Since the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Act was signed in 2017, those with mild-to-moderate hearing impairment have been hopeful that it will make hearing aids more affordable and accessible without the need for a doctor’s evaluation. On the other hand, many in the audiology community prefer to approach this more cautiously, advising that OTC hearing assistance devices should not take the place of hearing health visits with an audiologist for moderate-to-severe hearing loss.

With the OTC Hearing Aid Act somewhat in limbo, there are a number of hearing assistive technologies available to the hearing impaired community, from wearables to our own HeardThat app. 

The Wall Street Journal recently published an article outlining options ranging from prescription-based hearing aids, like Signia Active Pro, to earbuds like AirPods that can somewhat amplify quieter sounds. While these are certainly helpful, the same issue remains - hearing speech in noise can be problematic for those with even mild hearing loss. 

Historically, wearables, headphones and even hearing aids don’t have a solid solution for this issue. These and most apps we’ve come across for iOS and Android either amplify or reduce all sound, depending on the user’s preference. We wanted the HeardThat app to be different to actually address the “cocktail party problem.” HeardThat uses sophisticated deep learning algorithms to truly separate speech in sound in order to deliver a solution. Users range from those with mild to moderate hearing loss, hearing aid users, and those that haven’t committed to hearing aids yet. 

HeadThat is in a class of hearing assistive technology that exists to bridge the gap for those that have trouble hearing speech in noisy environments. 

For those with hearing aids

Simply put, HeardThat does not replace hearing aids and was never intended to. In fact, the app works in conjunction with hearing aids. Users just have to connect their Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids to their phones while running the HeardThat app in order to hear conversations more clearly. 

For those not ready to make the leap 

In the U.S., fewer than 30% of people 70 years old or older who could benefit from hearing aids have ever used them. Among younger crowds, aged 20-69, an estimated 16% who could benefit from them have used hearing aids. Some don’t realize how bad their hearing has become, while others just don’t want hearing aids, whether it be due to aesthetics or cost. 

HeardThat can act as a hearing assistive technology stepping stone. It works with devices many already own (smartphones) by connecting to their ears with products they’re already familiar with, like headphones or earbuds. This takes the “unknowns” of getting familiar with a new device out of the equation and can be a first step in someone’s hearing health journey. 

For those who don’t know how bad their hearing loss has gotten 

Some HeardThat users reported they didn’t realize how bad their hearing had gotten. This isn’t uncommon, as it’s a gradual degradation for most people as they age. It is our hope that we can help this audience take slow steps they need for a more permanent hearing solution that’s right for them.

HeardThat encourages anyone that has trouble hearing or has noticed a change in hearing to seek a medical evaluation to determine the best course of action. 

For those curious about how HeardThat can help hear conversations in noisy environments, the app is free for a limited time on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android).