Ears are like fingerprints, eyes and every other part of the human body: no two are the same. That means that from birth, everyone experiences the same sounds slightly differently. And yes, that goes for people with normal, healthy hearing.
In 2018 we wrote about Nura, the Australian company behind the groundbreaking Nuraphone – a pair of over-ear headphones that adapt to each wearer’s particular way of hearing and claim to make music sound better than any conventional headphones are able to. (The science behind this is very credible. One of the company’s co-founders is a medical doctor who trained to be an ear, nose and throat surgeon.)
Since then Nura has packed that same technology into Nuraloop, a linked pair of lightweight earbuds intended for running and other physical activities. And now it’s done the same with Nuratrue, a pair of fully wireless earbuds that offer six hours of constant battery life. The handy palm-sized carry case also contains a battery, upping battery life to a total of 24 hours between charges.
The Nuratrue works just like the Nuraphone – you put the buds in, open an app on your phone and listen to weird test tones for 60 seconds. Tiny microphones embedded in the device record the echoes and response from your inner ears, building a profile of your particular hearing. The Nuratrue then adjusts its output accordingly, equalising frequencies to make sure you’re hearing in the “truest”, most balanced way possible.
Not only that – it has active noise cancelling, meaning the Nuratrue can digitally dampen repetitive sounds such as droning engines or a rattling train. Perfect for commuting. In the event you need your ears again, tapping the touch-sensitive button on the bud engages “social mode”, passing sounds from the outside world into your ears via external microphones. Those same external mics allow you to make voice calls on the Nuratrue as well.
The Nuratrue is also sweat-resistant, with a rating of IPX4 or, “protects from splashing water, no matter the direction”, meaning it’s ready for any form of exercise, except for maybe swimming.
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This article was originally published on August 24, 2021 and has since been updated.
