Though modern hearing aids are making it easier to hear in all environments, there are still areas where they can improve. A new study of Germany uses machine learning to improve speech recognition and background noise differentiation in hearing aids.
What is Machine Learning?
Machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence and computer science that focuses on the use of data and algorithms to imitate the way that humans learn.
Machine learning can help those with hearing loss by using data to improve hearing aid algorithms and make it easier to hear even in the most challenging environments.
Hearing Aids and Speech Recognition
Current hearing aid algorithms are already being used to help improve speech recognition in people with hearing loss. However, they do face several obstacles.
The first is that current evaluation methods for the effectiveness of these algorithms are both expensive and time-consuming.
Secondly, they cannot easily factor in different acoustic environments, nor adjust for users with varying severities of hearing loss.
Lastly, even with improved technology, hearing aid algorithms can still have difficulty telling the difference between speech and background noise. This can make it harder to follow conversations when out to dinner somewhere like Feast.
New Study May Improve Hearing Aid Algorithms
To help solve these issues, researchers in Germany conducted a study using automatic speech recognition (ASR) to calculate how many words per sentence listeners understood.
The study consisted of eight participants with normal hearing and 20 participants with hearing loss who were exposed to a variety of complex noises that mask speech. Researchers separated those with hearing loss into three different groups based on the severity of their condition.
They found that their model was highly accurate at predicting human speech recognition performance across all noise backgrounds and for different hearing abilities.
The hope is this model can be used to improve hearing aid algorithms and offer a more personalized listening experience.
 Hearing Aids Keep You Connected to Others
Our goal is always to offer the best, most cutting-edge hearing aid technology available. While we will continue to keep an eye on exciting developments, the best way you can prioritize your hearing health is to treat any hearing loss you currently have as soon as possible.
Hearing aids make it easier to understand speech, communicate with others, and stay connected to your loved ones and your community.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our experts, contact Arizona Hearing Specialists today.