Comparison

IHSIM vs PhoneIoT

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

IHSIM

This application simulates acoustic hearing loss and cochlear implant processing in real-time. It allows for custom spectral filtering based on audiograms and offers various cochlear implant simulation parameters. Designed for research and education, it helps users understand auditory perception.

Highlights
  • Acoustic hearing loss simulation
  • Cochlear implant simulation
  • Custom spectral filtering
  • Filterbank vocoder
  • Binaural stimulation options
  • Research and educational use
Features
Read full description

IMPAIRED HEARING SIMULATION (IHSIM) This app performs separate simulations of acoustic hearing loss and cochlear implant processing. These simulations process the audio input from the iOS device in real-time. In the acoustic hearing loss simulation, a user can achieve custom spectral filtering based on a listener's audiogram. Six presets are also provided of common audiogram functions. A dynamic range compressor is included, along with a frequency smearing algorithm to flatten the signal's spectrum and perform subtle pitch modulation. In the cochlear implant simulation, a filterbank vocoder is implemented. The number of frequency bands is selectable, along with the carrier signal (noise or sine wave vocoder), the frequency divisions (Logarithmic or Greenwood function), and the overall bandwidth. Electric-only and "hybrid" acoustic-electric cochlear implants are modeled. Several monaural and binaural stimulation options are selectable. HEADPHONES AND SENNHEISER SMART AMBEO HEADSET This app was created as part of the Sennheiser Developers Program for the Smart AMBEO Headset. The app is capable of processing a stereo input signal, taking advantage of the "augmented reality" features of the headset. The app is also fully-functional using a conventional set of headphones with a mono microphone input. It is highly recommended to use headphones of some type with the app. FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES The intended use of the app is for auditory perception research. The app may have additional educational purposes related to hearing loss. The app should not be used for medical purposes. INFORMATION Resources related to the app are available at: hackaudio.com

About

PhoneIoT

This app connects to a block-based programming environment, enabling remote access to your device's sensors and display. Students can create interactive projects, like using their device as a remote control for robots.

Highlights
  • Connects to NetsBlox educational programming environment
  • Remotely access iOS device sensors
  • Control device display from code
  • Create engaging programming projects
  • Enable device as robot remote control
Features
Read full description

PhoneIoT allows you to connect to NetsBlox (https://editor.netsblox.org/?), a block-based educational programming environment, and remotely access your iOS device's sensors and display from code. Along with some of the other distributed computing services available through NetsBlox, this allows students to create highly engaging projects, such as turning your iOS device into an accelerometer-enabled remote control driving a virtual or physical robot rolling around on the ground (via the pre-existing RoboScape service on NetsBlox).

Screenshots

IHSIM4 screens
PhoneIoT3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PhoneIoT at 100% against IHSIM's 0%. PhoneIoT also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.0) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). IHSIM's advantage is iOS requirement (9.3 vs 13.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PhoneIoT holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 4 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of IHSIM's written reviews are positive against 100% of PhoneIoT's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IHSIM ships an update monthly, PhoneIoT every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
IHSIM versus PhoneIoT: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIHSIMPhoneIoT
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings34 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.3 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHack Audio LLCDevin Jean

Customer experience

IHSIM

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%

PhoneIoT

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

IHSIM

No in-app purchases

None

PhoneIoT

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is IHSIM free?
IHSIM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PhoneIoT free?
PhoneIoT is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, IHSIM or PhoneIoT?
PhoneIoT is rated higher. IHSIM averages 3.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while PhoneIoT averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do IHSIM or PhoneIoT have ads?
Neither IHSIM nor PhoneIoT shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IHSIM or PhoneIoT?
IHSIM ships an update monthly, and PhoneIoT every 2 weeks. Most recently, IHSIM was updated on November 2, 2026 and PhoneIoT on November 3, 2026.

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