Even after receiving hearing aids, some people may struggle to follow conversations in bustling environments. Researchers at Boston University have developed technology that may help improve word recognition accuracy in noisy situations by up to 40 percentage points.
Hearing aids may struggle to filter out background sounds in noisy environments, which is known as the “cocktail party problem.” Boston University researchers found that hearing aids often include noise-reduction algorithms and directional microphones that emphasize sounds from the front.
The Boston University team has developed a new hearing aid technology called BOSSA, which stands for biologically oriented sound segregation algorithm. It’s inspired by the brain’s approach to processing sound waves, which uses inhibitory neurons to suppress unwanted noises.
BOSSA uses spatial cues, such as the volume and timing of a sound, to sharpen or muffle them, allowing hearing aid users to engage in the conversations they’re following fully.
Boston University researchers are now in the initial stages of testing an upgraded version of the algorithm that uses eye-tracking technology to help hearing aid users better direct their listening attention.
If you want to explore the latest hearing technology, Hearing Wellness Center’s audiology team is here to help. We’ll partner with you to make sure you get the most out of your hearing aids, so you can fully participate in the conversations that mean the most to you. Schedule a consultation today to begin.