Linner Mars vs Resound Vivia 9 60S microRIE

The Linner Mars is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid released in 2023, earning a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.2/5 in our lab testing. At $399, it falls in the lower price tier of the OTC category but ranks #55 of 65 OTC devices tested, placing it in the bottom 17% of its category. This visible-in-ear device presents a mixed performance profile with notable strengths and significant weaknesses. Music streaming is a standout feature, scoring an excellent 4.6/5—a full 2.68 points above the category average. Feedback handling is also excellent at 5.0/5, meaning users can expect stable performance without whistling during normal use. However, speech clarity presents challenges. Speech in quiet scores a low 1.9/5, falling 0.85 points below the category average. Speech in noise performance is particularly limited at 1.0/5, sitting 0.46 points below average. Own-voice comfort also scores low at 1.0/5, which is 1.51 points below the category average—users may notice their own voice sounding unnatural or boomy. The Linner Mars may suit budget-conscious consumers who prioritize music and media streaming over speech understanding in challenging environments. However, buyers seeking better speech performance should consider alternatives like the Elehear Beyond or Apple AirPods Pro 2, which offer stronger overall sound scores in the same price range.

The Resound Vivia 9 60S microRIE is a premium prescription behind-the-ear hearing aid released in 2025, currently available at $3,798. In HearAdvisor's lab testing, it earned a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.9/5, ranking #27 of 36 prescription hearing aids tested. This device demonstrates a mixed performance profile in our testing. Own-voice comfort is a notable strength, scoring 3.4/5—a solid result that sits 0.65 points above the category average, which may appeal to users sensitive to the hollow or boomy sound of their own speech. Speech clarity in quiet environments also performs well at 3.4/5, slightly above the category average. However, the Vivia 9 shows significant limitations in challenging listening situations. Speech in noise scored just 1.1/5, falling 0.81 points below the prescription hearing aid average—a substantial gap that suggests difficulty in restaurants, group conversations, or other noisy environments. Feedback handling, while strong in absolute terms at 4.2/5, still lands 0.51 points below what we typically see from prescription devices. Music streaming quality is mixed at 2.6/5, essentially matching the category average. At this premium price point, the Vivia 9 faces stiff competition. Several same-priced alternatives, including the Phonak Sphere Infinio and Oticon Intent, achieved notably higher overall scores in our testing. Consumers prioritizing noise performance may want to explore these options or consider lower-priced alternatives like the Sennheiser All Day Clear that delivered stronger overall results in our lab.