How AI is Revolutionizing Hearing Aids: Smarter Sound for Better Hearing

How Artificial Intelligence Works in Hearing Aids

Have you ever wondered how hearing aids can help people hear better, even in noisy places? Well, today’s hearing aids are smarter than ever, thanks to something called Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is like giving the hearing aid a little brain to help it decide the best way to help someone hear. Let’s break it down in a simple way!

What is AI in Hearing Aids?

AI in hearing aids means the device can learn as well as adapt to different sounds. It listens to the environment, figures out what’s happening, and then adjusts the way it processes sound. This helps people hear speech more clearly, even when there’s background noise like a crowded restaurant or a windy park.

How Does AI Work?

Hearing aids use algorithms, which are special instructions that help the device understand while also improving sounds. Think of an algorithm as a recipe that tells the hearing aid what to do with different kinds of sound. These algorithms work in different ways depending on classification—how the hearing aid sorts sounds into categories.

Classification Systems in Hearing Aids

AI hearing aids use classification systems to recognize and sort different types of sounds. Here are a few examples:

1. Speech vs. Noise: The hearing aid figures out if the sound is someone talking or just background noise. If it’s speech, the AI makes it clearer. If it’s noise, it lowers the volume so it’s not too distracting.
2. Quiet vs. Loud Environments: In a quiet room, the hearing aid doesn’t need to do much. But in a noisy place, it works harder to focus on important sounds.
3. Music vs. Speech: Music and speech sound very different! AI helps adjust the settings so music sounds richer, while speech stays crisp and clear.
4. Wind and Motion Detection: Some hearing aids can detect if the wearer is outside on a windy day or moving (like jogging), so it adjusts to reduce wind noise while keeping voices audible.

Different Manufacturers, Different Sensors

Not all hearing aids work the same way. Different brands use different sensors and therefore different AI features to help with hearing. Let’s look at how some of the top manufacturers do it:

1. Starkey

• Uses motion sensors to detect if the user is moving, which helps adjust sound for walking or running. (Example: A person jogging in the park will have wind noise reduced automatically.)
• Has fall detection and can send alerts if the wearer falls.
• Uses deep learning AI to make speech clearer in noisy places. (Example: In a crowded café, the AI prioritizes voices over background chatter.)
  • Starkey – Uses cloud-based AI learning for continuous updates to sound processing and fall detection. Data is collected via remote adjustments and user preferences.

2. Oticon

• Uses BrainHearing™ technology, which helps the brain process sounds more naturally. (Example: AI analyzes how the brain understands sounds and adjusts volume accordingly.)
• Has 360-degree sound recognition, meaning it doesn’t just focus on what’s in front of you, but helps you hear everything around you. (Example: Detecting a person speaking behind you at a dinner table.)
• Uses neural networks, which are a type of AI that learns from real-life sounds to improve hearing over time. (Example: The hearing aid learns from daily listening environments and optimizes settings.)
  • Oticon – Uses cloud connectivity for BrainHearing™ updates and neural network improvements. The hearing aid continuously refines its classification system based on sound patterns.

3. Phonak

• Uses AutoSense OS, an AI system that automatically changes settings based on the sound environment. (Example: Switching to a quieter mode in a library and boosting speech in a restaurant.)
• Has Roger technology, which helps people hear better in very noisy places like restaurants or group conversations. (Example: A teacher using a Roger microphone to send sound directly to the hearing aids of a student.)
• Focuses on speech enhancement, making voices sound clearer even at a distance. (Example: Enhancing the voice of a speaker at a conference hall.)
  • Phonak – Collects environmental data through AutoSense OS, refining its ability to switch between listening modes. Cloud updates ensure ongoing improvements.

4. Widex

• Uses machine learning, meaning the hearing aid actually learns from the user’s preferences and adjusts sound accordingly. (Example: If a user always lowers background noise in an office, AI will remember this setting.)
• Offers SoundSense Adapt, where users can manually tweak settings and the AI remembers their choices. (Example: Customizing volume levels for TV watching and keeping them for future use.)
• Focuses on natural sound quality, trying to make amplified sounds feel as close to real-life as possible. (Example: Enhancing soft speech sounds without making them artificial.)
  • Widex – Utilizes cloud-based machine learning with SoundSense Adapt to remember user preferences and make real-time sound classification improvements.

5. ReSound

• Uses binaural directionality, which means the two hearing aids work together to focus on important sounds. (Example: If a person turns their head, both hearing aids adjust to keep speech clear.)
• Has Environmental Classifier, which helps sort different sound situations and adjust settings instantly. (Example: Differentiating between a quiet office and a noisy outdoor market.)
• Offers remote fine-tuning, meaning an audiologist can adjust settings remotely without needing an office visit. (Example: A user requests a volume change, and the audiologist updates it from their clinic.)
  • ReSound – Cloud-based AI refines binaural directionality and environmental classification. Remote fine-tuning helps update its learning database.

6. Signia

• Uses Own Voice Processing (OVP™) to make the user’s voice sound more natural. (Example: Reducing the echo effect when hearing yourself speak.)
• Has Augmented Focus™, which separates speech from background noise. (Example: Boosting a conversation at a family dinner while lowering clinking dish sounds.)
• Features motion detection to optimize hearing in movement. (Example: Adjusting sound settings differently when walking versus sitting still.)
  • Signia – Uses cloud-based processing for Own Voice Processing (OVP™) and Augmented Focus™ updates. Data from motion sensors and user interactions refines classification.

7. Rexton

• Uses MyVoice technology to enhance the clarity of the user’s own voice. (Example: Making self-speech sound natural rather than robotic.)
• Has SoundPro™ AI, which continuously adapts to different listening environments. (Example: Automatically adjusting to a subway station versus a quiet park.)
• Features Binaural Signal Processing, which allows both hearing aids to share sound information. (Example: A speaker on the left side will be balanced for both ears.)
  • Rexton – Collects sound environment data via SoundPro™ AI and MyVoice technology. Updates to binaural signal processing happen over time through cloud optimization.

Why AI in Hearing Aids is Amazing

Thanks to AI, today’s hearing aids are more than just amplifiers—they are smart sound processors. They can recognize and adapt to different sounds, helping people hear in all sorts of situations. Whether it’s reducing wind noise, making speech clearer, or even detecting a fall, AI is making hearing aids better than ever!

Each brand has its own way of collecting and using data in the cloud to improve hearing experiences. Some key points about cloud-based data collection and classification updates:

Each manufacturer continuously refines classification schemes, using real-world user data to improve AI-driven sound processing. Would you like more details on how these updates impact long-term performance?

Final Thoughts

If you or a loved one is thinking about getting a hearing aid, it’s good to know that different brands have different AI features. Working with a knowledgeable audiologist (like us!) can help you find the best fit for your hearing needs.

AI in hearing aids is changing lives every day. It’s like having a personal assistant for your ears—helping you hear the world around you in a way that feels natural and effortless!