Smart Hearing: Hearing for the Future

(EUHA/Mainz, 5 September 2017) Smartphones are on everyone’s lips, or rather in every user’s hands. The world is connected thanks to these serviceable and convenient devices. By analogy, there are intelligent hearing systems that make sure that people with impaired hearing stay in touch with the world around them, and remain connected due to innovative communications technology. Experts are therefore talking about "smart hearing”, or "intelligent hearing systems”.

Smart hearing refers to technological features that compensate for hearing deficiencies as best as possible. Using Bluetooth or wireless technology, present-day hearing systems are connectable to almost any smartphone, mobile phone, TV set, or external microphone. Operated by an app, the smartphone doubles as a remote control. Loudness, sound, and programs for different requirements are controllable. Phone calls and music can also be streamed directly to the hearing instruments. In noise, hearing impaired persons using innovative hearing technology may even hear better than ‘normal hearing’ people.

Smart hearing is ideal for people with impaired hearing, as it permits them to stay tuned and take part in social interaction relying on modern communication devices, giving them extra quality of life. Those who live a life in isolation due to their hearing deficiencies, are more often affected by health issues and depression. The latest studies conducted by French professor, Hélène Amieva, show that people with unaided hearing loss lose their cognitive abilities by up to forty percent earlier than controls without hearing impairment or fitted with hearing systems.

“Efficient use of hearing systems is guaranteed by fitting them to suit the wearer’s individual habits and requirements. Hearing aid acousticians are specialists. They advise on the choice of hearing systems, fit them, explain how to use them, educate users on their management, and provide follow-up services. Those who wish to find out more about smart hearing should see their hearing aid acoustician to take a hearing test,” recommends Martin Blecker, the president of the European Union of Hearing Aid Acousticians.

In future, hearing technology will embrace a number of additional fields of application, opening up new areas of communication, e.g. live interpretation. Monitoring vital life functions will be possible in the near future. Even today, smartphones alert users of taking their meds or keeping an appointment.

The 62nd International Congress of Hearing Aid Acousticians is scheduled to be held in Nürnberg from 18 to 20 October 2017. Connected hearing will be among the major topics focused on at the convention. Hearing aid acousticians can update their knowledge to be able to offer optimum support to people with hearing impairments, making sure they can continue to carry on social life. Hearing aid companies will be showcasing the latest developments in smart hearing.