AI-driven hearing aid tech takes a step forward

Tech firm GN has launched what is believed to be the world’s smallest AI-powered hearing aid.

The ReSound Vivia uses AI to model the brain’s natural sound processing capability to create voice clarity in “complex listening environments”.

It is also designed to respond to the direction a person is looking, helping the AI to enhance sounds based on the user’s natural response to their environment.

It also has a “Deep Neural Network (DNN)” chip which has been trained on 13.5 million spoken sentences in various languages and with varied vocal effort, across 3.9 million tuned sound parameters.

The DNN can perform 4.9 trillion operations per day to spotlight speech and reduce background noise.

Brian Dam Pedersen, chief technology officer at GN, says: “We’ve fundamentally reimagined how AI can enhance the hearing experience.

“Our unique Intelligent Focus feature mimics natural human behaviour, allowing the AI to prioritise sounds based on where the user is looking, not just how loud they are.

“This creates a far more intuitive and natural listening experience, seamlessly integrating with the user’s own perception of their environment. It’s not just about amplifying sound; it’s about intelligently enhancing the sounds that matter most.”

The new device will initially be launched in the US and Germany before other markets later in the year.