Yeasound RIC800 Hearing Aids Review: Good Audio, Glitchy App (www.wired.com)

Yeasound, a subsidiary of Yealink, has introduced the RIC800, a new AI-powered behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid that offers significant advancements in noise reduction and speech focus. While many innovations in the hearing aid market pivot toward in-ear designs, the RIC800 showcases that traditional BTE models still have potential. Weighing in at just 2.76 grams, the device is embedded with features such as an onboard audiogram test and five listening modes—Adaptive, General, Noisy, Music, and Outdoors—although it lacks manual audiogram imports. The significance of the RIC800 lies in its integration of AI for enhancing user experience, particularly through its Adaptive mode, which simplifies sound adjustments but may not always outperform manual settings according to user feedback. The app provides a streamlined experience with quick hearing tests and basic audio controls, yet it has room for improvement, particularly in noise cancellation capabilities. Overall, while the audio assistance is effective, users may find some audio frequencies to be less clear, revealing areas where future iterations could enhance performance.