Comparison

CI Select vs Clearly Audiobooks

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

Head to head
About

CI Select

This app helps cochlear implant users compare different frequency allocation tables (FATs) to find the best sound quality and speech intelligibility. It allows users to test various settings and save their preferred configurations to share with their audiologist for permanent map changes.

Highlights
  • Compare different frequency allocation tables (FATs)
  • Adjust LF edge slider for sound settings
  • Save favorite FAT settings
  • Extended Frequency Mode for advanced control
  • Test sound quality and speech intelligibility
  • Share preferred settings with audiologist
Features
Read full description

For cochlear implant users. Request manual at CISelect.questions@gmail.com or https://med.nyu.edu/research/translational-auditory-research-lab/sites/default/files/ci-select-manual.pdf NOTE: Instructions for users of Cochlear devices with 22 active electrodes and default frequency allocation table (188-7938Hz). Users with deactivated electrodes or non-default FAT should consult the manual. 1) Audio link to iPhone: • N7 processor or newer: Use MiniMic 2+ with audio cable between iPhone and Mini-Mic 2+ line-in jack. • N6 processor or older: Connect iPhone via audio cable to speech processor. • Deactivate microphone input by: o Using accessory-only map (consult audiologist) o Using remote to set 100% accessory/0% microphone mix ratio NOTE: Current version may not work well with Bluetooth connection between the iPhone and the speech processor. Use wired connection only. Using CI Select: • Adjust iPhone volume to comfortable level using speech or continuous audio. • Select grid boxes (each one represents a different FAT) to compare sound quality and speech intelligibility. Use "LF edge" slider or click boxes to change settings. Red square shows current setting. Default is 188Hz (standard FAT). • Note: Slight audio delay may occur. If bothersome, minimize acoustic input by removing acoustic component, hearing device in other ear, or using ear plug in opposite ear. • Test different FATs until finding best intelligibility and sound quality. App makes no permanent changes—share preferred settings with audiologist for permanent map changes. Grid Searching Tips: • Tried FATs appear lighter green. Current FAT is red. • Click "Save Favorite" to mark promising FATs (yellow). Select multiple favorites. • "Delete last" removes most recent favorite. Repeat to reset grid. Advanced Option - Extended Frequency Mode: Default grid adjusts LF edge only (sufficient for most users). For full control: • Click "Extended Frequency Mode" (EFM) below LF edge bar • This gives access to full grid with LF edges (rows) and HF edges (columns) • Selected box shows LF & HF intersection • Toggle EFM switch to return to default view For non-standard settings, reference the full manual for detailed instructions.

About

Clearly Audiobooks

Enhance hearing and reading skills with an audiovisual coach. Features include clear speech narration, background noise simulation, and personalized playback controls. Track progress with a detailed dashboard and adapt training to your unique hearing abilities.

Highlights
  • Audiovisual learning with text and face display
  • Clear speech narration
  • Background noise simulation
  • Customizable playback controls
  • Performance dashboard with recommendations
  • Personalized training plans
Features
Read full description

• Gain skills in hearing and reading while enjoying stories with Clearly Audiobooks. • These five features make us unique: ◦ Audiovisual: It displays not only the voice but also the text and the face, especially for lip reading. ◦ "Clear Speech": the narrator speaks at a slightly elevated volume above normal but does not shout, employing clear pronunciation and pausing between each word. ◦ Background noise option: Training for hearing in noisy environments is useful for crowded restaurants, outdoor parks, meetings, fitness classes, and other social settings. ◦ Playback control: The user can choose between word-by-word and continuous playback, as well as speed, volume, and playback mode. ◦ Performance Dashboard: The app provides a detailed overview of a user's performance and offers recommendations based on that information. • Our app was developed by a team of auditory specialists, psychologists, and computer scientists, supported by an NIH-funded grant. In our project, “Audiobooks for hearing loss” (project 1R44DC017403-01A1), we formally tested cochlear implant recipients and those with hearing aids. Hearing can be affected both by the ear system itself (as in hearing loss) and by how the brain processes sound beyond the ear (e.g., aphasia, auditory processing disorder, autism, or multiple sclerosis). SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED. Benefits: Personalized: Adapts to your hearing abilities and timeline so you can train at your own pace. Easy to Track Progress: Check in for real-time feedback on weekly goals that adapt to your hearing progress. Entertaining: Pick the audiobooks you enjoy listening to! Motivating: Visually appealing interactive dashboard to meet and beat your goals! Simplicity: Built to be easy to use and accessible for all. Seamlessly change your speech modes and support features directly on the book-playing page. Portable: Sufficiently intensive listening program, since it can be accessed any time of day or location at your convenience. Provides 20 hours of audiobooks and unlimited rounds of the training program. How it Works: Answer a few questions to find your customized level of training. Pick the audiobooks you enjoy! Check the dashboard to see your personalized weekly goals. Sit back and listen to your audiobook. One of your goals which is key to our training is listening to the audiobooks for a certain period of time and level with background noise. Use the modes that help you listen comfortably including specialized clear speech, multiple speed options, read-along text support, and even video for lip reading. A check-in of the dashboard is prompted every week to track your achievements and new goals are set adapted to your hearing abilities. Over time, as hearing improves, less support is needed! Subscription to unlock all content is required. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless subscription is cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Subscriptions may be managed and auto renewal may be cancelled by going to your device Settings after purchase. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

Screenshots

CI Select3 screens
Clearly Audiobooks4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Clearly Audiobooks at 100% against CI Select's 0%. CI Select's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. Clearly Audiobooks sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. CI Select asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CI Select ships an update every 5 months, Clearly Audiobooks every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
CI Select versus Clearly Audiobooks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCI SelectClearly Audiobooks
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.614.7 — better
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB535 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperMario SvirskyBioSpeech, Inc.

Customer experience

CI Select

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

Clearly Audiobooks

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

CI Select

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Clearly Audiobooks

Subscriptions2
  • Full Access7 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Full Access7 Days trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is CI Select free?
CI Select is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Clearly Audiobooks free?
Clearly Audiobooks is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do CI Select or Clearly Audiobooks have ads?
Neither CI Select nor Clearly Audiobooks shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CI Select or Clearly Audiobooks?
CI Select ships an update every 5 months, and Clearly Audiobooks every 4 months. Most recently, CI Select was updated on October 15, 2026 and Clearly Audiobooks on October 9, 2026.

Other comparisons