# Hearing Buddy
> Hearing Buddy is a free iOS app that provides real-time captions with speaker identification for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. All processing happens on-device for complete privacy.

## About
- Website: https://hearingbuddyapp.com
- App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hearing-buddy-speech-to-text/id6747363502
- Mac App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hearing-buddy-everywhere/id6752637457
- Founded by: Lilly Seay and Scott Krager

## Free Hearing Tools

- [Free Online Hearing Test](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/hearing-test): 5-minute pure-tone hearing screening across 4 key frequencies (500-4000 Hz) with instant audiogram results
- [Speech to Text](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/speech-to-text): Real-time browser-based transcription for noisy environments, meetings, and lectures
- [Speech-in-Noise Simulator](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/speech-in-noise): Experience what hearing loss sounds like to build empathy and understanding
- [Audiogram Explained](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/audiogram-explained): Enter hearing test results and get a plain-English explanation of what they mean
- [Tinnitus Frequency Matcher](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/tinnitus-frequency-matcher): Identify your tinnitus pitch with a browser-based frequency matching tool
- [Ototoxic Medication Checker](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/ototoxic-medication-checker): Database of 25+ drugs that can cause hearing loss or tinnitus, with risk levels and reversibility info
- [Hearing Age Test](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/hearing-age-test): Find out how old your ears are with a quick frequency-based hearing age calculator
- [TV Hearing Solutions](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/tv-hearing-solutions): Interactive guide to solving TV dialogue hearing problems with soundbars, headphones, and streamers
- [Hearing Aid Comparison 2026](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/hearing-aid-comparison): Compare 34 hearing aids side by side from Phonak, Oticon, Starkey, ReSound, Signia, Widex, Costco, and OTC brands — with a full review page for every model
- [OTC vs Prescription Hearing Aids](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/otc-vs-prescription-hearing-aids): Quiz-based advisor to determine whether OTC or prescription hearing aids are right for you
- [Tinnitus Severity Assessment](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/tinnitus-assessment): Free screener based on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) with personalized coping strategies
- [Headphone Volume Safety Check](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/headphone-volume-safety): Calculator based on NIOSH guidelines to check if your headphone volume is safe
- [Emergency Alert Sound Test](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/emergency-sound-test): Test if you can hear smoke alarms, CO detectors, and phone alerts with safety recommendations
- [Earplug Fit Guide](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/earplug-guide): Interactive guide to finding the right earplugs with NRR ratings, prices, and product recommendations
- [Hearing Aid Insurance Checker](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/hearing-aid-insurance): Check Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and VA hearing aid coverage with state-specific details
- [Hearing Loss and Dementia](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/hearing-loss-and-dementia): Research-backed guide on the link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline, with the ACHIEVE study and Johns Hopkins findings
- [Tinnitus Treatment Options](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/tinnitus-treatment): Compare evidence-based tinnitus treatments including CBT, TRT, sound therapy, hearing aids, and neuromodulation
- [Cochlear Implants Explained](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/cochlear-implants): Comprehensive guide on cochlear implant candidacy, cost, surgery, manufacturers, and rehabilitation
- [Audiology Appointment Guide](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/audiology-appointment-guide): Step-by-step guide to preparing for your first audiologist visit, what tests to expect, and questions to ask
- [Hearing Aid Care Guide](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/hearing-aid-care): Daily cleaning routines, weekly maintenance, troubleshooting, and care tips by hearing aid type

## Hearing Aid Model Reviews (2026)

Full review pages with prices, specs, pros/cons, and peer comparisons at `https://hearingbuddyapp.com/hearing-aids/{model}`. Covered models: Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio, Audéo Infinio, Audéo Lumity, Naída Lumity, Virto Infinio; Oticon Intent, Zeal, Own, Real, Xceed; ReSound Vivia, Nexia, Savi, Enzo IA; Signia Pure Charge&Go IX, Styletto IX, Silk Charge&Go IX, Active Pro IX; Starkey Omega AI, Edge AI; Widex Allure, SmartRIC; Costco lineup (Jabra Enhance Pro 30, Philips HearLink 9050, Rexton Reach, Sennheiser Sonite Rise); OTC picks (Apple AirPods Pro 3 hearing aid feature, Jabra Enhance Select 700 and 300, Sennheiser All-Day Clear, ELEHEAR Beyond Pro, MDHearing NEO XS PRO and VOLT MAX 2, Nuance Audio Glasses). Also archived reviews of recently discontinued models — Lexie B3 and B2 Plus, Eargo 8, SE, and Link (LXE Hearing wind-down, July 2026), Sony CRE-C20 and CRE-E10 (Sony's April 2026 market exit) — covering what happened, owner support deadlines, and the best alternatives.

## Hearing Aid Buying Guides (2026)

- [Best OTC Hearing Aids](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/best-otc-hearing-aids): Ranked over-the-counter picks from $199 to $1,995, plus the 2026 market shakeout (Lexie/Eargo wind-down, Sony exit) explained
- [Costco Hearing Aids Guide](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/costco-hearing-aids): The full Costco Hearing Aid Center lineup — Jabra Enhance Pro 30, Philips HearLink 9050, Rexton Reach, Sennheiser Sonite Rise — with prices and membership details
- [Best Invisible Hearing Aids](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/best-invisible-hearing-aids): Custom IIC/CIC and instant-fit models compared, and what invisibility trades away
- [Best Hearing Aids for Severe Hearing Loss](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/best-hearing-aids-severe-hearing-loss): Power BTEs and high-output options for severe to profound loss
- [Hearing Aid Prices 2026](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/hearing-aid-prices): What hearing aids really cost, with a verified street-price table across 34 models

## App Comparisons

- [Ava vs Hearing Buddy](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/compare/hearing-buddy-vs-ava): Honest comparison of two captioning apps for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community — pricing, privacy, session limits, and when each app is the better choice
- [Live Transcribe App vs Hearing Buddy](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/compare/hearing-buddy-vs-live-transcribe-app): Cost and feature comparison of Google's Live Transcribe with Hearing Buddy — platform availability, accuracy, and which captioning app fits iPhone users
- [Apple Live Captions vs Hearing Buddy](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/compare/hearing-buddy-vs-apple-live-captions): How Apple's built-in Live Captions accessibility feature compares to a dedicated captioning app — setup, accuracy, and when each is the better choice
- [Otter.ai vs Hearing Buddy](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/compare/hearing-buddy-vs-otter): Otter's meeting-transcription focus versus Hearing Buddy's live conversation captions for deaf and hard-of-hearing users — pricing, minute limits, and use cases
- [Rylo (formerly Nagish) vs Hearing Buddy](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/compare/hearing-buddy-vs-rylo): Honest comparison of Rylo's phone-call captioning with Hearing Buddy's in-person conversation captions, and how the two apps complement each other
- [InnoCaption vs Hearing Buddy](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/compare/hearing-buddy-vs-innocaption): InnoCaption's FCC-funded phone-call captioning versus Hearing Buddy's everyday face-to-face captions — eligibility, coverage gaps, and when to use each
- [Notta vs Hearing Buddy](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/compare/hearing-buddy-vs-notta): Honest comparison of Notta's business transcription tool with Hearing Buddy's accessibility-first live captions — pricing tiers and daily-conversation fit
- [Live Transcribe for iPhone](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/compare/live-transcribe-for-iphone): Why Google's Live Transcribe doesn't exist on iPhone and the best iOS alternatives for live speech-to-text captioning
- [Best Live Captioning Apps for iPhone](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/compare/best-live-captioning-apps-iphone): Roundup of the best iPhone live captioning apps for deaf and hard-of-hearing users, compared on price, accuracy, and features
- [Phone-Call Captioning Apps Compared](https://hearingbuddyapp.com/compare/phone-call-captioning-apps): Comparison of phone-call captioning apps — what they cover, what they can't do, and what to use for in-person conversations

## Key Facts
- Nearly 48 million Americans experience some degree of hearing loss (Source: NIDCD)
- People wait an average of 7 years before addressing hearing changes
- Since the FDA's 2022 ruling, adults 18+ can buy OTC hearing aids without a prescription
- The WHO recommends the 60/60 rule: listen at no more than 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes