Free to download
Hearing Device
Updated October 2026 — added cost context
"Hearing device" covers a lot of ground — a free app on one end, cochlear implant surgery on the other. Before deciding what you actually need, it helps to see how much medical involvement each option really requires.
- Not a hearing aid
- No exam or surgery
- No account needed
- iPhone & Android
Roughly to scale
How much medical involvement each option needs
Sound amplifier app
No exam, no fitting, no account
OTC hearing aid
Self-fitted, no exam required
Prescription hearing aid
Exam and fitting by an audiologist
Bone-anchored device
Minor surgical implantation
Cochlear implant
Major surgery, for profound loss
Bar heights are a rough visual illustration of relative medical involvement, not a clinical measurement. This app is a general sound amplifier, not a hearing aid or a medical device, and this is not medical advice.
Cost tends to track the same curve: the National Council on Aging has reported that OTC hearing aids and amplification devices generally run somewhere between $99 and $2,500 per pair, compared with roughly $3,000 to $10,000-plus for prescription hearing aids fitted by an audiologist.
How it works
Three steps, no account required
Connect headphones
Wired or Bluetooth, whatever's already around — nothing new to buy first.
Aim the phone
Toward whoever's talking, or toward a speaker — amplification follows the direction it's pointed.
Adjust the level
Plus and minus controls appear the moment amplification starts, with the EQ one tap away.
What it does
Built around what actually helps
Voice separation
Speech gets pulled forward relative to background noise, instead of the whole recording getting louder together.
Three-band EQ
Bass, voice, and treble adjust independently, since a fixed profile suits nobody exactly.
Loud-sound cap
Sudden spikes get capped automatically rather than blasting through at full amplified volume.
No processing lag
Runs live on the device, with no noticeable delay between speech and hearing it amplified.
Offline by default
No connection required to amplify — the internet only matters for the initial download.
Shared subscription
Up to 4 devices on one Premium plan via QR code.
Common searches
What people usually mean by "hearing device"
"Hearing device app"Usually means the lightest end of the spectrum above — a phone-based amplifier, no exam or fitting required.
"Types of hearing devices"The comparison above covers the main categories, from an app with no exam to surgical implants.
"Free hearing device"The free tier here covers 3 real sessions a day with no account or exam of any kind.
"Hearing device for elderly parent"Often a search for the least invasive option to try first — this app has no exam, no account, and no commitment.
Making it work for you
Getting it tuned to how you actually hear
A short calibration routine
- Start in a quiet room and set the lowest boost where speech still feels comfortable.
- Turn on Voice Focus and notice which frequencies still feel muddy.
- Nudge the EQ in that direction — most people lean toward boosting mid and high tones.
- Recheck the settings after a week; first impressions and long-term comfort don't always match.
Signs your settings need a revisit
- You keep reaching for the volume in the same specific situations.
- One ear seems to need a different level than the other.
- Certain voices are still hard to follow even with everything turned up.
| Setting | Adjust when | Leave alone when |
|---|---|---|
| Overall boost | Background noise increases | The room is already quiet |
| Voice Focus | Multiple people are talking | It's a one-on-one conversation |
| EQ balance | Voices sound muffled or tinny | Speech already sounds natural |
| Loud-sound cap | Sudden noises feel startling | Nothing sudden is happening |
Hearing needs can differ meaningfully between a person's two ears, which is one reason a single fixed volume rarely feels right for very long.
Revisit your settings occasionally rather than setting them once and forgetting them. What felt right on a quiet evening at home often isn't loud enough at a busy Sunday market, and vice versa.
Real feedback
Reviewed by real users, not by us
App Store
Read what iPhone and iPad users say after actually trying it, straight from Apple's own listing.
See App Store reviews →Google Play
Read what Android users say after actually trying it, straight from Google's own listing.
See Google Play reviews →FAQ
Questions about hearing devices in general
Is this app the same as a hearing device that needs fitting?
No. It's a general sound amplifier with no exam, fitting, or medical involvement — the lightest option on the spectrum above.
How do I know which type of hearing device I actually need?
That depends on whether you have a diagnosed hearing loss, which only an audiologist can determine. Starting with a free, no-commitment option like this app is a reasonable first step for situational amplification.
Why does it need headphones instead of the speaker?
Playing amplified sound out of the same phone that's recording it creates feedback. Headphones avoid that loop entirely.
Is the free version actually usable?
Yes — three real listening sessions of 15 seconds each, every day, with no account required.
Does it need an internet connection?
No. Amplification runs entirely on the phone. A connection only matters for the download or an optional subscription.
Is any audio recorded or stored?
No. Sound passes through the app in real time and is never recorded, saved, or uploaded.
Can I share one subscription with family?
Yes — a Premium subscription covers up to 4 devices through a QR code.
Does it work on both iPhone and Android?
Yes, with the same core features on both the App Store and Google Play versions.
Start with the lightest option
No account, no prescription, no hidden catch to the free tier.