Starkey, a leader in hearing technology, recently announced the launch of its groundbreaking Edge AI hearing aids, which integrate sophisticated hearing assistance with health tracking functionalities. At the product’s unveiling in Minneapolis, CEO Brandon Sawalich emphasized the innovative transition in hearing technology. He stated, ‘Think of the ear as the new wrist,’ positioning the new device as more than just a hearing aid.

The Edge AI features fall detection and balance assessment, marking Starkey’s commitment to enhancing overall health through hearing technology. Sawalich believes that ‘Hearing health is important. It’s just not something people think about until it’s gone.’

Founded in 1967, Starkey has made significant strides in hearing technology, particularly since hiring Achin Bhowmik as chief technology officer in 2017 to explore artificial intelligence (AI) integration. Sawalich referred to the early attempts as ‘moonshot thinking’, targeting more innovative advancements in technology beyond incremental improvements.

The evolution began with Livio AI in 2018, which was described as ‘the first generation’ of AI-integrated hearing aids. Sawalich explained, ‘They could only do so much that technology allows. We’ve been working on Edge AI, really, since 2018.’ Subsequent products included Evolv AI and Genesis AI, each pushing the boundaries of sound processing and automated adjustments.

Enhancing Hearing and Cognitive Health

The Edge AI hearing aids address a wide range of hearing disabilities, offering personalized settings configured by healthcare professionals. Consumers can select from different modes, like enhanced speech or noise reduction. Sawalich noted, ‘Through our app, the patient can choose the environment they’re in, and the AI is learning and adapting.’

Starkey’s materials emphasize the additional 6 decibels of noise reduction and 13 dB signal-to-noise ratio improvement that Edge AI provides compared to previous models. Cast in a new light, the AI can differentiate between significant sounds, like conversation, and distractions to optimize the listening experience.

Powered by G2 Neuro Processing Unit technology, the Edge AI hearing aids boast 30% improved accuracy in speech detection compared to earlier versions. ‘We have to find the sounds that people are missing,’ Sawalich articulated, emphasizing cognitive fitness through enhanced sound processing, crucial in combating the effects of hearing loss on mental health.

Fall Prevention and Health Monitoring

In addition to auditory enhancements, Edge AI includes a fall assessment feature, where sensors analyze gait to compute fall risks. ‘Our hearing keeps us balanced because, subconsciously, we can hear our feet on the rug,’ Sawalich explained. This innovation aims to curb the risks faced by individuals with hearing impairments.

The system allows users to program emergency contacts to receive alerts in the event of a fall. Beyond fall detection, the Edge AI hearing aids also track physical activities and remind users to take medications, with plans to incorporate even more health insights, such as heart rate and mental health monitoring.

A Personal Assistant for Users

The Edge AI gadgets extend beyond hearing aid functionalities, resembling smartwatches in their health tracking abilities. Sawalich illustrated this by saying, ‘If they want, they could stream the Vikings game to their hearing aids,’ showcasing the device’s broad utility, including streaming audio from televisions and phone calls.

Moreover, sustainability is a key focus, as these devices can translate over 70 languages when used with the My Starkey app, enhancing communication capabilities regardless of language barriers. Sawalich envisioned Edge AI as ‘your personal assistant that’s helping you make your day just a little bit easier.’

The launch of Edge AI not only represents a technological leap for hearing aids but also subtly reminds us of the integral role our ears play in navigating health and social interaction. Will Starkey continue to expand its offerings and redefine hearing technology? The future looks certainly promising.