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Google Is Developing Native Hearing Aid Support For Android (theverge.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the natively-supported dept.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Verge: Google announced today that it's working with Danish hearing aid manufacturer GN Hearing to create a new hearing aid spec for Android smartphones called ASHA, or Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids. It's designed to be battery-efficient, while providing high quality audio with low latency. Hearing aids utilizing this spec will be able to connect to and stream from Android devices without having to use another intermediate device. ASHA will enable Bluetooth hearing aids to be utilized the same way as headphones, used to call friends or listen to music. Google has published the new protocol specifications online for any hearing aid manufacturer to build native hearing aid support for Android. GN Hearing has announced that the ReSound LiNX Quattro and Beltone Amaze will be the first hearing aids to receive direct streaming support in a future update.

6 of 50 comments (clear)

  1. Hearing Aid Market one of the biggest ripoffs. by jellomizer · · Score: 2

    Ok, 40 years ago, this was high tech stuff. But today you are spending thousands of dollars (or your insurance company is, or the government) for a form fitted earbud of questionable quality.
    The formfitting, should be the most expensive part, which should be the same as what professional or active armature swimmers get for their earplugs. Then you in essence stuff $30 worth of technology in them.

    Hearing Aids should probably cost today around $100.00 and still make profit.

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    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    1. Re:Hearing Aid Market one of the biggest ripoffs. by WhatHump · · Score: 3, Informative

      I agree they are overpriced, but $100? Not quite. My hearing aid has two microphones and the audio processing circuitry to shape the incoming sounds to compensate for my hearing deficiencies (I have lost most of my hearing in my left ear above 2KHz due to an acoustic neuroma), without blowing my eardrum out if there is a sudden loud noise. So they're a bit more sophisticated than a wireless earbud. But, yeah, I paid about $3K for mine five years ago and if it weren't for the combined government and workplace benefits, which covered half, I may have gone without one.

      On a side note, I just had my annual appointment with my audiologist and I mentioned how my workplace had just switched from cubicles to open concept, and she rolled her eyes. Apparently there is a consensus among audiologist that this is an incredibly dumb idea. I agree. I find it very hard to concentrate due to the slightest audio (and visual) distractions.

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      "Could be worse...could be raining." Igor
    2. Re:Hearing Aid Market one of the biggest ripoffs. by jellomizer · · Score: 2

      So you work for a hearing aid company then?

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      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    3. Re:Hearing Aid Market one of the biggest ripoffs. by JackieBrown · · Score: 2

      He clearly does since he didn't agree with you.

      In fact, most people that have a different opinion than you are paid for that purpose.

  2. You have big ears by theshowmecanuck · · Score: 2

    All the better to hear you with.

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    -- I ignore anonymous replies to my comments and postings.
  3. how about? by AndyKron · · Score: 3, Interesting

    How about a hearing app that doesnt require an $8000 rip off hearing aid?