An earbud for enhancing sound — Apple World Today

[ad_1]

How did it sound? Well, compared to my $4,800 hearing aids, I didn’t think the clarity and crispness of audio was as good. However, if I had just mild hearing loss in one ear, a $299 expenditure in an Olive Smart Ear would be a perfect way to “pump up the volume” and make things sound a bit more intelligible — without breaking the bank.

Of course, being a one-ear device, listening to music wasn’t a very pleasurable experience. That being said, the Olive is designed primarily for conversation and TV, not for music.

Comfort-wise, I think I could wear the Olive all day with no issues. As mentioned earlier, you get a choice of medium (default), large, and small ear tips in two different materials to get just the right fit. The Olive fits into that round area outside of the ear canal just perfectly, and I found I could exercise with it installed without fear of it falling out.

Conclusion

If you go into a purchase of the Olive Smart Ear knowing what it is designed for — making everyday sounds, conversations, and TV sound better for those with slight hearing impairments — then you’ll be happy with the device. Compared to true hearing aids, it’s a bargain.

My advice? If you are having issues with understanding conversations in noisy places or can’t clarify what someone is saying on TV, go to an audiologist for a full hearing exam first because you may need hearing aids. However, if the audiologist comes back with a “your hearing is pretty good for your age” report, then an Olive Smart Ear is a good way to help out your hearing.