Audeara: headphones with a built hearing test

Headphones designed by doctors and engineers? Yep, they’re supposed to protect your ears and arrive with a built-in hearing test

The first time Audeara headphones are worn, the user undertakes a hearing test – the results of which, are subsequently stored in the headphones themselves. The headphones use this hearing profile to adjust the sound signal as it passes through them. They adjust the right ear differently from the left, making sure each part of the signal reaches the user’s brain in a way that’s heard as a “perfect reflection” of the intended signal.

After the first test, the app isn’t required again unless the user wants to retest.

Audeara headphones use a software interface from a smartphone application to send Bluetooth commands to the on-board printed circuit board. This allows the headphones themselves to generate the tones and maintains consistency across all Bluetooth devices.

The headphones are calibrated and the profile is used as the baseline for accurate audiogram testing. After the user performs the audiogram, a modulation table is applied. This adjusts all incoming musical signals to the user’s requirements. Using an attenuation model, rather than increasing gain, ensures maximisation of the overall signal intensity, without distortion.

With the modulation table stored in the on-board PCB, the user only has to test once for the headphones to apply that table to any Bluetooth signal source. The user can, however, test multiple times, and the software application stores numerous profiles that are then uploaded and stored as the active profile.

The result of the audiogram is displayed for the user, useful for long-term tracking of any hearing loss. If the user’s hearing profile shows significant impairment an alert will be shown, which suggests they seek more specialist advice and analysis.

Other features include 40mm Mylar speakers, Adjustable headband and soft over-ear cushion, Rotatable design for easy storage in a slim, hard carry case when traveling, Built-in lithium-ion battery, rechargeable via Micro-USB jack and active noise cancelling design effectively reduces noise by up to 85%. Charging time is three hours for 30 hours of noise-cancelling use or 15 hours for Bluetooth use or 12 hours for both.

The Audeara Headphones are currently available to backers from just £155 on the Early Bird Special (RRP: £310) on Kickstarter, widely available in July 2017