Both products include Alango’s field-proven hearing enhancement technologies and are supported by the W&H BeHear smartphone app.

Here are the main differences between BeHear SMARTO and BeHear ACCESS:

• SMARTO provides 70dB hearing boost; ACCESS “only” 42dB
• SMARTO attaches to an “over the ear” or “in-ear” headset; ACCESS is a self-contained in-ear headset
• SMARTO has an extremely simple interface from the device itself; ACCESS incudes advanced features that require the use of the W&H BeHear smartphone app
• SMARTO can connect to one Bluetooth device at a time (TV or cell phone, for example); ACCESS can connect to two devices simultaneously
• SMARTO rechargeable battery provides up to 48 hours of hearing amplification; ACCESS rechargeable battery provides up to 13 hours in hearing mode

Bottom line:
BeHear SMARTO was designed for people who need a powerful hearing boost with simple controls. BeHear ACCESS is for the more sophisticated user; it looks and functions just like a wireless Bluetooth headset.

Both BeHear NOW and BeHear ACCESS:

• look and function like a Bluetooth® stereo headset
• include fully customizable hearing amplification and noise reduction for live conversations, mobile phone calls, music play, and ambient sounds
• clarify speech (and if needed during mobile phone calls, slow it down!)
• enhance music

In addition, BeHear ACCESS:

• includes two telecoil receivers to deliver optimal sound in locations outfitted with induction loop technology.
• has large, tactile buttons for easier operation (especially if dexterity is an issue).
• comes with a magnetized charging cradle, as opposed to a direct USB cable which attaches to the neckband (also a usability issue).
• includes sound directionality with three options: narrow, wide, and omni.*
• allows users to reduce the perceived echo effect of their own voice.*
• provides support for unilateral hearing (both CROS and BiCROS).*
• is more expensive.

* Starting with units sold in June 2021

Features Comparison: BeHear NOW vs BeHear ACCESS

Yes. A long press on the middle button of the right-hand control box will toggle between “Telecoil” and “Personal Hearing” modes. Short presses in either of those modes will scroll through their options (Telecoil Exclusive and Telecoil Transparent in the “Telecoil” mode, and Indoor, Outdoor, Crowd, and Live Music in the “Personal Hearing” modes). Voice prompts after each click will announce the name of the current mode.

Additionally, you can choose any of the six above-mentioned hearing modes with a tap on the relevant icon in the “Home” menu of the W&H BeHear app.

1. The BeHear ACCESS headset is calibrated with a standard inductive loop transmitter as per the ANSI S3.22-2009 standard.
2. Signal levels can be adjusted based on the current environment using the headset’s volume control (either manually or via the free app we provide for iOS and Android smartphones).