Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing

We review Assistive Technology for Hearing Impairment in the aspects of sign language, hearing aids, hearing implants, alerting devices, listening systems, CART-Captioning-Interpretation, learning devices, hearing amplifiers, and communication supportive technology.

In every section we start with the general information on the issues and approach of AT, history of development and challenges, then present the available ATs and solutions, and finally conclude with the innovations, research, and future of the respective ATs.

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Leading Providers of Hearing Aids, Implants and Devices

The leading Hearing Aids companies with various styles of products and ranges of technologies include (in alphabetical order)

Solutions from Alps

Alps

Alps is a leader in hearing technology, and we are devoted to helping you involve, communicate, participate more in what you like to do every day. The combination of expertise in hearing technology and a strong cooperative with the hearing healthcare professionals allows ALPS to make a substantial improvement in the quality of life, especially of individuals with hearing impairment.

ALPS was established in 1980, with its head office at New Delhi, India, with a dedicated team of skilled individuals sharing a common vision – to build and distribute the finest products, while offering outstanding service with integrity and value. 

Axon

Established in 2002, Zhongshan Xiaolan Town Senlan Electronic Factory is a professional manufacturer specialized in all kinds of medical hearing aid, sound amplifier and other health care related products which sets research, development and sales into one. 

AXON is our brand which is well known for the hearing aids market 

Nucleus® Smart App

Designed specifically for the Cochlear™ Nucleus® 7 and Kanso® 2 Sound Processors, the Nucleus Smart App allows recipients to adjust their sound processor settings across a range of different environments directly from a compatible iPhone® or iPod touch®, or from compatible Android™ devices using the Cochlear Wireless Phone Clip.1

Android, iOs

Cochlear Limited

Cochlear Limited is a  global leader in implantable hearing solutions. They have provided more than 600,000 implantable devices, helping people of all ages to lead full and active lives. Their mission is:

Cochlear Products include


The core of the new sound experience is the SmartSound® iQ technologies, which is designed to help adults and children hear better in any environment. The BI300 delivers a 99% reliability rate, which means that the implant will remain stable for years to come. 


The Osia System utilizes humans’ natural ability to conduct sound through bone, helping an adult or child hear speech in difficult, noisy situations1 where people tell us they struggle the most.

The Sounding Board is designed to help patients, friends and family, and Professionals navigate the full spectrum of hearing loss. By providing insight on everything from general hearing loss topics to the specific experiences of individuals regaining hearing health in innovative ways. 

Envoy Medical

Envoy Medical started a vision to create life-changing hearing technologies for people who need them. 

We all have a unique “why,” which leads to living a meaningful life. Our commitment is to partner with you on your journey transcending hearing loss

Envoy provides four categories of Hearing Solutions:

Esteem's Natural Hearing Functionality

Solution for Tinnitus with Tie, Alfa3 and Alfa2

Tinnitus, always had made human life uncomfortable, uneasy and difficult with its 5,000 years of known history. There was no solution because it had no medicine, there was no solution because it had no successful therapy.

Helix is ​​now ending the unresolved problem with clinically proven technology. Helix has a prosperous transitioning to modern era with Tinnitus solutions with the development of frequency isolation system which has up to 90% success rate.

MED-EL Medical Electronics

MED-EL Medical Electronics has been the hearing pioneer since 1977, when Dr. Ingeborg Hochmair, CEO started the modern cochlear implant along with her husband Erwin. Since then, MED-EL has grown into a global company with over 2,300 brilliant minds from around the world, led by a management team with 450 years of experience between them. The innovative spirit and commitment to research mean that today they offer hearing solutions for every type of hearing loss.

Cochlear Implant Audio Processor

SONNET / SONNET 2 / RONDO / RONDO 2 / RONDO 3 / OPUS 2

EAS Audio Processor

SONNET EAS / SONNET EAS 2

VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE & BONEBRIDGE Audio Processor

SAMBA / SAMBA 2

Bone Conduction System

ADHEAR

Cochlear Implant

SYNCHRONY 2

Middle Ear Implant

VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE

Bone Conduction Implant

BONEBRIDGE

Oticon Medical

Oticon Medical is a hearing aid manufacturer based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Oticon Medical’s story started with Hans Demant’s mission in 1904 with Demant A/S. Hans wanted to help his wife Camilla lead a better life, unhindered by her hearing loss. He accomplished this with one of the first electronic hearing aids in the world.

Oticon's solutions include:

Neuro cochlear implant system comprises an external and internal part

Demant has negotiated an agreement with the intention to divest its Hearing Implants business, Oticon Medical, to Cochlear. The contemplated transaction follows a review of strategic options for the business area, including how to ensure the best lifelong support of existing patients.

Ototronix

Ototronix: MAXUM is a revolutionary technology from Ototronix that provides significant benefits over hearing aids by providing more clarity while reducing feedback and occlusion. 

The MAXUM System is a hearing implant which includes a small magnetic titanium device and an advanced sound processor.  The implant is placed in the middle ear with a simple, minimally invasive procedure and the sound processor is discreetly worn in the ear canal.  

The advanced sound processor uses electromagnetic energy to vibrate the implant which directly stimulates the inner ear or cochlea.   This direct cochlear stimulation provides cleaner, crisper sound quality and more amplification without feedback.  This allows for improved audibility and speech understanding. 

Sonova Facts

Sonova

Sonova is a global leader in innovative hearing care solutions: from personal audio devices and wireless communication systems to audiological care services, hearing aids and cochlear implants. The Group was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Stäfa, Switzerland. Sonova operates through four businesses and multiple brands.

Advanced Bionics

Advanced Bionics is a global leader in developing the most advanced cochlear implant systems in the world. Acquired by Sonova Holding AG and working with Phonak since 2009, AB develops cutting-edge cochlear implant technology that restores hearing to those with severe-to-profound hearing loss.

With operations in over 50 countries and a track record for developing high-performing, state-of-the-art products, AB’s talented, group of technologists and professionals are driven to succeed, work with integrity, and stay firmly committed to quality while delivering unmatched customer service.

The products of Advanced Bionics include

Phonak

Phonak hearing aids and wireless accessories


Features


Accessories


Apps

myPhonak

The all-in-one app for a more personalized hearing experience.

Android, iOs

myPhonak Junior

The world within your hands with the new myPhonak Junior app, which is easy-to-use and designed specifically for children!

Android, iOs

Serenity Choice Work hearing protection is designed for noisy working environments such as machine shops, farming, road building, construction, etc.

Phonak Leo

Use this interactive version of Leo’s book for iPad to enjoy Leo’s adventures on the go and to share his stories on-screen with families and friends. This app is free and available in 8 languages.

iOs

myRogerMic

Control and adjust your Roger On microphone from a distance and select the most appropriate mode fulfilling your needs in a completely discrete way.

Android, iOs

Serenity Choice Music reduces the level of sound by 17 dB making music as loud as 102 dB safe to listen to for up to 8 hours.

Digital Rechargeable Aids with Bluetooth Support and Tinnitus Relief

Mild, moderate and severe hearing loss

ReSound ONE

BTE 

ReSound LiNX Quattro

BTE / BTE:RIE / ITE:IIC 

The mini RIE style of the hearing aid is only 24.8 mm in length – shorter than a pen cap

Severe-to-profound hearing loss

ReSound ENZO Q

BTE

All types of hearing loss

ReSound Key

BTE / BTE:RIE / ITE:IIC

ReSound

ReSound is part of The GN Group, the global leader in intelligent audio solutions that let you hear more, do more and be more than you ever thought possible. We place people with hearing loss at the heart of everything we do. ReSound constantly strives to develop better solutions that help people rediscover hearing so they can live rich, active and fulfilling lives. 

History

With roots that reach all the way back to 1943, ReSound has pioneered the hearing aid industry and delivered a number of hearing industry firsts. ReSound was the first to deliver 2.4GHz technology in hearing aids for direct connectivity and the world's first Made for iPhone hearing aid with direct stereo sound streaming. 

ReSound is represented in more than 80 countries around the world.

Organic Hearing

The ReSound Organic Hearing philosophy lets you connect to the world around you in the most intuitive and natural way.


We make this happen by developing hearing solutions that work with your individual ear anatomy to more closely mimic how sounds are naturally collected and delivered to your brain. This frees up your brain's 'hard drive' for other activities rather than having to concentrate all your energy on listening.


With a foundation of Organic Hearing, our hearing aids deliver the whole sound picture, so you can select the sounds you want to listen to – and tone down the ones you don't.

Innovation Milestones

Signia

Signia is one of the leading hearing aid brands in the world. Our goal is to enhance human performance through iconic innovations that shape the prescription audio category.

We refuse to accept hearing loss as a limitation. It’s not about correcting a loss, it‘s about gaining an edge. Not just performing, performing brilliantly. Not just hearing again, but hearing better than ever. Hearing every word, beat, and breath.

Hearing Aids

Signia App

The Signia app gives you everything you need to enjoy your hearing aids to the full, and all tailored to your personal preferences: audio streaming, remote control and remote support. 

Android, iOs

Thrive Hearing Control

Monitor your Engagement and Activity tracking with your smartphone.

Android, iOs

Thrive Care

Lets family or care team view information you share via Thrive Hearing.

Android, iOs

Starkey

William F. Austin is the Founder, Principal Owner and Chairman of Starkey. In 1970, he purchased a three-employee company for $13,000 called Starkey Laboratories to start the journey of Starkey. More than 50 years later, Bill’s business acumen has grown Starkey into what it is today: the only American-owned and operated global hearing aid manufacturer. Starkey continues to set itself apart in the industry through its quality, service and innovation.

When it comes to better hearing innovation, you can expect effortless.

Livio hearing aids work seamlessly with accessories and your favorite digital devices to help you connect to your world.

Not only does Livio AI sound incredible, but as the world’s first Healthable hearing aid, it enables users to take a proactive approach to their hearing and wellness with brain and body activity tracking, and more. 

And the Mask Mode feature helps make it easier to hear people who are wearing face masks.

With Livio Edge AI, the power of artificial intelligence is at your fingertips, giving you never-before-possible sound performance in the most challenging listening environments.

Our Picasso custom hearing aids fit your unique ear anatomy precisely, delivering comfort and clarity that can't be beat.

Relax - Tinnitus Relief

Android, iOs

SoundCheck Hearing Test

Android, iOs

Starkey Brands