Are Hearing Aids Getting Too Smart?

Article by Colin Eaton, FdSc, RHAD, MSHAA

We have noticed that people are interested and puzzled about the use of Artificial intelligence in hearing aids, and asking us about it more and more. With this in mind I thought I would write a short piece to explain how it is being used currently.

When hearing aids start thinking for themselves - are the computers taking over?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has now found its way into every corner of our lives – from phones with predictive text and translation, to self-parking cars. Now, it has arrived in our ears. Modern hearing aids are no longer just amplifiers, they are tiny computers that actually think – but is this good or bad?

The Good: AI powered hearing aids can adapt to changing environments in real time, automatically adjusting settings for restaurants, meetings or outdoor walks to help you hear better. They can also “learn” your listening preferences and distinguish speech from background noise. This Deep Neural Network approach tries to reproduce how the brain naturally processes sound.

Some now have motion sensors and GPS data to predict what kind of listening situation you are in.

For example: your head moves more in a small group around a table than talking to a single person in the same situation, so the hearing aid can zoom in on the single speaker or be more adaptive with groups. The result is a sharper sound, less effort and a more natural listening experience.

The Concerns: AI systems rely on complex algorithms and sometimes cloud based processing and programming by your Audiologist, which naturally raises concerns over data handling and processing

With the inherent concerns over privacy , over reliance on automation and whether the user actually remains in control, also what happens when it “thinks” it knows better than you?

The Verdict

AI in hearing aids is not about the hearing aids taking over, it is about technology lending your ears help. When designed and fitted well these new smart systems can make hearing feel more effortless and human or natural than ever.

The trick is striking a balance, let the AI do the heavy lifting, whilst you stay in charge of what you want to hear – certainly this technology has changed our hearing world for the better.

In the 26 years I have been fitting hearing aids, I have seen the transition from body worn hearing aids to behind the ear. Then from behind the ear to in the ear, the change from analogue processing (linear gain) to digital technology in the 1990’s. Improvements in digital processors and speed of amplification and compression, and now AI……. I wonder what’s next? Exciting isn’t it?!!!