TL;DR
Lizn’s Hearpieces aim to sit between hearing aids and earbuds, offering decent streaming sound and an app-driven hearing mode but with notable shortcomings. The chunky, in-ear design proved uncomfortable for extended wear, and the devices lack tuning controls and full active noise cancellation.
What happened
A Danish startup called Lizn has begun selling its only product, the Hearpieces, in the U.S., positioning them as a hybrid between hearing aids and consumer earbuds. The devices have a distinctive bulbous in-ear form and weigh about 4.58 grams each; they ship with four ear-tip sizes and come in several colors. The system is controlled primarily via Lizn’s smartphone app, which offers two main operating modes: a hearing-oriented “Lizn” mode with three speech-clarity presets, and an Earphone mode for Bluetooth streaming with Dimmed and Transparent sub-modes. Audio performance was judged mixed — better than many hearing-aid alternatives for streaming but not comparable to premium earbuds, and noise reduction is modest. Battery estimates are roughly five to seven hours per charge depending on mode, with a slim charging case promising up to 21 hours in total. The reviewer found the devices difficult to seat and painful to wear for more than about an hour, and noted the units have no physical controls and no frequency-tuning options.
Why it matters
- The product blurs the line between medical hearing aids and mainstream earbuds, raising questions about use cases and regulation.
- Lower price than many hearing-aid systems could expand access if comfort and tuning limitations are addressed.
- Lack of per-user frequency tuning limits usefulness for people with specific hearing profiles.
- Short battery life and only modest noise reduction affect real-world usability, especially for travel or long workdays.
Key facts
- Price: $229 at Lizn.
- Each Hearpiece weighs about 4.58 grams.
- The company was founded in 2015; it paused an earlier product effort in 2020 and relaunched the Hearpieces later.
- Controls are handled by taps on the devices and by the Lizn smartphone app; there are no dedicated hardware buttons.
- Lizn mode is intended for ambient sound boosting and includes three presets labeled Soft, Medium, and Bright.
- Earphone mode supports Bluetooth streaming with two sub-modes: Dimmed (reduced ambient sound) and Transparent (lets ambient sound in).
- No per-user frequency tuning is available; the hearing mode applies the same broad boost to ambient audio for all users.
- Battery: roughly 5–6 hours in Earphone mode, 6–7 hours in Lizn mode per charge; the charging case provides up to about 21 hours total.
- Reviewer could not wear the Hearpieces for more than about an hour without discomfort.
- Reviewer score: 6/10 — described as reasonably priced with decent streaming but uncomfortable and limited in features.
What to watch next
- Firmware updates that might add frequency-specific tuning or improve noise reduction — not confirmed in the source.
- Product revisions or new models addressing size, weight and comfort complaints — not confirmed in the source.
- Longer-term reliability and how the product performs in widespread user testing beyond this initial review — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Hearable: A wearable audio device designed to be worn in or on the ear that can provide sound playback, ambient-sound processing, or health-related features.
- Active noise cancellation (ANC): A technique that uses microphones and inverse sound waves to reduce unwanted ambient noise for the listener.
- Transparent mode: An earbud or hearable setting that lets external sounds pass through so the user remains aware of the environment.
- Frequency tuning: Adjusting the levels of specific audio frequency bands to match a listener’s hearing profile or preferences.
Reader FAQ
Are Lizn Hearpieces marketed as hearing aids?
The company calls them hearpieces and positions them between earbuds and hearing aids; they are not presented as traditional medical hearing aids.
Can you customize the devices to your specific hearing loss?
No — the review states there is no frequency- or per-user tuning; the Lizn mode applies the same broad boost to ambient sounds.
How long does the battery last?
Lizn specifies about 5–6 hours per charge in Earphone mode and 6–7 hours in Lizn mode, with the charging case providing up to roughly 21 hours total.
Are they comfortable for all-day wear?
The reviewer reported significant discomfort after under an hour and was unable to wear them for a workday or a full movie.
CHRISTOPHER NULL GEAR JAN 15, 2026 5:30 AM Review: Lizn Hearpieces These odd-looking hearing aids double as solid earbuds, but comfort is a major issue. COURTESY OF LIZN SAVE THIS…
Sources
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