Increasing Hearing Ability in Social Situations

It is well reported that hearing loss can lead to greater isolation, avoidance of social situations and in turn reduced sensory stimulation (Kochkin & Rogin, 2000).

Whilst there are numerous factors that contribute to hearing well in noise, such as attention and using visual cues; having the speech level louder than the background noise is critical. This relationship between the speech and noise can be referred to as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), whereby the signal refers to the speech we are trying to listen to. The greater the difference in level between the signal and noise, the higher the ratio and in turn the more likely we are to understand the signal.

It is the job of a hearing aid to increase the signal using amplification whilst reducing surrounding noise. Hearing aids have traditionally increased a SNR with the use of directional microphone technology, noise reduction algorithms and external microphones. These are certainly proven strategies, however even with these approaches, some hearing aid users can still find listening in noise incredibly difficult.

Introducing the Phonak Sphere Infinio

Released September 2024, Phonak’s new flagship hearing aid, the Sphere Infinio takes this number one hearing complaint and tackles it head on. Phonak have made a bold move by increasing the size of their hearing aid to incorporate a dual processor design with the second chip being dedicated to isolating speech from noise by running a deep neural network (DNN).

A DNN is a form of artificial intelligence (AI) that can be used in many applications to solve complex problems. In this case, Phonak’s second chip, DEEPSONIC, a chip that is 53 times more powerful than current competition (Phonak, 25.10.2024), runs DNN signal processing to more effectively isolate speech from noise.

Importantly, Hear Advisor (HearAdvisor, 25.10.2024), an independent hearing aid testing laboratory, also give the Sphere Infinio the highest rating for both speech quality in quiet and in noise for mild to moderate hearing losses (see below).

Here is an example recording that demonstrates the difference in speech in noise performance between your typical hearing aid and that of the Sphere Infinio.

It is important to note that this recording is from Phonak and was likely recorded under optimal settings/conditions. I can however, say that I have tested these out myself in a similar environment and experienced a fairly similar improvement in speech quality. I have also received personal accounts that match this from patients that I have already fitted.

What is particularly exciting about this new approach is that it works from all angles rather than directional microphone technology, making it less crucial to be facing the speaker and easier to be part of a dynamic group conversation.

Also, if DNN signal processing technology is capable of operating using a single microphone as I have heard, we may in the future see much improved performance in smaller single microphone hearing aids. Currently however, optimal results are achieved with a combination of dual microphone and DNN technology. Furthermore, powering two processor chips with one of them running a DNN requires a larger battery and so we are currently limited to a receiver-in-canal design and one that is slightly larger than competing receiver-in-canal hearing aids.

If however, hearing aid size does not bother you then this may be the hearing aid for you. If you would like to explore this exciting new technology further then please book a hearing assessment with us using our online booking system or call us on 01932 344004.

References:

HearAdvisor. (2024) Best Prescription Hearing Aids in 2024. [online] Available from https://www.hearadvisor.com/prescription [Accessed 25 October 2024]

Kochkin, S. & Rogin, C.M. (2000) Quantifying the Obvious: The Impact of Hearing Instruments on Quality of Life. [online] Available from https://hearingreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/KochkinRogin_QuantifyingObvious_0100HR.pdf [Accessed 25 October 2024]

Phonak. (2024) A new era in hearing technology. [online] Available from https://www.phonak.com/en-int/professionals/new-at-phonak [Accessed 25 October 2024]