I’ve used hearing aids for a long time, and with each new model, they seem more intelligent yet less natural. Modern devices use AI to identify speakers in loud environments, but it frequently focuses on the wrong person. I long for the days when I could simply increase the volume to take in the whole soundscape—the background hum, environmental noises, and the general bustle of life. It feels like the technology is filtering my reality for me, often against my preferences. This made me wonder: if we had a chance to talk to the developers, what requests would we make? Do you crave total manual oversight? Fewer app-based requirements? A choice between rechargeable and disposable power? Or perhaps the ability to lock in a preferred sound setting rather than letting the device constantly recalibrate?
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Most of those features are adjustable in the settings. You can actually set up different profiles with varying levels of AI assistance to toggle between.
I’d love the option to blend Bluetooth audio with environmental sounds so I can follow a broadcast while still chatting with people nearby.
I want domes that expand to create a custom fit, or at least smaller options than what’s currently on the market. My right ear canal is tiny, and even the smallest existing dome feels a bit too large.
Ideally, every hearing aid would be sold at the highest tech tier possible. It’s ridiculous that they gate features! Also, we need electronics manufacturers to standardize Bluetooth LE and Auracast so we can link up directly to computers and televisions.
A professional audiologist should be able to set up a mode that disables the AI entirely. Considering the high price tag, I’d love a frequency division feature similar to what cheap bat detectors use, just so I could hear bats. It’s a bit of a specific request, though.
- RIC design featuring physical buttons on both units for instant volume control.
- Batteries that last several days on one charge.
- A portable charging case with its own internal battery.
- Premium Bluetooth with a noise-cancellation toggle.
- Smart directional mics that actually track the person I’m talking to, which is a major issue when walking with my children.
- Voice recognition to prioritize familiar people or detect when I’m in a conversation.
- Reliable Bluetooth calling where the other person can hear me clearly through the built-in mics.
- Self-programming capabilities with cloud backup for easy migration to new hardware.
- Fully waterproof construction that isn’t affected by perspiration.
Just some thoughts.
I own some cheap $32 earbuds with a compact case that lasts for days and displays the battery percentage. I wish hearing aid manufacturers would design travel cases that are just as sleek and functional.
Modern devices can transition between modes depending on the surroundings: they can disable noise reduction in quiet rooms and re-enable it when you enter a busy restaurant.
Interestingly, my grandad feels the exact same way. He hates the automated AI adjustments, saying it feels like the device is making decisions for him. He sticks with his Atom X because he can manually switch modes. To him, that feels more natural, and I have to agree.