Yeasound RIC700 Plus: Lab and Audiologist Tested for Real-World Performance and Value

We were impressed with Yeasound RIC700 Plus as a viable over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid option, offering clear amplification, useful app features, reliable Bluetooth functionality, and a well-designed charging system. While it’s not the best in any single category, the mid-level $699 price of Yeasound RIC700 Plus makes it a well-rounded choice for those seeking a preset-based OTC hearing aid. That said, we did encounter some drawbacks that we’d like to see Yeasound address in future models.

Test Results from the HearAdvisor Lab

In HearAdvisor lab testing, Yeasound RIC700 Plus received an "A" SoundGrade. In the Initial Fit condition (i.e., what you'd typically get out of the box without professional adjustments to maximize speech in noise, etc.), the Yeasound RIC700 performed above average on speech in quiet, above average on speech in noise, above average on feedback handling, below average on occlusion results, and above average on music streaming quality.

When adjusted by an audiologist for the best score achievable using the app and available modifications from Yeasound, the results were about the same. Overall, the hearing aid rated 4.1 (out of 5) and 4.2 for the Initial and Tuned Fit conditions, respectively. This places Yeasound in 10th place among the 48 OTC hearing aids tested by HearAdvisor to date. However, only one OTC hearing aid, Elehear Beyond (at $400), is in that same top-10 group with a comparable price.

It’s important to note that HearAdvisor testing at this time focuses only on moderate hearing loss, and testing inside a lab can be different from what you may experience in real life. Also, with different configurations of hearing devices, including combinations of rubber domes or custom earmolds, your performance could vary widely. HearAdvisor has published details about its hearing aid testing rationale and methods on its website.

What's It Like Using Yeasound RIC700?

Using Yeasound RIC700 hearing aids is relatively straightforward, but you will want to set aside 30 minutes or more for setup.

Setting Up RIC700 Plus and Initial Observations

Inside the box, you’ll find a pair of RIC700 Plus hearing aids, a charging case and base, user documents, and various accessories. It’s a good idea to get RIC700 charging right away as this can take up to 3 hours.

Yeasound offers multiple charging options for RIC700 Plus, which is uncommon among OTC hearing aids. Your first option is to plug the charger case into a standard wall outlet using the included USB-C cable. Alternatively, you can place the charger case on top of the included charger base and plug it in with a USB-C cable. This may seem redundant, but the dedicated charger base eliminates the hassle of plugging and unplugging cables which can easily fall behind a nightstand or dresser. It also enables a hearing aid dryer feature built into the portable charging case. Overall, the case is very convenient and well designed.

It is also worth noting that RIC700 Plus turns off while charging to prevent feedback. However, they do not automatically turn back on when removed, so you must manually turn them on by pressing the upper button for one second (more button controls are listed below).

With your devices charging, you have plenty of time to familiarize yourself with the extra accessories, install the iYeasound app on your mobile device, and read the user manual (if you’re one of the people who takes the time to do so). One accessory to note is the wire sizing tool, which you can use to assess whether the default size 3 earwire is appropriate for your ears. Page 52 of the User Guide offers detailed instructions with images.

Choosing the Right Domes and Controlling the Device

Once charged, you’ll want to begin customizing the RIC700 for your hearing needs. You can switch between the open, tulip, and closed domes to find a balance between comfort and sound quality. Mine arrived with tulip domes attached, which are a good starting point for most people. Generally, open domes prioritize comfort, while closed domes enhance sound quality. For example, a closed dome will offer more bass or lower frequencies when listening to music; an open or vented dome will allow more unamplified sound to enter your ear and reduce the "plugged" feeling and unnatural perception of your own voice.

You’ll also want to pair RIC700 with your mobile device and the iYeasound app. The app offers useful features for tuning the sound quality to your preferences (more on this below), and the manual buttons can be used for general adjustments:

The physical buttons are larger than you commonly find, with a decent “click” feel when pressed, making them very usable. Overall, I was impressed and would rank their build quality below prescription hearing aids but toward the mid-to-upper range of OTC devices.

Appearance and Size of Yeasound RIC700 Plus

At HearingTracker, we're fans of RIC-style hearing aids because they are arguably the most comfortable to wear and use (particularly for all-day use) and can employ important technology like Bluetooth^® and directional microphones. It's not a coincidence that RICs make up about 80% of the entire U.S. hearing aid market.

RIC700 hearing aids are lightweight and have a small footprint behind the ear. Their size and comfort are comparable to prescription receiver-in-canal hearing aids.

Compared to other best-selling RIC-style hearing aids, Yeasound is slightly larger than some of the prescription hearing aids shown next to it in the picture below. However, it's in between the sizes of the two other popular OTC hearing aids, the Lexie B2 Plus Powered by Bose and the Jabra Enhance Select 500, shown on the far left and right, respectively.

Sound Quality

I was refreshingly surprised by the speech clarity RIC700 offered. Granted, they don’t match the performance of professionally programmed prescription hearing aids—but that’s an unfair comparison. The default "High-frequency Sound Enhancement" setting provides a good starting point for typical age-related mild-to-moderate hearing loss, and the iYeasound app offers additional points of adjustment (e.g., volume controls and a 3-band equalizer).

One major complaint is the tone indicators when switching programs. RIC700 Plus emit a loud tonal click that can be annoying and uncomfortable, especially if you have sensitive ears. This seems like a major oversight, and I hope Yeasound improves the tone indicators in the near future.

If you love streaming audio, you will be disappointed to hear that RIC700’s streamed audio quality falls into the typical sonic categories of “thin,” “low-fidelity,” and “distorted.” You can improve this by using more occluding ear tips and adjusting the app settings. However, even with this, they still fall short of high-fidelity, like most hearing aids of this style. Still, audio streaming remains a valuable feature (especially at this price point), even if the quality is lackluster.

Bluetooth & Wireless Control

Yeasound RIC700 Plus offers wireless Bluetooth control for iOS 14 or later and Android 10 or later. This allows RIC700 Plus to pair with the iYeasound mobile app, giving you access to various presets and programming options, which we discuss below. You can also stream music and phone calls from compatible iOS mobile devices however, you may not consider it true “hands-free” calling as your phone microphone captures your voice.

One benefit of RIC700 using the MFi (Made for iPhone) wireless protocol for Apple devices is Live Listen, which turns your iPhone into a remote microphone when enabled. While there tends to be a noticeable delay in the streamed signal, Live Listen can also be used to stream TV audio or a person’s voice directly to your ears.

Using the iYeasound App

The iYeasound app is the control hub for RIC700 Plus and is available for iOS (14 and later) and Android (10 and later) devices. Although not required, the app is essential for getting the most out of these hearing aids, as they rely on preset settings rather than being programmed by a hearing care provider. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to use, and there are some semi-hidden features worth exploring (discussed below).

You can download the iYeasound app from the App Store or Google Play Store and follow the instructions to pair RIC700 Plus with your mobile device. The process is straightforward, but you will need to switch between the app and your phone’s native settings in the Bluetooth menu. If you're not comfortable with this, a tech-savvy friend or family member can be a helpful resource.

After installing the app and pairing RIC700 Plus, you’ll see three main tabs:

• Home: Adjust volume, switch scenes, and fine-tune settings within the Sound Settings menu.
• Support: Access educational resources and programming support.
• Me: Manage your profile and personal settings.

Overall, the app functions well, and the connection between RIC700 Plus and the app remained mostly stable during testing. However, I had to redo the pairing process anytime Bluetooth was disabled on my iPhone—this could be due to the number of Bluetooth devices I have connected for testing.

One minor frustration is that adjusting certain settings causes the app to pause as it applies the changes to RIC700 Plus. This process takes 10–20 seconds and sometimes introduces strange audio artifacts. While not a dealbreaker, it can be annoying, especially for those who are impatient like me!

Hearing Type: Limited Choices for Matching to Your Hearing Loss Profile

Since RIC700 Plus are preset-based, they offer three default sound profiles:

• High-frequency Sound Enhancement (default)
• All-frequency Sound Enhancement
• Medium-high Frequency Sound Enhancement

You can find these settings under the Me tab by selecting Hearing Type. I recommend trying all three to determine which provides the best balance of comfort and speech clarity for your needs.

A note of caution here: RIC700s are "wear and go” OTC hearing aids that rely only on only three hearing presets. This means the hearing aids are not programmed based on your individual hearing loss or an on-ear hearing assessment. The gain (amplification) you'll receive from the device may not align well with your unique hearing profile. Overall, we think preset-based devices are less accurate than “self-fitting OTC devices” that rely on an audiogram or app-based hearing assessment.

The bottom line: If you have a more complex or "atypical" hearing loss, these hearing aids may not perform well for you. That's why it's always best to get your hearing tested by an audiologist, or at the very least try a couple of good online hearing tests.

Fine Tuning

Finding the right settings can be challenging, especially without a hearing care provider. To help, Yeasound has included a user-friendly adjustment tool that modifies sound settings based on your responses to a series of questions. While a far cry from the precision of professional fittings, it can address common listening issues. Some questions it asks include:

• Have you recently experienced a sudden hearing loss accompanied by any illness?
• Is your hearing aid blocked by earwax, dust, or damaged?
• Do you feel uncomfortable when wearing hearing aids?
• What problem do you experience when using the hearing aid?

Self-fit hearing aids, or those that adapt based on hearing data or an on-ear assessment, tend to offer more precise customization. However, the presets and features available in RIC700 Plus allowed for a respectable fitting for the mild-to-moderate hearing loss we use as a baseline in testing.

Battery Life & Rechargeability of Yeasound RIC700 Plus

Yeasound RIC700 Plus have lithium-ion rechargeable batteries that offer up to 31 hours of use per charge. The included charging case is sturdy and features three LED lights on the front, which indicate battery status: a flashing green light means charging, while a solid green light means fully charged. It will take around 3 hours for RIC700 and the portable case to fully charge.

The case also includes an internal power bank capable of charging RIC700 Plus up to eight additional times. This extends the total use time significantly and, while the case is convenient for travel, its size may be too big for the average pocket.

Yeasound also includes a charging base, which significantly reduces the hassle of managing cables and storing your charging case. The base connects with a USB-C cable and can sit on your dresser or nightstand, providing convenient cable-free storage and charging. This is a thoughtful addition and I wish more companies would go this route.

Wireless Accessories

Yeasound does not offer wireless accessories for their hearing aids at this time. However, as noted above, iPhone users can benefit from Live Listen, which turns your mobile device into a remote microphone.

Final Verdict

So is the Yeasound RIC700 Plus worth buying? Overall, RIC700 Plus is a solid product that offers a convenient charging solution, useful app features, and relative ease of use. The sound quality and audio processing capabilities rank toward the higher end of many OTC hearing aids, and the receiver-in-canal (RIC) design aligns with modern prescription hearing aids.

That said, there are areas for improvement. The loud click tone notification when changing programs can be irritating, streamed audio quality is subpar, and the app's processing speed can feel sluggish at times. However, if you’re looking for a preset-based OTC hearing aid with modern features, RIC700 Plus is a competitive option.

What Other Products Should I Consider?

Cost is a major factor when choosing hearing aids and RIC700 Plus are available online for around $699, making them more affordable than the average prescription hearing aid, which typically costs around $2,500 per device. If you’re considering alternatives, we've already mentioned a few above worth exploring.

One of the original OTC hearing aids, Lexie B2 Plus Powered by Bose has undergone several generational improvements. It offers a similar fit and wireless capabilities as the RIC700 Plus, with up to 18 hours of battery life per charge. Unlike previous Lexie models, B2 Plus now includes an on-ear hearing assessment for a more personalized fit, and the Lexie app is one of the most intuitive interfaces I’ve used. You can purchase Lexie B2 Plus online or in-store at major retailers for around $1,000 per pair. If you prefer a preset-based model, the previous-generation Lexie B2 is available for about $900 per pair. Keep an eye open for discounts, as Lexie commonly offers price reductions on all of their products.

If you’re looking for a lower-cost alternative, Elehear Beyond is available online for around $400 per pair. These rechargeable, preset-based hearing aids offer Bluetooth connectivity and surprisingly good audio processing for the price. However, they have a lower build quality (IPX5 rating) and a larger, less discreet design. While not as refined as some other OTC options, Elehear Beyond provides considerable value for budget-conscious buyers.

It’s also worth considering prescription alternatives. It may come as a surprise, but some hearing clinics offer professionally fitted hearing aids at discounted rates around $1,000 per pair. Discounts may also be available through grants, humanitarian programs, or older but still high-quality technology. If budget is a concern, check with local nonprofit hearing clinics, as the combination of prescription technology and professional support offers you greater long-term benefits.

Costco is another excellent resource for high-quality, lower-cost, professionally fit hearing aids. Its in-house brands, such as Rexton, Jabra, and Philips borrow technology from industry giants like Signia, Resound, and Oticon. Costco regularly offers its devices for around $1,500 per pair, along with in-person fitting and follow-up support.