Artificial Intelligence And Hearing Aids

As experts learn more about the science of human hearing, hearing loss technology is expanding to exciting new possibilities. Artificial intelligence (AI) is enabling hearing aids to improve comfort and language comprehension. Here’s a brief overview of the potential of AI to improve assistive hearing technologies.

How your brain sorts sounds

Your brain’s ability to organize the sounds entering your ears is critical to your safety and ability to interact with the world around you. Various components in the hearing process enable you to interpret and distinguish among multiple sounds. This sorting ability helps you recognize when a sound requires immediate attention — like an oncoming car — and it can also help you savour the beautiful nuances of a piece of music. 

Deep neural network technology

When it comes to AI technology, deep neural networks (DNN) present promising possibilities for assistive hearing devices. A DNN is a form of machine learning that can draw on the data it collects to predict the user’s desired solutions. In hearing aids, DNN technology could receive, interpret and sort sounds in a manner that imitates the human brain, and then adjust its output to best serve the wearer’s hearing needs. 

DNN technology can improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in hearing aids, enabling the wearer to hear more of the sounds they need and less disruptive background noise. Earlier hearing aid technologies enabled the wearer to select pre-programmed modes suited to various environments, such as crowded rooms or a city sidewalk. With machine learning, the goal is for the hearing aid to recognize these distinctions and adapt automatically.

How AI can improve your hearing experience

If you’re still uncertain whether you need AI technology in your hearing aids, consider these advantages: 

• Amplification of muffled voices. Consider the past few years, how you’ve struggled to understand someone speaking to you from two metres away or through a face mask. Hearing aids can use AI technology to optimize for background noise, social distancing and face coverings.

• Learning which sounds to focus on. Whether you’re participating in an important virtual meeting at work or playing a video game, your AI-supported hearing aid can recognize your priority sounds and adjust to your hearing needs and preferences.

• Voice recognition. Your brain automatically recognizes the familiar voice in the crowd, and your hearing aid can use AI to pick out and enhance the voices of friends and family. 

Hearing Testing And Molded Ear Plugs In Alberta

The team at Soundwave Hearing Care is committed to helping everyone enjoy good hearing. We offer hearing testing, assistive hearing devices and even molded ear plugs to keep your ears safe from harmful noises. We have locations in  Calgary, Lethbridge, High River and Grande Prairie. To learn more about the most advanced technologies in hearing aids and ear protection, contact us today.

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