11 Best Hearing Aid Apps to Restore Sound Perception

Hey there! Do you have hearing loss that makes it difficult to follow conversations in noisy rooms or enjoy watching TV? As an audiologist and tech enthusiast, I want to share my top picks for hearing aid apps that can help restore your sound perception.

Smartphone apps have come a long way in providing solutions for various health issues, including hearing impairment. Hearing aid apps amplify and process sounds to help you better discern audio details that would normally be inaudible or indistinct.

I evaluated over 20 different hearing aid apps based on features, user reviews, audiologist recommendations, and effectiveness. After extensive analysis, here are the 11 best hearing aid apps I recommend downloading on your iOS or Android device:

How Do Hearing Aid Apps Work?

Before reviewing the top apps, let‘s briefly cover how hearing aid apps utilize your smartphone‘s microphone and processing power:

• The app listens via your smartphone mic and collects sounds from your environment.

• It amplifies and digitally processes the audio to boost certain frequencies.

• Advanced apps filter background noise, compress loud volumes, and apply frequency-specific gain.

• The enhanced audio signal is then routed to your headphones/earbuds or hearing aid via Bluetooth.

• This customized boosted sound improves perception of conversations, media, and other auditory details.

Hearing aid apps break down environmental audio and rebuild an optimized version tuned to your hearing needs. The result is like having a hearing aid device right in your smartphone!

Now let‘s check out the best hearing aid apps available today:

1. ReSound – My Top Pick for Customization

I recommend ReSound as the best overall hearing aid app for its great customization and connectivity. It directly integrates with ReSound hearing aids via Bluetooth allowing remote fine-tuning.

You can adjust amplification, trim background noise, and even create customized sound profiles for different locations. For example, save a "Restaurant" profile that boosts voices over clatter and music. There‘s also a handy ReSound Assist feature for getting hearing aid support right through the app.

Other great features include tinnitus therapy with soothing nature sounds, Lost Partner aid finder, and IFTTT integration. ReSound has an audiologist-designed hearing test and provides detailed usage statistics. With its versatile sound enhancement and customization, ReSound is my top choice.

Platforms: iOS, Android

Cost: Free

2. Signia – Best for Speech Clarity

The Signia app stands out from other hearing apps with its excellent speech clarity enhancement. Signia uses AI-powered algorithms to selectively boost speech frequencies, making conversations easier to follow.

This app also lets you to stream phone calls, music, and more with Bluetooth-connected Signia hearing aids. The app provides tinnitus relief sounds as well as a handy Hearing Diary with your aid usage details.

Signia‘s speech clarity algorithms, full hearing aid integration, and audio streaming capabilities make this a top choice for hearing speech in noisy environments. The appRECEIVES consistently positive reviews from users.

Platforms: iOS, Android

Cost: Free

3. Starkey – Feature-packed with Multiple Apps

Starkey offers a whole suite of great hearing aid apps including Thrive Hearing Control, Thrive Care, and more. For overall hearing aid control, the Thrive Hearing Control app lets you stream audio, personalize settings, and adjust Starkey hearing aids.

I like that Starkey provides Relax – Tinnitus Relief for managing that irritating ringing. It includes counseling tools and 12 nature soundscapes. For checking hearing health, there‘s the Sound Check hearing test app.

With its combo of strong sound enhancement, tinnitus relief, and testing apps, Starkey is a robust option for those needing more than just amplification features.

Platforms: iOS, Android

Cost: Free

4. Petralex Hearing Aid – Excellent Real-Time Sound Processing

The highly-rated Petralex Hearing Aid app leverages advanced audio processing algorithms to customize sound in real-time. It tailors audio signals independently for each ear and adapts to different listening environments.

Petralex performs dynamic frequency and volume adjustments to help suppress background noise and enhance speech. You can use any headphones or earbuds while benefitting from the app‘s sound engineering technology.

User reviews praise this app‘s ability to amplify hard-to-hear voices and reduce excessive loud noises. For great amplification without the cost of hearing aids, Petralex is an excellent option.

Platforms: iOS, Android

Cost: Free

5. Hearing Aid: Sound Enhancer – Good Basic Sound Boosting for iOS

The highly-rated Hearing Aid: Sound Enhancer app delivers customizable sound boosting and clarifying for iPhone users. It features a 10-band equalizer, background noise reduction, sound compression, and audio recording capabilities.

The easy-to-use graphical interface lets you fine tune treble, mid, and bass levels for the optimum hearing experience. Users praise its ability to amplify hard-to-hear voices and television audio. For basic but effective sound enhancement on iOS, this is a great choice.

Platform: iOS

Cost: Free or $3.99 monthly subscription

6. Hearing Aid – Sound Amplifier – iOS App with Helpful Active Features

For iPhone users needing a full-featured amplification app, I suggest Hearing Aid – Sound Amplifier. It offers active features including sound filtering to remain aware of environmental sounds while listening to other audio.

The app also provides handy live captions during phone calls. Additional capabilities include multiple preset amplification levels, background noise control, and sound equalizer.

Reviewers praise its effectiveness in noisy environments like restaurants, and say it provides a noticeable boost in audio details. For iOS users wanting robust, active sound clarifying, this app delivers.

Platform: iOS

Cost: Free trial, then $7.99 monthly

7. Listening Device, Hearing Aid – Simple iOS App with Quality Amplification

Listening Device, Hearing Aid is a no-frills sound amplification app for iOS focused on quality audio boosting. It provides personalized amplification based on your audiograms stored in Apple Health.

This app combines quality amplification technology with an intuitive and easy-to-use interface. Key features include excellent background noise reduction, sound equalizer, audio recorder, and super-boost mode.

For iPhone users seeking solid amplification without complex controls, Listening Device delivers quality results. It‘s also one of the more affordable iOS options at just $3.99.

Platform: iOS

Cost: $3.99

8. HearingOS – Leverages AI for Automated Sound Tuning

HearingOS stands out by leveraging AI to automatically tune sound based on your environment for optimized listening. The app adapts amplification levels and frequency adjustments on-the-fly.

Users praise how this automated, AI-powered sound processing enhances speech details and removes noise. You can further customize the AI adjustments through the simple tuning interface.

HearingOS also provides background noise cancellation, the ability to use any earphones, and a handy free 7-day trial. Overall, the app‘s automated AI audio tuning makes this a top pick.

Platform: iOS

Cost: $6.99 monthly subscription

9. Hear Boost Sound Amplifier – iOS App Designed by Hearing Experts

Developed by a team of hearing aid research engineers, Hear Boost Sound Amplifier tunes amplification specifically for those with hearing impairments. The app applies proprietary amplification formulas optimized for tinnitus and hearing loss.

Notable features include live call captions, multiple presets, background noise cancellation, sound equalizer, and a visual soundwave feedback display. Users praise its ability to amplify hard-to-hear voices and reduce loud sounds.

Created specifically for hearing challenges by experts, this iOS app is a top choice for those needing serious sound enhancement.

Platform: iOS

Cost: $4.99 monthly subscription

10. Earcare Hearing Aid – Top Hearing Enhancement for Android

My top pick for Android is Earcare Hearing Aid, which provides robust sound amplification and processing. It leverages adaptive amplification technology to enhance audio from your surroundings.

Helpful features include preset equalizer modes, background noise reduction, the ability to visualize sound waves, and seamless audio streaming. Users rate Earcare highly for improving hearing clarity and filtering distracting sounds.

For those with hearing impairments looking for quality amplification on Android, Earcare Hearing Aid is an excellent choice.

Platform: Android

Cost: $3.99

11. Super Hearing from Distance –Android App for Enhancing Distant Sounds

Having trouble hearing professors in large university lecture halls? Super Hearing from Distance is an Android app optimized for augmenting distant sounds.

This specialized hearing aid app captures and amplifies faraway audio sources like lecturers, television, and nature sounds. It also reduces disruptive background noise for enhanced clarity.

Additional features include the ability to record audio, headphone streaming, and multiple sound configuration presets. If you need help picking up distant sounds, this app can assist.

Platform: Android

Cost: $4.99

Finding the Right Hearing Aid App – Key Factors to Consider

With many hearing aid apps available, it can be difficult to determine which one will best meet your needs. Based on my audiology expertise, here are some key factors to consider when selecting an app:

• Platform – Opt for iOS if you have an iPhone or Android for Samsung/Google devices.

• Cost – Paid apps range from $3.99 one-time purchases up to $7.99 monthly subscriptions. Many quality options are free.

• Background noise cancellation – Look for apps that actively filter distracting sounds.

• Speech enhancement algorithms – Prioritize apps featuring AI/algorithms specifically tuned for clarifying speech.

• Hearing aid connectivity – If you have hearing aids, choose an app with direct Bluetooth connectivity and compatibility.

• Audio equalizer – An equalizer allows customizing treble/bass to suit your hearing needs.

• Presets – Apps with presets optimized for different environments (office, outdoors, restaurant etc.) provide better customization.

• Reviews – Check app store reviews and look for consistent positive feedback on sound quality.

I suggest downloading a few free trials to test out the apps with your particular hearing challenges. Let the app‘s effectiveness in improving speech and reducing noise guide your selection. With the right app, you can significantly enhance day-to-day hearing!

Regain Your Hearing with These Game-Changing Apps

Hearing loss can make social situations difficult and hinder your ability to enjoy music, television, and everyday sounds. Fortunately, today‘s hearing aid apps leverage the power of mobile technology to help restore your sound perception.

I hope this guide to the top hearing enhancement apps assists in finding one that meets your needs! Let me know if you have any other questions. Wishing you all the best in reclaiming the ability to hear clearly.

Now that you can hear better, here are some productivity tips to maximize your days!