The Xcel 100 allows the wearer to select between four different listening modes: Universal, Speech Clarity, High Frequency, and Power Boost. The Sound-Activated Compression and variable Dynamic Sound Suppression automatically adjusts compression time according to noise level intensity and duration instead of using conventional "fixed-time" compression. The XCEL 100 also comes with programmable auto shut-off, so forgetting to turn the muffs off and accidentally running down batteries is a thing of the past.