Hearing aids have come a long way in improving the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss. With advancements in technology, artificial intelligence (AI) has made its way into the realm of hearing aids, revolutionizing the way they function. In this article, we will explore how AI is incorporated into hearing aids and discuss three prominent hearing aid brands – Phonak, Starkey, and Oticon – that utilize AI technology to enhance the hearing experience.
Phonak: Autosense and Machine Learning
Phonak, a leading hearing aid manufacturer, has been utilizing an autopilot system called Autosense for the past 22 years, it is currently on its fifth generation. Autosense is designed to automatically adjust the hearing aid settings based on the wearer’s environment, providing optimal hearing in various listening situations. Over the years, Phonak’s Autosense technology has significantly improved, adapting to the ever-changing needs of users. Phonak’s current product line is called Lumity.
While Phonak does not disclose the intricate details of their algorithms, recent marketing material suggests that their Autosense system has been trained using machine learning. This implies that the software has been exposed to vast amounts of data and has learned to optimize settings based on user preferences and environmental cues. Phonak’s commitment to incorporating machine learning into their hearing aids highlights their dedication to leveraging AI intelligence for enhanced hearing experiences.
What does Autosense 5.0 do?
- Auto Sense OS 5.0 is an AI machine learning-based automatic system.
- It performs environment scans 700 times per second.
- It generates up to 200 unique settings for personalized experiences.
- Improvements in comfort and speech have been made in Auto Sense OS 5.0.
- Wind block feature is now available in all performance levels.
- Dynamic noise cancellation has been enhanced to a 70-level, reducing unwanted noise.
- Speech understanding in loud noise is activated at lower settings for better comprehension.
- Overall, Order Sense OS 5.0 offers improved speech understanding and enhanced comfort.
Oticon: AI Training for Speech Clarity
Oticon, another renowned hearing aid brand, has focused on training its recent hearing aids on AI technology. The Oticon More, which preceded the Oticon Real, is an excellent example of its AI-driven approach. The Oticon More wxpensiveas trained on an extensive dataset consisting of over 12 million sound recordings of background noise and different sound scenes. Through AI analysis, the hearing aid learned how to adjust its settings to optimize speech clarity.
By harnessing the power of AI, Oticon’s hearing aids can adapt in real-time, filtering out background noise and prioritizing speech. This adaptive capability allows wearers to experience improved speech understanding even in challenging listening environments. Oticon’s dedication to training their hearing aids on AI technology demonstrates their commitment to enhancing the audibility and clarity of speech for individuals with hearing loss.
As you can imagine this technology takes millions of dollars to research and is why hearing aids are so expensive.
Starkey: Genesis AI and Neural Sound Processing
Starkey, a prominent hearing aid manufacturer, has incorporated the term “AI” into their hearing aid products to emphasize the integration of AI technology. Their latest offering, the Starkey Genesis AI, showcases their commitment to harnessing AI intelligence for optimal hearing experiences.
The Starkey Genesis AI claims to mimic the functionality of the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for processing auditory information. By utilizing a hearing aid neuro sound processor, the Genesis AI can adjust time constants and compression settings to enhance speech audibility. This AI-driven approach allows wearers to experience improved speech understanding, ultimately providing a more natural and immersive hearing experience.
Conclusion
AI intelligence has brought about significant advancements in the field of hearing aids. Phonak, Oticon, and Starkey are leading hearing aid brands that have embraced AI technology to enhance the hearing experience for individuals with hearing loss. I personally use all the brands for different reasons but check out my current recommendations.
While each brand has its unique approach to incorporating AI into hearing aids, determining which hearing aid uses the most AI depends on the specific features and algorithms utilized. It is essential to consult with a professional audiologist to understand which hearing aid and AI technology best suit your individual needs and preferences.
