Lately we’ve been hearing it more and more on the radio: advertisements for AI hearing aids. They promise groundbreaking technology, more natural sound and a listening experience like never before. But why are AI hearing aids suddenly being promoted so much? What does artificial intelligence really mean in a hearing aid? Will it really make you hear better? Or will we soon be able to understand Chinese without ever having taken a class? Let’s dive into the world of AI in hearing aids together and find out if it’s hype or reality.
Why is AI being promoted in hearing aids?
AI is everywhere. Whether it’s your smartphone, navigation system or even your smart refrigerator, artificial intelligence is making our lives easier and easier. So it’s no surprise that the hearing aid industry is embracing this technology as well. But why is this suddenly being promoted so big on the radio?
- Innovation sells – Manufacturers want to show that their products contain state-of-the-art technology. AI sounds impressive and conjures up the idea that you are buying the newest and smartest solution.
- The target market is becoming increasingly digital – People who wear hearing aids are no longer just “old and gray. Many young professionals and tech enthusiasts have hearing problems and want modern, smart solutions.
- AI sounds like the solution to all listening problems – The marketing surrounding AI hearing aids gives the impression that these devices are almost magical. But what is really true?
What does AI do in a hearing aid?
Let’s take a sober look at what AI actually adds to a hearing aid. Hearing aids with AI are able to automatically learn and adapt to your environment. This means they analyze in real-time where sound is coming from, what are the desired sounds (such as speech) and what should be suppressed (such as background noise).
AI hearing aids can, for example:
- Distinguish voices better – They recognize and amplify human voices over background noise.
- Environmental noise filtering – Based on machine learning, they can reduce noise and filter out distracting sounds.
- Automatically switch between listening modes – They recognize whether you are in a busy restaurant, at home on the couch or walking outside in the wind and adjust accordingly without you having to manually change settings.
Will you hear better with AI?
This is perhaps the most important question. AI hearing aids certainly improve the listening experience, but of course they don’t make your hearing “better. If you have hearing loss, it remains. What AI does do is make understanding easier in difficult listening situations. Especially in crowded environments, such as a café or a meeting, AI hearing aids can make a big difference.
But let’s clear up a misunderstanding: you’re not going to understand Chinese (unless you already speak Chinese, of course). AI in hearing aids focuses on sound processing, not language translation.
Trying out AI hearing aids? You can!
We completely understand the curiosity surrounding this new technology. Fortunately, at Horend Goed, you can simply wear AI hearing aids on a trial basis! Our hearing care professionals are ready to set them up with precision, so they fit your hearing and your needs perfectly.
But beware: these devices are really good. The chances of you wanting to return them after the trial period are slim. Many customers who try AI hearing aids don’t want to go back to their old device.
Want more information about the hearing aids from the commercials? Then check out Phonak’s website: https://www.phonak.com/nl-nl.
Conclusion: Smart technology, not a panacea
AI hearing aids are a great step forward in the world of hearing. They make understanding easier, adapt smartly and provide a comfortable listening experience. But don’t expect miracles: hearing loss remains hearing loss. Yet for many people, these devices can make a huge difference.
Are you curious if AI hearing aids are for you? Stop by Horend Goed and try them out for yourself! Who knows, you may soon be hearing better than ever – without having to learn Chinese. 😉
