New hearing aid with artificial intelligence is the first to mimic the brain's natural ability to automatically detect and optimize speech

Jul 21 2004

Artificial Intelligence is used in many state-of-the-art products - from cameras and computers games to car navigation and communication systems.

Now, a new hearing aid with Artificial Intelligence is the first to mimic the brain's natural ability to automatically detect and optimize speech while turning down the volume on distracting sounds, an important function lost to many people with hearing impairment.

New Oticon Syncro continually scans the environment for voices and other sounds and reacts instantly to variations in sound signals, making thousands of calculations per second.

For a hearing impaired person, the split-second decisions made by Oticon Syncro deliver significantly improved hearing even in noisy environments that are the most challenging for hard of hearing people, such as busy streets, social gatherings and crowded restaurants. The tiny processor also uses Artificial Intelligence to instantly determine the direction that a sound is coming from, whether it is voice or noise, how loud a sound is and even whether the wind is blowing.

Developed by Oticon, one of the world's leading hearing aid manufacturers, Syncro is available in a full range of cosmetically attractive, small styles.

Oticon, one of the world's oldest and most respected hearing aid manufacturers, celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2004. The company was founded in Copenhagen in 1904 by Hans Demant, inspired by a desire to help his hearing impaired wife and others like her.