No two ears are built the same; our ears hear sounds differently, the same way our left and right eyes see differently. Just as people need different lenses to accommodate deficient vision, so should audio reception be tuned for weak hearing.
Such is the thinking at startup Aumeo Audio, which has created what it bills as the world's first 'headphones personalizer' that customizes audio levels to each ear's unique hearing sensitivity.
The palm-sized device works with a downloadable smartphone app (the AumeoHub) that precisely calibrates the spectrum of sound to compensate for areas of weakness in both ears.
This is done by 'testing' both ears with the most important eight frequency bands in a way that mimics methods used by clinical audiologists. Some ears need more bass while others need more treble, etc.
The test takes just a few minutes, after which the user's personal audio profile is created and then downloaded via Bluetooth into the device, which is plugged in between the user's audio player and earphones.
The result is an audio experience as close to perfectly balanced without going to the doctor. The company claims a clinical trial-verified accuracy of 97%.
Separate audio profiles can be made for each set of headphones. Alternatively, specific sound signatures can be tailored for different musical tastes, much like a standard equalizer.
The device works with smartphones with head-phone jacks, and also those without, and allows for connection to any audio source wirelessly or via line-in.
"The Aumeo takes the guess work out of what your ears need and makes sure that you get the best audio sound, with more nuance at lower volumes, no matter what headphones you are using," says company co-founder and CEO Paul Lee.
Colors are available in black, gold, and silver. The Aumeo retails for about $200.
Tech reviews are overwhelmingly positive. "This is definitely a rare, revolutionary device in the sense that it lacks serious disadvantages," says nerdytech.com's Tech Guru. "Despite its lack of support for the highest bit-rates, the idea behind it is truly one of a kind. Combine that with a moderate price tag and it's among the best new audio-specific products we've seen as of late."
