
Hearing aid uses neural network to mimic brain functions
The first hearing aid to allow users to hear all relevant sounds, the Oticon More™ from Oticon breaks with the tradition of simply allowing users to hear better from one direction, thanks to an on-board Deep Neural Network which is trained to support the brain to process sound in a more natural way.
Oticon More™ utilises the intelligent capabilities of a Deep Neural Network to mimic the way the brain functions. It handles sounds based on the experience and training it has received. The Deep Neural Network in Oticon More™ is so much more than standard AI software – it is a unique and dedicated hearing aid solution, developed for real-time operation in everyday life. Based on Oticon’s vast sound processing experience, it has trained the Deep Neural Network with 12 million sound scenes from real life. This optimises the way Oticon More™ makes sounds more distinct by working seamlessly across varying listening environments with unparalleled precision and clarity, while ensuring that the sound is comfortable for the user. With this integrated intelligence, Oticon More™ has learned to recognise sounds from around the world, their details, and how they should ideally sound to optimally support the brain. With this launch, Oticon once again demonstrates how to innovate hearing technology in order to completely reinvent hearing aids.
Oticon More™ is powered by an entirely new chipset, Polaris™, which powers the technologies in Oticon More™ with more speed, precision and capacity than Oticon has ever provided before and is powerful enough to constantly run the trained DNN. Polaris™ boasts an eightfold increase in memory and twice the processing power compared to the previous generation chipset from Oticon. The all-new platform features seven processing cores, and due to its unique architecture, delivers superior processing capabilities while also optimising power consumption.
In addition to superior audiological performance, Oticon More™ features state-of-the-art direct streaming from both iOS and compatible Android™ devices and is prepared for the next generation of connectivity based on the upcoming Bluetooth LE Audio standard. Oticon More™ also includes the internet connectivity and the Oticon ON app which gives Oticon More™ users access to convenient, personalised control of their hearing aids on their smartphones and provides convenient online hearing aftercare with remote access to hearing care professionals. And finally, Oticon More™ is available in a rechargeable style which provides a full day of battery life (including streaming) from a super speedy three-hour charge.
“Through years of innovation, research and collaboration with leading research institutions around the world, Oticon has built unique knowledge and understanding of how the brain perceives sound. Contrary to common belief, research has demonstrated that the brain needs access to all sounds in the environment to function optimally. By applying this knowledge to hearing technology, we enable hearing aid users to enjoy more complete sound landscapes and simply get more out of life when they use our products which can have significant positive effects on their health and well-being.” says Mark Collins, Sales and Marketing Director, Oticon.
