Audio Enhancement for Hearing Impaired
Live AI captions in 90+ languages. Voice Boost for speech clarity. Audiogram-matched EQ. Noise reduction. Hearably turns your browser into a complete accessibility tool for hearing loss.
Real-time enhancement via extension · Or upload a file for free in Studio
Approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide experience some degree of hearing loss, according to the World Health Organization. For many, the loss is gradual — starting with difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds like consonants (s, t, f, th) and bird songs, then progressively affecting the ability to understand speech in noisy environments. This condition, called presbycusis (age-related hearing loss), typically begins affecting frequencies above 4 kHz in a person's 40s and gradually extends to lower frequencies over time.
The internet has become a primary source of information, entertainment, and social connection — but browser audio is designed for people with perfect hearing. Video platforms don't offer per-frequency EQ. Streaming services don't have dynamic range compression. Video call platforms don't boost speech frequencies. If you have hearing loss, you're forced to either max out the volume (which amplifies the frequencies you can already hear to uncomfortable levels) or miss critical information buried in the frequency ranges your ears struggle with.
Hearably fills this gap by providing audiologist-grade audio processing tools directly in your browser. The 10-band parametric EQ allows precise frequency compensation — if you have typical presbycusis affecting 4 kHz and above, you can boost those specific frequencies by 6-12 dB while leaving the rest untouched. This is the same principle behind hearing aid programming, where an audiologist measures your hearing loss at specific frequencies and programs compensating gain at those exact points.
Voice Boost mode is particularly valuable for hearing-impaired users because it targets the 1-4 kHz speech intelligibility band. Human speech depends on consonant sounds — the 's' in "sat" vs "fat," the 't' in "time" vs "lime" — and these consonants are concentrated between 2-4 kHz, exactly where age-related hearing loss strikes first. By boosting this range, Voice Boost restores the consonant clarity that hearing loss takes away, making speech comprehensible without simply making everything louder.
The multiband compressor addresses another critical challenge for hearing-impaired users: dynamic range. When you have hearing loss, quiet sounds fall below your hearing threshold while loud sounds are still perceived normally (or even painfully — this is called "recruitment"). The result is a compressed perceptual dynamic range where you need the quiet parts louder but the loud parts unchanged. Hearably's compressor does exactly this: it raises quiet passages while controlling loud peaks, keeping the entire signal within your comfortable listening range. Combined with targeted EQ and volume boost, this transforms browser audio from a source of frustration into a genuine accessibility tool.
How Hearing Loss Affects Frequency Perception — And How EQ Compensates
Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) follows a predictable pattern: high frequencies are affected first, with the loss progressing gradually to lower frequencies. A typical audiogram for mild presbycusis shows normal hearing (0-25 dB HL) at 250-2000 Hz, with a sloping loss from 3 kHz upward — often 30-40 dB HL at 4 kHz and 50-60 dB HL at 8 kHz. This means a person might hear low and mid frequencies perfectly but miss high-frequency consonants that make speech intelligible.
Speech intelligibility depends heavily on frequencies between 2-4 kHz. The consonant sounds /s/, /t/, /f/, /th/, /k/, and /sh/ — which carry the most information for distinguishing words — are concentrated in this range. The vowel sounds that give speech its "body" (a, e, i, o, u) are lower, around 300-1000 Hz. When hearing loss reduces sensitivity above 3 kHz, you hear the rhythm and melody of speech but miss the consonants that differentiate "time" from "lime" from "dime." This is why hearing-impaired people often say "I can hear you talking, but I can't understand what you're saying."
Hearably's 10-band EQ allows targeted compensation. A person with typical mild presbycusis might configure: 4 kHz: +6 dB, 8 kHz: +8 dB, 16 kHz: +10 dB — matching their audiogram's loss curve. The Voice Boost preset provides a simpler one-click solution by boosting the 1-4 kHz intelligibility band by 2-4 dB. The multiband compressor adds another layer: by applying higher compression ratios to the low band (where hearing is normal) and lower ratios to the high band (where hearing loss exists), it effectively performs upward compression on the frequencies that need it most. This mimics the "wide dynamic range compression" (WDRC) algorithm used in modern digital hearing aids.
For users with more significant hearing loss, the 800% volume boost ensures there is enough overall gain to bring browser audio above their hearing threshold across all frequencies. The look-ahead limiter is critical here — hearing-impaired users often listen at high volumes, and unexpected loud peaks (ad breaks, sound effects, music stings) can cause discomfort or even further damage. The limiter prevents any output from exceeding -0.45 dBFS, providing a safety ceiling at all times.
How to get the best audio on Audio Enhancement for Hearing Impaired
Configure EQ to match your audiogram
If you have an audiogram from an audiologist or hearing test app, match Hearably's EQ to your loss curve. Typical presbycusis: leave 31-2000 Hz flat, boost 4 kHz by +4-6 dB, 8 kHz by +6-10 dB, 16 kHz by +8-12 dB. This compensates for exactly the frequencies you struggle with.
Enable Voice Boost for all speech content
Voice Boost amplifies 1-4 kHz — the consonant frequencies that hearing loss affects first. Turn it on for video calls, podcasts, news, lectures, and any content where understanding speech is the priority. It works alongside your EQ settings.
Use Night Mode for consistent volume
Hearing loss often comes with "recruitment" — reduced tolerance for loud sounds. Night Mode's heavy compression keeps everything within a narrow volume range: quiet speech gets louder, sudden loud sounds get controlled. This prevents both inaudibility and discomfort.
Boost to 200-400% as a baseline
If you have mild to moderate hearing loss, a baseline boost of 200-400% ensures browser audio is above your hearing threshold across all frequencies. The look-ahead limiter prevents distortion and protects against unexpected loud peaks — a critical safety feature when listening at elevated volumes.
Enable Live AI Captions for visual reinforcement
Hearably includes built-in Live Captions powered by Whisper AI — real-time transcription in 90+ languages with a subtitle overlay directly on the webpage. Enable captions alongside Voice Boost for the most reliable comprehension: enhanced audio plus visual text backup. No cloud uploads, runs entirely in your browser.
Create a "My Hearing" preset
Once you've configured EQ and volume settings that work for your hearing loss, save them as a named preset (e.g., "My Hearing"). This lets you apply your personal compensation profile instantly on any tab with one click, rather than reconfiguring each time.
Different settings for speech vs. music
Speech and music have different frequency needs. Save two presets: one optimized for speech (Voice Boost on, mid-heavy EQ, moderate compression) and one for music (wider EQ boost across the spectrum, lighter compression to preserve dynamics). Switch between them as needed.
Built for this exact use case
Live AI Captions (90+ Languages)
Real-time transcription powered by Whisper AI, running entirely in your browser. Subtitle overlay appears on any webpage — video calls, streams, lectures, podcasts. Auto-detects language. No cloud, 100% private.
Voice Boost for Speech Clarity
One-click amplification of 1-4 kHz — the consonant frequency range that hearing loss affects first. Restores speech intelligibility without making everything else disproportionately loud.
Audiogram-Matched EQ
10-band parametric EQ from 31 Hz to 16 kHz with ±12 dB per band. Configure boost at the exact frequencies where your hearing loss occurs — the same principle used in hearing aid fitting.
Noise Reduction
Adaptive noise gate removes background hiss, fan noise, and keyboard clicks — making speech clearer without amplifying the noise. Especially valuable on video calls where background noise compounds hearing difficulty.
Choose your method
Different situations call for different tools. Hearably gives you both.
Chrome Extension
Enhance audio live while you stream. The extension intercepts your tab's audio and processes it in real-time — volume boost, EQ, presets — without downloading anything.
- Streaming on Audio Enhancement for Hearing Impaired, Netflix, Spotify
- Video calls on Zoom, Meet, Teams
- Any website with audio
- When you want instant, always-on enhancement
Free Online Studio
Upload an audio or video file, apply volume boost + 10-band EQ, preview in real-time, then download the enhanced WAV. Your file never leaves your browser.
- Downloaded videos or music files
- Podcast episodes you want to boost before sharing
- Voice recordings, lectures, interviews
- When you need a permanently enhanced file
Pro tip: Use a YouTube-to-MP3 tool to download the audio, then enhance it in Hearably Studio with EQ + volume boost. Perfect for offline listening, DJ sets, or sharing on social media.
Three clicks to better audio
Install
Add Hearably from the Chrome Web Store. Under 300KB, installs in seconds.
Enhance
Click the Hearably icon and tap "Enhance." Boost kicks in instantly.
Enjoy
Adjust volume, EQ, and presets. Works on any website with audio.
Frequently asked questions
Can Hearably replace a hearing aid?
No — Hearably is a browser audio enhancement tool, not a medical device. Hearing aids are custom-fitted to your audiogram, provide amplification across all audio sources (not just browser), and include features like directional microphones and feedback cancellation. However, Hearably can significantly improve browser audio accessibility for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, and can complement hearing aids for browser use.
What type of hearing loss does Hearably help with?
Hearably is most effective for sensorineural hearing loss (the most common type), particularly age-related presbycusis that affects high frequencies first. The 10-band EQ can compensate for loss at specific frequencies, Voice Boost targets the speech intelligibility band (1-4 kHz), and compression addresses the reduced dynamic range that accompanies sensorineural loss.
How do I know what EQ settings to use for my hearing loss?
Ideally, use your audiogram from an audiologist or hearing test app (like Mimi Hearing Test or hearWHO). Match the EQ boost at each frequency to your measured loss. If you don't have an audiogram, start with Voice Boost enabled and gradually increase 4 kHz, 8 kHz, and 16 kHz until speech consonants become clearer. Small adjustments of 2-3 dB at a time are recommended.
Is it safe for hearing-impaired users to boost volume to 800%?
The look-ahead limiter caps digital output at -0.45 dBFS regardless of the boost setting, preventing sudden loud peaks. However, sustained listening at high volumes can worsen hearing loss. Use the minimum boost that makes content comfortable, and take breaks. The compressor helps by raising quiet sounds so you don't need as much overall boost.
Does Voice Boost help with understanding speech in noisy videos?
Yes. Voice Boost amplifies 1-4 kHz (where speech consonants are concentrated) more than other frequencies, improving the signal-to-noise ratio specifically for speech. This is more effective than overall volume boost because it doesn't proportionally amplify the background noise in lower and higher frequencies.
Can I use Hearably with hearing aids on?
Yes. If you wear hearing aids while using headphones or computer speakers, Hearably processes the browser audio before it reaches your speakers, and your hearing aids then process the ambient sound as usual. The two systems complement each other — Hearably optimizes the digital audio, your hearing aids optimize what reaches your ears.
Does this work for video calls (Zoom, Google Meet)?
Yes. Hearably works on any tab producing audio, including Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Discord. Voice Boost is particularly effective for calls where participants have quiet microphones or speak softly. Apply a 200-300% boost with Voice Boost to make every participant clearly audible.
How does Hearably compare to Chrome's built-in Live Caption?
Chrome's Live Caption is English-only with limited styling. Hearably includes its own Live AI Captions powered by Whisper that support 90+ languages with auto-detection, a styled and draggable subtitle overlay, and run entirely in your browser. Plus, Hearably combines captions with audio enhancement — Voice Boost, EQ, noise reduction, and volume amplification — which Chrome's Live Caption cannot do. They address accessibility from both angles simultaneously.