ReSound Vivia Hearing Aids Buyer's Guide: Features and Fit

Choosing the right ReSound hearing aid means understanding where the Vivia fits within a product line that spans multiple generations and form factors. ReSound, made by Danish company GN Hearing, builds devices known for their Bluetooth connectivity and natural sound processing , but the model you end up with depends heavily on your audiogram, your audiologist’s recommendation, and what accessories make sense for your listening environments. A solid starting point is the ReSound Hearing Aids hub, which covers the full lineup.

The Vivia sits within a product family that includes the OMNIA and the newer NEXIA, plus a range of accessories designed to extend what prescription hearing aids can do in difficult listening situations. This article covers the key ReSound devices and accessories worth understanding before your next audiologist appointment.

What to Look For in ReSound Hearing Aids

Prescription Fit vs. Self-Fitting: Why It Matters for ReSound Devices

Prescription hearing aids from ReSound are programmed by an audiologist using your audiogram , the detailed frequency-by-frequency map of your hearing loss. That map is not a general picture; it describes exactly how much amplification you need at each frequency, in each ear. ReSound’s fitting software translates that data into device settings that change how the hearing aid processes sound in real time.

Self-fitting OTC devices use a different approach. The wearer adjusts amplification through a smartphone app, typically by answering questions or responding to tones. For mild-to-moderate hearing loss with a straightforward profile, this can work well. For anyone with asymmetrical loss, sloping loss, or loss that extends into the severe range, audiologist programming is more precise , and for those buyers, a prescription ReSound device is worth the additional process.

The distinction matters when comparing ReSound’s prescription lineup to OTC alternatives in the same budget conversation. They are solving different problems for different severity levels.

Bluetooth and Connectivity Features

ReSound built its reputation partly on Bluetooth implementation. The NEXIA supports both Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast, which are the most current Bluetooth hearing aid standards and allow direct streaming from compatible televisions, phones, and public Bluetooth transmitters. The OMNIA, as the previous generation, offers strong Bluetooth connectivity but does not include Auracast support.

For buyers who use hearing aids primarily with an iPhone, both devices offer Made for iPhone (MFi) functionality. Android connectivity has improved across ReSound’s recent generations, though owner reviews on Hearing Tracker note that Android streaming stability can vary by phone model. Connectivity requirements , which devices you need to pair, whether you stream audio frequently, whether you attend venues with Bluetooth assistive technology , should be part of the conversation with your audiologist before selecting a model.

The M&RIE Microphone Placement Option

The NEXIA introduced and refined ReSound’s M&RIE (microphone and receiver in ear) receiver design. Standard RIC (receiver-in-canal) hearing aids place microphones on the device body behind the ear. M&RIE adds a third microphone inside the ear canal, which captures sound the way the ear naturally would , including the acoustic shaping the outer ear performs. Audiologists writing in The Hearing Review have noted this can improve spatial awareness and sound naturalness for some wearers, particularly those adapting to amplification for the first time.

M&RIE is not appropriate for all hearing loss profiles and requires a specific receiver style, so your audiologist will determine whether it’s a viable option at your fitting appointment.

Accessories and Extended Listening Environments

A ReSound hearing aid’s usefulness is partly determined by which accessories pair with it. The Multi Mic remote microphone, for example, addresses one of the most common complaints among hearing aid wearers: group conversations and noisy restaurant environments where the hearing aid’s microphones pick up competing noise rather than the target speaker. A clip-on remote microphone worn by the person you’re trying to hear sends audio directly to the hearing aids over Bluetooth, bypassing the ambient noise problem.

Sport retention accessories serve a different purpose , keeping the device secure during physical activity. Both categories of accessories are designed around ReSound’s specific hardware tolerances, which is why manufacturer-compatible accessories are preferable to generic alternatives. Exploring the full range of ReSound hearing aid options , including which accessories are compatible with which devices , is worth doing before your fitting appointment.

Top Picks

ReSound NEXIA Hearing Aids

The NEXIA is ReSound’s current flagship, and for buyers with moderate-to-severe hearing loss who want the most current technology the brand offers, it represents the strongest case in the lineup. Audiologist programming using your audiogram means the amplification profile is matched to your specific loss pattern across frequencies , not a generalized boost, but a calibrated response to your hearing test data.

The NEXIA’s most significant technology differentiator is Auracast support alongside Bluetooth LE Audio, placing it among the first prescription hearing aids to support the next-generation Bluetooth standard designed specifically for public broadcast environments. For buyers who regularly attend theaters, houses of worship, or other venues beginning to install Auracast transmitters, that compatibility has practical near-term value. Owner reviews on Hearing Tracker consistently note strong iOS streaming quality and improved microphone directionality compared to previous ReSound generations.

The M&RIE receiver option is available on the NEXIA for appropriate candidates. Buyers who have previously felt that amplified sound lacked naturalness , a common complaint among new hearing aid wearers , may find the ear-canal microphone placement addresses part of that perception. Discuss candidacy with your audiologist, as M&RIE is not suitable for all audiogram profiles.

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ReSound OMNIA Hearing Aids

The OMNIA is the predecessor to the NEXIA and remains widely available through audiologists. For buyers whose primary concern is proven performance rather than the newest Bluetooth standards, the OMNIA represents a strong, well-documented option with an established track record in owner reports across Hearing Tracker and the audiology trade press.

Audiologist programming on the OMNIA works the same way as on the NEXIA , your audiogram drives the amplification settings, and the fitting software customizes the response to your hearing profile. Where the OMNIA differs is in connectivity ceiling: it does not support Auracast, and Bluetooth LE Audio is not part of its feature set. For buyers who stream primarily from an iPhone and do not anticipate needing public Bluetooth assistive technology, that distinction is unlikely to affect daily satisfaction.

The OMNIA also tends to appear in comparison discussions because it’s the benchmark many audiologists and Hearing Tracker community members use when evaluating whether the NEXIA’s upgrades justify the step up. For some buyers , particularly those earlier in their hearing aid journey , the OMNIA is the practical, less-is-more choice.

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ReSound Multi Mic Remote Microphone

The Multi Mic is a clip-on remote microphone that pairs with compatible ReSound prescription hearing aids and streams the speaker’s voice directly to both ears over Bluetooth. The design addresses a gap that hearing aids alone cannot fully solve: the problem of understanding a single speaker in a noisy room, across a table, or at distance.

Verified buyers and audiologists who recommend the Multi Mic note two primary use cases. The first is restaurant and social dining settings, where ambient noise competes with the target conversation at close range. The second is group settings , classrooms, work meetings, medical appointments , where the hearing aid wearer cannot reliably position themselves close enough to the speaker. The Multi Mic’s placement on the speaker’s collar or lapel means it captures voice at the source rather than from the hearing aid microphones two to three feet away.

The accessory is sold through audiologist channels rather than general retail, and its use requires a compatible ReSound device. For buyers who identify difficult listening environments as a primary concern, raising the Multi Mic with your audiologist during the fitting conversation , rather than after , is worth doing.

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GN Resound Compatible Sport Lock for ONE/Omnia/NEXIA/SAVIA/Vivia

The GN Resound Compatible Sport Lock is a retention accessory designed to secure ReSound receiver-in-canal hearing aids during physical activity. The pack contains ten retention tails that attach to the receiver wire and loop around the ear, reducing the risk of the device shifting or falling during exercise, yard work, or any movement that a standard behind-the-ear fit does not reliably hold through.

Compatibility is matched to manufacturer component tolerances for the ONE, Omnia, NEXIA, SAVIA, and Vivia , the specific fit geometry of ReSound devices, which differs from other brands. Owner reviews note that the retention tails are comfortable during extended wear and that the pack quantity is practical given that retention accessories are small and easily misplaced.

The accessory does not enhance sound processing or change how the hearing aid performs. Its function is purely mechanical , keeping a premium hearing aid where it belongs during the activities most likely to dislodge it.

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Jabra Enhance Select 700 Clinic-Quality OTC Hearing Aids

The Jabra Enhance Select 700 occupies a different category from the ReSound prescription devices covered above. It is an OTC hearing aid , no audiologist appointment required, self-fitted through a smartphone app , and is designed for buyers with mild-to-moderate hearing loss who want a lower-friction path to amplification.

The Select 700 includes licensed audiology services as part of its offering, which distinguishes it from purely self-directed OTC devices. Buyers have access to remote audiologist consultations, which adds a layer of professional guidance without requiring in-person clinic visits. Bluetooth LE Audio and streaming for both iOS and Android are included, and the form factor is designed for comfort across extended daily wear.

For buyers comparing the Jabra Enhance Select 700 against a prescription ReSound option, the relevant question is hearing loss severity and profile complexity. Owner reviews on Hearing Tracker indicate strong satisfaction among users with mild-to-moderate symmetrical loss. Buyers whose audiogram shows more complex loss , asymmetrical, steeply sloping, or in the moderate-to-severe range , are better served by the audiologist-fitted prescription path that the OMNIA or NEXIA provides.

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Buying Guide

Prescription vs. OTC: The Severity Threshold

The FDA’s 2022 OTC hearing aid rulemaking created a formal boundary: OTC devices are intended for adults with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Prescription devices , including the full ReSound lineup , are intended for any severity level and are programmed by a licensed audiologist. For buyers close to that boundary, the decision is genuinely difficult. Owner reports on Hearing Tracker and commentary from audiologists in The Hearing Journal consistently point to the same guidance: if an audiogram shows loss approaching the moderate-to-severe boundary, or if the loss profile is asymmetrical or complex, prescription fitting produces meaningfully better outcomes. OTC is a practical, lower-cost entry point for straightforward mild-to-moderate loss , not a universal substitute.

Choosing Within the ReSound Prescription Lineup

The NEXIA is the current ReSound flagship, and for buyers who will be wearing aids for the next five or more years, its Auracast and Bluetooth LE Audio support gives it more longevity relative to the Bluetooth standard’s adoption curve. The OMNIA remains a sound choice for buyers whose audiologist recommends it, whose primary connectivity need is iPhone streaming, and who prefer a proven device over the newest model. The decision is not always yours to make independently , audiologists sometimes recommend specific models based on fitting software compatibility, your clinic’s inventory, or your hearing loss profile. The ReSound hearing aid lineup overview can help you arrive at that conversation more prepared.

Understanding What Accessories Add

ReSound accessories are not optional luxuries for most buyers with active social or professional lives. The Multi Mic addresses the specific failure mode where hearing aids work well in quiet but struggle in noise or distance , which is the most common complaint among new wearers. Sport retention accessories like the compatible Sport Lock solve the physical retention problem that affects wearers who exercise or work outdoors regularly. Raising both categories with your audiologist at your initial fitting, rather than waiting until the problem appears, means you leave the appointment with a complete solution rather than a partial one.

The Role of the Audiologist Fitting

Prescription ReSound devices are only as effective as the fitting that programs them. The audiogram drives initial settings, but the real-world refinement , adjusting for your specific listening environments, your feedback tolerance, your own perception of sound naturalness , happens across follow-up appointments. Most audiologists include follow-up visits in the initial fitting package, and using those appointments rather than simply tolerating a sound profile that feels off is the highest-leverage thing a new wearer can do. Hearing Tracker community reports consistently show that wearers who complete follow-up programming rounds report higher long-term satisfaction than those who do not.

OTC as a Starting Point, Not a Ceiling

For buyers who are uncertain whether they need prescription amplification, or who face insurance situations that make prescription aids inaccessible in the short term, an OTC device like the Jabra Enhance Select 700 provides a lower-stakes first step. The included remote audiology services mean it is not an entirely unguided process. The ceiling of what OTC can deliver is real , but for buyers genuinely in the mild-to-moderate range, that ceiling may be higher than expected. The useful framing is not “OTC vs. prescription” as a permanent binary, but as a staged decision: start where your audiogram and circumstances point, and revisit as your hearing changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the ReSound Vivia, OMNIA, and NEXIA?

The Vivia, OMNIA, and NEXIA are successive generations within ReSound’s prescription RIC hearing aid lineup. The NEXIA is the current flagship, adding Auracast and Bluetooth LE Audio support over the OMNIA, which remains the previous generation. The Vivia preceded both. All three require audiologist fitting, and your audiologist will typically recommend a model based on your hearing loss profile, connectivity priorities, and their current fitting software and inventory.

Can I buy ReSound hearing aids without seeing an audiologist?

ReSound’s prescription devices , including the NEXIA, OMNIA, and Vivia , are not available for direct online purchase and require a professional fitting appointment. If you are looking for a hearing aid you can purchase and set up independently, an OTC option like the Jabra Enhance Select 700 is designed for that path, though it is appropriate only for mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

Is the ReSound NEXIA worth the upgrade over the OMNIA?

For buyers primarily streaming from an iPhone and satisfied with existing Bluetooth performance, the OMNIA remains a capable device and the upgrade may not be necessary. The NEXIA’s meaningful advantages are Auracast support for emerging public Bluetooth systems, Bluetooth LE Audio, and the M&RIE microphone option for eligible candidates. If you anticipate wearing aids for five or more years, the NEXIA’s connectivity standard has more runway.

What does the ReSound Multi Mic actually do in noisy environments?

The Multi Mic clips to a speaker’s collar and streams their voice directly to both hearing aids over Bluetooth, bypassing the ambient noise that hearing aid microphones would otherwise pick up. Verified buyers report it is most useful in restaurants and group meeting settings where the target speaker is more than a few feet away. It does not eliminate all background noise, but it substantially improves the signal-to-noise ratio for the target voice.

Do sport retention accessories affect how ReSound hearing aids sound or perform?

No. The Sport Lock retention tails are purely mechanical accessories , they secure the receiver wire and loop around the ear to prevent the device from shifting during physical activity. They do not affect amplification, microphone function, or Bluetooth connectivity. Compatibility is specific to ReSound’s device geometry, which is why manufacturer-matched accessories like the GN Resound Compatible Sport Lock are preferable to generic alternatives.