AB Remote vs AudioKey 3
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AB Remote
Control volume and program settings for specific hearing devices. Access helpful information directly through your smartphone.
- Volume control
- Program changes
- Access help information
- Direct connectivity
- Sound processor control
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The AB Remote is a smartphone app that is designed to provide user control over volume and program changes as well as provide access to help information. The AB Remote app provides direct connectivity and control of Advanced Bionics Naída CI M and Sky CI M sound processors and Phonak Naída Link M and Sky Link M hearing instruments.
AudioKey 3
This app serves as a remote control for compatible MED-EL audio processors, allowing users to customize settings and access support materials. Caregivers can also utilize its features to assist others, and it includes a function to locate misplaced devices.
- Remote control for audio processors
- Customize personal settings
- Caregiver support mode
- Find My Processor functionality
- Check usage statistics
- Access support materials
- Configure streaming devices
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The AudioKey 3 mobile app from MED-EL can be used as a remote control for supported MED-EL audio processors which are SONNET (EAS), SONNET 2 (EAS), SONNET 3 (EAS), and RONDO 3. Additionally, AudioKey 3 lets you customize personal settings, such as the names of programs on the audio processors. AudioKey 3 can be used by caregivers to support other users, such as young children. You can use the Find My Processor functionality to help locate lost or misplaced audio processors. AudioKey 3 also lets you check the usage statistics of the connected audio processors and quickly access helpful support material from MED-EL. If you own a MED-EL streaming device, you can configure it with AudioKey 3.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: AudioKey 3 at every 4 months against AB Remote's every 29 months. AB Remote's advantage is rating (3.0 vs 2.7) and ratings volume (100 vs 17). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
AB Remote holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AB Remote has 100 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 13% of AB Remote's written reviews are positive against 15% of AudioKey 3's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
AB Remote ships an update every 29 months, AudioKey 3 every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AB Remote | AudioKey 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (100 ratings) — better | 2.7 (17 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 12.8% of reviews | 15.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 100 — better | 17 |
| Update frequency | Every 29 months | Every 4 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 44 MB | 247 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Advanced Bionics, LLC | MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH |
Customer experience
AB Remote
AudioKey 3
Bugs and requests
AB Remote
Reported bugs
36 issues- Unpairs from device
- Doesn't remember settings
- Bluetooth disconnects intermittently
- Needs rebooting speech processor
- Disconnects when one battery dies
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- Loses connection frequently
- Needs app reinstallation to reconnect
- Loses connection weekly
- Resets volume on calls/streaming
- Times out and disconnects
- Aggressively connects to TV streamer
- No way to mute TV streamer
- Crackling noises with iPhone 15 Pro
- Doesn't connect to left cochlear implant
- Voice alerts stopped playing over Marvel M90 after iOS 17
- Loses volume setting every time phone is used
- Split volume changes to match loudest setting
- Setting changes when opening other apps
- Normal hearing aid shuts down and won't connect
- App times out and disconnects
- Connects to AirPlay every time phone sleeps
- Impossible to keep connected
- Doesn't connect to Bluetooth devices
- Can't get app to connect to processors
- No pairing
- App times out and disconnects
- Volume reverts to default
- Split volume function useless
- Volume resets on calls
- App disconnects from iPhone intermittently
- Battery percentage display is primitive
- Cannot adjust bass and treble
- Cannot do tone equalization
- Cannot control ambient sound override
- Cannot pair more than one device
- Bluetooth connection is hard
Requested features
17 requests- Apple Watch app
- Tone equalization/treble boost
- Active Noise Cancellation
- Sensitivity slider
- Push alerts for disconnects
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- Lock devices to same program
- More intuitive UI for program assignment and volume
- Save volume preferences
- Fix phone call volume issues
- Bass and treble controls
- Ambient sound override control
- Compatibility with i-phone hearing aid devices
- Update app 3 times a year
- Show remaining battery percentage for bilateral implants
- Fix split volume not maintaining
- Fix crackling noises on iPhone 15 Pro
- Fix Voiceover accessibility for volume sliders
AudioKey 3
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
AB Remote
No in-app purchases
AudioKey 3
No in-app purchases
