Anyone know anything about Resonate hearing aids?

Resonate only sell Resound Viva 9 Hearing aids using their subscription model.1.

They claim to offer a free upgrade to newer technology every 3 years, but that seems to assume that you’ll get the universal hearing aid subsidy which is only available once every 6 years, so I don’t know if anyone actually gets a free upgrade any more often than once every 6 years. You need to read the fine print.

You don’t get your hearing aid subsidy back if you return the devices, so the minimum they earn is $1022.22 if you go beyond the trial period. Given these are the only devices they sell, they’re probably getting a massive volume discount and this may come close to covering the wholesale cost of the hardware itself.

Because they follow a subscription model, they are more motivated as clinicians to provide a good quality of service as their livelihood depends on customers being satisfied on a continuing basis rather than infrequent sales.

However I don’t think you actually own the devices outright unless you purchase the balance of their value so if their business fails, you may be left without devices at all.

If you do attend an appointment for a hearing assessment with Resonate please know that you are welcome to decline any portion of their Ear360 testing. It isn’t ethical to be screening everyone for cognitive problems yet they do this. I’m not sure about their data sharing arrangements with the providers of these tests, but I would be wary of performing any test if you or your family don’t have specific concerns.

@freezerman404 said:

…a New Zealand-based hearing care provider known for its unique monthly subscription model that eliminates massive upfront costs

I wonder where the robot Google AI got that from.

There has been one report online that Costco are locking their devices in NZ. This is against the law for devices purchased with the subsidy, so this may not be available at the prices Costco is charging for these devices. Alternatively this report may be incorrect for NZ and the prices mentioned online are after the subsidy has been discounted.

The manager/founder of Resonate is ex Triton and was the person starting the rental scheme.

I have been on the Triton system for three years (3 year replacement) and just changing aids as they are continuing it for existing subscribers. However the new Sphere aids are not covered so I am leaving the rental system and buying the new aids (first 3 days under a trial) with a satisfactory arrangement.

My current problem is compatibility of my Motorola Edge phone with the Phonak app. It has been OK until now but will recognise only one sphere aid and not the other. It looks like only Apple, Samsung and Pixel are fully compatible with the app. I have Motorola and Xiaomi phones. I have been loaned a Galaxy S21 which does work but I am not keen on the Samsung system. Much more fiddling to come.

IdiotKiwi

I can confirm it’s just nonsense, Costco are not locking, as you stated it’s prohibited (not like they would give a stuff anyway) most people can’t get the subsidy as they tightened up on the requirements for passing, approximately 2.9k NZ still a fantastic deal.

One can’t rely upon anti-Costco comments without verifying with Costco. I’ve been told various inaccurate things about how Costco US operates by audiologists who want to sell me aids or services at high prices relative to Costco.

Specsavers NZ make their software available upon request, so are definitely not locking devices. The subsidy eligibility criteria haven’t changed during the period quoted. Only the amount provided increased. You might be confusing this with changes to ACC eligibility criteria.

Yes this is how they “lock” them,and no way have I heard they share their software with anyone else,and yes ACC has changed as well, a very unique scheme, no where else in the world, specialist’s just love how they can milk this at everyone else’s expense, an ACC levy built-in to just about everything.

@KiwiJohn said:

But how good are their HAs?

This is the question you posted, and it has been answered. They sell Resound Vivias 9. There are numerous user experiences and stories about them on this forum. Simply conduct a quick search.

@OcramSagev said:

This is the question you posted, and it has been answered. They sell Resound Vivias 9. There are numerous user experiences and stories about them on this forum. Simply conduct a quick search.

Yes, that question’s been answered - thanks, people - but we’re still waiting to hear whether anyone has any personal experience with Resonate and their subscription model. Anyone?

Specsavers software is available to audiologists on request, so they definitely don’t lock their devices. The same is true of Amplifon devices that aren’t just rebranded but require specific software.

Yeah so the only brand Amplifon don’t lock is Phonak models, as I’ve not had any problems programming them.