There's a good chance that there's an HP device not far away wherever you are. From office printers to laptops and gaming headsets, HP is a giant in the tech world. They don't get the same buzz that Apple and Samsung seem to generate, but HP quietly did 63 billion dollars in sales in 2021.
That's why the news that HP and Nuheara are teaming up to release an OTC hearing aid has my attention.
Nuheara announced its freshly minted FDA clearance on October 31st and shared plans to sell HP products at Best Buy and through online sellers like Crutchfield and Amazon in the coming months.
In this guide, I'll break down what we know about HP hearing aids, who they are for, and a few alternatives.
Nuheara and HP are Teaming Up
You've almost certainly heard of Hewlett Packard (HP), but there's a chance you haven't heard of Nuheara. You'll want some background to understand the new HP Hearing PRO product.
While the two companies reportedly worked together on the new HP Hearing PRO product, it is nearly identical in form factor and features to the existing Nuheara IQBuds Max. It's safe to say that Nuheara is taking the lead on R&D. So, who are they?
The Australian-based Nuheara was founded by Justin Miller and David Cannington in 2015. Justin's lifelong struggle with hearing loss inspired him to create a device that could function as a premium pair of headphones while augmenting sound for those with hearing loss.
Seven years later, the company has raised more than $20M, and their latest generation of earbuds (IQbuds2 MAX) has won several significant awards, including three honors at CES.
Nuheara is well respected by the hearing health world and boasts legitimate technology and a good app. Their new partnership with HP makes them a significant player in the hearing health world.
Nuheara has never gained a place as a hearing aid alternative, but they do offer a solid wireless headphone with some listening super powers.
Read my full review of Nuheara's IQ Buds Max (an older sibling to the HP Hearing Pro) here.
HP Hearing PRO features
The form factor and primary feature set in the HP Hearing Pro product mirrors Nuheara's earlier products like IQ Buds Max.
Nuheara and HP did work together to enhance listening in background noise and went through the more rigorous FDA application and approval process.
Important features:
- HP Hearing PRO comes with Bluetooth streaming connection to iPhone and Android devices
- Rechargeable batteries and sleek carry case are included with every pair
- HP Hearing PRO devices are customized to your hearing loss based on a hearing test taken through the HP app
HP Hearing PRO works with an impressive TV streaming device (sold separately) that allows you to control the volume of the TV on your own devices while your partner listens at a different volume.
When will HP hearing aids hit shelves?
Nuheara and HP plan to roll out their devices in the coming months and I expect full distribution by early next year. Starting even sooner, you’ll be able purchase HP Hearing Pro hearing aids online for $699 a pair at www.HPHearingPRO.com. At the time of this writing the site still says “coming soon”.
Are HP Hearing PRO hearing aids good?
I haven’t had a chance to try HP Hearing PRO myself but my guess is that HP Pro Hearing aids will be of reputable quality and offer strong Bluetooth streaming and situational listening support.
They won't replace traditional hearing aids because they aren't built for all-day wear.
You'll likely be happy if you think of HP Hearing PRO as a pair of headphones with serious plus-ups. If you are looking for an actual pair of hearing aids, you should consider another product.
HP Hearing PRO alternatives
HP Hearing PRO devices fit into a growing family of OTC hearing aids from brands like Bose, Sony, and Jabra.
If you are looking for a headphone hybrid, you might compare HP Hearing Pro to Jabra Enhance Plus. If you want an OTC device that you can wear more throughout the day, I suggest you check out Bose hearing aids (sold by hearing health company Lexie).
If you want the convenience of remote care but still want a professional to program your hearing aids, you might consider Jabra Enhance Select.
I hope you've found this information helpful. If you've tried HP Hearing PRO or Nuheara products, I'd love to hear from you—just send me a note at [email protected].
