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Fortell AI Hearing Aids vs. ReSound Nexia

Check out our comparison of the Fortell AI Hearing Aids 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
4.5
Fortell AI Hearing Aids
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Fortell

AI Hearing Aids

SoundScore 6.0/5
$6,800 per pair
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Score
4.2
ReSound Nexia microRIE 9
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ReSound

Nexia microRIE 9

SoundScore 4.0/5
$2,998 per pair
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AI Hearing Aids
$6,800 per pair
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Nexia
$2,998 per pair
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Product Overview

AI Hearing Aids
Nexia
Form Factor
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.
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
4.5
Score
4.2
User Rating
—
2.63 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.
MildModerateSevere
MildModerateSevere
Product Features
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhone
Hands-freeRechargeableiPhoneAndroidIP68

Expert Ratings

Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.

AI Hearing Aids
Nexia

HearingTracker Score

AI Hearing Aids
4.5EXCELLENT

Fortell AI Hearing Aids are rechargeable RIC devices that use Spatial AI to separate speech from background noise in real time. The new AI 2.0 software upgrade retrains that system on more real-world sound data to improve speech clarity in noise while maintaining natural-sounding voices.

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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.

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HearAdvisor SoundScore

AI Hearing Aids
6.0EXCELLENT

Fortell AI Hearing Aids achieved a SoundScore of 6.0/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. The Prescription Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 4.19/5.

Nexia
4.0AVERAGE

Resound Nexia achieved a SoundScore of 4.0/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #28 of 39 Prescription Hearing Aid devices tested. The Prescription Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 4.19/5.

Build Quality

AI Hearing Aids
4.6EXCELLENT

Fortell AI Hearing Aids feel well built, though their IP54 rating offers less water and debris resistance than many prescription hearing aids, which commonly carry a higher IP68 rating. As with any hearing aid, regular cleaning and proper care will help keep them performing well over time.

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

AI Hearing Aids
4.6EXCELLENT

Fortell states that its hearing aids last around 24 hours per charge in the default All-day AI mode, so they should easily last a full day even if you rely heavily on the more processing-intensive “All voices” or “Front voices” programs.

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

AI Hearing Aids
3.0BELOW AVERAGE

While Fortell AI Hearing Aids support hands-free calling and audio streaming on iOS devices, they currently do not support Android, and the company has not announced a timeline for Android compatibility.

Nexia
5.0EXCELLENT

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

App Features

AI Hearing Aids
4.5EXCELLENT

The Fortell app offers useful controls for volume, a 3-band EQ, and several AI listening modes. While I found it easy to use and sufficiently flexible, it is more limited than many competing apps, with no tinnitus features, health tracking, or other extras.

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

AI Hearing Aids
5.0EXCELLENT

I found Fortell AI Hearing Aids comfortable and similar in fit to other prescription receiver-in-canal hearing aids. Although the body is slightly larger than many competing devices, it should fit comfortably behind most ears without interfering with glasses or causing retention issues. Your provider can help you fine-tune your fit in office.

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

AI Hearing Aids
4.5EXCELLENT

Fortell AI Hearing Aids use a familiar receiver-in-canal design with a slightly larger body than many other "micro" prescription devices. However, they remain fairly discreet behind the ear. Several colors are currently available with more to come later in 2026.

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

AI Hearing Aids
3.2BELOW AVERAGE

Fortell AI Hearing Aids has a value score of 3.2/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Nexia
3.2BELOW AVERAGE

Resound Nexia has a value score of 3.2/5 based on lab performance and public display price.

Handling

AI Hearing Aids
4.8EXCELLENT

I found Fortell AI Hearing Aids easy to use and comparable to other receiver-in-canal devices. The app, charging case, and physical buttons all worked well, making day-to-day handling straightforward and giving me easy access to the controls I needed.

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

AI Hearing Aids
4.0ABOVE AVERAGE

Fortell AI Hearing Aids are professionally fit and supported, but access is currently more limited than with major prescription hearing aid brands. In-person care is available in only a handful of major metropolitan areas, though additional clinics are planned. Fortell also offers fully remote care across 30 states, which expands access considerably for those comfortable with telehealth.

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.

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

AI Hearing Aids
Nexia
Battery Charger

Fortell Charging Case+1

Portable charging case with an integrated lithium-ion power bank, rated IP54 and charged over USB-C. Holds 72+ hours of additional listening, roughly three full recharges of a pair, and reaches full charge in 8 hours. Three separate 3-LED arrays report the left aid, the right aid and the case itself; the case button also drives pairing and reset.

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

Fortell App+1

iPhone companion app for Fortell wearers. Shows connection status and per-device battery, controls volume for both aids together or independently with per-device mute, switches listening modes, enables sleep mode, and provides a three-band equaliser plus a separate one for streamed audio. It is also the channel for messaging the wearer's Fortell audiology team and for remote fitting, both realtime and asynchronous.

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

AI Hearing Aids
Nexia
Bluetooth® AudioBluetooth® AudioThis hearing aid is capable of streaming Bluetooth® audio certain phones and/or devices.
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • Android (ASHA)
  • Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE)
  • Bluetooth® Auracast™
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.
  • Made for iPhone (MFi)
  • 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.
No
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
  • Volume Control
  • Program control
  • Call accept/reject
  • 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.
No
  • Accept/end calls

Software Features

AI Hearing Aids
Nexia
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
AI Noise RemovalAI Noise RemovalArtificial Intelligence is utilized to remove or modify background noise from the sound signal to help isolate speech for better speech understanding.
Spatial AISpatial AIThe separation network attenuates competing speech as well as non-speech noise -- the case conventional digital noise reduction cannot address, because competing speech occupies the same frequency bands as the target talker and shifts constantly.Also covers Machine Learning, Unique Amplification Strategy
No
Audio Stream MixerAudio Stream MixerAllows the user to adjust the volume of the audio stream relative to the microphone input using the push button or volume control on the hearing aid unit.
Yes
No
Direction SelectionDirection SelectionAllows the user to select one or more directions to focus their hearing aids on. For example, some hearing aids allow the listener to focus on sounds coming from in front or back, or from the right or left.
Front VoicesFront VoicesThe wearer selects front-only focus by hand, from the companion app or by holding the mode button on the right hearing aid. Fortell does not switch modes automatically: the difference between its modes is large enough that being in the wrong one costs more than automatic switching saves.FrontAlso covers Spatial Noise Cancellation
No
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.
Adaptive
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.
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 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.
Yes
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)
4
Fully flexible programs: 4Fully flexible programsCustom listening programs
Machine LearningMachine LearningThis hearing aid employs machine learning to bring a higher degree of computer-aided intelligence to decision making.
Spatial AISpatial AIThe network runs continuously on a custom machine-learning coprocessor inside each hearing aid -- no external processing unit and no phone-tethered processing -- rather than being triggered by a scene classifier.Also covers AI Noise Removal, Unique Amplification Strategy
No
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.
Yes
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.
Processing ChannelsProcessing ChannelsThese are all the frequency-divided sections the hearing aid is able to examine at a single time. The hearing aid uses this information to determine whether the contents of each section are noise, speech, or something else and amplify the sound in each section accordingly.
8
No
Spatial Noise CancellationSpatial Noise CancellationThis feature recognizes where sounds are coming from and can reduce noise coming from behind or to the side of the listener. This helps the listener focus on the speaker, usually in front of them.
Front VoicesFront VoicesListening mode that amplifies only the conversation in front of the wearer, excluding competing talkers to the rear and sides along with non-speech noise from any direction. This is the processing evaluated in Fortell's published intelligibility and listening-preference trials.Also covers Direction Selection
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.
Yes
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.
Spatial AISpatial AISource-separating neural network that models both what a sound is and where it comes from. It reads sub-millisecond differences in timing, spectral content and amplitude across the microphones to split the incoming scene into sound that should be amplified and sound that should not, then amplifies only the former. Unlike a beamformer, which passes whatever falls inside its spatial filter, direction here is one input to a learned separation model that also reasons about whether a sound is a talker the wearer is attending to.Also covers AI Noise Removal, Machine Learning
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.
Yes
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.