Yeasound Hearing Aids Review: RIC700 vs RIC800: The #1-Ranked OTC Device You May Not Have Heard Of
Yeasound isn’t a household name yet, but it probably should be. Their RIC800 receiver-in-canal OTC hearing aid ranked #1 out of 56 OTC devices tested by HearAdvisor, the most credible independent standardized testing source for OTC hearing aids. That’s not a sponsored ranking. That’s a lab score.
The brand is a division of Yealink, a company with 24 years of audio technology expertise, and their approach is direct: build a hearing aid using the same core components as prescription devices (chips, RIC receivers, batteries) but sell it at an OTC price point. The results speak for themselves in testing.
At Hears Hearing & Hearables, we carry both the Yeasound RIC700 and RIC800. This review covers what each model does, how they differ, where the tradeoffs are, and which one is the right fit for your situation.
Who Is Yeasound?
Yeasound is the hearing aid division of Yealink, a global audio technology company founded in 2001. Yealink is best known for enterprise communication equipment, conference phones, video systems, headsets, and that audio engineering heritage carries into their hearing aid design.
What makes them distinctive in the OTC market is that Yeasound devices look, feel, and perform like traditional behind-the-ear RIC hearing aids, not like consumer earbuds or amplifiers. If you’ve worn prescription hearing aids before, Yeasound will feel familiar. If this is your first time, the RIC style is one of the most comfortable and versatile available.
Yeasound RIC700: The Entry Point, Still Excellent
HearAdvisor: A SoundGrade top 18% of all OTC devices tested | Speech in quiet: 1.38 points above category average
The RIC700 is Yeasound’s entry-level model, now priced at ~$599 following the release of the ~RIC800. It earned an “A” SoundGrade from HearAdvisor, placing it in the top 18% of OTC devices tested, with particularly strong scores for speech clarity in both quiet and noisy environments.
RIC700 At a Glance
- Style: Receiver-in-canal (RIC) — behind-ear body, nearly invisible
- Battery: Rechargeable– up to 31 hours per charge; charging case provides up to 8 additional charges (279 hours total)
- Charging case: 2-in-1 — charges and dries hearing aids automatically when docked
- Bluetooth: Yes — iOS direct streaming; Android app control
- App: iYeasound app — 4 sound modes, volume, directionality, noise reduction, 3-band EQ
- Dome options: 4 types, 3 sizes — plus an ear measurement tool included
- Water resistance: IPX8 — fully waterproof
- Price: $599 per pair
- FDA registered, HSA/FSA eligible
- Trial: 45 days
The RIC700’s standout strength is speech clarity. HearAdvisor scored it 4.0/5 for speech in quiet, well above the category average, with feedback handling at a perfect 5.0/5, meaning no whistling issues. The one limitation worth noting: own-voice comfort scored 2.0/5 due to the occlusion effect from the closed vented dome. Some users notice their own voice sounding more resonant than usual. This typically reduces with an adjustment period.
Yeasound RIC800: The Flagship: #1 in Independent Testing
HearAdvisor: A SoundGrade #1 of 56 OTC devices tested | Expert Choice Award | Top 5% of all OTC hearing aids tested
The RIC800 launched in September 2025 and immediately topped HearAdvisor’s rankings, scoring in the top 5% of all 56 OTC devices tested and earning the Expert Choice Award. Independent reviewers described it as delivering a ‘real hearing aid experience’ without jumping into the ~$1,200–$2,000 OTC tier.
The RIC800 builds on the RIC700’s foundation with meaningful upgrades: full iOS and Android Bluetooth streaming (not just iOS), AI-powered noise reduction with auto-adapt mode, built-in tinnitus relief, Auracast broadcast audio support, and a redesigned charging case that is more compact and practical.
RIC800 At a Glance
- Style: Receiver-in-canal (RIC) – nearly identical form factor to RIC700
- Battery: Rechargeable– up to 31 hours per charge (18 hours streaming); case provides 3 additional charges (100 hours total)
- Bluetooth: Yes –iOS AND Android streaming; 5.3ms latency for natural audio
- Auracast: Yes — direct streaming in public venues with Auracast infrastructure (airports, arenas)
- App: iYeasound app — AI noise reduction, auto-adapt mode, 4 manual programs, 3-band EQ, directionality
- AI processing: AI noise reduction, wind suppression, sudden noise suppression, auto speech focus
- Tinnitus relief: Yes — 6 white-noise options built in
- Water resistance: IPX8 — fully waterproof
- Price: ~$699 per pair (currently discounted to ~$659 on Yeasound’s website)
- FDA registered, HSA/FSA eligible
- Trial: 100 days from Yeasound direct; 45 days from our store
The RIC800’s lab scores are exceptional for the price: “A” SoundGrade, top 1% for speech in noise, strong feedback handling, and above-average music streaming quality. The one consistent limitation reviewers note is the same as the RIC700, own-voice comfort (occlusion effect). It’s a characteristic of the preset-based closed dome design rather than a flaw in the processing.
Yeasound RIC700 vs RIC800: Side by Side
| Feature | RIC700 | RIC800 |
| Price | ~$599/pair | ~$699 ($659 discounted) |
| HearAdvisor grade | A — top 18% | A — #1 of 56, top 5% |
| Battery life | 31 hrs; case +279 hrs | 31 hrs; case +100 hrs |
| Bluetooth | iOS direct; Android app | iOS & Android — full streaming |
| Auracast | No | Yes |
| AI processing | Noise reduction, EQ | AI noise, wind, sudden, auto-adapt |
| Tinnitus relief | No | Yes — 6 white-noise options |
| Charging case | +8 charges; drying function | +3 charges; compact USB-C |
| Water resistance | IPX8 | IPX8 |
| Trial period | 45 days (our store) | 45 days (our store) |
What to Know Before You Buy: Honest Limitations
- Preset-based fitting — no audiogram input: Both RIC700 and RIC800 use preset sound profiles rather than personalized audiogram-based programming. This means the amplification you receive is optimized for the most common hearing loss patterns, but may not precisely match yours. If your hearing loss is unusual or variable across frequencies, an audiogram-based OTC device or a professionally fitted prescription device may serve you better.
- Own-voice comfort (occlusion): Both models score below average for own-voice comfort in testing. Your voice may sound more resonant or ‘boxy’ than normal, particularly at first. This is common with closed-dome RIC designs and typically improves as your brain adjusts. If occlusion is a known sensitivity for you, try open domes first.
- Charging case comparison: The RIC700’s case holds 8 full charges (279 hours total) versus the RIC800’s 3 charges (100 hours). If extended travel without power access is a priority, the RIC700’s case has a practical advantage.
- Limited telehealth support: Yeasound does not offer the remote audiologist access that devices like ELEHEAR Beyond Pro or Sennheiser’s In-Clinic Care Package provide. Setup and troubleshooting rely primarily on the app and Yeasound’s customer support team, who reviewers have noted are responsive.
Which Yeasound Model Is Right for You?
- Choose the RIC700 ($599) if: you want strong independent lab performance at the lowest price in our lineup, primarily use iOS, and value the extended-capacity charging case for travel. Speech clarity is its standout strength.
- Choose the RIC800 (~$699) if: you want the highest-ranked OTC device in independent testing, need full Android Bluetooth streaming, want AI-powered noise processing and tinnitus relief features, or are in environments with Auracast infrastructure. The $100 premium is well justified by the feature additions.
- Consider an alternative if: you want audiogram-based self-fitting (ELEHEAR Beyond Pro does this), remote audiologist access (ELEHEAR Beyond Pro), or a professional In-Clinic Care Package (Sennheiser All Day Clear).
Shop Yeasound Hearing Aids at Hears Hearing & Hearables
We carry both the Yeasound RIC700 and RIC800 in our store. If you’re not sure which is the better fit for your specific hearing situation, reach out to our team, and we’ll help you figure it out without any obligation to buy.
Shop Yeasound hearing aids or contact us for guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions: Yeasound Hearing Aids
How did Yeasound RIC800 rank in independent testing?
The Yeasound RIC800 ranked #1 out of 56 OTC hearing aids tested by HearAdvisor, the most credible independent standardized testing source for OTC devices, earning an A SoundGrade and the Expert Choice Award. It placed in the top 5% of all OTC devices tested, with exceptional scores for speech clarity in quiet and noisy environments, feedback handling, and music streaming quality.
What is the difference between Yeasound RIC700 and RIC800?
The RIC700 ($599) is the entry model with iOS-focused Bluetooth streaming, noise reduction, and the larger charging case with 8 full charges. The RIC800 (~$699) adds full iOS and Android Bluetooth streaming, AI-powered noise reduction with auto-adapt mode, tinnitus relief (6 white-noise options), Auracast broadcast audio, and an upgraded compact charging case. Both earned A SoundGrades from HearAdvisor; the RIC800 ranked #1 overall.
Are Yeasound hearing aids FDA-registered?
Yes. Both the Yeasound RIC700 and RIC800 are FDA-registered OTC hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. Both are also HSA/FSA eligible.
Is Yeasound RIC800 waterproof?
Yes. The Yeasound RIC800 is rated IPX8, the highest waterproof rating available for hearing aids, meaning it can withstand continuous submersion in water. The same IPX8 rating applies to the RIC700. Both can be worn in the rain, during sweating, and for light water activities.
Does Yeasound work with Android phones?
The RIC800 supports full Bluetooth streaming to both iOS and Android devices. The RIC700 supports direct iOS streaming; Android users can use the iYeasound app for controls, but streaming is iOS-focused. If Android Bluetooth streaming is a priority, the RIC800 is the right choice.
What is Auracast, and does Yeasound support it?
Auracast is a next-generation Bluetooth broadcast audio standard that allows compatible hearing devices to receive direct audio streams in public venues, such as airports
