I am after options for ANC earbuds for quality music streaming & blocking distracting ambient (office) noise that cater for hearing loss users. That is, either the devices themselves or externally eg: an app, needs to compensate for the no hearing aids while using the buds.
While I continue my research (most likely going in circles) I am wondering if anyone else has a similar need/want, experience &/or advice to give. While I think similar topics have been raised in the past, I am sure even 6-12 months can make a difference with tech & options.
I have Phonak Marvel M30-R (yes, to be updated very soon), loss is 40 @1.5 & 50/55-60/65 2k+. I am an Android user for phone. I have Sony MX3 headphones & love them though have never been able to get rich music sound; can’t wear aids under them for feedback. I have tried EQs with them with “some” success but EQ apps seem poor for HL usage. RE Equalizer FX for eg but it does not have separation of LR channels.
With AI chatting I am now going in circles. Looking at Sony MX5 buds again with app options like say Wavelet or Flat EQ app/s but question the lack of boost they give. Looking at Airpod Pro 2 - but as said I am Android for phone so that will be problematic (perhaps not impossible but a hassle no doubt). Or even Sony MX5 & root my Pixel phone to get past Droid & Wavelet 6.5dB cap with AMP - then hassles of a rooted phone. Bahhhh
Then there is this (don’t need as much boost as I thought &/or stack EQs ??? Suss!) - which I may test in practice but eh?? COP AI says (amongst a whole lot of other to & fro of trying to get it on track & keep it there):
Why You Don’t Need a Full 55 dB Boost from EQ
- Hearing aids vs headphones: Your Marvel hearing aids are designed to restore speech audibility across a wide dynamic range. They use compression, frequency shaping, and real-time environmental analysis to deliver functional hearing, not just raw gain. A 55 dB HL at 2 kHz might mean they apply something like 25–35 dB of gain in quiet speech contexts, depending on your fitting formula (e.g., NAL-NL2 or DSL).
- EQ is not amplification: When you apply EQ to headphones or earbuds, you’re shaping the frequency response of the audio signal—not amplifying it to the same degree as a hearing aid. A 6.5 dB lift at 2 kHz might sound subtle to someone with normal hearing, but for you, it can make a noticeable difference if the base signal is already strong in that region and the transducers are capable of delivering it cleanly.
- Perceptual thresholds: Even with a 55 dB HL, your brain can still detect sound at 2 kHz—it just needs it to be louder. But music is often mixed with strong energy in the midrange, so even a modest boost can push those frequencies into your audible zone. Especially if you’re listening at higher volumes, the effective SPL reaching your ear might already be 80–90 dB, meaning you’re not starting from silence.
- Dynamic range and loudness: Music has peaks and valleys. Boosting 6.5 dB at 2 kHz might not make quiet passages fully audible, but it can enhance clarity, especially for vocals, guitars, and snares that live in that range. It’s about enhancing intelligibility and richness, not restoring full clinical audibility.
Since rooting isn’t ideal and you want to keep things practical, here’s what you can do:
- Use Flat Equalizer or Music Volume EQ for global EQ shaping—boosting high frequencies across both channels.
- Adjust channel balance to favor the left ear slightly, giving it a perceptual lift.
- Use Sony’s Headphones Connect app to apply additional EQ on your XM5 or XM3—this stacks with system EQ and gives you up to ±10 dB per band.
- Test with real music to find your perceptual sweet spot—sometimes a 3 dB channel balance shift plus a 6–8 dB treble boost is enough to restore clarity.
Thoughts anyone?
