The Hindu News Update Service
News Update Service
Friday, August 7, 2009 : 1040 Hrs
Sci. & Tech.
Software implant improves sound clarity in hearing aids
Washington (IANS): A new software for cochlear implants and hearing aids
greatly improves sound clarity and speech recognition for the hard-of-hearing,
says a new study.
"Hearing-impaired people have a real problem understanding speech," said Miriam
Furst-Yust of Tel Aviv University (TAU), who developed the new software.
"Their devices may be useful in a quiet room, but once the background noise
levels ramp up, the devices become less useful. Our algorithm helps filter out
irrelevant noise so they can better understand the voices of their friends and
family," said Furst-Yust.
Based on a cochlear model that she devised, the new patented technology known
as Clearcall is now being fine-tuned to improve the capabilities of existing
cochlear implants and digital hearing aids.
Adding Clearcall to current technology is quite straightforward and requires
only add-on software for existing devices.
The software was originally developed for use in cell phones, but Clearcall
introduced distortions that people with normal hearing found distracting. That's
when Furst-Yust started applying the methodology to hearing aids.
"It takes some getting used to," she said, "but people who have been wearing
hearing aids all their lives have no problem getting the most from Clearcall.
And we can train the newly hearing impaired in a quick introductory session."
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