Hearing Aids and Artificial Intelligence (AI): Can help your hearing?

AI can make hearing in real life better and easier

The use of new technologies can improve and facilitates the lives of people experiencing difficulties with their hearing. Thanks to artificial intelligence, in fact, it is possible to customise your hearing aid and decide which type of sound to favour in every situation.

What is AI?

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the technology that enables machines to mimic human intelligence. This includes learning from experience, understanding complex information, making decisions and solving problems. AI uses algorithms and large data sets to recognise patterns and perform tasks that usually require human intelligence, such as understanding speech, identifying images and even predicting future trends.

In the context of hearing aids, AI can improve the user experience by automatically adjusting settings according to the environment and individual needs, facilitating listening in various situations. Machine Learning is part of artificial intelligence, i.e. the ability of machines to learn automatically.

How is AI used in hearing aids?

AI in hearing aids revolutionises the listening experience by offering advanced, personalised features that adapt to the user's environment and needs. With AI, hearing aids can automatically adjust sound settings in real-time, ensuring optimal hearing in different situations, whether it's a noisy restaurant or a quiet conversation at home. These smart devices learn from the user's listening habits and preferences, providing a more tailored and natural hearing experience. Additionally, AI-driven hearing aids can filter out background noise, enhance speech clarity, and even predict the user's needs based on past behaviors, significantly improving overall hearing quality and convenience.

Features and benefits of AI hearing aids

There are numerous advantages to utilising hearing aids with artificial intelligence technology. One of the key benefits is the ability to hear clearly in noisy surroundings, achieved by selectively amplifying or reducing certain sounds. Another advantage is the convenience of controlling all device settings from a smartphone, as well as having access to emergency assistance through the app.

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What is machine learning?

Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that focuses on enabling computers to learn and make decisions from data without being explicitly programmed. It involves training algorithms on large datasets, allowing them to recognise patterns, make predictions, and improve their performance over time. This process is similar to how humans learn from experience. For instance, a machine learning system can be trained to identify objects in images, understand speech, or recommend products based on user preferences. By continuously analysing new data, these systems become more accurate and efficient, making them powerful tools in various applications, from healthcare to finance and beyond.

Features and benefits of ML hearing aids

Machine learning in hearing aids transforms the way users experience sound by continuously learning and adapting to their unique listening environments and preferences.

These advanced hearing aids use machine learning algorithms to analyse incoming sounds and distinguish between different types of noise and speech. Over time, the hearing aids learn from the user's auditory experiences, automatically fine-tuning settings to provide clearer speech and reduce background noise in various situations. This personalised approach ensures that users enjoy optimal hearing quality tailored to their specific needs, making conversations easier to follow and enhancing overall auditory comfort in diverse environments.

What is deep neural network (DNN) technology?

Deep Neural Network (DNN) technology is a type of artificial intelligence that mimics the way the human brain processes information. It consists of multiple layers of interconnected nodes, or "neurons," that work together to analyse and interpret complex data. Each layer processes the information and passes it on to the next, allowing the network to learn and make increasingly sophisticated decisions. DNNs are particularly powerful for tasks such as image and speech recognition, natural language processing, and more, because they can uncover intricate patterns and relationships in data that simpler algorithms might miss. This makes them essential for many modern AI applications.

Features and benefits of DNN hearing aids

The purpose of Deep Neural Network (DNN) technology in hearing aids is to replicate the way the human brain processes sound, enabling the devices to respond naturally without needing explicit programming. When integrated into hearing aids, DNN helps the devices mimic the brain's interpretation of sound, compensating for hearing loss. Essentially, DNN-enhanced hearing aids aim to deliver superior sound quality, a better signal-to-noise ratio ( SNR), enhanced listening comfort, clearer speech comprehension, and improved memory recall. This advanced technology ensures users experience sound in a way that closely resembles natural hearing.

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What are virtual assistants?

Virtual assistants are applications that are able to understand voice commands and, on the basis of these, perform actions (such as turning on the music or setting the oven timer). Virtual assistants are passive listening devices that respond when they acknowledge a command or greeting. Siri and Alexa are two of the most famous virtual assistants currently on the market.

What is Siri?

Siri is the voice-controlled virtual assistant developed by Apple, it is available in most Apple devices such as iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and HomePod. It was launched almost ten years ago and since then its intelligence has greatly increased and its capabilities have greatly expanded.

Hearing Aids & Siri

To use Siri with your hearing aid, simply pair it with your Apple device. This way, you will be able to hear Siri's directly in your ear. In addition to this, through the "Compatible hearing aids" feature, you can reduce interference and improve sound quality with some hearing aid models.

What is Alexa?

Alexa is the voice-controlled virtual assistant developed by Amazon. It is possible to communicate with Alexa through smart devices, including Amazon Echo smart speakers, smartphones, tablets and computers. Its first version dates back to 2014 and, since then, its intelligence has greatly improved.

Hearing Aids & Alexa

It is possible to connect Alexa to your hearing aid. All you have to do is connect it via Bluetooth to Amazon Echo or to the device Alexa is associated with to hear her voice directly inside your ear. In addition to this, Amazon has recently launched a new feature on Fire TV that enables users to connect their hearing aids directly to their television, thus accessing online content more easily. This feature is particularly beneficial for those with hearing impairments, as it allows audio to be transmitted directly to their hearing aids.

The importance of regular check-ups

It is always important to check our hearing and not to underestimate the first signals our body gives us. This is why we invite you to visit the amplifon centre near you so that you can talk to specialists and undergo the various tests.

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AI in hearing aids: what to expect

New technologies are revolutionising the world of hearing aids making them increasingly customisable, easy to use and tailored to the needs of the individual. For individuals with hearing difficulties, this feature provides an opportunity to lead a more normal lifestyle. Nevertheless, regular hearing check-ups, such as those available at the nearest Amplifon center, are crucial to prevent hearing problems from arising.

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