Personalisation

Custom programs allow wearers to change specific parameters or features of the hearing device other than basic controls such as volume or program change. This is typically done via a smartphone app but can also be achieved through other means; e.g., tapping or touching the devices. Examples include changing the direction of the microphone ‘beam’ (i.e., which direction they should be most sensitive to sounds), changing treble/middle/bass balance, and noise & wind reduction settings.

Intended Purpose:
Personalisation

Training/self-training involves the hearing aid learning from the wearer’s input and applying algorithms and technologies such as artificial intelligence to learn their preferences over time. This can include tracking when and how they adjust volume settings, program choice, and other settings. Over time, the hearing aids can begin to make these changes automatically.

Intended Purpose:
Personalisation
Usability

Data logging is the ability of hearing aids to record ongoing information about when and how the device is being used. This can include capturing information such as the average duration of use each day, the status of parameters such as volume and program choice, and the use of environmental classifiers to record the kind of environments they are wearing their devices in. Clinicians can use this information to determine if the wearer is meeting their listening goals and gaining adequate listening experience that will help them to do so.

Wireless fitting allows the clinician to fit and fine-tune hearing aids while the wearer is wearing them and without having to connect them to a computer using wires. This provides for a more comfortable and efficient fitting process, and also makes it easier for the clinician and wearer to try out different settings and adjust to personal preferences.

Intended Purpose:
Personalisation

Remote programming (sometimes referred to as App for Telehealth, Telecare, or Teleaudiology) is the ability of hearing devices to be paired with smart phone applications to allow for synchronous (i.e., real-time via video, audio, and/or text functions) and/or asynchronous (pre-programmed and provided through the app automatically) remote support. Using this feature, clinicians are able to conduct remote telehealth appointments or provide prompt feedback and advice to clients. These features enable clients to virtually consult with a clinician, have their hearing assessed and their devices adjusted via tele-health, without needing to present in person at a clinic for support.

Remote firmware updates allow the clinician to update the firmware (hearing aid software) on a wearer’s hearing aids without them having to come into the clinic. Software updates can be used to add new features over time, improve the performance of the device, and address any problems that the manufacturer identifies with the devices over time.

Intended Purpose:
Personalisation

Health and lifestyle sensing and monitoring uses in built sensors integrated into hearing devices, to collect health information such as physical activity and location, social engagement, and provide insights into a wearer’s health and lifestyle. Data collected can then be used to set personalised healthcare goals, track progress and engagement, provide motivation, reminders (i.e. take medication), or alerts (i.e. fall detection). Broader applications for this feature include functions such as locating lost hearing aids, real-time transcription, captioning, and translation.

Intended Purpose:
Personalisation
Usability