Test report: ReSound Key 3 ITC-DW

The ReSound Key 3 ITC-DW in review

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

Could this hearing aid from the ReSound program be the right choice for you? In our review of the Key 3 ITC-DW, we have highlighted the most important aspects. We have here a small hearing aid from a solid mid-range price segment that is worn in the ear. The direct wearing location in the ear canal lays the foundation for good hearing success, as the sound has only a very short distance to travel to the eardrum. This ensures that all sounds reach the desired location.

The Key 3 ITC-DW provides sufficient amplification for mild to severe hearing losses.

Hearing comfort

First, we looked at the comfort features. The better these are, the easier and more pleasant the listening experience becomes. In this hearing aid, we only find the absolute essentials regarding hearing comfort. The traditional noise suppression ensures that uniform, unimportant sounds are somewhat reduced. The Key 3 ITC-DW includes only a very slight noise reduction. For active outdoor enthusiasts, we always find wind noise management to be useful. Although there is one included in this device, it is not very effective. It cannot be individually adjusted either.

A so-called bang filter would have been nice; it would have made the rattling when unloading the dishwasher a bit more bearable. But we have to do without that in the Key 3 ITC-DW. The microphones in the Key 3 ITC-DW can be switched to face forward. However, that is the only feature that slightly supports spatial hearing. The 8 frequency channels are okay. However, it might be the case that the programming for individual hearing needs is not quite precise, and one might have to make some sound concessions.

ReSound does not work with artificial intelligence in this version yet.

Rating Hearing comfort: 5,0

Operation & connectivity

Everyone has their own unique hearing needs. It is advantageous if one can customize their hearing aids beyond the automatic functions. In the test, we discovered the following accessibility options: Usually, there is a button on the hearing aid, and we found it on the Key 3 as well. It can be configured as a volume control or program selection button and can also be disabled if desired. A remote control for the hearing aid is available upon request. This allows the volume to be easily adjusted. The handling is not only child’s play, but no one will notice that you are adjusting your hearing aids.

In the test, we did not find any option for voice control. This function isn't necessarily required, but we would have appreciated it. Some hearing aids can also be controlled with a quick tap of the finger without the need to press a button. This feature, however, has not yet been implemented here.

Smartphone apps are now often offered to improve the usability of hearing aids. In our assessment, the ReSound app is among the better ones as it offers a good set of adjustment options. Problems with making phone calls using a smartphone are a thing of the past with this device. Phone calls, music, and other sounds are completely transmitted wirelessly to the hearing aids. Headphones become unnecessary. We tested the wireless transmission during longer phone calls and while listening to music while exercising. Everything worked smoothly and effortlessly. Only a compatible smartphone with 2.4 GHz wireless technology is needed.

Rating Operation & connectivity: 1,8

ReSound Key 3 ITC-DW:

Simplicity & security

We are naturally also interested in how quickly one gets along with the Key 3 ITC-DW and how easy daily use is. Unfortunately, the simple listening experience with the Key 3 ITC-DW is not very good. The situational automatic feature is quite limited, providing us with little support when it becomes loud around us. This can be compensated by using the manual adjustment options. However, this hardly scores any points in terms of simplicity. We are very pleased with the integrated acclimatization manager. It gradually increases the volume of the hearing aid in tiny steps until our target amplification is eventually reached. We can gradually and comfortably get used to the new hearing impressions.

Unfortunately, the Key 3 ITC-DW is not equipped with a battery, so you need to regularly use size 312 batteries for operation.

The data sheet certifies the ReSound device with an IP protection class of 68. This makes it one of the most resilient hearing aids on the market. Dust doesn't stand a chance, and water cannot penetrate the case unless it is submerged deeper than 1.5 meters. However, be careful. Shampoo, for example, alters the surface tension of water. You should also avoid saltwater. In everyday life, however, you can behave quite carefree.

Rating Simplicity & security: 2,8

ReSound Key 3 ITC-DW:

Extras

At the end of our test report, there is still a bit of space for the extra features: Are you one of the tinnitus sufferers? Then you might use the optional tinnitus program in the Key 3 ITC-DW. Soft, gentle sounds are tailored to your hearing and engage all areas of the inner ear. This is nothing more than a distraction maneuver, and it works surprisingly well. The tinnitus fades into the background noise and is no longer bothersome. This is a simple but effective tool and earns extra points from us.

A very good additional benefit comes from the remote maintenance option. Through the app, you can contact your audiologist and describe your hearing problem. They can adjust the settings accordingly and load them into the hearing aids via the app. For people with little time or a long commute, this is a great service.

If ReSound had integrated motion sensors into this hearing aid, individual health tracking could even be possible. However, this is not the case here. These points are lost for the Key 3 ITC-DW in the rating. It would have been nice to have a few lifestyle functions, but these are not available in the Key 3 ITC-DW. Other hearing aids can score points with speech translation or fall alarms, but here it remains within the usual range of functions.

Rating Extras: 2,5

Conclusion: ReSound Key 3 ITC-DW

With a final grade of 3.35, this model holds its own in the mid-range. It has a fairly decent comfort feature set on board that is sufficient for typical everyday moments and creates a satisfying listening experience.

 

Our ReSound Key 3 ITC-DW review was created on November 15, 2021 and lastly updated on August 7, 2025. The overall rating of 4,03 is composed of: »Hearing Comfort (40% weighting): Rating 1 | »Operation & Connectivity (28% weighting): Rating 4.5 | »Simplicity & Security (17% weighting): Rating 3.5 | »Extras (15% weighting): Rating 3.5 | Learn more about our evaluation criteria and testing standards in How We Test..

 

 

 

FAQ

Is the ReSound Key 3 ITC-DW right for me?

The fitting range of this hearing aid is "mild, moderate, or severe hearing loss". A local hearing acoustics specialist can quickly assess whether your hearing impairment falls within this range.

What does the ReSound Key 3 ITC-DW cost?

The rough price range for the ReSound Key 3 ITC-DW currently offered in Germany is approximately between €1,300.00 and €2,000.00. When considering the price, one should also look at the overall rating: The overall test score in the HörShop test is 3.4 (satisfactory). Details are also important for categorizing the hearing aid price: The star rating for "noise suppression" in the test shows only 1 out of 5 stars.

What size is the ReSound Key 3 ITC-DW?

We have classified this in-ear hearing aid in size class S. This means it is medium-sized. You can compare it with other hearing aids in this size class: Hearing Aid Comparison.

How well does one hear with the ReSound Key 3 ITC-DW?

The Key 3 ITC-DW from the manufacturer ReSound is equipped with 8 separately adjustable equalizer bands (for comparison: current top devices have 25 bands). The rating for noise suppression for this device only reaches 1 out of 5 stars. The rating of 'moderate' (only 1 out of 5 stars) applies to the wind noise suppression of the Key 3 ITC-DW. Summarizing the entire area of "hearing comfort," the overall score in the test is 5.0 (insufficient).

 

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