If you’re considering hearing aids, the Nuheara IQbuds2 Max is an option you may have seen, as it is one of their most recent products. But what are its uses? Would an audiologist recommend these as a hearing aid? As a tinnitus device? We had our founder, Dr. Ben check them out and give you the best and worst, from look, to battery life, to usefulness.
How Does The Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX Look And How Is It Used?
The Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX offers a nice design. It fits well into the contours of the ear, and comes with different size rubber tips in order to provide a comfortable seal in the ear canal. When fitted properly, you can move your mouth, talk, shake your head, and even go on a run without the hearing aid moving unnecessarily.
Each of the Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX hearing aids has three microphone ports, which allows specialized hearing based on certain situations (which can be adjusted through the app). This hearing aid is designed for mild to moderate levels of hearing loss, with independent tests showing that the maximum output would not meet the needs of someone with severe hearing loss.
The Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX provide good occlusion, which means that they maintain the sensation of fullness to your own voice. That said, natural sound quality may still be slightly reduced when relying exclusively on the processed signal outputted by the hearing aid.
Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX: Smartphone App
The Nuheara IQbuds app for iPhone and Android is highly rated and easy to operate. When you first download the app, it will prompt you to take a hearing test through their system called EarID. The test measures your ability to hear sounds at different pitches in each ear, from 500 to 6,000 Hertz. The app will then tailor the output of each hearing aid according to your EarID score.
The Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX features a few notable programs. One is called World ON/OFF. World OFF enables noise cancellation, quieting external sounds, while World ON enables transparency and lets you hear the sound around you. Another program is called SINC, which stands for Speech In Noise Control. This program lets you activate noise reduction for external sounds around you while maintaining clarity of speech in front of you. This is invaluable for party or restaurant settings. Another useful program is the equalizer, which allows you to boost base and treble according to your preferences.
A useful program for directional hearing is Focus ON/OFF. With Focus ON, the Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX deploys its directional microphones to reduce any sound coming from behind you so that you can focus on sounds coming from in front of you.
Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX: On-Device User Adjustments
The Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX features seven program options for different environments, and can automatically change hearing amplification settings for each respective environment in order to preserve speech quality. You can toggle and adjust these programs by simply putting your finger to either hearing aid. You can also set up multiple configurations between ears, as well as customize your experience with music, streaming audio, and phone calls.
Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX: Rechargeability
The Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX comes with a rechargeable battery and portable case, which also has an internal rechargeable battery. The case itself provides three charges, and can fully charge the hearing aids in about 90 minutes. Once the hearing aids are fully charged, they will hold their charge for about five hours.
Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX: Professional Verification
After running the Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX through a text box verification tool, I found that the audio amplification doesn’t get loud enough to support anything beyond a moderate level of hearing loss, which is consistent with how Nuheara markets this model. My testing also confirmed that the noise reduction and directional hearing features worked as advertised.
Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX: Remote Care
While most patients set up the Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX on their own via the IQbuds app, Nuheara also offers customer support via email as well as professional online consultations in case you encounter any issues.
Benefits And Drawbacks Of The Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX
Benefit #1: One of the best hearing aids on the market.
The Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX combines Bluetooth audio streaming and situational hearing loss amplification in a way that very few competitors have been able to do.
Benefit #2: Convenient rechargeability.
The Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX’s rechargeable case is convenient and easy to carry around.
Benefit #3: Sound quality.
The Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX offer excellent audio quality, especially for streaming music and phone calls. My personal tests found the sound produced by these hearing aids to be full and vibrant, regardless of whether I was running, moving around, or merely standing still.
Benefit #4: The IQbuds app.
The IQbuds app includes the EarID hearing test, which enables automatic adjustments to certain pitch regions. The IQbuds app also includes other features such as noise reduction, noise cancellation, and directional hearing, combining for an incredible level of customization unparalleled by other hearing aid apps. The Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX and the IQbuds app are great for those who want complete control of their sound experience.
Drawback #1: Occlusion.
Since the Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX fully occludes the ear and adjusts the sound quality of your voice and the voices around you, they are generally not recommended for those with hearing loss in the high frequency range. In contrast, an open fitting hearing aid would offer less occlusion and thereby a more natural sound quality.
Drawback #2: Battery life.
Since the Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX has robust Bluetooth and sound output features, its battery life isn’t as long as standard hearing aids on the market. This may pose an issue for those who need hearing aids for their entire day. On the contrary, the Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX is an excellent option for those with situational hearing loss and who only need a hearing aid for a few hours of the day.
Drawback #3: Size.
The Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX is slightly larger than other Bluetooth-compatible hearing aids. That said, the music and sound quality are so good partly because of the size of the device.
Comparable Products To Consider
The Signia Active Pro hearing aids employ a similar Bluetooth-compatible design to the Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX. They are somewhat smaller and are designed to optimize hearing loss, giving them the upper hand in reproducing speech quality. However, their sound quality for audio streaming is not as good, and they are sold at a higher price point exclusively through audiology clinics.
What To Do Next For Hearing Loss
Finding the right hearing aids can be a process. At Treble Health, we have compiled a consumer guide that explains the pros and cons of the best hearing aids on the market. Click here to get the free Hearing Aids in 2022: Consumer Guide.
Want to speak with an expert audiologist about hearing aids instead? At the tap of a finger, you can schedule a free Hear From Home™ telehealth consultation today! You’ll be connected with a real audiologist, not a salesperson, and there is no obligation or commitment.
