363 - Phonak EON Hearing Aids Deep Dive: Smaller Sphere, Smarter AI and Auracast

Phonak’s new EON hearing aid platform brings a smaller Sphere design, a new HYPERSONIC AI chip, expanded Spheric Speech Clarity, improved wind noise management, and Auracast connectivity.Andrew Bellavia visits the Phonak EON hearing aid launch at Ravinia Festival near Chicago for an in-depth look at the technology with Christine Jones, Michael Preuss, and Stefan Launer. They explore how a more efficient deep neural network and new chip architecture allowed Phonak to significantly reduce the size of its Sphere hearing aid while extending access to AI-based speech processing throughout the day.The conversation examines Spheric Speech Clarity 3.0, AutoSense OS AI 8.0, APD 4.0, and WindBlock 2.0, including how EON adapts its compression strategy as listening conditions change and remains in its AI-powered speech-in-loud-noise mode more consistently in fluctuating environments. They also dig into the research and technical measurements behind the platform, including wind noise reduction, speech-to-noise performance, listening effort, and emerging approaches to measuring how hearing aid processing affects cognitive load.Connectivity is another major focus. EON adds Auracast alongside Phonak’s Bluetooth and Roger ecosystem, with Phonak reporting Auracast reception at distances up to 211 meters under test conditions. Bellavia also discusses the addition of NAL-NL3 in Phonak Target 12.0 and shares news that existing Infinio and Infinio Ultra users are expected to gain access to Auracast through a future firmware update.The discussion concludes with a look at where deep neural networks in hearing aids could go next. It also explores plans for a permanent Auracast installation at Ravinia designed to make its popular outdoor lawn concerts more accessible to people with hearing loss. Bellavia’s consulting firm, AuraFuturity, has been working with Phonak on the Ravinia Auracast project.

Resources Mentioned:

1. Study on WindBlock 2.0: https://www.phonak.com/content/dam/phonak/en/evidence-library/field-studies/PH_FieldStudyNews_WindBlock2.0_210x280_EN_028-2901-02_V1.00.pdf
2. AutoSense OS™ AI 8.0 Technical Paper: https://www.phonak.com/content/dam/phonak/en/evidence-library/white-paper/technical-paper/PH_Insight_AutoSenseOS8.0_210x297_EN_028-2928-02_V1.00.pdf

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