Since its inception in 2017, ELEHEAR has swiftly carved out a niche in the fiercely competitive direct-to-consumer hearing aid market, thanks to its pioneering use of AI technology. By harnessing advanced Computational Auditory Scene Analysis (CASA) and deep learning, ELEHEAR has powered over 200 million consumer devices worldwide. Initially, ELEHEAR operated in the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) market, where it supplied technology and components to other brands. However, the company made a strategic shift to offer its own consumer-centric hearing aids, introducing notable models such as the Alpha 1 and the Alpha Pro.
In 2023, ELEHEAR made waves with the launch of its flagship products—the ELEHEAR Alpha and Alpha Pro—melding years of algorithmic refinement and sound technology advancements. Now, in 2024, ELEHEAR is set to redefine the hearing aid landscape once again with the upcoming ELEHEAR Beyond.
Building on the solid foundation of the Alpha series, the Beyond promises to elevate auditory experiences with cutting-edge sound processing and a suite of premium features, signaling a bold leap forward in hearing aid innovation.
How ELEHEAR Elevated Its Technology
ELEHEAR has continually advanced its technology through a combination of user feedback and professional expertise. Central to this evolution is their Brand Ambassador (BA) Program, a dynamic initiative designed to capture genuine, real-time insights from users.
By fostering direct dialogue with customers, the program ensures that ELEHEAR’s products are finely tuned to meet and surpass user expectations, delivering highly personalized and effective hearing experiences.
The valuable input from the ELEHEAR community has been instrumental in refining the software, hardware, and customer service. As a result, the new ELEHEAR Beyond boasts significant improvements, including enhanced app stability and user-friendliness, streamlined over-the-air (OTA) updates, and the addition of two new color options—Silver Grey and Chroma Beige—moving beyond the previous Alpha Pro’s sole black variant.
Collaborating with Hearing Professionals
Beyond engaging with users, ELEHEAR actively partners with audiologists and industry experts to remain at the forefront of hearing aid technology trends. This collaboration ensures that ELEHEAR is responding to current needs, whilst anticipating future advancements.
VOCCLEAR® Technology
ELEHEAR’s cutting-edge VOCCLEAR® technology represents a breakthrough in hearing aid innovation. This sophisticated algorithm harnesses the power of Deep Neural Networks to analyze environmental sounds at an astonishing rate—500 times per second—performing 450 million operations per second. The result is a remarkable 17% enhancement in speech clarity, even in challenging noisy environments.
In addition to VOCCLEAR®, ELEHEAR integrates advanced features such as AI Noise Reduction and Hybrid Feedback Cancellation. ELEHEAR’s hearing aids also boast Dual-mic Beamforming for precise directional hearing and Wide Dynamic Range Compression (WDRC) to amplify softer sounds without compromising the clarity of louder noises.
Comparison of ELEHEAR’s Alpha 1 vs. Beyond Hearing Aids
ELEHEAR’s Alpha 1, one of the company’s pioneering products, established a reputation for delivering quality sound with features like AI-powered noise reduction, advanced feedback control, and clear sound processing. It was a solid starting point, particularly for users seeking simple functionality paired with effective hearing aid technology.
The Alpha 1 set the foundation for ELEHEAR’s future products, but it also left room for improvement, particularly in noise management and personalization.
Improved algorithms:
The Beyond Hearing Aid represents a significant evolution, building on the core strengths of the Alpha 1 while addressing its limitations. Notably, the audio quality has been markedly improved, tackling some of the noise issues that plagued the Alpha Pro. With the integration of enhanced algorithms—such as the VOCCLEAR® Platform and new DNN (Deep Neural Network) noise reduction—users can now expect superior acoustic performance in a wider range of environments.
Audiology advancements
Audiology advancements are also evident in Beyond, which now supports 29 hearing loss compensation curves calculated with the NAL-NL2 fitting formula. These curves have been tested through Real Ear Insertion Gain (REIG), ensuring a more precise and customized hearing experience. This fine-tuning capability is accessible via the app’s “Tuning” page, giving users control over their own adjustments.
Comfort and wearability
Additionally, wearability has been upgraded, with new DNN-Hybrid acoustic feedback cancellation technology offering an almost zero-howling experience. Two less-occluding ear tips are included, providing users with both comfort and sufficient insertion gain for more effective hearing compensation.
Clinical research
In terms of real-world performance, ELEHEAR conducted usability tests with individuals experiencing hearing loss, revealing a 17% improvement in speech intelligibility in noisy environments compared to previous models. The Beyond promises to deliver similar enhancements across both noisy and quiet settings, making it a versatile option for various listening environments.
Unboxing Experience
Much like the Alpha 1 and Alpha 1 Pro, the unboxing of ELEHEAR’s Beyond Hearing Aid is sleek and stylish, providing a premium first impression. The packaging is thoughtfully designed, making the process of unwrapping both exciting and intuitive. You’re greeted by neatly arranged contents, including a quick start guide and a comprehensive user manual, with each item carefully separated by cardboard dividers.
The accessories are tucked beneath the hearing aids, which sit securely in their charger. Everything is clearly labeled for easy access, and each component has its own designated space. The Beyond includes 18 soft, comfortable domes —ranging from open domes to tulip and double domes—ensuring that users can find the perfect fit for their individual comfort and hearing needs.
This attention to detail in the unboxing reflects ELEHEAR’s focus on user experience from the moment you open the box.
Quickstart Guide
The quickstart guide that comes with the ELEHEAR Beyond Hearing Aid is practical, offering clear and concise instructions for first-time users. It mirrors the format of the Alpha 1 series by easing users into the adjustment period—acknowledging that the timeframe may vary based on individual needs and audiological factors. Alongside this, the guide offers useful maintenance tips and step-by-step instructions on how to set up the hardware, including attaching the domes, replacing wax guards, and ensuring proper care of the device.
However, there are a few notable gaps. While the quickstart guide is comprehensive in terms of the physical setup, it lacks any information about the app that accompanies the Beyond Hearing Aid. This oversight extends to the user manual as well, which focuses more on device maintenance and technical specifications but misses the chance to elaborate on the app’s features. As the app offers crucial functionalities, this omission could lead some users to miss out on important tools for optimizing their hearing experience.
Additionally, the small font size may pose challenges for users with vision difficulties, an issue acknowledged by ELEHEAR. Encouragingly, the company has hinted at future updates, including a video-based user manual accessible through the app, aimed at enhancing user engagement with the app’s features.
For a seamless user experience, it would be beneficial to include a dedicated section on new features, allowing users to fully explore and take advantage of the latest advancements in the Beyond Hearing Aid.
Hearing Aid Design
The Beyond model arrives as a sleek, teardrop-shaped pair of hearing aids in a modern silver finish. The design embraces contemporary aesthetics, similar to the latest prescription hearing aids on the market, and offers a visually appealing profile. The volume control button doubles as a power switch and allows for easy manual program changes, making it intuitive for users to navigate different hearing settings on the go.
While the design certainly looks good, the size could be more compact. Given the range of hearing loss the Beyond is intended to address, a smaller form factor, such as a micro-BTE (Behind-The-Ear) design, might offer a more discreet option without compromising functionality. However, for users who prioritize style, the Beyond is now available in two elegant shades—silver grey and chroma beige—giving wearers some flexibility to match their personal style.
The silver grey will be available at the launch, while the chroma beige will be available later this year. Despite its slightly larger size, the design strikes a balance between cosmetic appeal and ease of use.
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)
The Beyond hearing aid from ELEHEAR marks a significant upgrade from the Alpha series by adopting a Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) design. RIC models are highly popular among hearing aid users for their balance of functionality and comfort, making them the preferred choice in the market. By separating the receiver from the main body of the hearing aid, the Beyond aligns with these preferences and allows for better sound quality and a more natural listening experience.
While the RIC design is well-received, there’s room for further size reduction in the main body of the Beyond, as the receiver is now external, which could have allowed for a more discreet appearance. Despite this, ELEHEAR has delivered substantial improvements in both hardware and software, keeping audiological principles in mind for optimal user satisfaction.
Wear and Comfort
Comfort is a key strength of the Beyond model. The hearing aids are lightweight and comfortable once worn, making them suitable for long-term use. A notable improvement during product development was the precision in receiver wire sizing.
With this focus, ELEHEAR has virtually eliminated the issue of returns due to incorrect sizing. The receiver worked effectively across two different ear sizes, which adds convenience.
Moreover, a receiver wire sizing tool included in the packaging helps users ensure they have the correct size, with an easy exchange process facilitated by ELEHEAR’s customer service if adjustments are needed. The slim tube size is medium, which is expected to suit the majority of users, but ELEHEAR is also expanding its product line to include other form factors for even more diverse consumer needs.
Furthermore, the company also plans to introduce a cleaning kit in the near future.
Charger and battery life
The charger for the ELEHEAR Beyond Hearing Aid is both sleek and functional, housed in a slim matte chrome box that complements the modern design of the hearing aids themselves. While compact, the charger isn’t the smallest available on the market but remains highly portable, easily fitting into a handbag or pocket, making it convenient for on-the-go users.
The battery life offers up to 20 hours of usage on a full charge, providing all-day power. Charging status is indicated by green LED lights on the external surface of the case, adding to the device’s user-friendly design. Another advantage is the USB-C charging port, which is versatile and widely available, adding to the product’s accessibility.
To get started, the hearing aids require only two hours of pre-charging, a relatively short time, making them almost immediately ready for use. This charger strikes a balance between style, practicality, and efficiency, ensuring that users can charge their devices easily and quickly.
Beyond Features:
App
The ELEHEAR app provides a user-friendly interface that allows users to optimize their hearing aid features. However, one drawback is the absence of a guide that clearly walks users through all the app’s functionalities, which leaves them to explore on their own. That said, the app does include step-by-step instructional videos on properly inserting the hearing aids, which are easily accessible and can be revisited anytime for reference.
Font Size
One standout feature of the ELEHEAR app is its ability to adjust the font size, which is particularly helpful for users with visual impairments. This feature ensures that navigating and using the app is accessible to a wider range of users.
Tinnitus Features
The app offers sound therapy for those experiencing tinnitus. It provides a variety of sound programs, and users can combine up to four programs to help manage their tinnitus symptoms by creating a distraction from the ringing or buzzing they may experience.
Modes
While the Alpha Pro offered preset modes, the Beyond model allows for customized modes based on user preferences. With an upgraded algorithm, the hearing aids can automatically adapt to various environments. ELEHEAR also plans to introduce more default modes in future app updates, further enhancing this customization.
Volume Control & Power Consumption
The app includes volume control options that let users adjust the volume independently for each ear or simultaneously for both. It also displays the battery status for monitoring power levels, ensuring users know when their hearing aids need charging. Additionally, a low battery notification is provided via voice prompt.
Speech Enhancement & Noise Reduction
ELEHEAR’s app comes equipped with speech enhancement and noise reduction features. These tools improve sound clarity and are explained with an easy-to-understand ‘i’ information link in the app. Users can test these functionalities with a pre-recorded speech and fine-tune the settings to their liking. The app also enables control over the microphone direction, with options to focus sound from the front or enable a 360-degree surround sound, enhancing the listening experience in various environments.
Other Features
Streaming
One standout feature of the Beyond hearing aids is their ability to stream audio, including phone calls, music, and media from the user’s phone. The streaming experience offers clear sound quality, providing both convenience and an enriched listening experience when consuming content.
Direct Microphone
Another innovative feature is the direct microphone, which allows a smartphone to act as an external microphone. This can be used to stream audio from devices like a TV, radio, or even conversations directly to the hearing aids. This technology significantly helps users in noisy environments, tackling signal-to-noise ratio challenges and improving hearing clarity over distances.
Real-Time Translation
ELEHEAR’s Beyond model also includes a real-time translation feature. This uses speech recognition to detect foreign languages, translating them into the user’s preferred language, which is then played directly into the hearing aids. This feature, while similar to services like Google Translate, is built directly into the app, offering a seamless experience for users. However, it is currently limited to commonly spoken languages in the U.S..
Built-In Sound Level Meter (SLM)
For users concerned with environmental noise, the Beyond hearing aids come equipped with a built-in sound level meter (SLM). This feature measures surrounding noise levels and issues warnings when sounds are too loud. Additionally, the app offers guidance on safe sound exposure, helping users avoid damaging their hearing in excessively noisy environments.
Usage Monitor and Service Reminders
The Beyond hearing aids also include a usage monitor, which tracks battery usage and provides a breakdown of power consumed during calls and streaming sessions. Users also receive service reminders within the app, notifying them of scheduled maintenance or when the hearing aids may need a check-up to ensure optimal performance.
Elehear Services
Audiological Support
ELEHEAR stands out by offering FDA-approved hearing aids with free remote lifetime support. Users can connect with qualified hearing care professionals for assistance at no additional cost. This remote service is accessible through the app, allowing users to have real-time consultations and receive help with troubleshooting or optimization of their hearing aids.
Customer Support
The company’s customer service is known for its quick response times and commitment to user feedback. ELEHEAR actively listens to its customers, using their suggestions to improve product features and service offerings, which keeps their products continually evolving.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Beautiful design
- Long battery life
- Rechargeable
- Advanced features: Includes premium features like streaming, direct microphones, and real-time translation, typically found in high-end hearing aids.
- Excellent sound quality: Enhanced by advanced noise reduction and speech enhancement technologies.
- RIC design: Comfortable and widely appreciated by most users.
- Lifetime support: Professional assistance at no extra cost.
- No RIC wire replacement cost
- Maintenance reminders
- Continuous development: Support for OTA updates.
- Affordable: Reasonable pricing for the range of features offered.
Cons:
- Generic hearing profile: The hearing aids aren’t customized to individual hearing thresholds. This can result in unnecessary amplification at certain frequencies, which may be a concern for users with specific hearing profiles.
- RIC limitations: Not ideal for users with middle ear conditions or excessive earwax production.
- Receiver wire sizing: If the wire is the wrong size, users must send the product back for replacement.
- Dome supply: Only one of each type of dome is included, so additional domes must be ordered if needed.
- Limited global availability: The product is not yet available in all markets.
- Bluetooth connection: While generally stable, it can occasionally be unstable.
- Occasional static noise: Some users report experiencing static noise under certain conditions.
Prices
ELEHEAR’s pricing strategy positions them as a competitive player in the OTC and DTC hearing aid market, offering premium-level features at a significantly lower cost. The Beyond will retail for USD $399.
By targeting the growing U.S. OTC hearing aid market, they aim to provide high-end functionalities, such as streaming, real-time translation, and tinnitus management, at a fraction of the cost of traditional hearing aids. This makes ELEHEAR an appealing option for consumers seeking affordability without compromising on features.
Returns and Replacements
ELEHEAR offers a customer-friendly return and replacement policy, providing free replacement parts for key accessories like RIC wires. Users are supplied with spare eartips and wax cap tools in the initial package, and additional parts can be purchased on their website if needed.
Global Expansion
Although the U.S. remains their primary market, ELEHEAR has ambitions for global expansion. As the market for OTC hearing aids grows worldwide, ELEHEAR is working to ensure compliance with local regulations in various countries. This will allow them to offer their products to a broader international audience over time.
Conclusion
Despite being relatively new in the hearing aid market, ELEHEAR has made significant strides over a short period. Their focus on user feedback, rapid product development, and integration of advanced features has made them a formidable competitor in the OTC hearing aid industry. The Beyond model, in particular, offers greater levels of customization, high sound quality, and features commonly seen in more expensive devices. While there is room for improvement, such as providing hearing aids tailored to individual hearing thresholds, ELEHEAR’s lifetime professional support helps mitigate some of these limitations.
The brand shows great potential to continue evolving and might soon compete with the top players in the OTC hearing aid space. Their commitment to innovation, customer service, and affordability sets them apart as a company to watch closely in the near future.
**Interested readers can visit ELEHEAR’s website to learn more
About the author
Nausheen Dawood is an experienced Audiologist and Project Manager with a professional background including primary health care, corporate social investment, and business development. Proficient in the development of academic courses, training, and lecturing, with a focus on clinical student training and supervision. Adept in freelance copywriting, particularly in audiology and health-related topics. Holds a Masters degree in Audiology (Cum Laude), with a strong foundation in clinical research, project development, and strategic planning, complemented by technical training. Specializes in content development and training tailored to diverse audiences. Demonstrates a long-term commitment to research and development, including the implementation of randomized controlled trials, projects, and clinical examinations. Known for establishing robust networks and cultivating valuable stakeholder relationships.
