Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Hearing Aids
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a hot topic, especially since ChatGPT came out in November 2022. Computers can do almost anything these days.
But AI isn’t exactly breaking news in the hearing aid world. It has been around for five years! In 2018, two leading hearing aid manufacturers, Widex and Starkey, developed hearing aids with AI features. In April of that year, Widex launched its Evoke line of hearing aids, and Starkey launched its Evolv AI in August.
How AI helps you hear better
The bottom-line goal of AI in hearing aids is to help you hear better with little effort on your part. When hearing aids have AI, they learn your preferences and adjust the sound algorithms accordingly.
Then, as you move in and out of different environments, the software adapts to each setting and what it knows about what you want to hear in that setting. It makes the changes without your having to adjust the settings yourself. The result is that you will hear better with fewer interruptions.
Widex Models with AI
Widex has specialized apps that allow you to take full advantage of My Sound and SoundSense Learn, its AI features. When you enter a new hearing environment, My Sound automatically adjusts the settings of your hearing aids based on the information gathered by SoundSense Learn from the needs and preferences of thousands of users in different environments.
If you dislike how these settings sound, you can open the app to indicate the situation and your intention. Then, the app will present you with two setting recommendations, and you can choose the one you prefer.
To take advantage of these features, you must have Widex hearing aid with 2.4 GHz connectivity and the ability to connect to the Widex apps. Current models include Widex MOMENT RIC 312D, Widex MOMENT mRIC RD, WIDEX EVOKE Fusion 2, BTE 312, and BTE 13D.
Starkey Models with AI
Starkey’s AI feature is called Edge Mode, and you can enable it using the Thrive app. Edge Mode uses AI to assess your listening environment and automatically adjust settings for optimal sound quality and clarity.
In addition to the AI features, the Thrive app offers many features to help you with your health. A wellness score gives a general overview of how you’re doing by measuring the number of steps you’ve taken, the amount of time you’ve exercised, and your social engagement. In addition, it can provide a special alert if your hearing aids think you have fallen.
Identifying which Starkey aids have AI capability is simple; they have “AI” at the end of their product name. Current models include Starkey Livio AI, Starkey Livio Edge AI, Starkey Evolv AI, and Starkey Genesis AI.
Test drive a pair for FREE for two weeks!
Schedule an appointment for a hearing check to see if you need hearing aids and to learn more about which AI features will work best for you. Once you decide on the model, you can test drive them for FREE for two weeks.
To schedule a no-obligation appointment for more information, please contact us online or call 864-881-1663.
