What Is the New Hearing Aid with AI?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has impacted various industries in recent years, including the healthcare sector. One of the ways AI has contributed to healthcare is through its integration into hearing aids. The use of AI in hearing aids is not only limited to addressing hearing issues by amplifying sound but also managing background noise to help with communication.

AI’s role in hearing aids goes beyond just amplifying sound; it enhances the overall listening experience for users. This technology enables users to adjust to different sound environments, ensuring they can hear clearly and adapt to any situation.

In this article, we will explore further what AI does in the development of hearing aid technology and how AI hearing aids are good for improving the auditory experience of users.

The Technology Behind AI Hearing Aids: Unveiling the Core Components

AI hearing aids incorporate adaptive technology designed to automatically adjust to changing sound environments, delivering a more seamless and immersive listening experience. This adaptability helps users to navigate diverse soundscapes daily—from quiet, private settings to noisy, crowded spaces—making AI hearing aids a versatile choice.

Moreover, these AI hearing aid devices can also distinguish between different types of sounds, such as prioritising speech and minimising background noise for clearer communication.

Some of the core components are being integrated into AI hearing aid devices to enable their functionality.

1. Artificial Intelligence

AI is the core of these hearing aid devices, allowing them to process auditory data and adjust sound settings in real-time. AI algorithms enhance cochlear implants by analysing sound signals and adjusting electrical stimulation, offering a richer auditory experience. With this technology, hearing aids can also learn from users’ listening patterns, which allows them to evolve and provide more intuitive support.

2. Machine Learning

Through machine learning, hearing aids can recognise and adapt to specific sound environments, helping users distinguish speech from background noise automatically. This learning capability may help users to navigate the sounds in crowded or noisy places as the hearing aid becomes more adept at filtering out noises.

3. Deep Neural Networks (DNNs)

Deep neural networks (DNNs) are complex systems designed to mimic how the human brain interprets information. In the context of AI hearing aids, DNNs help collect and analyse data about speech patterns, background noises, and various auditory signals. As a result, the device can learn to better meet the user’s needs and offer a more natural and well-rounded hearing experience.

What Are the Benefits of Integrating AI in Hearing Aid Technology?

The integration of AI into hearing aids changes how these devices support users by enhancing accessibility, customisation, and ease of use. By adapting to individual needs and various soundscapes, AI-powered hearing aids are designed to promote a more refined listening experience.

Here are some of the key benefits that AI technology offers to hearing aid users:

• Improved Speech Understanding: AI hearing aids employ certain algorithms that help users understand speech by minimising background noises. This technology can potentially improve communication for users in settings where hearing clearly is essential.
• Personalised Hearing Experience: AI devices can potentially adapt to individual preferences and listening habits. This personalised experience is particularly valuable for seniors who may need different levels of support in various environments.
• Reduced Listening Effort: By automatically adjusting to the environment, AI hearing aids can help users minimise the mental strain that may occur while listening in noisy settings. For many, this feature also helps to improve the overall listening experience and contributes to daily comfort.
• Seamless Connectivity: AI technology also supports smoother integration with smartphones, TVs, and other digital devices. This connectivity allows hearing aid users to directly stream calls, music, and media, which also enhances convenience and auditory experience.

Initiatives to Integrate AI into Hearing Aid Technology

Many hearing aid brands, like Phonak, have embraced AI in their products, aiming to help improve the user experience through AI technology. This integration also helps promote a more immersive listening experience for hearing aid users.

Integrating AI into hearing aids allows brands to design devices that can adapt in real-time to different sound environments. For instance, by learning from how users interact with them, AI-driven hearing aids can potentially provide more clarity and comfort. This innovation can be helpful, especially in the development of hearing aids for seniors who may need a more nuanced auditory experience.

Explore Phonak Audéo Lumity: Integrating AI to Hearing Enhancement

Like many brands developing AI-integrated hearing aid devices, Phonak recently released Audéo Lumity hearing aid series that incorporates a dedicated AI chip and machine learning to process sound in real-time and adapt automatically to various listening situations. This AI integration allows hearing aids, like Audéo Lumity, to provide a more seamless auditory experience and optimal sound quality.

With AI-based hearing aids, the use of machine learning, like Phonak SmartSpeech™ and SpeechSensor, also provides an algorithm that identifies the direction of the primary speech signal, which potentially reduces listening effort and enhances speech comprehension when the sound comes from various directions. As a result, users can engage in conversations more easily while wearing these devices.

Getting Started with AI Hearing Aids

Adopting AI hearing aids is easier than you think. With just a few straightforward steps, you can start your transition to incorporating AI-driven devices, like Phonak Audéo Lumity, into your daily life.

Consult a Hearing Care Professional

An ear check-up in Singapore with a qualified hearing care professional is an important first step. Schedule an appointment with a professional to conduct an assessment of your hearing ability. This assessment is crucial, as it helps identify the extent of hearing loss and allows the professional to recommend the most appropriate solutions to help with your unique situation.

Seek Professional Guidance for Optimal Results

Proper fitting and guidance from a professional are essential to maximise the benefits of an AI hearing aid. Professional support can assist with adjusting the device and offer valuable tips, ensuring you have the best possible experience with your hearing aid.

Consider Accessories or Apps for Enhanced Usability

To make the most of AI-powered hearing aids, consider looking into compatible accessories and apps that provide added convenience, connectivity, and performance. These extra tools can enhance hearing clarity, reduce listening effort, and even enable connections with other devices.

Integrating AI technology into hearing aids is changing how users experience sound. Features such as real-time adjustments to sound and improved clarity help users better engage with their surroundings. As AI technology evolves, these devices are likely to become even more responsive, adapting to meet users’ individual needs and offering increasingly effective solutions for supporting users in participating more comfortably in conversations and daily activities.