AI-Enhanced OTC Hearing Aids

Imagine hearing every word clearly, no matter where you are. Discover how AI technology transforms OTC hearing aids with better sound and longer battery life.

Ambiq, an ultra-low-power semiconductors and edge AI solutions developer, has announced a breakthrough in over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids by integrating AI-powered speech enhancement technology using its Apollo 510 microcontroller (MCU).

This innovation advances hearing-assist devices, addressing challenges with real-time neural network processing. With the Apollo510 and neuralSPOT AI Deep Learning solutions, OTC hearing aids provide speech clarity and noise reduction through on-device audio processing.

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The OTC hearing aids use Ambiq’s AI models to improve the user’s listening experience by applying deep-learning neural networks to remove background noise and identify acoustic environments. The acoustic scene detector adjusts audio nuances that are difficult for the human ear to distinguish. Ambiq’s power-efficient compute capabilities enable these AI features, marking a step in AI advancement for hearing aids.

Key technological features include the Neural Network Speech De-Noiser (NNSD), a real-time deep learning model that isolates speech and removes background noise to improve the user experience. The Neural Network Acoustic Environment Detection (NNAED) is an AI model that detects acoustic cues to adjust audio processing based on the user’s environment.

Other features include adaptive audio software processing for clear audio, personalized sound settings based on the user’s habits and preferences, and extended battery life throughout the day.

“By radically reducing the power needs of the highly complex audio processing and AI features required by advanced hearing aids, Ambiq has eliminated the need for specialized and expensive ASICs, accelerating product cycles while reducing costs,” said Carlos Morales, Vice President of AI at Ambiq. “Using our cutting-edge AI technology to improve sound quality, we can make OTC hearing aids more accessible and practical.” 

OTC hearing aids enter a rapidly growing market. Since the FDA’s 2022 approval, the market has seen significant year-over-year growth. However, high consumer return rates highlight the need for advanced audio technologies, a gap the company aims to address with semiconductor technology.

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