Hearing aid: stay connected to real-life sounds - Featured

2023-05-04 09:32:28

04 May 2023

The blowing of the wind in the leaves, the burst of laughter of your loved ones, the flow of water from the tap, the turn of the key in the door, the creaking of wood on your parquet floor: despite your hearing loss, it is possible to perceive these sounds of everyday life. But to hear them as clearly and as naturally as possible, it is advisable to equip yourself with innovative devices capable of capturing ambient sounds instantly and in a balanced way.

In France, hearing loss affects a quarter of adults. For each patient, the degree of well-being, both social and professional, improves when the discrimination of sounds is preserved as much as possible, when the quality of listening occupies a central place in the treatment.

The devices hitherto available make it possible to perceive the sounds of the voice finely, according to their tonality and their emission distance. You are able to listen to what is being said to you without straining your ears, without getting tired. And this during discussions in a small committee, in a group or when you listen to a program on television or on the radio.

Capture ambient sounds

But when they happen suddenly, some ambient sounds are amplified too much by conventional hearing aids and quickly become pests for your ear. In total, 70% of hearing aid users say they are disturbed by them. We are talking here about sudden noises, occurring without warning, at more or less high sound levels such as a door slamming, dishes banging together or the sound of footsteps in the hallway. All those little sounds of life that seem like nothing but do everything. And which, if poorly filtered by your hearing aid, can become unpleasant.

In response, specialists in the field are pushing the technological innovation slider a step further. Objective: to approach normal hearing despite hearing loss. They now allow, via the Oticon Real device in particular, to take advantage of all these noises of ambient life without harming the ear. While continuously preserving the clarity of surrounding voices.

Artificial neurons to help the brain

Oticon Real, brand new hearing aid, incorporates both Polaris R™ and RealSound Technology™.

Artificial intelligence participates in capturing sounds instantly and balancing them so as not to attack the ear
Oticon Real uses a Deep Neural Network (Deep Neural Network), a set of artificial neurons that supports the brain’s natural functions and reduces listening effort. This mechanism helps deliver the clearest sound possible.
Thanks to this technology, the rapid amplification at high resolution makes it possible to adapt to changing sound environments. And by avoiding feedback sounds, relevant sounds reach you, more disturbing sounds are kept away. The brain is less tired.

Source : Gade, P., Brændgaard, M., Flocken, H., Preszcator, D., &Santurette, S. (2023). Wind & Handling Stabilizer – Proofs and benefits for users. Oticon White Paper
Written by : Laura Bourgault – Edited by: Emmanuel Ducreuzet