The Machine Stops, written in 1909 by E.M. Forster was among the first of many books, films, radio and television shows that fed our fear of robots and machines using artificial intelligence to conquer and rule over humanity. 

In reality, as artificial intelligence continues to advance, it is becoming more evident that it can be helpful rather than threatening, including its use in advanced technology hearing aids. 

So, rather than write a scary story about AI, this blog will show how artificial intelligence used in hearing aids is having a significant positive impact. 

What Is Artificial Intelligence? 

Issa M.S. Panahi, PhD from the University of Texas at Dallas, quoted by Healthy Hearing provides a good definition of AI, saying,

says  when referring to AI in the design innovations of modern hearing aids the two terms, machine learning and deep neural network (DNN) are the most commonly used. 

Machine learning, which uses a set of rules or algorithms to rapidly sort through enormous amounts of data to make predictions of what you will need to improve your listening profile, is among the most common applications of AI in modern hearing aids.  

DNN or deep neural network is a form of AI that attempts to mimic the neural habits of the brain, and respond the same way your brain would respond without being explicitly programmed how to react to a given situation, differing slightly from machine learning. 

The First Hearing Devices to Use AI 

The Widex Senso, produced in 1996 was the first digital hearing aid. It was used to filter out unwanted noise automatically using a built-in audiometer. 

Though technically not an AI, in today’s terms, production of this hearing device led a rush in the hearing industry to integrate AI into hearing aids. It wasn’t until Oticon’s Syncro in 2004 that AI was applied to hearing aid designs. It came in the form of a voice priority processing (VPP) system.  

How do hearing aids use AI? 

Hearing aids began making some decisions of what they were hearing through the use of wide dynamic range compression (WDRC). This technology allowed hearing aids to listen and sort incoming sounds. 

As your hearing aids determine which sounds it is receiving, it applies machine learning algorithms to determine which environment you are in, and then predicts the best hearing profile for that environment before automatically changing your program settings. 

AI technology in hearing aids goes even deeper in the application of deep neural networking. Since DNN is designed to mimic how your brain processes sound, this AI technology adapts to your specific hearing needs to accommodate what your brain expects to hear. 

Other AI technology typically applied to various hearing aid designs include: 

• Adaptive Sound Adjustment, which applies AI algorithms to automatically adjust to different sound environments to enhance speech clarity while reducing background noise. 

• Personalization is a form of AI that analyzes your individual hearing profiles, including audiograms, lifestyle, and preferences, to tailor the hearing aid’s performance to your changing needs. 

• Real-Time Learning, similar to machine learning, allows your hearing aids to learn from the sounds they process on a daily basis, and then make millions of fine-tuning adjustments in real-time to optimize your listening experience. 

• Health Tracking. Developed by Starkey, this AI technology uses information gathered by your hearing aids to track fitness and health metrics, similar to fitness bands and fitness rings. 

• Language Translation, provides real-time language translation so you can communicate easier with individuals who speak a different language. 

Obviously, the calculations necessary to provide real-time adjustments have to be super fast, if not instantaneous. According to Starkey, their Genesis AI hearing aids deliver over 80 million sound analyses and automatic optimizations every hour, which calculates to more than 1.3 million per minute and 22,000 per second. 

The Human Touch Still Reigns Supreme  

With this blog post, we are only scratching the surface as to how artificial intelligence is and continues to impact hearing aids. I will be the first to admit that AI technology in hearing aids is pretty amazing. It makes wearing hearing aids far more convenient and provides the best possible listening environment as you go through your day-to-day routine, but the human touch still reigns supreme. 

Better hearing outcomes are not typically linked to the quality of hearing aids or the advanced levels of technology in your ears. The support of a hearing care professional who knows how to help apply advanced technology to help you meet your better hearing goals is far more critical to your success. 

Think of a hearing aid as a tool used to build something; in this case better hearing. The tool does not build by itself, it requires a skillful hand to make it work the way it is supposed to work. 

Our hearing care professionals at Hearing & Balance Doctors are here to guide you toward the right tool as well as help you use it to meet your needs.  

We use a comprehensive hearing assessment, which includes understanding your lifestyle and personal preferences as well as testing to help determine your needs. We use that information to select and fit you with the hearing aid that best addresses those needs, allowing for greater wearing comfort, which translates into greater successful outcomes. 

Far more frightening than the takeover of AI robots, turning you loose with a pair of AI hearing aids without any support would be the stuff nightmares are made of. Our human touch involves ongoing care to help your hearing aid tool work for you, including: 

• Counseling while you adjust to your new device 

• Programming adjustments to optimize how your hearing aids serve you 

• Troubleshooting, maintenance and repair 

• Custom earmolds to improve comfort 

• Adjustments and apps to address tinnitus symptoms 

• Professional earwax removal