Eargo Link vs. ReSound Key

Check out our comparison of the Eargo Link vs ReSound Key. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.

Score
0.0
Eargo Link
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$799 per pair
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ReSound Key RIE 61 4
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$2,799 per pair
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Product Overview

Form Factor
EarbudForm FactorNon-custom earbud style device.
Receiver In The EarForm 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
0.0
User Rating
3.7
2 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.
MildModerateSevereProfound
MildModerateSevereProfound
Product Features
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidTelecoil
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidTelecoilIP58

Expert Ratings

Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.

Link
Key
Link
3.5AVERAGE

The Link by Eargo is an over-the-counter hearing aid designed to offer discreet and user-friendly hearing enhancement. It features advanced sound processing technology, competitive pricing, and has been positively reviewed by independent labs for its performance and reliability.

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Key
Link
4.0ABOVE AVERAGE

The Eargo Link achieved a SoundGrade of B and ranked in the top 23% in the OTC Hearing Aid category. With a SoundScore of 4.00/5, it performs above the category average of 3.43, demonstrating competitive overall sound quality in HearAdvisor's standardized testing protocol.

Key
Link
3.8BELOW AVERAGE

The Eargo Link seem to be a slight regression in build quality and have an IP54 rating, which is lower than other Eargo models. This means they are not water-proof and will require extra care to continue working well long term.

Key
Link
2.9BELOW AVERAGE

I liked the portable charging case and magnetic locks. However, the 9 hour rechargeable battery life means they will not last all day and will be better suited for situational use rather than all-day hearing help.

Key
Link
5.0EXCELLENT

I was impressed with Eargo Link's audio quality for both streaming and hands-free calls. The Bluetooth 5.3 compatibility is a significant upgrade from Eargo's other products that don't support streaming.

Key
Link
4.0AVERAGE

Link were moderately comfortable in my ears and feel like typical wireless earbuds. I was able to switch through the included ear tips to find the right fit for both comfort and sound quality.

Key
Link
4.5EXCELLENT

With their modern earbud-like appearance, Link is definitely more bold than other Eargo models. While I like the earbud look, you will have to decide whether you prefer a more discrete hearing aid option.

Key
Link
3.6AVERAGE

The Eargo Link offers solid performance for its $799 price point, though several competitors in the same price range achieve higher scores.

Key
Link
3.5BELOW AVERAGE

Instead of typical multi-function buttons, Link uses touch sensors. These worked well, and more reliably than other products I've tested, though the app would be a nice addition for manual controls.

Key
Link
1.0BELOW AVERAGE

Eargo is one of the first direct to consumer hearing aids, but support is unfortunately limited to to their Client Care team and personal hearing professionals. While Eargo claims they work alongside audiologists, it is not the same as direct professional hearing care.

Key

Lab Recordings

Listen to direct output recordings from our acoustic test lab.

Busy CafeBusy CafeSpeech intelligibility improvement in loud environments
Quiet OfficeQuiet OfficeSpeech intelligibility improvement in quiet and moderate environments
Streaming MusicStreaming MusicStreaming music provides a full range of bass and treble
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

3.5mm Line to Streaming
Multi Mic

Multi Mic

3.5mm Line to Streaming+3

A flexible remote microphone that can either be clipped to clothes or used as a tabletop mic for meetings. Use the mini-jack input for streaming audio from a music player to your hearing aids.

Battery Charger
Link Charger

Link Charger

Battery Charger

Charges Link by Eargo OTC hearing aids.

Charger

Charger

Battery Charger
Bluetooth Streamer
Unite Phone Clip+

Unite Phone Clip+

Bluetooth Streamer+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.

FM to Digital Streaming
Multi Mic

Multi Mic

FM to Digital Streaming+3

A flexible remote microphone that can either be clipped to clothes or used as a tabletop mic for meetings. Use the mini-jack input for streaming audio from a music player to your hearing aids.

Remote Adjustments
ReSound Smart 3D app

ReSound Smart 3D app

Remote Adjustments+2

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

Remote Control
Unite Remote Control 2

Unite Remote Control 2

Remote Control

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

Unite Phone Clip+

Unite Phone Clip+

Remote Control+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.

ReSound Smart 3D app

ReSound Smart 3D app

Remote Control+2

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

ReSound Smart 3D app [Watch]

ReSound Smart 3D app [Watch]

Remote Control+1
Control+

Control+

Remote Control+1
Remote Microphone
Multi Mic

Multi Mic

Remote Microphone+3

A flexible remote microphone that can either be clipped to clothes or used as a tabletop mic for meetings. Use the mini-jack input for streaming audio from a music player to your hearing aids.

Micro Mic

Micro Mic

Remote Microphone

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

Smartphone App
ReSound Smart 3D app

ReSound Smart 3D app

Smartphone App+2

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

Control+

Control+

Smartphone App+1
Smartphone Streamer + Hands Free
Unite Phone Clip+

Unite Phone Clip+

Smartphone Streamer + Hands Free+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.

Smartwatch App
ReSound Smart 3D app [Watch]

ReSound Smart 3D app [Watch]

Smartwatch App+1
Telecoil Streamer
Multi Mic

Multi Mic

Telecoil Streamer+3

A flexible remote microphone that can either be clipped to clothes or used as a tabletop mic for meetings. Use the mini-jack input for streaming audio from a music player to your hearing aids.

TV Streamer
Unite TV Streamer 2

Unite TV Streamer 2

TV Streamer

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

Hardware

Bluetooth® AudioBluetooth® AudioThis hearing aid is capable of streaming Bluetooth® audio certain phones and/or devices.
  • Bluetooth® (A2DP)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Android (ASHA)
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
13
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.
  • Accessory required
IP RatingIP RatingIP Ratings rate sealing effectiveness of hearing aids against intrusion from foreign solid matter (dirt, dust) and moisture.
No
IP58
Push ButtonPush ButtonThe hearing aid features a push button which allows toggling across different sound processing programs
No
  • Program control
  • Volume 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.
  • Change program
  • Accept/end calls
  • Pause/Resume
  • ANC On/Off
No
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
Volume RockerVolume RockerA volume rocker or wheel to allows the adjustment of volume with a finger.
No
Yes

Software Features

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
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
6
Adjustment SynchronizationAdjustment SynchronizationThis feature allows for a more pleasant listening experience by ensuring that both hearing aids process sound the same way. If one hearing aid changes its processing in response to noise or speech, it will send a wireless signal to the other hearing aid so both process sound in the same way.
No
Yes
Automatic Phone ProgramAutomatic Phone ProgramHearing aids with this feature can detect when a phone is placed near them and automatically switch to a phone program. In this setting, the hearing aids will reduce background noise and increase the volume of the phone.
No
Yes
Bass BoostBass BoostExtra amplification for lower tones.
No
Low Frequency Boost: Basic
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.
No
Yes
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
Yes
ExpansionExpansionExpansion reduces audibility for very soft sounds. This can help to remove microphone noise, which is generated by soft environmental sounds.
No
On/Off
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.
Yes
Yes
Listening ProgramsListening ProgramsNumber of manually accessible listening programs (using push button, remote, app, or other switching method)
No
Fully flexible programs: 4
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
Yes
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.
Yes
NoiseTracker™ II: On/Off
Phone Ear FocusPhone Ear FocusWhen on a phone call, some hearing aids can focus amplification on the phone ear and reduce amplification in the non-phone ear.
No
Yes
Power On DelayPower On DelayWhen you close the battery door to turn on your hearing aid, the hearing aid won't start producing sound for a certain amount of time. This can alleviate whistling (feedback) sound that sometimes occurs while inserting your hearing aid.
No
Yes
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: On/Off
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
Yes
Unique Amplification StrategyUnique Amplification StrategyHearing aids all process sounds a little bit differently. Sometimes it varies even within one model.
No
WARP compression: 12
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: On/Off