How Modern Technology is Changing Life for the Hearing Impaired

Across the globe, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 360 million people suffer from hearing loss. As a worldwide problem, technologies for the hearing impaired are at the forefront of innovation. Amongst the forerunners of changing technology include artificial intelligence, deep learning, and augmented reality.

Artificial Intelligence Opening Up Two-Way Communications

A common trend for artificial intelligence developers is opening up a two-way communications string. What this means is that no longer will we only input information into a system, the system will spit out information back to us that is generated through complex algorithms. This has implications for hearing impaired services that have just begun to be explored.

Some forward-thinking companies have already developed software that translates American Sign Language (ASL) into speech and then from speech, back to text. Two-way communications provide easier methods for the hearing impaired to communicate with the hearing world.

Deep Learning Provides Personalized Hearing Aides

Deep learning is a form of machine learning where features are extracted and transformed. While deep learning can be utilized for complex mathematical and financial calculations, deep learning also plays a role in the software behind hearing aids.

Imagine the hearing aid being able to extract unnecessary sounds that make selective attention impossible for the hearer. This is known as the cocktail party effect, where many sounds in a busy room are essentially ignored for the hearer to understand what is actually going on.

Deep learning will allow hearing aides become better and more personalized as the hearer continues to use it. This personalization is key since many hearing impaired individuals have varying degrees of deafness. One such company that personalizes programs for the hearing impaired is hearservice.

Augmented Reality a Solution For Next Generation's Hearing Impaired

Augmented reality is a hot topic in the world of gaming and entertainment. Many companies such as Nintendo and Sony have taken an interest in the potential for augmented reality, which takes the physical world and adds computer-generated images to it. However, augmented reality is a viable technology for the healthcare world as well.

A trend for current forward thinking technology companies is to develop augmented reality into products designed for education and training. This technology can have a profound difference in the education for the hearing impaired. Such products may include augmented reality textbooks, smart boards, and videos. Further, augmented reality is a relatively low-cost measure for the user.