HeardThat - Detailed Review
Accessibility Tools
HeardThat - Product Overview
HeardThat Overview
HeardThat is an innovative AI-driven app that falls squarely within the accessibility tools category, specifically designed to assist individuals who struggle with hearing speech in noisy environments.
Primary Function
The primary function of HeardThat is to separate speech from background noise, enabling users to hear conversations more clearly. This is achieved through advanced machine learning algorithms that have been trained on thousands of hours of recorded speech to distinguish between useful speech and irrelevant noise.
Target Audience
HeardThat is intended for anyone who has trouble hearing conversations in noisy settings, whether they use hearing aids, cochlear implants, or simply earbuds or headphones. This includes individuals with hearing loss, as well as those who find it challenging to follow conversations in loud environments, such as restaurants, coffee shops, or during remote learning classes.
Key Features
AI-Powered Noise Reduction
HeardThat uses machine learning to separate speech from noise, delivering denoised speech to the user’s listening device. This technology is more effective than traditional hearing aids that often amplify all sounds, including noise.
Compatibility
The app works with a wide range of devices, including Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, cochlear implants, earbuds, and headphones. It supports over 300 Android and iPhone models, making it highly versatile.
Ease of Use
Using HeardThat is straightforward; users simply download the app, connect their Bluetooth-enabled listening device, and activate the noise reduction feature with a touch of a button.
Professional Program
For audiologists and hearing health professionals, HeardThat offers a Professional Program that includes a perpetual license, additional free licenses, free future accessories, and technical support. This program helps professionals provide better support to their patients.
No Additional Hardware Needed
HeardThat leverages the processing power of smartphones, eliminating the need for additional hearing-assistive devices. This makes it a convenient and discrete solution for users.
Conclusion
By leveraging AI and machine learning, HeardThat provides a practical and effective solution for individuals struggling to hear conversations in noisy environments, enhancing their ability to engage in social interactions without the frustration of background noise.
HeardThat - User Interface and Experience
The HeardThat App
The HeardThat app, an AI-driven accessibility tool, is crafted to be user-friendly and effective in enhancing hearing in noisy environments.
User Interface
The user interface of HeardThat is simple and intuitive. Here are the key elements:
- Start/Stop Button: This button allows users to easily begin or end the audio streaming.
- Directional Settings: Users can choose between a “directional” or “all around” setting. The directional setting is useful when focusing on a single speaker, such as in a one-on-one conversation, while the “all around” setting is helpful when multiple people are speaking from different directions.
- Noise Removal Slider: This feature enables users to adjust the amount of ambient noise to be removed, allowing for a customizable listening experience. Users can move the slider to increase or decrease noise removal, which can significantly reduce background noise and make speech clearer.
Ease of Use
Setting up and using the HeardThat app is relatively straightforward. Here are some key points:
- Simple Setup: The app has a clean and simple design, making it easy to set up and start using. Users simply need to place their phone on a table with the top pointing towards the person they want to hear, connect their hearing device, and start the app.
- User-Friendly Controls: The app’s interface is minimalistic, with only a few buttons and a slider, which makes it easy for users to manage without confusion.
Overall User Experience
The overall user experience with HeardThat is positive, particularly for individuals with hearing impairments:
- Improved Speech Clarity: Users have reported a significant improvement in speech clarity, especially in noisy environments. The app effectively separates speech from background noise, making it easier to hear conversations.
- Reduced Listening Effort: The app reduces the effort required to understand speech, allowing users to engage more comfortably in conversations without straining to hear.
- Increased Confidence: Users have expressed increased confidence in participating in social activities in noisy environments, such as restaurants or parties, thanks to the app’s ability to enhance speech clarity.
Real-User Feedback
Feedback from real users has been overwhelmingly positive. In product validation interviews, participants noted a marked improvement in hearing conversations when using the app. They found that noise was effectively suppressed, and speech was much clearer, requiring less effort to understand.
Overall, the HeardThat app is designed to be easy to use and highly effective in improving hearing in challenging environments, making it a valuable tool for individuals with hearing impairments.
HeardThat - Key Features and Functionality
The HeardThat App
The HeardThat app, developed by Singular Hearing, is a groundbreaking AI-driven tool that transforms smartphones into advanced hearing-assistive devices. Here are the key features and how they work:
Noise-Free Audio Recording
HeardThat has recently introduced a feature that allows users to record high-quality, noise-free audio using their smartphones. This feature leverages the app’s AI technology to eliminate background noise, making it ideal for capturing conversations, meetings, lectures, and creating content in noisy environments. Users can monitor and control their recordings in real time, ensuring they stay engaged and in control of their content creation.
Background Noise Reduction
The core functionality of HeardThat is its ability to separate speech from background noise using advanced AI algorithms. The app analyzes the noisy environment, identifies the voice the user wants to hear, and dampens the extraneous noise, delivering a clear signal to the user’s earbuds, headphones, or Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids. This significantly improves speech intelligibility and reduces listening effort, especially in challenging environments like crowded restaurants or loud social gatherings.
Directional and All Voices Modes
HeardThat offers two primary modes to adapt to different social settings:
Directional Mode
Optimized for one-on-one conversations, this mode helps users focus on a single speaker’s voice.
All Voices Mode
Suitable for group conversations, this mode allows users to hear multiple voices clearly in noisy places.
Real-Time Audio Processing
The app leverages the processing power of smartphones to run sophisticated AI algorithms, which cannot be executed on smaller devices like hearing aids. This allows for more effective noise reduction and better speech enhancement compared to traditional hearing aids.
Integration with Hearing Devices
HeardThat works seamlessly with various hearing devices, including Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, cochlear implants, and standard wired or wireless earbuds. This integration enhances the capabilities of existing hearing aids by providing an additional layer of noise reduction and speech enhancement.
User Control and Privacy
Users have complete control over their recordings, which are stored directly on their phones. This ensures privacy and allows users to download or share recordings as needed. The app also provides a slider to adjust the amount of ambient sound users want to hear, giving them full control over their listening experience.
Professional Program for Audiologists
HeardThat offers a Professional Program for audiologists, which includes a perpetual license for use in their offices, an additional free license for a family member, free units of future accessories, and technical support. This program helps audiologists provide additional value to patients who struggle with hearing speech in noisy environments.
AI-Driven Personalization and Scene Detection
The app uses AI to analyze data from the user’s environment and fine-tune settings for optimal hearing assistance. It can automatically switch between different programs based on the user’s environment, such as restaurant mode or outdoor mode, to better match the user’s listening needs.
By integrating these features, HeardThat significantly enhances the ability of individuals with hearing challenges to engage in conversations and capture audio in various noisy environments, making it a valuable tool in the accessibility tools category.
HeardThat - Performance and Accuracy
The HeardThat App
The HeardThat app, developed by Singular Hearing, has demonstrated significant performance and accuracy in improving speech comprehension in noisy environments, particularly for individuals with hearing difficulties.
Performance and Accuracy
Studies conducted by Singular Hearing have shown promising results:
- In a controlled study, 12 participants who struggled to hear conversations in noise were tested in three conditions: a quiet room, a noisy café, and a noisy café with HeardThat processing. The results indicated that every participant made fewer word and sentence errors when using HeardThat, with a 76% reduction in word errors and an 85% reduction in sentence errors compared to the noisy environment without the app.
- The app also significantly reduced listening effort, with participants reporting effort levels close to those experienced in quiet conditions. This reduction in listening effort is crucial as it aligns with the Framework for Understanding Effortful Listening (FUEL), which suggests that enhancing auditory input can alleviate the cognitive burden associated with hearing impairment.
How it Works
HeardThat leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to separate speech from background noise, improving speech intelligibility and reducing listening effort. The app uses deep learning algorithms trained on thousands of hours of speech and noise data to deliver clean speech to the user’s ears via earbuds, headphones, hearing aids, or cochlear implants.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While the app shows strong efficacy, there are some limitations and areas that require attention:
- Some users have reported issues with lag and delay, particularly when using the app with certain devices like iPhones. This lag can be frustrating and may detract from the overall user experience.
- There are mixed reviews from users who have compared HeardThat to other hearing assistive technologies, such as remote microphones (e.g., Phonak’s Roger ON iN). Some users find that these alternative solutions work better for them, especially in specific scenarios like one-on-one conversations.
- The app’s performance can vary depending on the device and environment. For instance, some users have noted that while the app is useful, it may not perform as well as expected in very noisy or dynamic environments.
Future Development
To address these limitations, Singular Hearing is actively seeking user feedback and conducting field research to integrate more data into the AI algorithm development. This ongoing research aims to improve the app’s performance in various real-world situations, ensuring it meets the diverse needs of its users.
Conclusion
In summary, HeardThat has shown strong performance and accuracy in enhancing speech comprehension in noisy environments, but it also faces some challenges related to device compatibility and real-world performance. Ongoing research and user feedback are crucial for further improving the app’s functionality and user experience.
HeardThat - Pricing and Plans
The Pricing Structure of HeardThat
The pricing structure of HeardThat, an AI-driven hearing assistive technology, is straightforward and offers several options to cater to different user needs.
Free Trial and Free Version
- HeardThat offers a 30-day free trial with no restrictions and no need for registration or a credit card. This allows users to try out all the features without any financial commitment.
- After the trial period, users can continue using the app for 30 free minutes per week.
Monthly Plan
- The Monthly Plan costs $9.99 per month. It includes a 30-day free trial period, and after the trial, users get unlimited use of the app.
Annual Plan
- The Annual Plan costs $99.99 per year. This plan also includes a 30-day free trial period, followed by unlimited use of the app.
Additional Options
- Besides the monthly and annual plans, there are also shorter-term subscription options available, such as 3-month access for $29.99 and 6-month access for $53.99. However, these are not as prominently featured as the monthly and annual plans.
Features Across Plans
- All plans, including the free trial and free version, offer key features such as:
- AI-Powered Speech Enhancement: Separates speech from background noise for improved clarity.
- Compatibility with Existing Devices: Works with earbuds, headphones, hearing aids, or cochlear implants.
- User-Friendly Interface: Easy to use for all ages and technological expertise.
- Control Over Ambient Noise: Users can adjust the level of ambient noise during conversations.
- Enhanced Social Interaction: Facilitates easier communication in noisy environments.
Payment and Subscription Management
- Payments are accepted through the app store of your phone, and you will not be charged unless you explicitly purchase a subscription. You can manage your subscription in the app store.
This structure allows users to test the app extensively before committing to a paid plan, ensuring they find the best fit for their needs.
HeardThat - Integration and Compatibility
The HeardThat App
The HeardThat app, an AI-driven hearing-assistive tool, integrates seamlessly with various devices and platforms to enhance hearing experiences, particularly in noisy environments.
Platform Compatibility
HeardThat is compatible with both iOS and Android smartphones. This broad compatibility ensures that users across different mobile platforms can benefit from the app’s features.
Device Integration
HeardThat can be used with a range of hearing devices:
- Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids and cochlear implants: These devices can connect to the smartphone via Bluetooth, allowing the app to stream speech-enhanced audio directly to the user’s hearing aids or implants. It is crucial to ensure the Bluetooth connection is set up for both phone calls and other audio.
- Earbuds and headphones: Whether wired or wireless, these devices can be connected to the smartphone to deliver the enhanced audio. The app works by using the smartphone’s multiple microphones to provide directional capability.
Additional Features and Integrations
- Live Listen and Other Apple Features: While HeardThat does not directly integrate with Apple’s Live Listen feature, it complements other Apple accessibility features like Sound Recognition and Live Caption. However, HeardThat’s unique AI-driven noise removal capabilities make it particularly useful in noisy settings where other features might fall short.
- TV and Other Audio Sources: The app can also help users hear dialogue from TV or other audio sources more clearly by placing the phone near the TV speaker and adjusting the volume and phone placement for optimal results.
Setup and Usage
To use HeardThat, users need to connect their hearing device or earbuds/headphones to their smartphone via Bluetooth, ensuring the connection is set for both phone calls and general audio. The app then uses the smartphone’s microphones to capture and enhance speech, which is streamed to the user’s device. Users can adjust the volume and the amount of ambient noise using the app’s controls.
AI-Driven Capabilities
HeardThat leverages AI to separate speech from background noise, improving speech intelligibility and reducing listening effort. The app includes features like directional mode for one-on-one conversations and all voices mode for group conversations, which can be adjusted to suit different social settings.
Conclusion
By integrating with a variety of devices and leveraging AI technology, HeardThat provides a comprehensive solution for individuals seeking to improve their hearing in various environments.
HeardThat - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support Options
For users of the HeardThat app, several customer support options and additional resources are available to ensure a smooth and effective experience.
Feedback and Support
One of the primary ways to get support is through the feedback page. Located at the bottom right corner of the app interface, this feature allows users to leave comments, questions, or suggestions. To provide feedback, you need to stop your current session, type your message in the provided box, and optionally include your email address for follow-up. You can also attach a recording of your last session to help the development team address any issues specific to your situation.
Tutorials and Guides
HeardThat offers a “Getting Started” tutorial video that walks users through the setup and usage of the app. This resource is particularly helpful for new users to quickly get familiar with the app’s features and how to use them effectively.
Blog Content and Articles
The HeardThat website features a blog section with various articles that provide detailed information on how the app works, its features, and how it leverages AI to improve hearing assistance. These articles cover topics such as turning your phone into a hearing-assistive communication tool, the role of AI in hearing assistance, and the benefits of using the app in different social settings.
Professional Program for Audiologists
For hearing health professionals, HeardThat offers a Professional Program that includes a perpetual license for the app, technical support, and additional benefits such as free licenses for family members and future accessories. This program is designed to help audiologists support their patients better by providing them with advanced tools to manage hearing in noisy environments.
Compatibility and Setup Guides
The website also provides guides on how to set up and use the app with various hearing devices, including Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, earbuds, headphones, and cochlear implants. There are links to Apple and Google support pages for setting up hearing aids with iPhone and Android devices, ensuring that users can easily integrate the app with their existing devices.
By utilizing these resources, users can ensure they get the most out of the HeardThat app and address any issues or questions they may have.
HeardThat - Pros and Cons
Advantages of HeardThat
HeardThat offers several significant advantages, particularly for individuals with hearing loss:Improved Speech Clarity
HeardThat uses AI to separate speech from background noise, significantly enhancing speech clarity. This feature is crucial in noisy environments where traditional hearing aids often struggle to distinguish between speech and ambient noise.Compatibility with Existing Devices
The app is compatible with a variety of devices, including earbuds, headphones, hearing aids, and cochlear implants. This means users do not need to purchase additional hardware to benefit from the app.User-Friendly Interface
HeardThat features a user-friendly interface that is easy to use for people of all ages and technological backgrounds. This accessibility makes it simpler for users to adjust settings according to their needs.Control Over Ambient Noise
Users can control the level of ambient noise they hear during conversations, allowing for a more natural hearing experience. This feature is particularly useful as it lets users choose how much background noise they want to hear, without compromising on hearing their own voice.Enhanced Social Interaction
HeardThat reduces the risk of social isolation by facilitating easier communication in noisy settings. Users can engage in conversations more effortlessly, whether in one-on-one or group settings, such as in crowded restaurants or loud social gatherings.Directional Mode and Adjustable Noise Removal
The app integrates directional mode and adjustable noise removal, allowing users to have as much ambient sound as they like without hearing their own voices. This creates a more natural hearing experience and aids in situational awareness.Free Trial
HeardThat offers a free trial, enabling users to experience the benefits of the app without a financial commitment. This allows potential users to test the app and see if it meets their needs before deciding to purchase.Disadvantages of HeardThat
While HeardThat offers many benefits, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider:Dependence on Smartphone Processing Power
HeardThat relies on the processing power of smartphones to run its sophisticated AI algorithms. This means that the performance of the app can be affected by the capabilities of the user’s smartphone.Limited Availability of Advanced Features on Older Devices
Some advanced features, such as certain AI-driven enhancements, might not be fully compatible or optimized for older smartphones or devices, which could limit the app’s effectiveness for some users.No Information on Battery Life Impact
There is no specific information available on how using HeardThat might affect the battery life of the user’s smartphone. This could be a concern for users who rely heavily on their devices throughout the day. In summary, HeardThat is a highly beneficial tool for individuals with hearing loss, offering significant improvements in speech clarity and social interaction. However, it does come with some minor limitations, such as its dependence on smartphone processing power and potential compatibility issues with older devices. HeardThat - Comparison with Competitors
When comparing HeardThat to other AI-driven accessibility tools, particularly those focused on hearing assistance, several key features and differences stand out.
Unique Features of HeardThat
- Noise Removal: HeardThat uses advanced machine learning algorithms to separate speech from background noise, delivering denoised speech to the user’s Bluetooth-enabled hearing aid or other listening devices. This is particularly useful in noisy environments where traditional hearing aids often struggle.
- Smartphone Integration: By leveraging the processing power of smartphones, HeardThat can perform tasks that would be too resource-intensive for smaller devices like hearing aids. This allows for continuous improvement and updates to the app.
- Customizable Ambient Sound: Users can control how much ambient sound they hear, making it easier to engage in conversations in various social settings. The app also offers directional and all-voices modes for different conversation scenarios.
Potential Alternatives
While HeardThat is specialized in hearing assistance, other tools offer different types of accessibility solutions that might be relevant for broader needs:Live Listen and Live Caption by Apple
- These features, available on Apple devices, use the iPhone’s microphones to amplify sound and deliver it to AirPods, Beats, or hearing aids. However, they are more limited in noisy environments compared to HeardThat. Live Caption displays spoken dialogue as text in real-time, which can be helpful but does not address the specific issue of hearing speech in noise.
General Accessibility Tools
Tools like AccessiBe, UserWay, and AudioEye are more focused on web accessibility rather than hearing assistance:- AccessiBe: This tool automatically fixes a wide range of accessibility issues on websites, including image recognition and keyboard navigation. It does not address hearing-specific problems.
- UserWay: This all-in-one accessibility solution finds and fixes accessibility issues on websites and apps, ensuring compliance with standards like WCAG. It does not provide hearing assistance.
- AudioEye: Combining AI with human expertise, AudioEye ensures compliance with accessibility regulations and improves user experience but does not offer specific hearing aid functionality.
Conclusion
HeardThat stands out for its specialized focus on helping individuals with hearing loss to better hear conversations in noisy environments. Its use of AI to remove background noise and integrate with existing hearing devices makes it a unique and valuable tool in the accessibility space. For those seeking broader web accessibility solutions, tools like AccessiBe, UserWay, and AudioEye might be more relevant, but they do not address the specific needs that HeardThat fulfills. HeardThat - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about the HeardThat App
What is the HeardThat app?
The HeardThat app is an AI-powered hearing assistive tool that turns your smartphone into a device to help you hear speech more clearly, especially in noisy environments. It uses advanced machine learning algorithms to separate speech from background noise and deliver clear conversations to your hearing aids or other listening devices via your smartphone.
How does the HeardThat app work?
To use the HeardThat app, you need to connect your Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids or other listening devices to your smartphone. Place the smartphone on a table with the top facing the person you want to hear. The app then uses its machine learning algorithms to listen to the environment, separate the speech from the noise, and deliver the denoised speech to your hearing aids.
What are the different modes available in the HeardThat app?
The HeardThat app offers two main modes: Directional mode and All voices mode. The Directional mode is ideal for one-on-one conversations, while the All voices mode is better suited for group conversations in noisy places like restaurants.
Can I try the HeardThat app for free?
Yes, you can try the HeardThat app for free. The app offers a 30-day free trial period. After the trial, you can choose between a monthly plan at $9.99 or an annual plan at $99.99. There is also a free version that includes 30 free minutes per week after the trial period ends.
Is the HeardThat app available on both iOS and Android?
Yes, the HeardThat app is available on both iOS and Android devices. This makes it accessible to a wide range of users regardless of their smartphone operating system.
How do I pay for the HeardThat app?
You can purchase a subscription to the HeardThat app through the app store on your phone. You will not be charged unless you explicitly purchase a subscription. You can manage your subscription in the app store.
Does the HeardThat app work with other hearing assistive devices?
Yes, the HeardThat app works with Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) devices, as well as other listening devices like earbuds and headphones.
Can I use the HeardThat app in various social settings?
Yes, the HeardThat app is designed to help you in various social settings, such as one-on-one conversations, group conversations, and even in noisy places like restaurants or loud social gatherings.
How does the HeardThat app handle background noise?
The HeardThat app uses advanced machine learning algorithms to separate speech from background noise. This allows it to deliver clear speech to your hearing aids, even in noisy environments where traditional hearing aids might struggle.
Is the HeardThat app user-friendly?
The app is designed to be user-friendly. You simply need to connect your hearing device, start the app, and place your smartphone in the right position to capture the speech. The app does the rest by filtering out the background noise.
Where can I find more information about the HeardThat app?
For more information, you can visit the official HeardThat website or follow them on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.