Test report: ReSound Key 4 ITC-DW

The ReSound Key 4 ITC-DW in review

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

Here we take a look at a hearing aid from a price range slightly above the average, which is worn in the ear. It is called Key 4 ITC-DW and comes from the manufacturer ReSound. It can be used by all people who have moderate, more severe, and changing hearing losses and wish for a small hearing aid. Due to its position in the front part of the ear canal, it has very good sound qualities.

Hearing comfort

Good speech understanding is a given in modern hearing aids. Equally important is listening comfort. Only when the ratio of speech transmission to the level of background noise is right can hearing be perceived as pleasant. That's why we take a look at the comfort features: In the Key 4 ITC-DW, we find only the bare essentials regarding listening comfort. Normal ambient noises such as street noise, vacuum cleaner sounds, or the sound from a fan should be suppressed by classic noise cancellation. In this ReSound hearing aid, it works only to a very limited extent. Looking at the price, that might actually be fitting.

The impulse sound management in this device is not really recommendable. Short, loud noises still sound quite harsh. The Key 4 ITC-DW has wind reduction, but it doesn't really help outdoors. We miss a good spatial sound, but the automatic focus can be quite helpful in situations with multiple people. A decent foundation for programming the Key 4 ITC-DW is provided by the 12 equalizer bands. As sound enthusiasts, we wish for a few more, but for the typical situations we encounter in our daily lives, a fairly reasonable sound profile can be created from this.

ReSound does not yet utilize artificial intelligence in this version.

Rating Hearing comfort: 4,5

ReSound Key 4 ITC-DW: This in-ear variant has enough space to house two microphones. This allows the acoustician to set up a kind of microphone spotlight. The sound is then selectively captured from the direction you are looking. This can be very helpful, especially when multiple people are speaking at the same time.

Operation & connectivity

The majority of functions are activated automatically by this ReSound model. However, it can be very useful to have the option to expand the range of features a bit. In our test, we found out what options we have here. Usually, there is a button on the hearing aid, and we found one on the Key 4 as well. It can be configured as a volume control or program selection button and can also be disabled if desired. Those who prefer not to touch their ear to turn up the volume will appreciate the optional remote control. This allows for comfortable and discreet adjustments to the hearing aid.

The modern form of voice command control is not yet present in the Key 4 ITC-DW. This ReSound model does not have control of the hearing aids with a simple tap, as it would have needed specific sensors in the case.

You can best adjust the Key 4 ITC-DW with the corresponding app. Earlier apps had just a single screen, but this one offers far more than just the usual volume control function. There are clear points from us here. We had a lot of fun with the direct, wireless streaming. This means that calls from the smartphone can be transmitted to the hearing aids without any additional accessories. This turns the hearing aid into the perfect hands-free system or wireless headphones. Listening to music or watching and hearing videos is incredibly comfortable.

Rating Operation & connectivity: 1,8

ReSound Key 4 ITC-DW:

Simplicity & security

A significant factor for the acceptance of a hearing aid is its everyday usability. This includes aspects such as automated functions as well as robustness and user-friendliness. We receive relatively little support from the programming automation in the Key 4 ITC-DW. Without a few individual hearing programs, one would likely struggle in a lively everyday life. The adaptation to the new hearing experience is supported by this device with a fully automatic acclimatization manager. It adjusts the amplification in barely noticeable increments until my hearing loss is completely compensated. All I have to do is wear my hearing aids regularly. Many hearing aids today have a rechargeable battery, but the Key 4 ITC-DW continues to operate with disposable batteries. This is somewhat cumbersome in handling and also burdens the environment. The Key 4 is almost dust- and water-resistant and, with its IP 68 classification, is certainly well protected against external influences.

Rating Simplicity & security: 2,8

Extras

At the end of our test report, there is still a little space for the extra features: The tinnitus program is definitely worth mentioning. Those who are plagued by annoying ear noises will benefit from it. Pleasant, soft sounds are set to gently surround the tinnitus. In the end, the tinnitus fades into the background noise and is no longer intrusive.

A very good additional benefit is provided by the remote maintenance offer. Through the app, you can contact your audiologist and describe your hearing problem. They can then adjust the settings accordingly and upload them to the hearing aids via the app. For people with little time or a long commute, this is a great service.

There are no sensors in this Key 4 variant, which means that the popular health tracking cannot be offered. For example, steps are counted throughout the day. As mentioned, this hearing aid does not have this function. It would have been nice to have a few lifestyle functions, but there are none in the Key 4 ITC-DW. Other hearing aids can score with features like speech translation or fall alerts, but here it remains within the usual range of functions.

Rating Extras: 2,5

Conclusion: ReSound Key 4 ITC-DW

With an overall grade of 3.15, this model holds its own in the middle range. It has a fairly decent comfort feature set on board, which is sufficient for typical everyday moments and creates a satisfying listening experience.

 

Our ReSound Key 4 ITC-DW review was created on February 1, 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

Is the ReSound Key 4 ITC-DW suitable for me?

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

How much does the ReSound Key 4 ITC-DW cost?

The rough price range for the ReSound Key 4 ITC-DW currently offered in Germany is approximately between €2,000.00 and €2,500.00. When considering the price, it's also important to look at the overall rating: The overall test score in the HörShop test is 3.2 (satisfactory). Details are also important for categorizing the price of hearing aids: The star rating for "noise suppression" in the test shows only 1 out of 5 stars.

What size is the ReSound Key 4 ITC-DW?

This in-ear hearing aid has been categorized into 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 can you hear with the ReSound Key 4 ITC-DW?

The Key 4 ITC-DW from the manufacturer ReSound is equipped with 12 separately adjustable equalizer bands (for context: current high-end devices have 25 bands). The rating for noise suppression for this device only achieves 1 out of 5 stars. A 'moderate' rating (only 1 out of 5 stars) is given for the wind noise suppression of the Key 4 ITC-DW. Summarizing the entire area of "hearing comfort," the overall score in the test is 4.5 (poor).

 

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