Science and Technology

Lyratone Leads Revolution in Hearing Aid Technology with Software-Defined Hearing

BEIJING, May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a groundbreaking advancement in auditory technology, Lyratone has announced substantial developments in the realm of Software-Defined Hearing (SDH), a pioneering step in the 4th Generation of Hearing Aids.

A Flourishing Market for Hearing Aids

Recent reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2024 reveal that over 5% of the global population, which translates to approximately 430 million individuals, now require rehabilitative support to manage their disabling hearing loss. This statistic includes about 34 million children. Forecasts suggest that by the mid-21st century, nearly one in every ten people will suffer from disabling hearing loss, signifying a figure upwards of 700 million individuals. Among those over 60 years old, more than a quarter experience disabling hearing loss, indicating a growing demand for hearing aids as the global population ages.

From Analog to Smart: The Evolution of Hearing Aids

The commercial sale of hearing aids embarked on its journey in the mid-1900s, evolving through technological ingenuity and design innovation:

• Analog Hearing Aids emerged as the first generation, with their roots in the late 19th and the early 20th centuries.

• The advent of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology heralded the second-generation hearing aids, which advanced from the latter part of the 20th century into the dawn of the 21st. Corporations such as Oticon, Phonak, and Starkey were key in the development and popularization of DSP hearing aids.

• The third generation saw the incorporation of wireless connectivity into hearing aids. Firms like Phonak, ReSound, and Widex blazed the trail with Bluetooth capabilities, allowing seamless connections to smartphones. At this juncture, Lyratone adopted a novel research and development strategy, focusing on Software-Defined Hearing, effectively combining hearing aid functionality with Bluetooth technology.

• The innovation led to the fourth generation, or Smart Hearing Aids, integrating sophisticated Artificial Intelligence algorithms, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing. These devices dynamically tailor to the user's auditory preferences and surrounding soundscapes for a customized and enriching auditory experience. This generation witnessed the development of two main paths: traditional ASIC architecture, used by the majority, including Oticon and Widex, and the Software-Defined Hearing approach, spearheaded by Lyratone.

The Breakthrough of Software-Defined Hearing

From the inception until the third generation, the industry relied heavily on ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) technology, where functionality was hitched directly to the hardware. Despite the benefits of performance optimization and reduced power consumption, ASIC technology faced several challenges, including high costs, lengthy development periods, rigidity in design once manufactured, and susceptibility to obsolescence due to rapid technological evolution.

These constraints severely limited advancements, especially in the realm of Smart Hearing Aids. In contrast, the fourth generation demanded a chipset technology that was not only flexible and open for integration but also cost-effective and powerful from a computational perspective. Traditional ASIC-based chipsets struggled with these evolving requirements.

Lyratone started pioneering Software-Defined Hearing back in 2018 to overcome these hurdles, creating a paradigm shift in hearing aid technology. While ASIC technology integrates hearing functions directly into the circuitry, Software-Defined Hearing abstracts these functionalities into a separate software layer, enabling customized audio experiences adjusted for individual needs and varying hearing conditions. Continuous technology improvements mean that such hearing aids can receive over-the-air updates, enjoying indefinite enhancements from the latest advances in hearing algorithm technology.

Lyratone's Software-Defined Hearing Solutions

In its visionary move, Lyratone introduced the concept and architecture of Software-Defined Hearing (SDH) in 2018, aiming to revolutionize auditory assistance with unprecedented customization capabilities. These next-generation devices adjust in real-time to different degrees of hearing impairment and surrounding noisy environments, ensuring users always have the best possible hearing experience.

Lyratone's SDH technology enables comprehensive control over sound processing functions through software rather than hardware. This includes wide dynamic range compression (WDRC), noise reduction, feedback suppression, and personalized fitting and tuning of the hearing devices. By abstracting traditional hardware-dependent functions into software, Lyratone has effectively redefined the hearing aid landscape.

During SDH development, Lyratone leveraged chipsets based on 14nm CMOS technology, vastly superior to the 65nm technology predominating in traditional ASIC chipsets. This upgrade has permitted the integration of a broader spectrum of sophisticated hearing algorithms, ultimately refining the auditory experience for users. Additionally, any limitations of ASIC concerning performance and power consumption have been rectified, matching the 3ms latency standard.

The Industry's Monumental Shift Towards Software-Defined Hearing

Comparable to the seismic shifts from feature phones to smartphones in the telecommunications sector and from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles in the automotive industry, Software-Defined Hearing represents a similar tectonic shift within the hearing aids market. This transition is fueled by innovative technologies and a software-centric approach to product development.

As a vertically integrated hearing aids solution provider, Lyratone extends its prowess beyond hearing algorithm software to encompass different categories of hearing aids. Their Software-Defined Hearing technology has been instrumental in crafting a variety of medical-grade hearing devices. These include air-conduction and bone-conduction types, as well as styles spanning from receiver-in-canal (RIC), behind-the-ear, True Wireless Stereo (TWS), to open-fit designs. Such a comprehensive suite ensures that enterprise customers have access to effective hearing solutions tailored to their needs.

Guided by the ethos of "Better hearing for better life," Lyratone continues to push the boundaries of technological innovation within the industry. Their core focus on the 'software-defined hearing' engine is part of an overarching goal to deliver superior products and services, thereby enriching the lives of millions of people with hearing impairments. Through improved sound quality and a reconnection with the auditory world, Lyratone empowers individuals to fully participate in life's experiences.

Lyratone is dedicated to responding to queries and providing further assistance regarding their innovative offerings. For additional information or inquiries, interested parties can reach out at [email protected].

SOURCE Lyratone Technologies, lnc.

[Click here to email Lyratone](mailto:[email protected])

The latest developments in Software-Defined Hearing, as introduced by Lyratone, signify not only a step forward for the company but also a leap for the industry as a whole. As the world marches towards a technology-driven future, the hearing impaired are assured of not being left behind, thanks in part to the innovative strides taken by companies like Lyratone.

(In the image, please visualize the advanced Lyratone hearing aid with smart technology.)

(Placeholder for Lyratone's logo image)

For more information about Lyratone and their contributions to the hearing aid industry, please visit their official site.