I like to think I’m quite savvy when it comes to advertising and marketing on the internet, I also run a pi-hole on an old Raspberry Pi model B to try and filter out most of the adverts on web pages. However I did come across an advert on Facebook for Calmer by Flare Audio.
Sold as a hardware solution to aid clearer audio input, including music, and situations with a lot of background noise. Anyone who knows me, knows I am pretty much deaf when there is background noise, despite having pretty good hearing according to basic testing, so I read on a bit more.
It also added that an additional side effect people had noticed while wearing the Calmer ear pieces were a reduction in tinnitus. I also suffer from a bit of white noise tinnitus, which is most noticeable at night while trying to sleep. I therefore decided to try them out.
The idea is that the shape of the ear pieces allows the sound easier entry into the ear canal, rather than banging around.
on first insertion, I noticed an immediate numbing of the outside world, similar but not as total as using those squishy ear plugs. It did take a little while to get used to the feeling and the sound, I guess because I have been overcompensating in my hearing for quite a while.
After wearing for a while, there is definitely less interference from background noise, and I am now hearing my wife clearer, which means I can’t use that as an excuse any longer!
When using them at night, again I notice the numbing of sound in my head, and I guess the white noise has also reduced slightly. The problem was that after a few hours they became uncomfortable and woke me up, at which point I took them out.
Listening to music is a definite improvement, although most benefit is gained when using headphones, which are always an improvement over speakers anyway.
At their price, £20, I would say they are worth trying if you have any minor hearing aliments. It is worth saying, Flare Audio, the makers of the device do not market these as a medical device, but are mentioning some of the positive reviews and comments people have said after wearing them.
I will update this post after wearing them for a while longer to give more of a complete review.