Test report: ReSound Key 2 98-DW

The ReSound Key 2 98-DW in review

Diese Technik ist nicht mehr ganz aktuell. Wir nehmen daher eine Abwertung in der Gesamtnote vor.

We are once again looking at a conventional hearing aid for both mild and more severe hearing needs: This model is called Key 2 98-DW and comes from the company ReSound. It is worn behind the ear and is a normally sized hearing aid. The Key 2 98-DW is a model from the basic class. Let's see if the price classification is justified.

Hearing comfort

Hearing comfort determines whether someone enjoys wearing their hearing aids or not. Therefore, we first looked at how the hearing aid handles background noise. In this model, which ReSound presents to us, we find only the absolute essentials regarding hearing comfort. Of course, noise suppression is integrated, which is supposed to mitigate tiring background sounds. In the Key 2 98-DW, there is only a minimal baseline reduction. A certain tolerance for noise should already be expected from the hearing aid user here. The device from ReSound can also detect wind noise, but only a very slight reduction in noise occurs in response. This is sufficient for normal everyday activities, but true outdoor enthusiasts will not be satisfied with it.

Unfortunately, the Key 2 98-DW does not include an impulse sound suppressor. Unfortunately, nothing can be said here about spatial hearing; the microphones have no additional functions that could enhance directional hearing. One more note about the equalizer: With 6, the number of adjustable bands is quite low. For those satisfied with the fundamental character of the hearing device, this may be enough. However, for music lovers, we would rather recommend a higher number of channels.

Strategies based on artificial intelligence are not yet employed in this hearing aid from ReSound.

Rating Hearing comfort: 5,2

Operation & connectivity

The operating options for hearing aids are today as simple or as complex as anyone would like. The basic functions, of course, run fully automatically. We wanted to know how users can additionally access the Key 2 98-DW. The simplest way to operate is always a button directly on the hearing aid. This one has that too. It can be programmed according to your wishes. Do you want a manual volume control? No problem, the button allows for step-by-step adjustments of the volume. Or do you need different special programs for your professional daily life or your hobbies? These can also be activated via the button. Anyone who wants to leave everything in automatic mode can simply ignore the button or even have it deactivated. If desired, there is a remote control for the hearing aid. With this, you can easily adjust the volume. The handling is not only child’s play, but no one will notice that you are adjusting your hearing aids.

We do not yet find the modern form of operation via voice command in the Key 2 98-DW. Besides buttons or remote controls, some hearing aids still have a tap control. This means you can simply tap your ear briefly, and then the device switches. However, we do not have that here at ReSound; it would have required specific sensors.

As expected, we find a suitable application for the smartphone. Here we are dealing with a powerful app that has confidence in its users and provides an extensive toolkit. The Key 2 comes with a 2.4 GHz antenna and allows us the pleasure of binaural phone calls. This even gives us an advantage over normally hearing individuals. We find this good and are happy to give it points.

Rating Operation & connectivity: 1,8

ReSound Key 2 98-DW:

Simplicity & security

Of course, we are also interested in how quickly one can get used to the Key 2 98-DW and how easy daily use is. We receive relatively little support from the automatic program features in the Key 2 98-DW. Without a few individual hearing programs, one will probably struggle in a lively everyday environment. There is still no automatic acclimatization manager here. So I have to manage with the full target volume right away or have my hearing aid settings adjusted regularly by my hearing professional.

Many hearing aids today come with a rechargeable battery, but the Key 2 98-DW continues to use disposable batteries. This is somewhat cumbersome to handle and also burdens the environment.

The Key 2 is nearly dustproof and waterproof and, with its IP 68 classification, is certainly well protected against external influences.

Rating Simplicity & security: 3,3

ReSound Key 2 98-DW:

Extras

Sometimes there are additional features in hearing aids that can be quite useful. Let's see how it is with this ReSound device: A special tinnitus program can be programmed upon request in the Key 2 98-DW. This allows for the generation of stimulating, pleasant sounds that distract from tinnitus when it is particularly strong. We find this very useful and are happy to award extra points.

A clever tool is the integrated remote maintenance service. Almost everyone has a smartphone, and time is a precious commodity. Therefore, such a remote maintenance service is absolutely appropriate. Anyone who needs a new programming of their hearing aids can easily contact the audiologist through the app and describe their hearing preferences. Through a cloud service, the professional can then send an individual setting as a data package to the app. From there, it is loaded onto the hearing aid and can be tried out immediately. That definitely deserves extra points in our test.

A new trend in the hearing aid industry is integrated sensors that can, for example, track a few personal health data. However, the Key 2 98-DW does not offer this feature. The functionality of the Key 2 98-DW is limited to normal hearing, which is perfectly fine. Additional features like fall alerts or Siri connections have a considerable added value but are not relevant for good hearing balance.

Rating Extras: 2,5

Conclusion: ReSound Key 2 98-DW

In the overall result, this test device scores in the lower ranks and lacks some features. We assign a grade of 3.51. For less demanding listeners, this is acceptable; however, for a very active lifestyle, we recommend a hearing aid with more extensive comfort features.

 

Our ReSound Key 2 98-DW review was created on November 19, 2022 and lastly updated on August 7, 2025. The overall rating of 4,21 is composed of: »Hearing Comfort (40% weighting): Rating 1 | »Operation & Connectivity (28% weighting): Rating 4.5 | »Simplicity & Security (17% weighting): Rating 3 | »Extras (15% weighting): Rating 3.5 | Learn more about our evaluation criteria and testing standards in How We Test..

 

 

 

FAQ

Welche Größe hat das Key 2 98-DW von ReSound?

Groß oder klein hat mit der Wirkung nach außen zu tun. Wir beurteilen daher, wie groß Hörgeräte auf Außenstehende wirken. Das ReSound Key 2 98-DW befindet sich in der Größenklasse M. Das bedeutet, es wirkt .

Wie gut höre ich mit dem Key 2 98-DW von ReSound?

Dieses Hörgerät schneidet mit einer Gesamtnote von 5,2 (*) im Bereich "Hörkomfort" ab. Die Note setzt sich aus verschiedenen Komponenten zusammen. Wichtige Kriterien: Die Lärmunterdrückung erreicht . Die Anzahl der einstellbaren Frequenzbänder im ReSound Key 2 98-DW ist 6 (die Klassenbesten haben aktuell 24 Bänder). Für die Windgeräuschunterdrückung bekommt das Gerät von uns das Prädikat .

Ist das ReSound Key 2 98-DW für mich geeignet?

Den Eignungsbereich von Hörgeräten nennen Hörakustiker "Anpassbereich". ReSound hat für das Key 2 98-DW folgenden Anpassbereich festgelegt: . Lassen Sie einen Profi-Hörtest bei einem Hörakustikbetrieb in Ihrer Nähe durchführen, anschließend wissen Sie, ob dieses Hörgerät für Sie geeignet ist.

Was kostet das ReSound Key 2 98-DW?

Ist das Key 2 98-DW von ReSound teuer oder günstig? Es wird in Deutschland derzeit in einem ungefähren Preisrahmen von zwischen 1,00 € und 700,00 € gehandelt. Wenn eine Krankenkasse sich beteiligt, fällt der Betrag deutlich geringer aus. Wichtig: Sie sollten den Preis zum Zusammenhang mit der Gesamtnote im Testbericht (4.2 (**)) und vor allen Dingen mit der Bewertung im Bereich Lärmunterdrückung () beurteilen.

 

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