
Hearing loss can be a frustrating and isolating condition. However, thanks to advances in technology, there are now more options than ever for managing hearing loss and improving hearing ability. One of the most promising developments in hearing health care is the emergence of hearing aids with artificial intelligence (AI). 

AI is a powerful and promising technology that has already revolutionized many aspects of our daily lives. From smart assistants, to self-driving cars, AI offers a wide range of possibilities improving efficiency, safety, or accessibility across different areas. This is achieved by automatically processing information such as images, text, or sound, and generating responses as basic as yes or no labels, or as complex as speech.

Hearing aids are yet another example of devices benefiting from intelligent signal processing. AI hearing aids are designed to provide a personalized and seamless hearing experience, using algorithms to analyze and adapt to the user's individual hearing needs and preferences.

However, both hearing aids but especially artificial intelligence are surrounded by confusion and misunderstanding: How does artificial intelligence work? How can artificial intelligence improve my hearing? What advantages do these hearing aids really have? In this blog post, we will dive deep into the world of AI-powered hearing aids and explore the key features and benefits of these cutting-edge devices. 

## What is artificial intelligence?

Simply put, AI is the ability of machines to perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence, such as recognizing patterns, learning, and problem-solving. This is usually implemented in the form of algorithms, usually neural networks, that can generate predictions based on the users’ input. Artificial intelligence is usually trained on a large collection of data, and can use the information from this dataset to generate the predictions without being explicitly programmed to do so.

Years ago, machine learning algorithms were almost exclusively deployed on cloud environments, however, as processors have become faster and researchers have developed leaner algorithms, intelligent processing has been increasingly performed on the device that acquires the data. For hearing aids, this means that the intelligent enhancement is computed on the device itself, usually on the behind-the-ear piece, without requiring the hearing aids to be connected to a smartphone or to the cloud to do this processing.

A good example of AI that analyzes sound are speech recognition systems. These speech recognition systems are part of smart assistants such as Alexa or Siri, and use AI to transform the acoustic data into a digital representation of the users’ intent. Specifically, this involves a 2 step process where the system first converts the speech into text, and then the text is matched against a database of predefined intents. 

To perform speech recognition, the system needs to be trained on a large dataset of spoken language. This training dataset usually consists of audio clips matched to their respective transcriptions and a label representing the users’ intent. The process of training will teach the system to recognize patterns in the audio signal and to understand the structure and rules of the language. Once the system has been trained, it can be used to interpret spoken language in real-time.



## How does artificial intelligence work in hearing aids?

Traditionally, hearing aids used to be dumb devices that just amplified incoming audio. As the computing power of small processors stopped being a barrier, these devices started incorporating classical sound processing algorithms such as dynamic range compression or  wiener filter-based noise reduction. Additionally, with the advent of modern AI, these devices have started incorporating intelligent signal processing capabilities. Just as speech recognition algorithms translate sound into a label, similar sound analysis algorithms started being used to label which interesting sounds the user would like to hear better.

One of the many ways in which artificial intelligence is used in hearing aids is acoustic environment identification. The AI hearing aids will monitor the surrounding sounds in real-time and identify different environments and situations. When a specific situation is identified, the hearing aids will update its settings to match the environment. For instance, if the AI hearing aids detect that someone is speaking, it will try to mask out background noise; on the other hand, when the device identifies that you are listening to music, it will try to provide a more balanced sound experience. In practice, this smart customization translates into activating a specific equalization preset, tuning the feedback control, enabling the noise reduction filters, or adjusting the gain of each directional microphone. 

Even if hearing aids have started incorporating machine learning, the embedded algorithms are still far away from state of the art algorithms such as DALL-E or Chat-GPT. The on-board machine learning algorithms are usually decision based systems such as decision trees, or relatively shallow neural networks. Moreover, these algorithms are fed handcrafted features such as the average sound intensity across specific frequency ranges. This is a result of the reduced computing power of the hearing aids’ processor, and limits the analysis performance limiting the customization capabilities of the device.

The limited computing capabilities of hearing aids has not stopped manufacturers from experimenting with more powerful algorithms. As many bluetooth enabled hearing aids are connected to a smartphone, manufacturers have tried to offload the heavy computation to the smartphone processor. This both enables the use of more powerful algorithms such as deep neural networks and convolutional networks, and the use of the smartphone microphones as a secondary audio input. 

One of the many improvements enabled by this approach is direct spectrogram analysis. A spectrogram is a graphical representation of the frequency spectrum of a signal over time where the horizontal axis represents time, the vertical axis represents frequency, and the color intensity represents sound intensity. This “image” can be fed to powerful algorithms such as convolutional networks in order to perform accurate acoustic environment classification. Additionally, this increased computational power opens the door to even more complex algorithms, such as intelligent denoising, where the AI algorithm will generate a new spectrogram in which the background noise has been greatly reduced. This new spectrogram can be turned back into sound, and fed to the hearing aids speaker. So, why aren’t all hearing aids using this smart denoising? Well, using AI to generate enhanced sounds introduces a significant delay that will range between a few tens of milliseconds, to a couple hundred milliseconds. This gap will be heard by the user as an echo effect, which makes speech comprehension difficult. Because of this, smart sound generation is only applied when the user suffers from a greater degree of hearing loss; since these patients will have a hard time hearing the original signal, they will mostly hear the post-processed sound and the delay won’t be a problem.

Looking towards the future, speech separation is a promising technology that has the potential to revolutionize hearing aids technology. Earlier in this article we explained that hearing aids incorporated noise reduction algorithms like the wiener filter. This noise reduction usually aims at eliminating noise that is long-lasting, predictable, or repetitive, such as the sound of an engine, an air conditioner unit, or a washing machine. However, speech separation aims at completely isolating speech from any other noise. Speech separation can remove a dog barking, background music, or the clatter of dishes in a dining room, producing clear speech that users can understand even without relying on amplification. Despite being a promising technology, speech separation can involve even a heavier computational load than intelligent denoising; because of this, this technology is hard to implement even when relying on the computational capabilities of smartphones.

Besides sound processing, some devices may include additional sensors aimed at health and activity monitoring. Since hearing aids tend to be used by older people, some devices may include fall detection algorithms that send alerts to friends or family members. Additionally these devices may include health data tracking sensors that monitor the heart rate, or count steps.


## Which hearing aids have artificial intelligence?

Hearing aid manufacturers are increasingly including smart processing capabilities on their devices. While traditionally being dumb devices, hearing aids are increasingly adopting consumer technology such as bluetooth connectivity or smart audio processing. Some of the features discussed in this article are only in a test phase, and others are even yet to be implemented, however the new generation of AI-powered hearing aids is beginning to emerge as more and more devices include smart capabilities. Let’s look at some of the best examples.

### Oticon More
One of the main features of Oticon More is the use of neural networks to identify real-life sound scenes. The neural network on the Oticon More was trained on 12 million sound scenes, with the goal of identifying the acoustic environment. With this information, the hearing aids are able to provide a balanced sound fine tuned to each situation. 

Traditionally, hearing aids performed dumb rule-based sound scene identification, which limited the number of different scenes that could be reliably identified. However, the neural networks used by Oticon More are capable of identifying many more situations with a great level of reliability. Additionally, another strong point of this device is that the intelligent processing is performed on the device itself, providing enhanced sound with minimal lag. 

According to their research, Oticon More delivers 30% more sound to the brain, and increases speech understanding by 15% when compared to some of their previous models. On the other hand, user reviews of the Oticon More have been positive too, showing an initial support for the intelligent processing.

### Starkey Evolv AI

Smart environment classifiers can recognize hundreds of listening situations, and adjust the hearing aid settings accordingly. However, there will always be challenging situations that require extra effort in order to achieve clear-sounding audio. To this end Starkley has developed Edge Mode, an extra layer of smart processing that takes a snapshot of the acoustic environment and finds the best settings accordingly.

Contrary to automated environment classification, which can run several times each second, Edge Mode is triggered manually tapping the device. This way, when the user feels that the hearing aids are not working optimally, Edge Mode can find better settings for that specific environment.

Test results, performed on users suffering from severe-to-profound hearing loss, show that Edge Mode users show almost a 40% improvement in speech understanding over automatic environment classification users.


### ReSound ONE

Many hearing aids feature one or more microphones placed behind the ear. This causes a problem, since the hearing aids wont pick up the acoustic information caused by the sounds resonating over the outer ear. In order to alleviate this problem ReSound ONE has placed the microphone and receiver inside the ear canal, which previously had not been possible due to the feedback generated by placing a speaker and a microphone close together.

Additionally, ReSound ONE features two standard directional microphones, and uses artificial intelligence to adjust the gain of each one. This is achieved using automatic environment classification, which identifies specific sound environments and gradually tunes the gain of the different microphones.

### Widex Moment

While many hearing aids manufacturers have opted for creating a predefined set of optimized settings for each acoustic environment, Widex has gone a different way. The bad thing about many automatic environment detection systems is that users may not like the settings that the hearing aids select. Because of this, Wides has created the SoundSense Learn technology.

In practice, the SoundSense Learn system will prompt the user to select between two different sound profiles. Once selected, the hearing aids will collect an acoustic fingerprint and upload both the fingerprint and the selected sound profile to the cloud. With this information, Soundsense Learn will be able match acoustic environments to the preferences of hundreds of users on its database. This way, the sound profiles will be generated based on actual user preferences and not on guesswork from the hearing aids’ engineers.

If you are interested in exploring the potential benefits of AI-powered hearing aids, it is recommended to consult with an audiologist for guidance and recommendations. They can help you choose which hearing aids better suit your needs, and determine if AI technology would be beneficial for your specific case.
 


Hearing aids are yet another example of devices benefiting from intelligent signal processing. AI hearing aids are designed to provide a personalized and seamless hearing experience, using algorithms to analyze and adapt to the users individual hearing needs and preferences.

Hearing aids with artificial intelligence


Tinnitus is a common and often misunderstood condition that can have a significant impact on daily life. The ringing in the ears may become chronic and interfere with concentration, sleep, or the overall quality of life. This pushes patients in the search of treatment options to improve their quality of life.

From home remedies to professional consultation, every therapy has its own strengths and weaknesses. Patients suffering from tinnitus can find a wide range of options from do-it-at-home sound therapies to professional behavioral consultation.

Sound therapy has, for the last couple of decades, been an active area of research with new protocols coming up every year. If you have the budget and willingness to go for it, you can also try a combinational therapy using both sound therapy and behavioral consultation. Or, if you prefer to just take medication, there are some drugs that could help with the anxiety surrounding tinnitus.

It is important to note that the effectiveness of different treatment options can vary depending on the individual and the specific type and severity of their tinnitus. Treatment for chronic tinnitus is a trial-and-error process as there is no one-size-fits-all treatment that works for everyone. This process also requires some patience, since it can take weeks or even months to achieve a noticeable improvement. This improvement will be in the form of a less noticeable ringing, when the tinnitus itself can be suppressed, or an overall better quality of life, when the tinnitus cannot be suppressed but you develop better coping mechanisms.

If you are experiencing tinnitus and are interested in exploring treatment options, remember you can always speak with a healthcare professional, such as an audiologist, for guidance and recommendations.


## 1. Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT)

Tinnitus retraining therapy is a form of treatment that usually involves a combination of sound therapy and counseling. During counseling, a tinnitus specialist will work with the patient to understand their tinnitus and how it affects them. The specialist will also help the patient develop coping strategies and techniques to manage their tinnitus and reduce its impact on their daily life. 

TRT will also include sound therapy, which involves the use of specific sounds or noise to help mask or reduce the perception of tinnitus. This can be done through the use of specialized devices, such as tinnitus maskers or noise generators, or through the use of music or other sounds.

TRT is generally considered a safe and effective treatment for tinnitus and has been shown to be beneficial for many individuals. This therapy option is one of the most recommended by professionals, and institutions such as the British Tinnitus Association.

Despite the institutional support, a significant downside of TRT is the commitment it imposes on patients. Commuting to consultation is a burden not everyone is ready to commit to; it can be a time consuming process, that can leave people feeling unproductive and chipping away your time for leisure activities. Additionally, the price of TRT sessions can quickly add up to an expensive amount, considering that TRT typically involves weekly or biweekly sessions that can cost up to $300 each.


## 2. Sound therapy

Sound therapy is arguably one of the most active areas of research for tinnitus. From tinnitus masking, to auditory discrimination training, sound therapy includes a wide array of options that have helped many patients reduce their tinnitus.

Since sound therapy is really a family of different individual protocols, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, we will at least describe the main two subfamilies: customized, and non-customized sound therapy.

Non-customized sound therapy involves using noise, nature sounds, or music, without tuning it to the specific needs of each patient.

Customized sound therapy, on the other hand, uses sounds generated based on the specific pitch, bandwidth, or loudness of the patient’s tinnitus.

Even though sound therapy is a popular research area, there is still a lack of consensus over which therapies yield better results. Patients may spend a long time trying different options, which can be frustrating for some. On the flip side, this is an easy to use form of therapy that patients can try at home, using both specialized devices or smartphone applications.


## 3. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that is commonly used to treat a range of mental health conditions, including tinnitus. CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all interconnected, and that by changing negative or unhealthy patterns of thinking and behavior, we can improve our mental health and overall well-being.

In the context of tinnitus, CBT can be used to help people learn to manage their tinnitus and reduce the impact it has on their daily lives. This may involve identifying and challenging negative thought patterns or beliefs about tinnitus, learning relaxation techniques to reduce stress and anxiety related to tinnitus, and developing strategies for coping with tinnitus on a day-to-day basis.

CBT for tinnitus is typically administered by a trained therapist, and may involve a series of individual or group sessions over a period of several weeks or months. It is generally considered a safe and effective treatment approach for tinnitus, and may be particularly helpful for people who have severe or persistent tinnitus that is affecting their quality of life.


## 4. Medication

Since tinnitus can be caused by different underlying conditions, it is hard to prescribe medication to reduce its effects and, on top of that, there is no medication that is specifically approved for the treatment of tinnitus. However, some medications may be helpful in reducing the severity of tinnitus or improving the ability to cope with the condition.

Some medications that have been used to treat tinnitus include:

Tricyclic antidepressants: These medications may help to reduce the severity of tinnitus and improve sleep.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): These medications may help to reduce the emotional impact of tinnitus and improve mood.

Benzodiazepines: These medications may help to reduce anxiety and improve sleep in people with tinnitus.

Alpha blockers: These medications may help to reduce the blood pressure in the blood vessels leading to the inner ear, which may help to reduce tinnitus in some people.

It is important to note that medications should only be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for tinnitus, and should be prescribed and monitored by a healthcare provider. It is also important to be aware that all medications have potential side effects, and it is important to discuss the risks and benefits with a healthcare provider before starting any medication.

## 5. Hearing aids

Hearing aids are devices that are worn in or behind the ear and are designed to amplify sounds, making it easier to hear and communicate, however, they may also include other functionalities such as noise reduction or sound generation. Because of this, hearing aids can help manage tinnitus in two main ways, by helping patients tune in the sounds they want to hear, and by reducing the perception of tinnitus.

By amplifying the sounds in the environment, hearing devices will make it easier for people with tinnitus to focus on external sounds, rather than the sound of their tinnitus. These devices can be particularly helpful for people with hearing loss, as they can improve hearing and reduce the strain on the brain that comes from trying to hear and understand conversations in noisy environments. Additionally, the noise reduction technology included in many models can help reduce the impact of background noise. This will make it easier for both people with hearing difficulties and tinnitus patients to hear and understand speech and other sounds in their environment.

Additionally, the sound generation capabilities of sound hearing aids devices can provide therapeutic benefits to tinnitus patients. The most basic form of tinnitus relief that hearing aids can provide is tinnitus masking. Some hearing aids can generate white noise to reduce the perception of ringing. Additionally, some devices may even incorporate customized sound therapy options such as acoustic coordinated reset neuromodulation.

As with every relief option, it is important to note that the effectiveness of hearing aids for tinnitus can vary depending on the individual and the specific type and severity of their tinnitus. This is especially true for hearing aids devices that may be focused towards patients with some degree of hearing loss.


## 6. Prevention

Prevention, despite not really being a relief option, is an important step to account for when fighting tinnitus. There are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing tinnitus or to prevent tinnitus from getting worse if you already have it.

First and foremost, protect your hearing. Avoid loud noises or wear earplugs or other hearing protection when exposed to loud noises. Avoid listening to loud music or using headphones at high volume for extended periods of time.

If you already have tinnitus and sound therapy isn’t working, you can practice stress management techniques. Stress and anxiety can worsen tinnitus, so it is important to limit the impact they can have. This may include techniques such as relaxation techniques, exercise, or seeking support from friends and family.

You should also aim for a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and getting enough sleep can all help to prevent tinnitus or reduce its severity. Limiting tobacco and alcohol consumption can also help reduce the risk of developing tinnitus

It is important to note that tinnitus can have multiple causes, and it is not always possible to prevent the condition. However, taking these steps will put you on the right track to reducing the risk of developing tinnitus.

## FAQ


### Is tinnitus therapy effective? 

The effectiveness of tinnitus therapy can vary depending on the individual and the specific type and severity of their tinnitus. In some cases, tinnitus therapy can provide significant relief, while in other cases it may have limited or no impact. It may be necessary to try several different approaches or combinations of approaches to find the most effective treatment for your tinnitus.

### How long does tinnitus therapy take? 

The length of tinnitus therapy can vary depending on the specific approach being used. For example, tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) typically involves weekly sessions with a healthcare professional over the course of several months, while cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may involve a shorter course of treatment. In some cases, tinnitus therapy may be ongoing, with the goal of helping individuals learn to manage and live with their tinnitus.

### What are the side effects of tinnitus therapy? 

The side effects of tinnitus therapy can vary depending on the specific approach being used. Some potential side effects of tinnitus therapy may include temporary hearing loss, dizziness, or discomfort with the use of certain sounds or noise. It is important to discuss any potential side effects with a healthcare professional before starting tinnitus therapy.

### How much does tinnitus therapy cost? 

The cost of tinnitus therapy can vary depending on the specific approach being used and the individual's insurance coverage. Some forms of tinnitus therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or tinnitus retraining therapy, may be covered by insurance, while others may not. It is important to discuss the cost of tinnitus therapy with a healthcare professional and your insurance provider before starting treatment.


The best 6 tinnitus relief options in 2023.

The best 6 tinnitus relief options in 2023

Tinnitus is the sensation of ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears. This noise can take up different forms, being higher or lower pitched, softer or louder, and having a wider or narrower spectrum. Tinnitus is a relatively common phenomenon, which roughly affects 10% of the population and is more prevalent among older adults. Although in many cases Tinnitus is temporary and not very bothersome, it may become a serious issue which requires attention.

Tinnitus is divided into two types, subjective and objective. Subjective tinnitus is by far the most common type and involves hearing noises without the existence of any stimulus. This type of tinnitus can only be perceived by the patient and is hard to link to a specific cause.

The other type, objective tinnitus, usually involves the noise of the flow of blood vessels near the ear; this noise can be measured by using a stethoscope in the patient's ear, that’s why it is called “objective”. However, objective tinnitus is quite rare, and often a side effect of another disease such as high blood pressure.

## What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus is often attributed to different underlying conditions such as hearing loss, anxiety, depression, infections, or certain medications, however, it is often hard to link tinnitus to a specific cause. Subjective tinnitus is often the product of alterations in the part of the brain that processes auditory information, the auditory cortex. These alterations can be the product of different things that affect the auditory system such as ear infections, earwax buildup, hearing loss, or acoustic trauma. Caffeine, tobacco and alcohol increase the risk of developing tinnitus and can worsen its effects.

## How can I prevent tinnitus?
Since hearing loss is a common cause of tinnitus, one of the first approaches to preventing it and keeping it from getting worse would be to limit your exposure to loud noise. Turning down the volume of your headphones, using hearing protection in loud places, or avoiding your exposure to loud noise sources like construction equipment, or other machinery.

## What can I do if my tinnitus does not go away?
Healthcare providers will first try to treat the underlying conditions that cause tinnitus. When this is not possible, there are still several ways to manage its impact. These strategies usually aim at making the tinnitus less bothersome since, in many patients, it may never fully go away. At this point, it is important to remark that no single approach works for everyone and patients will often try different therapies in order to find someone that helps, or will even try different combinations of individual therapies.

The most effective therapies can be grouped into 3 families which are sound therapy, counseling, and drug therapy. Overall, sound therapy alone usually performs better than counseling or medication when applied individually, however, the combination of sound therapy and counseling, or sound therapy and drug therapy tends to yield better results.


### Sound therapy
Sound therapy is a way of alleviating the intensity of tinnitus by using external sounds that retrain your auditory pathway. It is one of the best known therapies for tinnitus relief with hundreds  of research papers on different sound protocols. This therapy can be administered using specialized devices, such as hearing aids that include sound generators, or using mobile apps such as Therabeep.

Sound therapy can be divided into two subgroups: customized and non customized sound therapy. On the one hand, customized sound therapy uses sound protocols based on the characteristics of the perceived noise. These customized sounds aim at reorganizing the auditory cortex so that the patient stops perceiving the noise, either by playing sounds similar to the perceived noise, or sounds that complement it. On the other hand, non customized sound therapy includes white noise, environmental sounds, or even music, with the aim to reduce the adverse emotional reactions to the tinnitus.

Some of the most well known sound therapies include coordinated reset neuromodulation therapy, notched music training, or auditory discrimination training.

### Counseling
Counseling is another option which aim is to help patients change the way they feel and think about tinnitus. This kind of therapy is based on the asumption that what really makes tinnitus bothersome is not the ringing noise itself, but the psychological feedback loop of emotions that patients have in relation to tinnitus. The most basic form is educational counseling, where the goal is to educate patients about the auditory system and tinnitus. This form of counseling tries to reduce the fears and anxiety related to tinnitus which, in turn, will help the patient cope with it.

Another form of counseling is cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT. The main goal of CBT is to address the negative emotions associated with tinnitus. This kind of therapy is often performed by a mental health professional and will help with related psychological issues like anxiety which are often linked with tinnitus.

Also, behavioral therapies like CBT may be combined with sound therapy, like in tinnitus retraining therapy or TRT. TRT aims to both educate the patient, reducing the negative feedback that tinnitus causes, and to use sound therapy to make tinnitus less noticeable.

### Drug therapy
Although there are not drugs that target tinnitus specifically, patients may be prescribed medication to alleviate the underlying condition that causes it, or to help patients cope with the negative feelings associated with it.


Tinnitus is the sensation of ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears.

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Hearing aids with artificial intelligence

The best 6 tinnitus relief options in 2023

What Is Tinnitus?