Resound Vivia 9 60S microRIE vs Yeasound RIC700

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.

The Yeasound RIC700 is a budget-priced OTC hearing aid that delivers surprisingly strong performance in our lab testing, earning an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.3/5. At $399, this behind-the-ear device ranks #10 out of 65 OTC hearing aids tested, placing it in the top 14% of its category. Speech clarity is where this device truly shines. In our quiet-environment testing, the RIC700 scored 4.2/5—a strong result that sits 1.41 points above the OTC category average of 2.79/5. Speech in noise performance scored 1.9/5, which is above the category average but low in absolute terms, meaning challenging listening environments will still present difficulties. Feedback handling is excellent at 4.6/5, virtually matching the category norm. The RIC700 does show some trade-offs. Own-voice comfort scored 2.0/5, falling 0.51 points below the category average—users may notice their own voice sounds different or hollow. Music streaming quality scored 2.9/5, which is above average for the category but only mixed in absolute terms, so audiophiles may want to manage expectations. This device includes modern conveniences like rechargeable batteries and streaming compatibility with both iPhone and Android devices, plus hands-free functionality. For budget-conscious consumers prioritizing speech understanding in quieter settings, the Yeasound RIC700 offers strong value. However, shoppers should also consider the higher-scoring Yeasound RIC800 or Sony CRE-E10 in the same price range if maximum performance is the priority.