Picture this: you’re sitting in the airport, eager to head off on vacation. A voice comes over the loudspeaker in your gate area with an important announcement… and sounds like the teacher in the Charlie Brown cartoons – a garbled mess!
Now, imagine you’re in the same situation, but with the tap of a button on your phone, you can connect your hearing aids or headphones directly to the gate announcements for your area through Auracast, a new Bluetooth public connection option that is rolling out in more and more locations. From restaurants and movie theaters to concert venues and places of worship, Auracast will eventually allow individuals to join public audio streams with ease.
That kind of innovation is just one of the amazing new hearing technologies coming your way in 2025.
Several other great new hearing aid options are now on the market, including:
ReSound Nexia
- ReSound is the first hearing aid company to incorporate Auracast into hearing aid technology, but many others will be close behind. It will require the venue or facility to broadcast via Auracast.
- ReSound Nexia features include: an easy-to-use app, personalized settings, tinnitus management, a “find your lost hearing aids” function, and a “tap to answer calls” feature.
- ReSound accessories include: TV-Streamer+ to receive your preferred TV volume without disturbing anyone else in the room and a Phone Clip+ microphone to allow hands-free calling on Android phones.
- The Nexia model also comes in a CROS setup for people with hearing loss in just one ear. CROS stands for Contralateral Routing of Signal, and it’s designed for the 10% of people with hearing loss who have different hearing capabilities in each ear (also known as asymmetric or unilateral hearing loss). CROS technology uses a hearing aid on the more impaired ear to capture sound and transmit it to a paired hearing aid on the better ear. For users who also have hearing loss in the better ear, the BiCROS system allows them to amplify sound from both ears.
Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio
- Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio has two processing chips, including one that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to deliver clear speech from any direction. These two processors working together increase the device’s processing power by 53 times compared to previous models!
- This model also has advanced durability, including better waterproofing and stronger construction.
- The improved speech clarity from the AI processing chip reduces listening effort by 45% in quiet environments and decreases fatigue by 21% with the Speech Enhancer feature on.
- Other features include Bluetooth connectivity, a rechargeable battery that lasts for a full day of use, and several accessories, like a partner mic, remote control and TV connector.
Widex SmartRIC
- Widex SmartRIC (Receiver in Canal) is a popular choice for musicians, people with tinnitus, and people who want a more stylish look. This sleek L-shaped hearing aid sits higher on the outside of the ear, improves acoustics and blends discreetly with your personal style.
- The Widex SmartRIC has excellent battery life: up to 37 hours on a single charge! And the unique mic placement in the newly-designed hearing aid better picks up on conversation partners.
- Other features include reduced wind and handling noise, Bluetooth capability, and accessories like TV Play, a compact remote control, and a portable charger that can do 5 consecutive charges without being plugged in.
Designed by those who know it best
One of the best things about these new technologies is that people with hearing loss are leading the way in their development. In an interview with Hearing Tracker, GN ReSound Principal Engineer Thomas Olsgaard, one of the first hearing aid engineers to collaborate with Bluetooth SIG on the Auracast concept, said: “One special thing about [Auracast] is that the hearing industry and people with hearing impairment are getting this technology first. The Bluetooth LE and Auracast technologies are literally driven by the needs of people with hearing loss. So, do I like this as a hearing aid engineer? Yes, indeed!”
While it may take some time for venues to get up to speed with Auracast technology, it’s definitely something to keep in mind if you’re considering new hearing aids. As with many of its applications, many people are waiting to see just what Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be able to do — and where it might fall short. But in many technological applications, such as the second chip in the Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio model that clarifies speech for the wearer, AI is proving its value as a useful tool.
It does make you wonder…what will they think of next?
Schedule an appointment to learn more about the latest hearing aid innovations and how they can help you hear your best.