The real test of an assistive app like HeardThat is whether it delivers the desired benefit in real-life situations.

Recently, we conducted product validation interviews to capture the experiences of real users who use hearing aids and have trouble hearing conversations in noisy places. Participants met with an interviewer in a private space that recreated the loud environment of a noisy restaurant using recorded sounds. They were asked to repeat sentences the interviewer read to them with and without the app while using their hearing aids, then asked about their experience with HeardThat.

The feedback was unanimous: 

1. All participants noted a marked improvement when using the app

2. Noise was effectively suppressed and speech was clearer

3. It took much less effort to understand speech when using the app

4. Participants reported they would feel more confident going to noisy environments with HeardThat.

We shared some of the recorded interviews and quotes from the product validation interviews on HeardThat’s homepage so that all visitors can see genuine feedback from real users, which demonstrates what new users can expect from our app. 

Product validation has been an integral part of HeardThat’s evolution and user input continues to play an important role in the app’s regular updates.

Realtime use at industry events

Since day one, HeardThat has been developed with its users. In its early days, friends and family tested the app and provided feedback. When it publicly debuted at CES, show attendees who used the app on the loud, crowded trade show floor noted an incredible difference in the intelligibility of conversations. Regular presentations at hearing association meetings introduced members to HeardThat’s capabilities and many downloaded the app to use for the remainder of the meeting. 

Takeaways from user-led focus groups and field trials

As HeardThat gained thousands of regular users, we also invited them to participate in focus groups and field trials. Early focus groups invited users to install the app while in a virtual meeting so the team could learn about the initial user experience. This helped us make HeardThat’s setup simpler and easier to understand for new users. 

Field trials worked in a similar fashion, but in this case, participants spent more time with the app and reported back after real-world experience. Not only did our team learn about new use cases for the app, but we also learned what hearing devices people most used with HeardThat and how people felt about its ease of use. Thanks to feedback, our dev team made Directional mode the default setting, while still offering the All voices mode. Users can now use a toggle to choose whichever mode they prefer. 

Across all forms of user interactions — product validation interviewers to focus groups and field trials — people report HeardThat significantly improved intelligibility and reduced listening effort. 

In line with HeardThat’s philosophy of being open and accessible for all those that need it, the app remains readily available for new and existing users for a free one-month trial period. Even after that, a free tier remains in place, giving users a limited amount of usage time each week.

If you or someone you know has trouble holding conversations in noisy places, start a free trial today!

You can find HeardThat on theApp Store (iOS) andGoogle Play Store (Android).