Test report: ReSound Key 4 98-DW

The ReSound Key 4 98-DW in review

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

We're taking a look at a conventional hearing aid for moderate, stronger, and changing hearing loss: This model is called Key 4 98-DW and comes from the company ReSound. It is worn behind the ear, and it is a nice, but quite visible hearing aid. The Key 4 98-DW is a model from a solid mid-range price category. Let's see if the pricing is justified.

Hearing comfort

The comfort features determine how pleasant listening is experienced in everyday life. In this hearing aid, we find only the absolute essentials regarding hearing comfort. A classic noise suppression aims to reduce annoying background noises to a bearable level. The Key 4 98-DW has only a minimal basic attenuation. A certain tolerance to noise should already be possessed by the hearing aid user here. We found a basic wind detection feature, but unfortunately, nothing is adjustable.

A pulse sound filter is also said to be implemented. However, it only dampens short, clattering noises very little; this is not really helpful. We miss a good spatial sound, but the automatic focus can indeed be helpful in situations with multiple people. The Key 4 98-DW has 12 adjustable frequency bands, placing it in the middle range. A good acoustician can certainly extract a reasonable sound from it.

Other hearing aids already use artificial intelligence in their signal processing, but this strategy is not yet included in the Key 4 98-DW.

Rating Hearing comfort: 4,5

ReSound Key 4 98-DW:

Operation & connectivity

“Can I adjust something on my hearing aid myself?” “Is there perhaps an app?” These and similar questions are becoming increasingly important when selecting a hearing aid, which is why we will take a look at the operating and connection options. There is a button directly on the hearing aid. This can be used to adjust the volume or activate additional hearing programs. It can be programmed entirely according to customer preferences. Usage is, of course, optional. A discreet way to adjust the hearing aid is the remote control. It fits in any pocket. If the person across from you is speaking too quietly again, just one or two clicks are enough to adjust the volume. Additional hearing programs for listening to music or driving can also be activated with the remote control.

In our tests, we did not find any option for voice control. This function isn’t necessarily required, but we would have appreciated it nonetheless. Tap Control would have also been an interesting feature. With this, you could change the function with a short tap on the ear. However, this is not yet available in the Key 4 98-DW.

An app is the perfect companion for hearing aids. The app for the Key 4 98-DW is absolutely impressive. It is a meaningful addition, as it can significantly simplify life in critical hearing situations with its various adjustment options. A streaming option would not be bad for our digital everyday life. The current device fulfills our wish and comes with a 2.4 GHz radio module. This allows phone calls and sounds to be sent directly from the smartphone to the hearing aids.

Rating Operation & connectivity: 1,8

Simplicity & security

Let’s continue with the test: How is the user-friendliness? Is it easy or complicated to handle the hearing aid? The automatic situation detection is supposed to make listening easier. However, the Key 4 98-DW does not handle changing or difficult acoustic environments very well as it lacks a few adaptive algorithms. Additionally, it is advisable to always have a few extra hearing programs set up for this device. 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 relax and gradually get used to the new auditory experiences.

We regret that the Key 4 98-DW does not have a rechargeable battery but operates with hearing aid batteries size 675. This is not particularly problematic, but one should remember to carry spare batteries. On the other hand, this hearing aid does not need to be charged daily, it lasts longer with one battery.

We had a carefree everyday experience during our test due to the IP-68 certification. This indicates that the hearing aid is particularly well protected against dust and water. We marched through the rain and then took the hearing aids out with wet hands - all without a problem. However, the water resistance really only pertains to fresh, natural water and not to foamy bathwater or seawater.

Rating Simplicity & security: 2,8

ReSound Key 4 98-DW:

Extras

Sometimes there are additional functions in hearing aids that can be quite useful. Let's see how it is with this ReSound device: Worth mentioning is the tinnitus program. Those plagued by annoying ear noises will benefit from it. Pleasant, quiet sounds are adjusted to gently surround the tinnitus. In the end, the tinnitus fades into the background noise and becomes hardly noticeable.

A real added value is the remote maintenance service. You no longer have to go to the specialist shop for a change in hearing aid settings, but can directly contact the acoustician via the app. Through a cloud service, you can then upload the new data package to the hearing aids. This is exactly what we expect from a modern hearing aid.

A new trend in the hearing aid industry is integrated sensors that can track some personal health data, for example. However, the Key 4 98-DW does not offer this. This ReSound hearing aid has no further lifestyle options on board. Elsewhere, there are voice assistants or reminder functions, but you don't need these for good hearing. It would have just made the product a bit cooler.

Rating Extras: 2,5

Conclusion: ReSound Key 4 98-DW

With an overall grade of 3.15, this model holds its own in the mid-range. It comes with a reasonably good comfort equipment that suffices for typical everyday moments and creates a satisfying listening experience.

 

Our ReSound Key 4 98-DW review was created on February 8, 2022 and lastly updated on August 7, 2025. The overall rating of 3,79 is composed of: »Hearing Comfort (40% weighting): Rating 1.5 | »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

### How large is the ReSound Key 4 98-DW? Since a size in millimeters does not explain how large a hearing aid appears, we have divided the size perception into classes. Class "XXS" is practically invisible, class "M" has the largest perception. The ReSound Key 4 98-DW is in size class M. It could therefore be considered rather large. ### What is the price of the ReSound Key 4 98-DW? The ReSound Key 4 98-DW is currently offered by hearing care professionals in Germany in a price range of approximately €1,300.00 to €2,000.00. To assess the price-performance ratio, you should take into account the overall test score of 3.2 (satisfactory). ### How well can you hear with the ReSound Key 4 98-DW? The ReSound Key 4 98-DW receives a rating for hearing comfort of 4.5 (poor) from us. The ReSound hearing aid receives the rating 'moderate' for its suppression of wind noise (only 1 out of 5 stars). The noise suppression of the device achieves only 1 out of 5 stars. 12 frequency bands can be individually adjusted in this hearing aid for the processing of sound levels (top values of current premium models: 24). ### For whom is the ReSound Key 4 98-DW suitable? If your hearing deficit is classified as mild, moderate, or severe hearing loss, the ReSound Key 4 98-DW might be suitable for you. This so-called "fitting range" of the hearing aid is determined by the manufacturer and is related to the amplification of the hearing aid. Only a hearing care professional on-site can meaningfully assess whether the device is actually suitable for you after conducting a detailed hearing test.

 

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