WIIM ULTRA EQ parametric and hearing impairment

[Vihos]

Hello everyone.
This is my first time here. I apologize for any translation mistakes.
I am touching on a little-known topic: how to use a PEQ to improve music listening for people with hearing impairments. What I am describing here worked for my hi-fi system and may not work for another.

1. My hi-fi system
- KEF Q350 (on NorStone stands)
- NuPrime IDA-8
- WIIM ULTRA (transport for NuPrime IDA-8 DAC)
- SVS SB 1000 Pro
2. Room 12m² netto (partially treated acoustically).
3.
SVS Settings:
- Slope 6dB
- Low pass filter 75Hz
- Home volume -20dB
- Room gain compensation 25Hz
- All filters turned off
4. My audiogram
View attachment 505273

View attachment 505273
5. My PEQ WIIM ULTRA settings
View attachment 505273
Maybe this will help someone. It runs very well on my system.

 

[Bwaslo]

I'm doing something similar. But I only use two high shelf filter boosts to compensate for hf loss (similar in both ears).
I find that totally compensating sounds too bright and edgy, so I back it off about 4 dB. Thinking that I don't want to compensate to match a 5 year old's hearing, maybe just a 30 year old:s.

 

[Vihos]

I'm doing something similar. But I only use two high shelf filter boosts to compensate for hf loss (similar in both ears).
I find that totally compensating sounds too bright and edgy, so I back it off about 4 dB. Thinking that I don't want to compensate to match a 5 year old's hearing, maybe just a 30 year old:s.

I don't feel any excess of high frequencies in this setting. I prefer a slightly brightened sound; it feels more natural to me.

 

[janbth]

Interesting. I have currently a cutoff at about 10kHz for both ears, based on listening to sine test tones. It’s going a bit down every year. @Vihos and @Bwaslo, have you tried to verify from test tones how much of the lost frequency range you are able to recover?

 

[Vihos]

Interesting. I have currently a cutoff at about 10kHz for both ears, based on listening to sine test tones. It’s going a bit down every year. @Vihos and @Bwaslo, have you tried to verify from test tones how much of the lost frequency range you are able to recover?

Interesting. I have currently a cutoff at about 10kHz for both ears, based on listening to sine test tones. It’s going a bit down every year. @Vihos and @Bwaslo, have you tried to verify from test tones how much of the lost frequency range you are able to recover?

I have a different approach to the topic. I enjoy what I hear from my speakers, after several years of striving for better sound. I bought the WIIM ULTRA, and it was like magic. It must be admitted that this device does not replace hearing aids, but what it has done for my music listening feels like going back in time about 20-30 years to when I could hear well. I’m glad I bought this device; it allows me to enjoy music again. Whether I hear 10 or 12 kHz is secondary; what matters is the overall experience.

 

[dtaylo1066]

I have had a very high tech audiology testing done and my hearing starts to drop off at about 4khz. Good up to that. Most music content is below that, but of course plenty above as well as harmonics.

I purchased some very high tech Phonic hearing aids a year ago that the audiologist adjusted and fine tuned with the latest high tech equipment, adjusting the hearing aids internal PEQ/DSP which is effective up to about 8K.

So how i adjust my WiiM Ultra depends on if I wear the hearing aids or not. Despite my hearing at age 69, I have always very much disliked bright sounding speakers, so I do not need to push up the higher frequencies much. I can hear frequencies up to about 12 or 13K, but they are quite a few db down.

You have to fiddle around with it quite a bit, and some recordings are brighter than others, and then their is room compensation.

 

[Vihos]

I have had a very high tech audiology testing done and my hearing starts to drop off at about 4khz. Good up to that. Most music content is below that, but of course plenty above as well as harmonics.

I purchased some very high tech Phonic hearing aids a year ago that the audiologist adjusted and fine tuned with the latest high tech equipment, adjusting the hearing aids internal PEQ/DSP which is effective up to about 8K.

So how i adjust my WiiM Ultra depends on if I wear the hearing aids or not. Despite my hearing at age 69, I have always very much disliked bright sounding speakers, so I do not need to push up the higher frequencies much. I can hear frequencies up to about 12 or 13K, but they are quite a few db down.

You have to fiddle around with it quite a bit, and some recordings are brighter than others, and then their is room compensation.

have WIDEX MOMENT. However, they are an additional device in the hearing path. It is also difficult to find an audiologist/hearing aid specialist who can properly adjust them. I prefer to listen to music without hearing aids, and WIIM is enough for that. I use Widex only for TV and everyday life. The intricacies of hearing are more complicated than vision impairment. Moreover, everyone hears differently, even with very good hearing.
I'm also 69 years old. All the best.

 

[dtaylo1066]

Like you, I mostly listen with hearing aids out when listening critically. As you say, it is one more device in the hearing pathway, and I have no idea what distortion level my hearing aids operate at, or how directional or not they are in receiving sound. Hearing in both my ears is rather similar, so that's helpful in terms of WiiM or other EQ.

I am confident my audiologist is quite good and has the latest top-flight equipment for both measuring my hearing and adjusting the units, as there is a dedicated hearing room and all the lastest computer programming stuff in her office.

That said, at age 69, when I can best afford quality audio products in my life, I would love to have my 22-year-old hearing and vision back!

You would think someone would offer hearing aids for audiophiles, but maybe there is not such a way to make that happen. Or maybe those are just called headphones. And I can listen to my IEMs and of course EQ those. I just find most HPs uncomfortable, including my TruthEar Crinacle Zero. I have an ifi IDSD Black Label HP amplifier, which is no youngster, but is pretty good, and can run a nice dongle out of my Galaxy Tablet. I just prefer listenting to speakers. Always have.

When first getting heaering aids, I was surprised that they did not seem to lessen my listening experience over my loudspeakers.

DSP/EQ is a wonderful thing!

 

[hu.go]

Interesting topic...

In my opinion if the PEQ compensation was for me I will:
- do not boost any high frequency and only apply negative attenuation
- considering that zero level is about -15dB for both ears (normal between 0 to 20 dB) the overall loss is about 50dB
- I should apply PEQ negative peaking between 20Hz to 2KHz of about -20dB, -30dB, -40 dB and check which one is the best for listening experience

And leave the high frequencies untouched.
Probably reducing the gain at lower freqs for leveling the hearing loss could improve the PEQ processing

 

[Descartes]

Sound is such a personal thing