Entina HearSmart vVARY

HearSmart – Hearing Aid Adaptation & Listening Practice Tool
Created by Dr. Rohan S. Navelkar & Dr. Radhika Navelkar, ENT Surgeon, Mumbai
(Android app development is my personal hobby.)

HearSmart is designed to support individuals with hearing loss as they adjust to using hearing aids. Many users find that the greatest challenge after purchasing a hearing aid is not the device itself, but the process of adapting to newly amplified sounds. HearSmart provides structured listening exercises to help improve comfort, reduce disturbance, and support long-term hearing aid use.

Research Recognition

The concepts behind this app were featured in a peer-reviewed research study published in the International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. The publication has been appreciated by ENT surgeons and audiologists internationally.

Full article:
https://www.ijorl.com/index.php/ijorl/article/view/3518/2003

The study is indexed on multiple academic platforms including Index Copernicus, CrossRef, LOCKSS, Google Scholar, J-Gate, SHERPA/RoMEO, ICMJE, JournalTOCs and ResearchBib.

Why Hearing Aid Adaptation Is Difficult

Many people invest heavily in hearing aids with the expectation of clearer hearing, yet a significant number discontinue use. The most common reason is difficulty adjusting to everyday environmental sounds.

Unlike normal hearing, individuals with long-standing hearing loss may have forgotten how to naturally filter or "ignore" background noise. When hearing aids reintroduce these sounds, they can feel overwhelming.

HearSmart provides practice-based modules intended to help users become more comfortable with everyday sound environments.

Features
1. Simple Hearing Screening Exercises

The app includes basic test tones and listening tasks to help users understand their approximate hearing comfort levels. These exercises are educational and intended to support discussion with an audiologist.

2. Hearing Aid Adaptation Modules

Through structured sound exposure sessions, users can gradually practice listening to different sound categories. These tools are designed to complement the adaptation process for many hearing aid users.

3. Support for Understanding Everyday Sounds

The app includes guided exposure to common environmental sounds. Practicing with these sounds may help users feel more comfortable when similar sounds occur in daily life.

4. Helps Identify Listening Comfort Zones

By noting which frequencies feel softer or louder during practice sessions, users can gather information that they may discuss with their audiologist. Hearing aids can often be adjusted over multiple sessions, and clear feedback enhances this process.

(Important: This is not a diagnostic function. It is a self-assessment aid meant for user awareness.)

5. “Smart Hearing” – Family Voice Familiarity Practice

HearSmart includes a feature that allows users to practice listening to the voices of people they interact with most. This practice may help users feel more confident and comfortable during family conversations.
Any tuning adjustments, if needed, should always be made by a qualified audiologist.

Who This App Is For

• New hearing aid users
• People struggling with background sound discomfort
• Long-standing hearing loss users adapting to amplification
• Families supporting a hearing-impaired member
• Individuals wanting structured listening practice

About the Developer

HearSmart is created and maintained by Dr. Rohan S. Navelkar & Dr. Radhika Navelkar, ENT Surgeon, Mumbai.
Android app development is my personal hobby, and this project is part of my effort to make hearing-related information and support tools more accessible.

Important Disclaimer

This app is not a diagnostic tool, and it does not replace a hearing test, audiological assessment or professional hearing aid programming.
Please consult a qualified ENT specialist or audiologist for personalized care.