Design: Small Receiver-in-Canal Hearing Aids

ReSound Vivia uses a receiver-in-canal (RIC) design:

• Small device behind the ear
• Thin wire over the ear
• Speaker inside the ear canal

Despite adding a second AI processing chip, Vivia remains just as small as ReSound Nexia, making it one of the smallest RIC hearing aids on the market today.

That’s an impressive engineering achievement — especially given the performance upgrades inside.

AI Sound Processing: Intelligent Focus Mode

The biggest update in ReSound Vivia is the introduction of a second chip dedicated entirely to artificial intelligence sound processing.

ReSound trained this system using over 13 million sound samples — voices whispering, shouting, overlapping, speaking in noise — teaching the AI how to identify speech, separate it from noise, clean it up, and deliver clearer sound to your ears.

In everyday use, Vivia operates in two main listening modes:

Automatic Mode

This is your default setting and sounds similar to previous ReSound generations. It provides solid background noise suppression without heavy AI involvement, creating a more natural listening experience.

Intelligent Focus Mode (AI Mode)

With a long press of the hearing aid button or via the app, you can activate Intelligent Focus. When this happens, background noise drops dramatically — almost like noise-canceling headphones — and speech becomes extremely clear.

In busy environments like conferences or restaurants, this mode is powerful. I tested it on a crowded trade show floor and was genuinely impressed by how effectively it isolated voices in front of me.

That said, Intelligent Focus can feel quite strong at times, reducing background noise so effectively that conversations may sound slightly processed in casual conversations. I often found myself switching back to Automatic mode for everyday listening, then activating Intelligent Focus when I wanted an extra boost in clarity.

Importantly, I experienced very few “AI misfires.” Vivia generally locked onto the correct speaker using beamforming and head movement cues — something not all AI-powered hearing aids manage well.

Battery Life: Excellent for an AI Hearing Aid

Despite its advanced processing, ReSound Vivia delivers impressive battery performance:

• Up to 30 hours without heavy AI use
• Around 20 hours with Intelligent Focus used regularly

I charge my hearing aids nightly and never ran out of battery during the day.

This stands out compared to other AI-powered hearing aids, which often sacrifice battery life or device size to support similar processing.

Connectivity and Auracast: Built for the Future

ReSound continues to lead the industry in Auracast readiness.

Auracast is a next-generation Bluetooth technology expected to allow direct audio streaming in public spaces like airports, theaters, and stadiums. While adoption is still early, ReSound has already built Auracast controls directly into the app.

At a recent conference, I successfully streamed live audio from a stage directly into my hearing aids — simply by selecting the Auracast stream inside the ReSound app.

This forward-looking approach makes Vivia one of the most future-ready hearing aids available today.

Sound Signature: Bright and Clear

Every hearing aid brand has its own sound character.

ReSound is known for a brighter, crisper, clearer sound, which some people love — especially those who prioritize clarity.  

If you’re sensitive to sharpness, this is something to discuss with your audiologist, as tuning and personal preference matter a lot here.

ReSound Smart 3D App: Simple Control with Powerful Features

ReSound Vivia connects to the ReSound Smart 3D app, available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Your hearing care professional typically helps set it up during your fitting, and from there the app is easy to navigate — even if you’re new to hearing aid apps.

From the main screen, you can quickly adjust volume, switch listening programs, and activate Intelligent Focus when you need extra clarity in noisy environments. You can also create personalized programs for different situations, fine-tune sound comfort, locate lost hearing aids with “Find My Hearing Aids,” and access Auracast streaming when available. The app also supports remote care, allowing your provider to make adjustments without an in-person visit. Overall, the ReSound Smart 3D app adds real value by making it simple to adapt your hearing experience throughout the day — giving you meaningful control while keeping the experience approachable and easy to use.