FAQ
Common questions
Straight answers about what SoundSteps is, what it costs, and how it works.
Is SoundSteps a medical device?
No. SoundSteps is a practice space — a place to build habits that reinforce and promote consistent listening, and to see where you still need practice. It is not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. For medical questions, talk to a hearing professional.
Do I need a smartphone to use it?
No. SoundSteps runs in the browser on a computer, tablet, or phone. No smartphone? Prefer a bigger screen? Log in wherever you have internet — your progress comes with you.
Is there an app for my phone?
SoundSteps runs in the browser, so there's nothing to install on your phone or computer. An iPhone app is on the way.
Which hearing devices and brands does it work with?
Any cochlear implant or hearing aid, from any brand. You don't need to pay for a license or create an account with a hearing aid or cochlear implant manufacturer. SoundSteps plays audio the way any sound does, so it doesn't matter who made your hearing device.
What languages does SoundSteps support?
SoundSteps works in a growing set of languages beyond English, each with its own voices and practice content — native and culturally natural, not a direct translation of the English exercises. The goal is that you open it up and it feels built for you, not tacked on last minute by an English-speaking developer. You can switch languages anytime in Settings.
What does SoundSteps cost?
Everyone starts with 7 days of full access, free, no card needed — the full library, background noise you control, and all the voices. After that, a free version keeps going: real daily practice, no countdown, no surprise charge. If you want the full library after your first week, Premium is $9.99/month or $89.99/year — the yearly plan works out to about $7.50/month. Prices are current as of August 2026 and can change, so the price you see in the app when you sign up is the one that applies.
Do I need an account to try it?
No. You can take the listening check and try the first steps as a guest — it's easy to jump right in and get the audio experience to preview it. You don't have to make a large outlay to see what's under the hood with SoundSteps. A free account just saves your progress so you can pick up where you left off.
What about my privacy — do you record my voice?
No. SoundSteps doesn't record or store your voice. Practice is listen-and-respond, so your answers are about what you heard, not a recording of you.
How long should I practice each day?
Short sessions work well — about 10 minutes on most days. Think about your hearing like a muscle that needs exercise, just like going to the gym: it's all about the little things you have to do to get to the gym, and then it's easier when you're there. Is the login easy? Are the activities clearly explained? Do you clearly know what you need to do next? Those are the little things we build for. A session you can repeat tomorrow is worth more than one you dread.
Does practicing actually help?
For many people it's something where you get out what you put in — there's hard work and effort that goes into this, and SoundSteps can't promise a result. What it gives you is a practice space where you can build habits that reinforce, develop, and promote consistent listening, and help you identify where you still need practice. It gives you immediate feedback about how you're doing — information that lets you see the progress you're making, the habits that are forming.
Can I share my progress with my audiologist?
Yes — it runs in the browser, so you can pull it up while you're in the clinic and walk through it together. Your practice history shows what you tried and where it felt harder. It's a conversation aid — not a medical report — and it doesn't replace in-office testing or professional care.
Still curious?
The easiest way to see what's inside is to try it. Start with a short listening check.
SoundSteps is designed for hearing training and practice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.