Frequently asked questions

SMARTO is designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss who do not need amplification all the time, but want help in conversations, when watching TV and on phone calls. Many users with more severe hearing loss are also happy with it.

No. SMARTO uses signal-processing technology similar to hearing aids, but it is a personal sound amplifier, not a medical device. You can set it up and adjust it yourself, without a hearing professional.

No. SMARTO can make listening much easier, but no hearing device can fully restore hearing.

Yes. If you have a pacemaker or an implanted defibrillator (ICD), keep the magnets of the headset at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) away from the implant and avoid constant close contact.

The SMARTO unit has two built-in microphones. Together they make Sound Focus possible and reduce background noise.

Yes. Press the Sound Focus button to switch from Omni mode (sound from all directions) to Front mode, then point SMARTO toward the person you want to hear. Sound from other directions is reduced.

The SMARTO amplifier, a charging cradle, an in-ear headset, an over-ear headset, ear buds in several shapes and sizes, a USB-C charging cable and a lanyard.

The in-ear headset comes with open-fit “tulip” ear buds (already installed) and “mushroom” ear buds in three sizes. Try them to find the most comfortable fit. If you prefer, use the over-ear headset instead.

SMARTO is sold by our partners in several countries. See the Where to buy page to find one near you.

Returns are handled by the store where you bought SMARTO. Please contact them directly.

SMARTO is covered by the warranty of the authorized partner you bought it from. If you need help, contact your partner first. See Warranty & service.

SMARTO has three maximum volume ranges: Low, Mid (factory setting) and High. Press and hold the + and − buttons together for 5 seconds until the volume bar changes. Release and repeat to move to the next range. If High is still not loud enough, take the hearing assessment in the BeHear app to enable an extra boost.

Switch Sound Focus to Front mode and point SMARTO toward the person speaking. In the BeHear app you can also lower the Background Noise level and use the Sound Tuning grid to find the clearest sound.

Use Front mode of Sound Focus and point SMARTO away from you, toward the person you are talking to. This reduces your own voice.

Yes. Press and hold both tone buttons for 5 seconds until the volume bar blinks. Then press the left tone button to favor the left ear or the right tone button to favor the right ear. You can also set the balance in the BeHear app.

Press the red Cancel button to pause the TV sound. After a few seconds the LED turns yellow and SMARTO amplifies the sound around you again. Press the green Answer button to return to the TV sound; the LED turns blue.

No. You can wear SMARTO on the lanyard or clip, or put it on the table, and keep your phone nearby. Answer and end calls with the green and red buttons on SMARTO.

You hear the incoming call signal. Press the green Answer button to take the call, or press and hold the red Cancel button to reject it.

Use EasyListen™ in the BeHear app. During a call, tap Slow, Slower or Slowest to slow down the other person’s speech without distortion. Tap Normal to turn it off.

No. EasyListen works only for mobile phone calls.

A purple blinking LED means the amplifier is paused. Press and hold the + button to resume; the LED turns yellow. Two purple blinks during a reset mean that the Bluetooth connections have been cleared.

When SMARTO is on, briefly shift the Power switch up and release it. The LED shows green (more than 50%), yellow (10–50%) or red (below 10%, please charge).

Keep your phone in front of you or in your hand, not in a tight pocket or against your body: the body blocks the Bluetooth signal. Stay within 10 meters (30 feet) of the phone.

Yes. SMARTO works with virtually any Bluetooth device, including tablets. It connects to one device at a time.

Remove the ear buds and soak them for at least 30 minutes in lukewarm water with a little dish soap. Dry them with a soft cloth and put them back. You can also use alcohol-based hygiene wipes.

Search for W&H BeHear in Google Play or the App Store. The app is free. See the App page for links.

Take the hearing assessment in the BeHear app: tap Personal, then Assessment. The results are applied to SMARTO automatically. You can then fine-tune the sound at any time on the Sound Tuning screen.

The Basic assessment checks the hearing threshold at six frequencies for each ear. The Advanced assessment also checks your comfortable listening level. Turn it on in Settings › Application › Hearing Assessment Mode, then start it from Personal › Assessment.

Yes. Your audiogram is saved in the app Library. Connect the new device, go to Personal › Library, tap your audiogram and tap APPLY. Expect a small variance of about ±3 dB.

No. Your hearing assessment results are stored in SMARTO itself, so uninstalling the app or changing phones does not erase them.

Go to Settings › Device › EasyListen™ Comprehension and choose On, Off or Last State.

The Home screen and some other functions are inactive when SMARTO is not connected to the phone. Turn SMARTO on and connect it over Bluetooth.

Key tones and notification sounds from the phone interrupt the amplifier. Turn off keyboard and notification sounds on your phone, or set it to vibrate or silent.

On iPhone one entry is the audio connection and the other is the Bluetooth Low Energy connection used by the app. This is normal.

Up to 40 hours as a hearing amplifier, and up to 36 hours for calls or audio streaming. A full charge takes 2–3 hours.

The battery is rated for 500 full charge cycles at 85% guaranteed capacity. After that, capacity decreases gradually.

Up to 70 dB of conversation boost.

On the SMARTO page and in the user guides on the Documentation page.