An umbrella term for in-ear audio and biometric devices. A hearable may provide any or all of the following: general audio amplification, voice frequencies amplification, Bluetooth audio from a mobile device or heartbeat detection. With regard to amplification, the primary difference between hearables and the traditional hearing aid is that they cannot treat severe hearing loss, and they cannot be branded as hearing aids unless approved by the FDA. Hearables are typically adjusted with a smartphone app. Contrast with
wearables. See
digital hearing aid.
Blend Music With Enhanced Hearing
These wireless IQbuds from Nuheara blend the digital music via Bluetooth from the listener's phone with the sounds in the real world. The ratio between the two is user adjustable and any four of these environment settings can be configured ahead of time: home, office, restaurant, workout, street, driving and plane. (Images courtesy of Nuheara.)