Comparison

GENIUSlink vs hear.com HORIZON

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

Head to head
About

GENIUSlink

Control your hearing aids discreetly from your iOS device. Adjust volume, listening situations, and external audio sources. Check connection and battery status for a seamless experience.

Highlights
  • Volume adjustment
  • Listening situation selection
  • External audio source control
  • Treble and Tinnitus volume
  • Speech Navigator settings
  • Connection status
  • Battery status
Features
Read full description

Control your GENIUSlink with the discretion of using your iOS device! The GENIUSlink App is compatible with Miracle-Ear GENIUS Hearing Aids; ME-1, ME-2 and ME-3 (ME5400/5300, ME4400/4300 and ME3400/3300 RIC, XT RIC, SX/SA & PX BTE, and customs) with wireless, directional microphones and a bilateral fitting. This app will provide all the functions when used with a GENIUSlink. Device compatibility: the GENIUSlink App is compatible with any iOS device running iOS 2.3 or higher. We recommend using a Smartphone device rather than a tablet device for a preferred user interaction. The GENIUSlink App allows you to adjust the hearing aids with the following functions if configured by your hearing care professional: - Volume - Listening situations - External audio sources - TrebleControl - Tinnitus Volume - Speech Navigator settings - Connection status information - Battery status information The GENIUSlink is a discreet and simple-to-use streamer that wirelessly connects your GENIUS hearing aids with your environment. The Miracle-Ear GENIUSlink App allows you to control your GENIUSlink & hearing aids with all of your favorite audio sources directly from your mobile phone. Whether you are watching TV, listening to your favorite song or talking on your Bluetooth phone – control is in the palm of your hands. Please thoroughly read the manual of your GENIUS hearing aids before using this app. Change listening programs: with the app, users can directly switch between listening programs and external audio sources. Volume: with the app you will be able to change overall volume, mute, bass and treble directly on your iOS device. Discretion: The app acts as a remote control within your iOS device and looks as though you are sending a text message from your phone. User-friendly: simple to use and easily identify buttons. Display: the screen of your IOS device becomes the visual display of the GENIUSlink. You can easily adjust your hearing aids and check status information. Intended Use: the GENIUSlink App is intended to be controlled by a patient within parameters set by the hearing care professional. Note: If GENIUSlink is not present, basic features can be controlled with acoustic signals. Control signals: This app generates short control signals which may be audible. While using the App do not hold the loudspeaker of this device to your ears or the ears of others; or use the device with headphones, headsets or other audio playback devices. The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Miracle-Ear is under licenses. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

About

hear.com HORIZON

This app provides hearing aid wearers with discreet smartphone control over their hearing system. Adjust volume, programs, and activate advanced features like speech focus and custom listening modes. Stream multimedia content directly to your hearing aids for an enhanced audio experience.

Highlights
  • Remote control of hearing aid functions
  • Adjust volume and hearing programs
  • Activate SPEECH FOCUS and PANORAMA EFFECT
  • MY MODE with custom listening settings
  • Direct Bluetooth streaming of audio content
  • Monitor hearing aid battery status and usage
Read full description

Disclaimer:This app is intended for download and use by individuals aged 18 years and above only. The information provided through this app is for general informational purposes and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should consult a qualified Healthcare Professional (HCP)for any medical questions, concerns, or assistance. The indispensable app for all hear.com HORIZON hearing aid wearers. The hear.com HORIZON app allows you to discreetly control the pioneering hearing system from hear.com in complete comfort via your smartphone. Transfer multimedia content such as music or phone calls directly to the hearing aid, set different amplification programs and activate innovative functions such as SPEECH FOCUS, PANORAMA EFFECT and the world first MY MODE functionality. Thanks to the simple, intuitive user interface, you'll be able to use it right from the start. Remote Control Control all functions and settings of your hear.com horizon hearing aid from the smartphone screen: • Volume • Hearing programs • Tonal balance • SPEECH FOCUS for particularly clear speech understanding • PANORAMA EFFECT for a unique 360° all-round listening experience • MY MODE with four new functions making each hearing situation perfect: MUSIC MODE, ACTIVE MODE, COMFORT MODE and RELAX MODE. Direct Streaming Transfer multimedia content directly to the hearing aid via Bluetooth connection: • Music • Calls • TV sound • Audio books • Web content Device information: • Battery status • Warning message • Statistics on device usage The user guide for the app can be accessed from the app settings menu. Alternatively, you can download the user guide in electronic form from www.wsaud.com or order a printed version from the same address. The printed version will be made available to you free of charge within 7 working days. Manufactured by WSAUD A/S Nymøllevej 6 3540 Lynge Denmark UDI-DI (01)05714880113228

Screenshots

GENIUSlink4 screens
hear.com HORIZON4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: hear.com HORIZON at 4.3 against GENIUSlink's 2.8. hear.com HORIZON also leads on review sentiment (45% vs 24%) and ratings volume (2.6K vs 61). GENIUSlink's advantage is iOS requirement (8.1 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, 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

hear.com HORIZON holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: hear.com HORIZON has 2.6K ratings behind it against 61, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 24% of GENIUSlink's written reviews are positive against 45% of hear.com HORIZON's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 13, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
GENIUSlink versus hear.com HORIZON: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGENIUSlinkhear.com HORIZON
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.8 (61 ratings)4.3 (2.6K ratings) — better
Positive reviews23.7% of reviews44.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings612.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS8.1 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size74 MB204 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperMiracle-Ear, Inc.Sivantos Pte. Ltd.

Customer experience

GENIUSlink

All ratings59 ratings
Positive35.6%
Neutral20.3%
Negative44.1%
Written reviews38 reviews
Positive23.7%
Neutral15.8%
Negative60.5%

hear.com HORIZON

All ratings2,601 ratings
Positive81.3%
Neutral9.9%
Negative8.8%
Written reviews94 reviews
Positive44.7%
Neutral14.9%
Negative40.4%

User reviews

GENIUSlink

From 61 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Basic functions work
  • 👍 Good for streaming
  • 👍 Love the sound clarity
  • 👍 Works with iPhone/iPad
  • 👍 Reliable and easy instructions

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App crashes frequently
  • 🐛 App is useless
  • 🐛 Shuts down unexpectedly
  • 🐛 Bluetooth disconnects often
  • 🐛 Music player turns on intermittently

hear.com HORIZON

From 2.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use app
  • 🚀 Convenient remote control of hearing aids
  • 💡 Useful features like speech focus and relax mode
  • 🎉 Excellent sound quality and hearing experience

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent Bluetooth connectivity issues
  • 🔧 Settings reset after charging or turning off
  • 🔍 Limited customization options
  • 🔇 Disappointing streaming and music performance

Bugs and requests

GENIUSlink

Reported bugs

51 issues
  • App shuts down when trying to use
  • Genius link disconnects after phone calls
  • Bluetooth disconnects for no reason
  • Music player turns on intermittently and cannot be shut down
  • App hasn't been updated for years
Show 46 more
  • App won't work with new iPhones
  • Bluetooth will not stay connected to iPhones/iPad
  • Will not stay connected to iPhone 7+
  • App drops out of Remote & streaming for no apparent reason
  • Connecting to Bluetooth devices is not easy
  • Dropped out of remote when answering iPhone
  • Does not reset Bluetooth Roaming and Streaming when turned on
  • Often must use Setup to relink all components
  • App does nothing but crash
  • App does not connect properly
  • Connection problems between elements
  • Phone calls are a disaster with device switching volume and modes
  • Programs change randomly
  • Disconnects and reconnects randomly
  • Volume will not stay where set
  • App tells you it cannot find hearing aids even when working
  • Treats every notification sound as streaming audio
  • Bluetooth connection is not very strong
  • Connection can be lost by turning body
  • Settings change when Bluetooth reconnects
  • App stops functioning without warning
  • App sometimes changes settings by itself
  • Hassle to resync
  • Losing Bluetooth connection
  • Link keeps turning hearing aids off on
  • Genius link is running non stop in background
  • Using 65% of phone battery
  • Device itself isn't lasting but about 2 hours
  • No single part of application isn't full of bugs
  • App continuously disconnects even when phone is in breast pocket
  • Cannot hear or answer incoming calls because app is not working properly
  • Speech keeps switching to music
  • Doesn't automatically connect
  • Handoff between phone and hearing aids isn't perfectly clean
  • GeniusLink no longer streams audio of any kind other than phone calls
  • Always loses Bluetooth
  • Locks in to streaming or on a call
  • Have to turn off to reset at least 6 to 12 times a day
  • Link is completely unreliable
  • Many times when it won't link, option to use as control is not available
  • Will not connect to iPhone 6 with iOS 9.3.1
  • ME provider could only get it to connect sporadically
  • App is extremely limited on iPhone 6 Plus
  • App doesn't allow functions seen in demo mode
  • Since the update genius link is running non stop in background
  • Update has issues

Requested features

11 requests
  • Improve Bluetooth connectivity
  • Add ability to control mid tones, static noise, hi pitch tones
  • Add presets controllable by app
  • Add Apple Watch app for mute, volume, program switch
  • Allow independent volume control for each earpiece
Show 6 more
  • Improve Bluetooth connection strength
  • Modernize Bluetooth technology
  • Allow streaming of audio other than phone calls
  • Fix bugs and annoyances
  • Add dark mode option
  • Add advanced analytics dashboard

hear.com HORIZON

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes and freezes frequently
  • Bluetooth pairing and connection problems
  • Inconsistent performance across different environments

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add EQ settings and more audio customization
  • Implement a 'find my hearing aids' feature
  • Allow saving of custom settings profiles
  • Improve compatibility with newer iOS versions

In-app purchases

None

GENIUSlink

No in-app purchases

None

hear.com HORIZON

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GENIUSlink free?
GENIUSlink is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is hear.com HORIZON free?
hear.com HORIZON is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, GENIUSlink or hear.com HORIZON?
hear.com HORIZON is rated higher. GENIUSlink averages 2.8 out of 5 from 61 ratings, while hear.com HORIZON averages 4.3 from 2.6K ratings.
Do GENIUSlink or hear.com HORIZON have ads?
Neither GENIUSlink nor hear.com HORIZON shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GENIUSlink or hear.com HORIZON?
GENIUSlink ships an update every 2 months, and hear.com HORIZON every 2 months. Most recently, GENIUSlink was updated on November 13, 2026 and hear.com HORIZON on November 13, 2026.

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