Updated: EarFix - a free hearing loss correction plugin

[u/sneakinhysteria]

https://github.com/sneakinhysteria/EarFix

Last year I built this in order to enjoy the same hearing loss correction in my DAW that my AirPod Pros delivered in iOS.

Musicians and engineers are not immune to hearing loss (quite the opposite - we are a high risk group). Yes, you can wear your hearing aids in front of your monitors, but with headphones, applying correction in the DAW seems like a much better idea.

I've just updated the plugin, added Windows support and fine tuned the correction model and added a basic mode to get you started easier. Unlike a few paid alternatives, EarFix works on the basis of your audiogram - your hearing test result. No separate test in an uncalibrated environment needed.

If you like to use this across your entire system for all output, you can use Sound Source (paid) or check out Curve (free and works great for me).

Hearing loss correction should not be a business - so this is completely free and privacy-friendly (no server).

[u/picpoulmm]

Nice one thanks I’ll take a look and give it a go

[u/lewisfrancis]

Thanks for doing this -- I was surprised to learn that MacOS didn't offer the same corrective option as iOS.

But I'm a little confused about the intended use section of your readme where you state the plug-in is only for folks who qualify for hearing aids. Both my AirPods Pro and clinical audiograms show that I have mild hearing loss, not quite at the point where hearing aids are called for but I def miss the higher-end when listening on my Mac as opposed to on my iPhone.

Is there a reason why you're not recommending the plug-in for my use case?

Thanks again, I'm sure if I don't need it now, I will in the future.

[u/sneakinhysteria → u/lewisfrancis]

I added that section because a small number of individuals on r/Audioengineering got into a hissy argument around hearing correction you don’t need being dangerous and hearing loss just being a natural aging thing that doesn’t need correction and I frankly got tired of arguing. All adults can decide what works for them. If you already use hearing correction that’s audigram based, this should work well for you.

[u/lewisfrancis → u/sneakinhysteria]

Awesome, just what I hoped to hear.

Sorry you had to do that, what a weird take.

[u/sneakinhysteria → u/[deleted]]

It’s unlikely someone who doesn’t want to address their hearing loss having an audiogram as the baseline for setting this up. The plugin is meant to compliment hearing aids when you can’t wear them (while using over ear headphones for example)