinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be addressed by hearing aids in several different ways, such as introducing a soft therapeutic signal or targeted notched noise.
No
Tinnitus Sound GeneratorTinnitus Sound GeneratorThe tinnitus sound generator administers sounds that make the disturbing noise less noticeable and draw your attention away from the tinnitus.
Unique Amplification StrategyUnique Amplification StrategyHearing aids all process sounds a little bit differently. Sometimes it varies even within one model.
Adaptive TransparencyAdaptive TransparencyProvides personalized amplification for everyday sounds, with improved handling for loud sounds like sirens and construction noise.Headphone AccommodationsHeadphone AccommodationsApple's terminology for personalized amplification. Options include audio preference selection, manual EQ, or audiogram input.
No
Wind Noise ReductionWind Noise ReductionAs wind blows against the microphones of hearing aids, unpleasant noise may be generated. Some hearing aids have the ability to recognize this wind noise and reduce its level. Such reductions may also affect the audibility of desired sounds, like speech.
No
Wind Guard: 3 settingsWind GuardWhen no wind noise is found, the hearing aid constantly updates and stores the sound input levels in each Warp band. Then, when wind is present, WindGuard calculates the amount of gain reduction needed to return to the stored level of the specific bands affected by wind noise.