Yeasound Hearing Aids: Great Sound, Glitchy App

Yeasound, a subsidiary of telecom producer Yealink, has launched its over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, focusing on the traditional behind-the-ear (BTE) design. The RIC800 model, tested here, features AI-powered noise reduction and an automatic speech-focusing system compatible with Android and iOS.

The iYeasound app allows for a quick, five-minute hearing test to establish an audiogram, though manual editing or importing of existing audiograms is not supported. Users can select from five environmental modes, with finer sound adjustments like frequency control and noise reduction available within specific modes.

While the hearing enhancement is generally effective, the audio can sound muffled in mid and low frequencies. Bluetooth streaming, however, boasts a surprisingly good bass response, even supporting Auracast. Comfort is high, even for extended wear.

A significant drawback is the iYeasound app's tendency to frequently disconnect from the hearing aids, often necessitating Bluetooth toggles and app restarts. This issue became a major point of frustration during testing.

Battery life was also a disappointment, reaching only 18 hours of mixed usage compared to the advertised 31 hours. The charging case provides an additional three full charges. Despite these issues, the RIC800 offers above-average audio quality but is held back by persistent app connectivity problems.