Perception, Stigma, and Ergonomics in Hearing

Let’s address the stigma "thing." Is it "awkward" to wear standard consumer earbuds (e.g., AirPods) to compensate for hearing loss? Are standard hearing aids a visible sign to informs others that a person has a disability? Are we supposed to have to explain that "these things are actually hearing aids"? This article discusses product design, hearing aids, the stigma associated with its use, and how that could complicate the ongoing convergence with consumer-oriented hearing assistance and enhancement.

Building on the existing ReSound Nexia and Beltone Serene platform, the GN Group announced its smallest wireless In-the-Canal (ITC) hearing aid in a non-rechargeable design, and a new wireless rechargeable CROS Behind-the-Ear (BTE) solution, both of which connect to Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast audio sources. In addition, GN is now offering the world's first remote microphone with Auracast, which also acts as an Auracast Assistant.

GN Hearing announced the launch of ReSound OMNIA – a new hearing aid platform that the company expects will set a new standard in hearing technology and improve how people interact with the world around them. The new technology provides significantly better hearing in noisy environments than any previous ReSound hearing aid. Coupled with optimal comfort and seamless connection to devices, these advances give people living with hearing loss a solution that will help them hear even the finest details of sound more easily.

GN Hearing and its Beltone and ReSound brands, part of GN Group, expanded its product line with the new Custom hearing aids, which are weatherproof, rechargeable, custom earbuds, that last all day on a single battery charge. GN says the new Custom hearing aids are the most advanced rechargeable product available from its brands, restoring natural hearing in a comfortable, Bluetooth-enabled design, available in modern colors. A bridge-product to make hearing-aids closer to consumer TWS earbuds.

GN Hearing unveiled a new product that delivers on the convergence between consumer electronics and audiology solutions. The new ReSound ONE Behind-the-Ear hearing aids combine the best technologies from both fields, in order to provide clarity in sound and convenient hands-free phone and FaceTime calls from iPhone and iPad. The ReSound ONE hearing aids are targeted at those with moderate to severe hearing loss.

Building on years of research and engineering in sound and hearing, GN extended its Jabra Enhance line of discreet hearing enhancement solutions with a new design that draws directly from the experience of standard true wireless earbuds. The new Jabra Enhance Plus combine hearing enhancement, music streaming and calls in state-of-the-art miniaturized earbuds with a signature design, to help millions of users meet the challenges of daily life.

When Jabra launched its Elite 65t and Elite Active 65t models at CES 2018, benefiting from the company’s expertise in wireless audio and hearing aids, it clearly established a benchmark for true wireless earbuds. This year, at IFA 2019 in Berlin, Jabra introduced the Elite 75t, featuring 50 percent more battery in a 20 percent smaller design, while still offering a premium sound and four-microphone technology for calls, fast USB-C charging, and a customizable music listening experience via the Jabra Sound+ app.

Danish group GN Hearing unveiled ReSound LiNX Quattro, characterized as a “Premium-Plus hearing aid, designed for people who want the very best that technology has to offer and desire a brilliant sound experience with great speech intelligibility even in noisy situations.” The new ReSound LiNX Quattro hearing aid is based on a completely new platform and is the smallest and longest lasting 2.4 GHz integrated Li-ion rechargeable hearing aid on the market.