Learn how Apple helped boost the use of hearing aids

Last week, we talked about the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor, the first implant / hearing aid created by the company Cochlear in partnership with Apple, using native iOS controls.

Although this company was the first to apply this, what Ma did was to provide a free protocol that can be used by any other company that wants to take advantage of the technology. In a new subject of WIRED, Steven Levy cited examples of use and also told some details about this novelty.

A breakthrough in accessibility for people with hearing loss. Proud of our team's work with @CochlearUS http://apple.co/2uW72wD @WIRED

Previously, Bluetooth LE (Low energy) was already used to connect hearing aids to other devices and exchange data. But in 2014, who knows why it just appeared now, Apple created Bluetooth LEA (Low Energy Audio), which uses the same technology for the purpose of also transmitting audio in excellent quality, without consuming so much of the device's battery (something very important due to the size of the batteries of these devices / hearing implants).

We chose Bluetooth LE technology because that was the smallest radio power we have on our phones. We spent a lot of time adjusting this feature to meet the requirements of the battery technology used in hearing aids and cochlear implants.

Sriram Hariharan, engineering manager for Apple's Core Bluetooth team.

This new hearing aid can take advantage of all the features that Apple has already implemented in iOS 10 for MFi devices, such as natively viewing the battery, controlling volume and even using geolocation for the device to automatically adjust when entering specific environments such as, for example , coffee makers, restaurants, etc., as stated by Wigal Solutions.

Another incredible feature presented by Ma on iOS 10 was “Ouvir ao Vivo” (Live Listen), which allows hearing impaired users to use the iGadget to focus the audio picked up by the device in a specific direction. This helps, for example, when the environment is very noisy and there are many sounds being picked up.

Check out the video for a demonstration of how amazing:

In addition to all this, with the devices, users can connect the iPhone normally to the implant and listen to content such as music, podcasts, videos, audiobooks, FaceTime calls, chat with Siri, among other things.

The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is splash-proof and, with the Aqua + protective cover (sold separately), it becomes totally waterproof. It is only compatible with Apple devices, but it is possible to play audio from devices running Android with the Cochlear Wireless Phone Clip, another company product.

It is worth remembering that this type of device is for those who suffer from hearing loss (moderate to profound) and have had surgery to have a cochlear implant (find out the difference here).

Although there is a very strong resistance in deaf culture, those who were born listening can suffer a lot from the loss of audio. For those who choose to have surgery and in order to try to recover some of the audio, the reports of the users of this device in particular have been very positive.

The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor hits stores in October.

via AppleInsider