
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)
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.
ALPS offers a wide variety of styles and technology levels for any type of hearing loss. Products are developed using emphasizing credible evidence to influence design, which means in our clinics we demonstrate the benefits of new technology and features before always fitting somebody with any hearing

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


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
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:
Help people hear and be heard.
Empower people to connect with others and live a full life.
Help transform the way people understand and treat hearing loss.
Innovate and bring to market a range of implantable hearing solutions that deliver a lifetime of hearing outcomes.
Cochlear Products include
Cochlear™ Nucleus® System: Small, smart and simple solutions designed to help adults and children hear their best.
Nucleus® Sound Processors are designed using Nucleus® Smart Sound Processing Technology. Whether an adult or child is in a restaurant, playground or office, they can let their sound processor do the work by automatically adapting to their environment. smartphone compatibility. Some of their available processors: Nucleus® CP802, Nucleus® Kanso®, Nucleus® 6, and Nucleus® 7.
Nucleus® Implants: Cochlear has a range of implants and electrodes for most types of hearing loss and cochlea anatomy. Discover what sets Nucleus® Implants apart.
Smart bimodal hearing solution: Hear well with both ears. Discover the smart bimodal hearing solution from Cochlear and ReSound.
Cochlear™ Baha® System: Bone conduction hearing that helps adults and children tune into the sounds of life and communicate with confidence. The Baha® system is smart, small, powerful, and compatible to enabled Apple and Android™ devices.
Baha® sound processors: The Baha® system gives adults and children options for sound hearing, with three sound processors – Baha®5 Sound Processor, Baha 5 Power Sound Processor, Baha 5 SuperPower Sound Processor - each designed to meet a different level of hearing loss.
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.
Baha® implants: There are two types of Baha® systems - Baha® Connect System (a direct connection to hearing) and Baha® Attract System (a magnetic connection to hearing). Both feature the latest Baha implant, a reliable and secure foundation for better hearing.
Baha® Softband and SoundArc™: These are non-surgical solutions for children and adults.
BAHA: Bone Anchored Hearing Aids
Cochlear™ Osia® System: A hearing implant reimagined. The discreet and comfortable Cochlear™ Osia® System is designed to perform with an adult or child's body and throughout their life.
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.
Osia® 2 Sound Processor: The slim Osia® 2 Sound Processor is discreet, lightweight, and sits off the ear. Simply place it on the head, and an adult or child is ready to go.
Osia® implant: The Osia System features a powerful implant that sits entirely under the skin. The active implant includes the Piezo Power™ transducer, which generates sound vibrations.
Accessories: Adults and children can get the most from life and all the activities they love with our sound processor accessories.
True Wireless™ devices: Some everyday activities present hearing challenges. Our True Wireless™ devices are accessories that can help improve the hearing experience. True Wireless Devices connect to the sound processor using Bluetooth® technology
Nucleus® water-safe accessories: Dive into life. Fun in and around water is easy to enjoy with Aqua+ and the Nucleus® sound processor.
Keeping your device in place: Adults and children can enjoy the activities they love without worrying about their sound processor by using extra security of the sound processors.
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:
Regain speech and communication skills
Restore relationships with friends, family, coworkers, customers and more!
Renew confidence to enjoy an active social life
Reclaim physical activities (e.g., swimming, boating, cycling, snorkeling, sea or sky diving, dancing, etc.)
Recommit to community organizations and causes they care about
Envoy provides four categories of Hearing Solutions:
Hearing Aids: Comes in almost all ranges of styles including BTE - RITE & Open Fit and ITE - IIC & CIC
Middle Ear Implant: Esteem®, the first fully implanted middle ear device can help you. The fully implanted Esteem® active middle ear implant (AMEI) is the only FDA-approved, completely internal hearing device for adults diagnosed with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss.
Esteem's Natural Hearing Functionality
Sound enters your outer ear and funnels down your ear canal causing your eardrum to vibrate. All as it as nature intended.
The Esteem Sensor then converts the vibrations into electrical signals that are sent to the implanted Esteem Sound Processor.
The Esteem Sound Processor receives, adjusts and intensifies the signals to fit your unique hearing needs.
The Esteem Driver translates these customized signals to intensified vibrations. The vibrations are transferred to the inner ear where the cochlea cells are stimulated, causing you to hear more natural sound.
The Personal Programmer lets you make adjustments for the specific hearing situation.
Cochlear Implant: The Esteem hearing implant and a traditional cochlear implant are appropriate for different levels of sensorineural hearing loss. The Esteem hearing implant is indicated for moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss, whereas a cochlear implant is typically for people with severe to profound hearing loss. Both are to be used when hearing aids are no longer working for the patient. A review of a hearing test can help determine which option would be best for your specific hearing loss.
Bone Conduction: Expected soon
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.
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:
A cochlear implant solution, the Neuro System, can be used by children and adults suffering from sensorineural hearing loss, on one or on both sides. If you have found that you are unable to get the level of hearing you need from a conventional hearing aid, the Neuro System may be the right solution for you.
Neuro cochlear implant system comprises an external and internal part
The Neuro 2 sound processor is the external part that is worn behind the ear.
The Neuro Zti implant is a small implant that is placed under the skin.
A bone conduction solution, the Ponto System, can offer you clearer, more natural-sounding hearing using your body’s own ability to transfer sound through bone. If the hearing loss is due to problems in the outer or middle ear, this solution may be right for you.
Ponto 5 sound processors follow BrainHearing™ philosophy and supports the way your brain naturally makes sense of sound.
Ponto 5 also gives you the freedom and awareness to focus on what you want with 360° sound and no audible feedback
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
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.
Hearing Instruments
Audiological Care
Consumer Hearing
Cochlear Implants
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
The Naida CI Marvel sound processor sits behind the ear. It combines proven cochlear implant technology with machine-learning technology proven to be successful in hearing aids to deliver a quality hearing experience. The Marvel also can connect to Bluetooth-enabled devices to support hands-free calling. It can be used in tandem with the AB Remote App, which allows for discreet control of your device via your phone.
The Sky CI Marvel works similarly, but is uniquely designed for a child's typical listening environments. It comes in a variety of colors and with waterproof accessories. Roger technology from Phonak helps kids hear their teachers and other key conversations.
Older products include the Neptune and Chorus processors.

Phonak
Phonak hearing aids and wireless accessories
Phonak Naída™ Paradise: BTE
Phonak Sky™ Marvel: BTE
Phonak Audéo™ Paradise: RIC
Phonak Audéo™ Marvel: RIC
Phonak Naída™ Marvel: RIC
Phonak Virto™ Marvel: ITE
Phonak Virto™ M-Titanium: ITE
Features
ActiveVent™ Receiver
Phonak Powerpack
Roger™ microphones
Roger – microphone solutions
Roger On™
Roger Table Mic II
Roger™ Touchscreen Mic
Phonak hearing aid accessories
Phonak PartnerMic™
TV Connector
Phonak RemoteControl
Phonak Charger
myPhonak app
myPhonak Junior app
Phonak Leo - interactive stories
myRogerMic app


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

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

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.

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

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
BTE
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
Exceptional sound
Full streaming
A personal approach
True reliability
Severe-to-profound hearing loss
BTE
All types of hearing loss
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
1988 - Multi-band Wide Dynamic Range Compression
2003 - Open fit
2007 - Open access directionality
2009 - Directional processing
2010 & 2013 - 2.4 GHz-based wireless technology & Made for iPhone hearing aids
2020 - ReSound ONE with M&RIE (a Microphone & Receiver-In-Ear design)
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
Styletto AX: It's more than just a hearing aid - It's your complete hearing experience
Signia Active Pro: Take your performance to the next level
Pure: The versatile rechargeable hearing aids
Motion X: Small rechargeable behind-the-ear devices which are easy to use and comfortable to wear
Silk X: The ideal hearing solution for those who value discretion above all

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.


Monitor your Engagement and Activity tracking with your smartphone.

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.
Evolv AI hearing aids boast our most exceptional Starkey Sound™ yet. With up to 55 million personalized adjustments every hour, Evolv AI is expertly designed to automatically deliver realistic and genuine sound quality in every listening environment so you can hear and enjoy life.
When it comes to better hearing innovation, you can expect effortless.
Livio hearing aids: Hear conversations clearly and effortlessly in all environments — even when people are wearing face masks — and enjoy reliable streaming performance with Livio hearing aids.
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.
Hear speech comfortably even in busy settings while unwanted noise is suppressed.
Boost speech sounds to help make it easier to hear people who are wearing face masks.
Stream crisp, clear phone calls and experience music the way it was meant to be heard.
Connect via Bluetooth® with accessories and select smartphones.
Picasso hearing aids: Starkey knows that no two ears are alike — which is why we've been the leader in custom hearing aids for over 50 years.
Our Picasso custom hearing aids fit your unique ear anatomy precisely, delivering comfort and clarity that can't be beat.

Choose from 12 soundscapes to help relieve tinnitus.
Access information about tinnitus, including symptoms, causes and treatment options.

Screen your hearing for hearing loss right from your smartphone.
Check the decibel level of any environment you’re in to see if it exceeds safe listening thresholds.
Save your hearing results to track over time or discuss with a hearing professional.
Starkey Brands
