Elehear’s new “Delight” over-the-counter hearing aids prioritize sleek design, but ultimately underperform in core functionality. While the company promises improved noise reduction and amplification through AI, real-world testing reveals limited benefits, making them a questionable choice for those seeking substantial hearing support.
Design and Comfort: A Strong First Impression
The Delight aids stand out visually, resembling compact Bluetooth earbuds rather than traditional behind-the-ear devices. Their discreet in-ear fit avoids noticeable protrusion, though visibility remains when viewed from the side. The silicone “wing” ensures a secure, comfortable fit, with three sizes of ear tips and wings included for customization. At 3.38 grams each, they are lightweight enough for hours of wear without discomfort. The compact charging case provides two full recharges, delivering around 11 hours of real-world use per charge—slightly less than the advertised 13.5 hours.
Performance: Where Promises Fall Short
Despite the stylish exterior, the Delight aids lack critical features found in more advanced models. They are not tunable, meaning they apply a uniform audio boost across the frequency spectrum, which can create discomfort at higher volumes. High frequencies sound distorted, while bass tones boom excessively. Hiss becomes pronounced at moderate volume levels, and the five noise-cancellation modes offer minimal improvement. The preconfigured environmental settings and customizable profiles fail to deliver meaningful clarity, especially in noisy environments.
Streaming media suffers from weak bass and is unusable in loud settings. The devices provide only minimal support even in quiet environments, with amplified ambient noise often drowning out speech.
Extra Features: Distraction Over Functionality
Elehear includes a language translator, noise measurement tool, and remote microphone system within the companion app. The “Serene” soundscapes offer a surprisingly extensive library of ambient noises, from waterfalls to cat purrs. While entertaining, these features distract from the core issue: the Delight aids struggle to deliver effective hearing assistance.
Software and Connectivity Issues
The Elehear app suffers from usability flaws. It requires frequent manual reconnection to the hearing aids, even when Bluetooth is already active. Initial pairing can be problematic, with one device sometimes failing to connect. This requires multiple factory resets to resolve.
The Bottom Line
The Elehear Delight hearing aids excel in design and comfort, but offer little in the way of practical hearing improvement. The lack of tuning options, poor sound quality, and software glitches make them a disappointing purchase for those seeking genuine auditory assistance. While they may appeal to users who prioritize aesthetics over performance, most would be better served by a more robust and adjustable device.
