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Warble with Allure AI?

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Edited

I’ve been doing a deep dive into the Widex Allure launch and wanted to share what I’ve found. I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone in the early release markets who has firsthand experience.

Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

• The Dynamic Feedback Controller appears to be fundamentally unchanged.
I haven’t found any technical documentation indicating that Widex redesigned or replaced the Adaptive Dynamic Feedback Controller in the Allure AI. Everything I’ve read suggests the AI model builds on the existing Allure platform rather than introducing a new feedback management system.

• The feedback controller itself is actually quite sophisticated.
From Widex’s technical material, the controller doesn’t simply shift frequencies all the time. Instead, it continuously adjusts:

  • the amount of frequency shift (approximately 11–22 Hz),

  • how quickly it responds depending on how close it is to actual feedback,

  • and the frequency range where shifting is applied, with the goal of affecting as little of the audible spectrum as possible.

The stated goal is to reduce audible artifacts while still preventing feedback.

• One interesting implication…
Widex has acknowledged that frequency shifting can create a subtle “warbling” or modulation effect when the shifted amplified sound mixes with direct acoustic sound, particularly with more open fittings. The newer controller was specifically designed to minimize this effect.

• The biggest change in the AI model appears to be elsewhere.
The additional AI processor powers Clarity Boost, which is designed to improve speech understanding in challenging listening environments. Everything I’ve found suggests this is an added processing layer rather than a replacement of the core feedback management system.

So my question for those who have worn both versions is:

Have you noticed any difference in the Dynamic Feedback Controller’s behavior?

Specifically:

  • Does the AI version seem less prone to the subtle modulation/warble artifact some users have described?

  • Does it sound different during music, sustained notes, or your own voice?

  • Or does it behave essentially the same as the original Allure?

I’d especially love to hear from clinicians or anyone who’s had the opportunity to compare both devices side by side.

I guessing these are the countries I’m asking for guidance from:

Denmark

Live AI product page.

Netherlands

Live AI RIC product page.

United Kingdom

Live AI RIC product page.

Ireland

Live AI RIC product page.

Australia

Live AI RIC product page.

New Zealand

Also live possible AU/NZ grouped market or later addition.

I appreciate the guidance,

Rob

P.S. Continually frustrated with Widex and their limited roll out and lack of communication.

4 people in this conversation4 min readJump to latest

The rollout of the five areas are because the pages are live.

Hearing Now UK, Harley Street hearing, Alto Hearing UK, Widex Pro, Audiology Online, The Hearing Review, Facebook and Reddit.

Hope this helps

I was referring to the technical information you shared (Dynamic feedback controller, amount of frequency. shift, etc).
You said the info comes from Widex technical materials but, the tech data sheets available in their repository do not have that information: Widex - WSAUD -1

Edited

I am being fitted later this month.

My intention, at this stage, is to ask my audiologist to enable the default music program but also create a second custom music program with the dynamic feedback controller turned off. I would use this program primarily when playing acoustic guitar and piano.

Not sure if that will work but I’ll give it a go.

Sounds like more marketing hype, the machine is working overtime, don’t overthink it all, as you’ve stated your over them (Widex) give up and find a more suitable brand that suits your needs, pop down to you local Costco and get the real deal.

Edited

In reply to @thecaz

I have the SmartRIC 440 and I use both the music and the Puresound programs (I also use the universal program but, only in noisy environments ).

The music program already uses a setting called “Supergain music “ that Widex designed for music , for the feedback cancelling mode. The software says this setting provides minimal feedback suppression. I’ve never experienced warbles while playing guitar with the music program (I prefer the PureSound program for this). I’m not a professional musician .

There are too many variables that influence sound to just focus on one setting: the type of domes /sleeves, your degree of hearing loss, how the aids are programmed, the environments you live in, the feedback curve after running the feedback test , etc ).

There are many ways to tune things for music . For example , one approach is to lower the gains at those frequencies that are close to the feedback curve. If you do this , the feedback manager will not kick in . This is a more reasonable approach than turning the feedback manager off and having to deal with random whistles.

Hope this helps ,

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