Starkey announced the all-new Edge AI hearing aid earlier this month.
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The hearing aid market has been in a state of upheaval in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, hearing aid manufacturer Starkey announced its all-new Edge AI hearing aid. The company says on its website that it uses “cutting-edge technology that mimics the brain’s auditory cortex” to repair the so-called “broken processes” that occur in the brain’s auditory cortex when hearing loss occurs. I am doing it. Starkey said artificial intelligence helps classify complex soundscapes, enhance audio and reduce noise, all in real time. Like the company’s other hearing aids, Starkey’s Edge AI hearing aids integrate with the company’s My Starkey companion app on iOS and Android, as well as the newly released version on watchOS for Apple Watch.
In a recent interview with me via email, Starkey President and CEO Brandon Sawalich said the company is adamant that the company will “innovate technology as quickly as the science allows.” He explained that he is working towards this goal and has an overarching goal of “always”. [pushing] The limits of possibility. ” Edge AI is the next generation of “intelligent hearing technology, far superior to any other technology on the market today,” he told me. The company’s work in the AI field dates back to 2018. Back then, AI wasn’t as trendy and attention-grabbing as it is today. Since those heady days, Sawalich boasted that Starkey has solidified its position as an industry leader when it comes to integrating hearing aids with AI.
“Whether you have a mild or severe disability, are tech-savvy, or prefer a hands-off experience, Edge AI brings great hearing to everyone. and a long list of hearing health features that help everyone live better, healthier and more comfortably.” said Sawalich. “With Edge AI, we want people to be their best every day.”
From a technology perspective, Sawalich said Edge AI builds on the success of Starkey’s Genesis AI technology. (I interviewed him and Chief Hearing Officer Dave Fabray about Genesis AI earlier this year.) Starkey’s new Neuro Sound Technology 2.0 includes what he calls a deep neural network-enhanced sound manager. , and said it brings added benefits to any listening situation. He added that the company’s AI technology is “always on” and has “30% increased accuracy” in voice detection compared to previous versions of the technology. Additionally, he said Starkey’s has enhanced its Edge Mode+ feature, which uses the aforementioned neural network to “provide further enhancement in any listening situation.” The enhancements prioritize clearer audio or easier audibility, depending on the wearer’s preference. Edge Mode+ automatically scans and adapts to changes in the user’s environment, Sawalich told me.
In addition, Sawalich said Starkey also powered the onboard digital assistant. According to him, this feature will allow people to use their voice to interact with the assistant through the hearing aid itself. This software can answer questions about topics such as the weather for the day.
After all, Sawalich said Edge AI is equipped with Starkey’s “most advanced processor.” Additionally, the company continues to develop its dedicated NPU (Local Processing Unit), allowing it to focus on delivering better performance without commensurate compromises in battery life. Starkey is really proud of its “industry-leading” numbers of more than 51 hours of battery life, Sawalich said.
Sawalich talked about the new Apple Watch app and said the ability to control things like hearing aid volume directly from your wrist is valuable. Similarly, Edge AI users can perform computational tasks such as answering calls, streaming music and podcasts, and can also enjoy real-time translation in 78 languages with the My Starkey app, he said. .
When asked about the feedback, Sawalich said: Starkey tested Edge AI on a sample of 560 patients and provided feedback. All this was done in the name of “.[confirming] We were providing the best hearing care before there was a single hearing aid. ” People have been “blown away” by the difference Edge AI makes, with Sawalich saying the sound is clearer and crisper. This technology “allows you to hear more of your surroundings, giving you a complete sound experience,” he added. Additionally, Sawalich said some testers have reported hearing sounds that were previously inaudible. Additionally, the battery life (we all want better battery life) and waterproof features are appreciated for daily use in a variety of locations.
Sawalich is extremely proud of his team’s work. He said Edge AI has the “world’s first and only ability to use sensors in hearing aids to perform accurate balance assessments.” This feature, for which Starkey collaborated with Stanford University to assess the algorithm’s accuracy, will help fall-prone people identify and manage their balance before repeated falls, Sawalich told me. , is a great addition. Through their research, Starkey and Stanford were able to conclude that their algorithm was “comparable to that of a trained clinician,” Sawalich said. He went on to say that Starkey was the first hearing aid manufacturer to add 3D sensors to track health status. As Sawalich told me, there are many different types of activity in the tracker system, and that work is ongoing.
“We are leading the industry in incorporating holistic health and wellness into hearing aids,” said Sawalich.
