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Hearing Aids

All articles tagged with #hearing aids

EssilorLuxottica Launches Nuance Audio Plus: FDA-Cleared Hearing Glasses with 10-Hour Battery
tech17 days ago

EssilorLuxottica Launches Nuance Audio Plus: FDA-Cleared Hearing Glasses with 10-Hour Battery

EssilorLuxottica has launched the Nuance Audio Plus, a new iteration of its FDA-cleared smart glasses designed as discreet hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. Priced at $829, the new model offers up to 10 hours of battery life, improved voice clarity, and new on-frame controls, including a power slider and volume buttons. The glasses feature two audio modes: 'Frontal' for face-to-face conversations and 'All-Around' for ambient sound, along with three levels of background noise reduction. Unlike competitors, the Nuance Audio Plus lacks cameras and AI features, prioritizing accessibility and a standard-glasses appearance. The original Nuance Audio model remains available at $699.

Brain maintains a seamless attention continuum when switching between voices in noisy environments
science21 days ago

Brain maintains a seamless attention continuum when switching between voices in noisy environments

New EEG-based research shows that when people rapidly switch listening between speakers in noisy environments, the brain momentarily overlaps neural representations of both voices for about 1–2 seconds, creating a smooth 'attention continuum' that helps follow conversations; these insights could guide neurally controlled hearing aids and deepen understanding of individual listening strategies in real-world settings.

Anker Debuts AI-Powered Soundcore Line Led by Space 2 Pro at IFA 2026
technology1 month ago

Anker Debuts AI-Powered Soundcore Line Led by Space 2 Pro at IFA 2026

Anker at IFA 2026 unveiled a broad AI-driven audio lineup powered by its Thus chip, led by the Soundcore Space 2 Pro headphones with an eight-sensor array for enhanced ANC and real-time voice separation; Space 2 Pro and Liberty Buds 2 launch September 22 for $200 and $130 respectively. The open-ear AeroClip 2/Pro earbuds add AI features including transcription on the Pro model. The range also includes Sleep Earbuds 4/Pro with sleep tracking and RIC Hearing Aids that use Thus AI for noise suppression and fast charging, delivering up to 36 hours of battery life with the case.

Student startup unveils ultra-cheap, battery-free hearing aid to boost access
technology3 months ago

Student startup unveils ultra-cheap, battery-free hearing aid to boost access

Three McMaster University students launched Amano to democratize hearing care with a battery-free, over-the-counter device that could cost about $20 per pair. The purely mechanical design amplifies sound without batteries or electronics and is shaped like an earbud to reduce stigma. After testing on about 50 ears, they’re seeking formal study approval and awaiting regulatory input as Ontario reviews OTC hearing aids; British Columbia has already approved OTC sales. With roughly 1.5 billion people affected by hearing loss today and up to 2.5 billion by 2050, affordable solutions are increasingly urgent, though experts caution OTC devices should include proper assessments to distinguish mild loss from other treatable issues.

AirPods Pro 3 hit rare Best Buy sale at $179.99, boosting Apple earbud bargains
technology3 months ago

AirPods Pro 3 hit rare Best Buy sale at $179.99, boosting Apple earbud bargains

Best Buy drops the AirPods Pro 3 to $179.99 (from $249), a rare sale on a relatively new Apple earbuds praised for noise cancellation and Apple‑only features like spatial audio and Siri access; the piece also notes their potential as affordable hearing‑aid‑style support, alongside other deals like the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Shokz OpenFit 2.

CR Ranks Hearing Aid Brands: Five Best and Five Worst Revealed
technology6 months ago

CR Ranks Hearing Aid Brands: Five Best and Five Worst Revealed

Consumer Reports evaluated 20 hearing aid brands across 10 categories using feedback from over 13,000 people, naming Philips, Jabra, Rexton, Phonak, and Oticon as the best five and Audibel, Miracle Ear, Signia (Siemens), Beltone, and MDHearing as the worst five. The article notes wide price ranges and model variation, highlights pros and cons across comfort, clarity, battery life, and service, and emphasizes that no specific models are recommended.

Hearing loss and dementia: a complex link, not a proven cause
health7 months ago

Hearing loss and dementia: a complex link, not a proven cause

Headlines that label hearing loss as the leading midlife dementia risk can be misleading. While hearing loss often coexists with cognitive decline, there’s no clear evidence that it directly causes dementia. The population-attributable-fraction metric depends on how common hearing loss is and its association with dementia, so individual risk remains modest. Hearing aids improve daily life and social connectedness, but evidence that they prevent dementia is limited, and most research comes from high‑income countries. More inclusive research is needed, but addressing hearing loss can support brain health and independence even if it doesn’t “cure” dementia.

Hearing Aids Tied to Lower Dementia Risk Despite Limited Cognitive Gains
health8 months ago

Hearing Aids Tied to Lower Dementia Risk Despite Limited Cognitive Gains

In a 7-year analysis of 2,777 Australians aged 70+ with moderate hearing loss, prescription of hearing aids did not meaningfully improve overall cognition scores, yet those with prescriptions had a lower risk of dementia (about 5% vs 7.5%) and cognitive impairment (roughly 36% vs 42%), with greater use linked to larger risk reductions. The authors caution that residual confounding could explain the results and call for longer-term randomized studies to clarify potential brain-health benefits of hearing aid use.

AirPods Pro 3 vs. Hearing Aids: A Comparative Test
health11 months ago

AirPods Pro 3 vs. Hearing Aids: A Comparative Test

The article compares Apple's AirPods Pro 3 to traditional hearing aids, highlighting their affordability, ease of use, and effectiveness for mild to moderate hearing loss, while noting limitations in battery life and professional support. It suggests AirPods as a good first step for those hesitant to invest in traditional hearing aids, emphasizing their role in reducing stigma and improving accessibility.

AI Hearing Aids May Significantly Reduce Dementia Risk
health1 year ago

AI Hearing Aids May Significantly Reduce Dementia Risk

Research indicates that AI-powered hearing aids can significantly reduce the risk of dementia by improving hearing and social engagement in older adults, with studies showing a potential 60% risk reduction when using hearing aids. Advances in technology have made these devices more effective and user-friendly, encouraging proactive management of hearing health to support cognitive well-being.

Essential Tips and Insights for Protecting Your Hearing as You Age
health1 year ago

Essential Tips and Insights for Protecting Your Hearing as You Age

Maintaining hearing health as you age is crucial, as hearing loss is linked to increased dementia risk and social isolation. Experts recommend early testing, protecting ears from loud noises, managing health conditions, and using hearing aids or assistive devices to support brain health and social engagement. While not all hearing loss can be reversed, proactive measures can improve quality of life and potentially delay cognitive decline.