Audien Atom Pro 2 vs ReSound OMNIA miniRIE

The Audien Atom Pro 2 is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid that earns a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.3/5 in our lab testing. At $289, it sits in the lower price tier of the OTC category, though several competitors at similar or lower prices deliver stronger overall performance. In our testing, the Atom Pro 2 showed a clear strength in feedback handling, scoring an excellent 5.0/5—0.46 points above the category average. This means users are unlikely to experience whistling or squealing during normal wear. However, the device showed mixed results for speech clarity, with speech in quiet scoring 2.3/5 (0.49 points below category average) and speech in noise at 1.3/5 (0.16 points below average). Own-voice comfort was slightly above average at 2.6/5, though still mixed in absolute terms. The most significant limitation is music streaming, which scored 0.0/5—nearly 2 points below the category average. Users who want to stream phone calls or music through their hearing aids should consider alternatives like the Olive Union Air or Elehear Beyond, which offer substantially better streaming performance. The Atom Pro 2 may suit budget-conscious buyers who prioritize basic amplification without feedback issues and don't need streaming functionality. However, shoppers in this price range should also consider the Linner Saturn or Olive Union Air, which offer similar or better sound performance at lower prices.

The ReSound OMNIA miniRIE is a premium behind-the-ear prescription hearing aid released in 2022, priced at $4,764. In our lab testing, it earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.0/5, ranking #24 of 36 devices in the Prescription Hearing Aid category. This device demonstrates solid performance in speech clarity for quiet environments, scoring 3.7/5—0.34 points above the category average. However, speech understanding in noisy situations is a notable weakness, with a score of just 1.0/5, falling 0.96 points below the category average. This contrast suggests the OMNIA miniRIE performs best for users who primarily need support in calmer listening environments rather than challenging acoustic situations like busy restaurants or crowded gatherings. Feedback handling is strong at 4.1/5 in absolute terms, though it sits 0.61 points below the category average of 4.71/5. Own-voice comfort scores 2.9/5, slightly above average but mixed in absolute terms. Music streaming performance is similarly positioned at 2.7/5—essentially at the category average. The OMNIA miniRIE features rechargeable batteries, iPhone and Android streaming capability, and hands-free functionality. It has received the Expert's Choice Award in both 2023 and 2024. At this premium price point, buyers should be aware that several same-price competitors like the Phonak Sphere Infinio and Oticon Intent offer higher overall scores in our testing. This device may suit users prioritizing quiet-environment speech clarity and brand-specific features over maximum performance in noise.