Sonova announces two new hearing aid platforms, including the first hearing aid with real-time AI to address most pressing need in hearing loss
Source: EQS
Media Release Understanding speech in background noise (‘speech-in-noise’ problem) is the most pressing need to solve for people with hearing loss. Sonova is now addressing this challenge with the launch of Phonak Audéo Sphere™ Infinio, a unique hearing aid using real-time Artificial Intelligence (AI)1. Its proprietary AI chip instantly separates clear speech from background noise and allowed users in a clinical study to more than double their speech understanding in noisy environments, compared to current products in the market2. In parallel, Sonova is also launching the Phonak Audéo Infinio platform3. This new family of hearing aids marks the Group’s biggest release to date. According to the Staefa ( About the Phonak Audéo Infinio platform and portfolio Next to the new hearing instrument, Phonak is also launching the broad Phonak Infinio platform, which is powered by the new ultra-responsive Phonak ERA™ chip. This chip redefines standards for sound quality, power management and connectivity, resulting in reduced listening effort and fatigue8 for users, while significantly extending Bluetooth connection reach. The technology includes:
About the Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio platform Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio is the first hearing aid powered by dual-chip AI technology. In addition to the ERA chip, the device also includes DEEPSONIC, a dedicated real-time AI / Deep Neutral Network (AI / DNN) chip from Sonova's proprietary research and development. This has enabled a breakthrough in the long standing goal to provide optimal speech understanding in background noise, addressing the ‘speech-in-noise’ problem. The dedicated real-time AI / Deep Neutral Network (AI/DNN) DEEPSONIC chip provides the computational architecture optimized for DNNs (Deep Neural Networks) to address the ‘speech-in-noise’ problem. It has 53 times more processing power compared to current hearing aid industry chip technology11,12, which allows it to instantly separate clear speech from background noise in a fundamentally different way from the AI used in existing hearing instruments1. The user experiences significantly improved speech understanding and ease of understanding from any direction, allowing people to engage in dynamic group conversations2 without needing to constantly move their head. The hearing instruments industry has undergone important technological developments in the last 30 years that have continuously improved user benefit, while also addressing unmet hearing needs. As the global leader, Sonova has played a crucial role in these technological breakthroughs, including: the first directional microphone technology, Bluetooth connectivity, rechargeable instruments and the use of AI for personalized fitting. Real-time AI now promises an even more profound improvement for people affected by hearing loss, as it directly deals with the key challenge: understanding speech in background noise. Its use will pave the way for the next generation of technological advancements in the hearing aids industry. Addressing hearing loss early is important - according to the For more details on Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio and the Infinio portfolio please refer to the global Phonak media release: https://www.sonova.com/en/media/phonak-elevates-sound-quality-new-infinio-portfolio-introducing-paradigm-shift-real-time-ai **ENDS** 1 Real-time AI means that the AI DNN (Deep Neutral Network) has been trained on sound samples to separate speech from background noise by processing the audio signal in real-time. This approach is fundamentally different from the use of AI for sound or acoustic scene classification, which is used in current hearing aids in the market. The real-time AI signal processing is performed by the DEEPSONIC™ chip, which is included in the Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio platform together with the Phonak ERA™ chip. 2 Wright, A., et al. (2024). Spheric Speech Clarity applies DNN signal processing to significantly improve speech understanding from any direction and reduce the listening effort. 3 The Phonak Audéo Infinio platform includes a single microchip: the Phonak ERA chip. 4 The 5 Why hearing health matters: https://www.phonak.com/en-int/well-hearing/hearing-health 6 Lin, F., et al. (2023, 7 Planned launch dates: US and 8 Latzel, M., et al. (2024) “Speech Enhancer reduces listening effort and fatigue.” 9 Stewart, E., et al. "Adaptive Phonak Digital (APD) 3.0 is the preferred first fit compared to a leading competitor device". 10 The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by 11 Åleskog, C., et al. (2022, 12 Reuther, A., et al. (2019, 13 Cost includes health sector costs (excluding the cost of hearing devices), costs of educational support, loss of productivity and societal costs. Of these costs, 57% are attributed to low- and middle-income countries. 14 The Contacts: Investor Relations Thomas Bernhardsgrütter +41 58 928 33 44 About Sonova Sonova operates through four businesses – Hearing Instruments, Audiological Care, Consumer Hearing and Cochlear Implants – and the core brands Phonak, Unitron, AudioNova, Sennheiser (under license) and Advanced Bionics as well as recognized regional brands. The Group’s globally diversified sales and distribution channels serve an ever growing consumer base in more than 100 countries. In the 2023/24 financial year, the Group generated sales of For more information please visit www.sonova.com. Disclaimer
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Language: | English |
Company: | |
Laubisrütistrasse 28 | |
8712 Stäfa | |
Phone: | +41 58 928 33 33 |
E-mail: | ir@sonova.com |
Internet: | www.sonova.com |
ISIN: | CH0012549785 |
Valor: | 12549785 |
Listed: | |
EQS News ID: | 1961431 |
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1961431 06.08.2024 CET/CEST