Project Hardware

Management: Dr. Volkmar Hamacher, Siemens Audiologische Technik


Topic:

Improving hearing aid technology to increase the acceptance of hearing systems

Outline:

In the past two years, important and fundamental principles for improving hearing aid technology were created within HörTech's Project I. With Dr. Torsten Niederdränk (Siemens Audiological Technology) managing, signal processing as well as hardware-based concepts for improving hearing systems were successfully persued. Principally, two directions characterize the project's goals. Besides increasing acceptance via improved sound, fit and operation, a hardware platform to be used as a pocket prototype will be made available for developments in other HörTech projects.  After observing electroacoustic transformers (microphone and headphones) as well as the construction of sound canal, ventilation and damping, solutions for a serious improvement in sound characteristics were found in previous project phases.

In addition, non-technical aspects were considered. New forms for hearing aids were developed. Interesting results are the so-called "on-your-ear" devices, which can be worn like jewelry, and the "in-your-ear" models, which are located behind the antitragus. The aim of our efforts was not only to produce theoretical improvements, but to also show them in prototype form. Special emphasis was additionally placed on evaluating acceptance and benefits in focus group analyses and user tests.

Two of the prototypes constructed are currently under heavy testing. In supporting other HörTech projects dealing with signal processing, customization strategies, etc., hardware was developed and provided on the one hand and on the other, a transfer of know-how took place. One platform for efficient procedures is the so-called  "MASTER Hearing-Aid". It is a wearable central processing unit with a coupled analog-digital frontend which can be tested using new signal processing and adjustment algorithms under realistic conditions. Of course it must be asked which benefits severely hearing impaired citizens have from these developments? There should be be one and only one answer to this question: Their quality of life will be increased by improved usage and greater acceptance of hearing systems.