At a glance
What we like
- FDA-registered OTC hearing aids
- Advanced AI noise reduction & feedback cancellation
- 32kHz ultra HD speech signal processing
- Comfortable all-day wear
- Easy APP adjustment
- Bluetooth streaming compatible with iOS & Android
What we don’t like
- Voice announcements for mode switching last 4 seconds; this duration should be shortened for efficiency.
Hearing difficulties can be a part of life, whether from birth or as we age, and this is entirely normal and expected. According to a study conducted by the NIDCD Epidemiology and Statistics Program, there are more than 28 million individuals who could benefit from using hearing aids or amplifiers. However, you’re likely aware of how costly hearing aids can be.
You may also have come across hearing amplifiers. While it’s true that they primarily amplify sound, there are now brands that offer high-quality hearing amplifiers equipped with cutting-edge technology and numerous features that enhance the hearing experience. Today, I’ll be providing a review of one such product that stands out for its excellent performance and affordability. It’s from the reputable brand Elehear, featuring their latest model, the Alpha Pro. So, let’s dive right in and explore the impressive features of Elehear’s Alpha Pro hearing aids.
What is the ELEHEAR Alpha Pro?
The ELEHEAR Alpha Pro is more than just a hearing aid; it’s an FDA-registered OTC (Over-The-Counter) hearing aid. This designation means that you don’t need to go through the hassle of visiting a doctor for a hearing test or fitting. What sets the Alpha Pro apart is its extensive customization options, allowing you to tailor it to your specific preferences. We’ll delve into these customization features in more detail shortly.
What Features Do They Offer?
The ELEHEAR Alpha Pro offers a range of features that go beyond basic sound amplification, making it a standout choice in the world of hearing aids. Here’s a closer look at these features:
AI Noise Reduction
Unlike conventional hearing aids that simply filter and suppress all sounds, the Alpha Pro employs an advanced AI algorithm to extract and enhance human voices from background noise. This technology provides an unparalleled level of clarity, ensuring crystal clear communication even in noisy environments.
Feedback Control
ELEHEAR’s VoClear technology is engineered to provide a clear and uninterrupted listening experience. Its feedback control feature uses sophisticated algorithms to rapidly detect and precisely counteract the frequencies and wave shapes responsible for feedback. This eliminates distracting whistling sounds within fractions of a second.
Bluetooth Streaming
The Alpha Pro supports Bluetooth streaming, a feature that allows you to seamlessly switch between your hearing aids and Bluetooth headphones to meet your daily needs. You can directly connect your hearing aids to your smartphone, enabling you to stream media from your phone. This feature is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
ELEHEAR App
The dedicated ELEHEAR app pairs with your hearing aids, providing you with a convenient way to fine-tune and adjust settings for each ear individually. The app also offers remote sound capture and multiple noise reduction levels. It includes four distinct modes tailored for different environments, including general, restaurant, outdoor, and TV. While switching between modes, there is currently a 4-second pause without hearing aid use, accompanied by a voice announcement of the new mode. This aspect could be improved for faster mode switching, perhaps with a simple beep notification.
In the Control section of the app, you can adjust each hearing aid individually and monitor battery percentages.
In the Adjustment section, you can select the level of hearing loss and control Bass, World Sound, and Treble settings. Below these options, you can fine-tune sounds like birds chirping, alarm sirens, and phones ringing.
The app receives regular updates and fixes, and it is currently well-received by users. It’s likely that future updates will continue to enhance performance. The ELEHEAR Alpha Pro is recommended for individuals seeking an over-the-counter solution for their hearing needs, offering a feature-rich experience with ongoing improvements.
Size and Comfort
When it comes to size and comfort, the ELEHEAR Alpha Pro hearing aids offer a notable advantage. These hearing aids are compact compared to some other brands, making them discreet, especially when viewed from the front and sides. Their design allows them to sit inconspicuously behind the ear. Additionally, the Alpha Pro comes with interchangeable ear caps, providing you with six pairs of different sizes to choose from.
These ear caps securely fit in the ear canal and are connected to the base of the hearing aids via nearly transparent wires. On each earpiece, there are physical volume controls that are easily accessible and easy to use. Above the volume controls, there can also be found two microphones, which both are in charge of directional sound capturing.
The overall design of the hearing aids is thoughtful, ensuring a secure fit that doesn’t compromise comfort. Notably, they are exceptionally lightweight, enhancing overall comfort during extended wear.
One recommendation is for individuals who wear glasses to opt for frames with straight arms rather than curved ones, as the curved frames may come into contact with the base of the hearing aids. Aside from this consideration, wearing glasses alongside these hearing aids shouldn’t pose any issues.
In summary, the ELEHEAR Alpha Pro hearing aids are designed with both size and comfort in mind, offering a discreet profile, a variety of ear cap options for a secure fit, and a lightweight design that prioritizes wearer comfort.
Carry Case and Battery Life
When it comes to the carry and charging case for the ELEHEAR Alpha Pro, it’s worth noting that it’s relatively large compared to some other brands. However, if you plan to carry it in a bag or leave it in your car, its size may not be a significant concern, at least in my experience.
The hearing aids themselves offer an impressive 20 hours of battery life, and the case adds even more convenience by providing an additional 7 charges. This translates to a total of 160 hours of battery runtime.
It’s important to mention that the 20-hour battery life is specifically achievable in hearing mode, so you may experience different runtimes when using other modes.
Despite its larger size, the case is designed to securely hold and display the hearing aids, making it a practical accessory for storage and charging. The case can be charged using a USB Type-C cable, which adds to its modern convenience.
Connecting Hearing Aids With Phone
When it comes to connecting the ELEHEAR Alpha Pro hearing aids to your phone, it follows a standard Bluetooth pairing process that you’re likely familiar with. However, it’s important to note that these hearing aids cannot be used as Made for iPhone (MFI) hearing aids in the accessibility section of your iPhone’s settings.
One convenient feature is that you don’t necessarily need to open the app every time you want to start using the ELEHEAR Alpha Pro hearing aids after pulling them out of the case, even if you intend to stream music from your phone. Once you’ve paired them initially, they should automatically pair with your device when removed from the case. If you put them in your ears quickly enough, you’ll hear the power-on sound.
Launching the ELEHEAR app provides further control options. You’ll need to select “Connect my hearing aids” and navigate through a couple of screens before encountering a 15-second timer. Once inside the app, you can utilize the volume sliders to independently adjust the levels or use the rocker switch on the hearing aids themselves.
In summary, connecting the ELEHEAR Alpha Pro hearing aids to your phone is a straightforward Bluetooth pairing process. While they don’t function as MFI hearing aids, they offer the convenience of automatic pairing and app-based controls for volume adjustments.
How Much Do They Cost?
The ELEHEAR Alpha Pro hearing aids are currently available for a price of $499 on the official website. This price includes free delivery and a generous 45-day risk-free trial period.
When considering the quality, features, dedicated app support for both iPhone and Android devices, and the reasonable price point of $499, these hearing aids offer good value, especially when compared to some other models on the market that can exceed $1000 in cost. It’s worth noting that customer feedback for this particular model may be limited due to its relatively recent release, but as time goes on, more user reviews are likely to become available.
In summary, the ELEHEAR Alpha Pro hearing aids are a cost-effective option that provides a significant upgrade from traditional hearing amplifiers or older hearing aids. They are also suitable for individuals who are new to using hearing devices, offering modern features and functionality at a competitive price point.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, the ELEHEAR Alpha Pro hearing aids, especially the new Alpha Pro model, offer an impressive array of features that make them a standout choice in the market. These features include AI noise reduction, 32kHz ultra HD speech signal processing, feedback control, Bluetooth streaming capabilities, and effortless phone connectivity after the initial pairing. It’s worth highlighting their compatibility with both iOS and Android devices. Additionally, the hearing aids provide a full day of battery life, with approximately 6-7 days of additional battery storage in the case.
All of these features are available at a competitive price point of just $499, making the Alpha Pro a remarkable value. In terms of build and performance, they exude a premium feel and deliver good sound quality. The commitment to app updates and bug fixes suggests that the user experience will only improve over time.
I would wholeheartedly recommend the ELEHEAR Alpha Pro hearing aids to anyone seeking an upgrade from older hearing aids or hearing amplifiers, as well as those who are considering their first hearing devices. With their impressive features and affordability, they offer a compelling solution for individuals with hearing needs at an affordable price.
Abdo is a Zoopy writer who loves spending his free time outdoors, camping, and enjoying the peace that nature brings. He also enjoys fixing things - he's particularly good with electronics. His favorite movie is I Am Legend, and he's fascinated by survival gear and safety.