Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October 2013

Wireless connections for hearing aids

Dr. Marcel Vlaming, Technical Coordinator

European Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (EHIMA)

mv@ehima.com

ITU Workshop on “Making Media Accessible to all:The options and the economics”

(Geneva, Switzerland, 24 (p.m.) – 25 October 2013)

Topics of presentation

Hearing loss and hearing aids Hearing aid connectivity: TodayHearing aid connectivity

TodayRequirements for near future wireless

Market driversScenario/RoadmapSummary

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Prevalence of hearing loss / use of hearing aids

Hearing impairment is loss of auditive communication:

Soft sounds not audibleHigh frequency sounds not audibleHigh sensitivity to background noises reducing speech understanding

About 10% of population have hearing problemsDemographic with age

15-40% of people with hearing loss in developed countries have hearing aids 1)

depending on prosperity and funding schemesabout 50 million hearing aid users world-wide

31) Eurotrak: http://www.anovum.com/en/case-studies

What hearing aids doMain hearing aid functions:

AmplificationSoft sounds;Sound compression for restoring loudness of sounds

(soft, normal, loud)

Spectral compensationIn relation to audiogram: upto 8 kHz (in future up to 12 kHz)

Suppression of background noiseSpeech enhancementDirect connectivity to media sources:

cable, T-coil, FM, infra-red, hubs, …..Offered as needed…….

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Types of hearing aids

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Hearing aid connectivity

Direct connectivity to audio sourceAvoids interference from background noises

Hearing impaired persons are extra vulnerable to noise Older people are extra vulnerable to loss of attention and concentration

Use cases:Private: Phone, TV, Audio, Tablet/PC, …..Education: schoolsPublic: theatres, churches, points of sale …………..Public announcements: stations, airports, public events, etc

Solutions T-coil, FM, media gateways Future technologies: wireless

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Hearing aid connectivity: Today - 1

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Magnetic induction loop (T-coil)Pros

Exists since hearing aids are availablePromoted in some countriesMostly found at: churches and points of salesSometimes also used at home for TV and audioHearing Aid Compliance for mobile phones to implement magentic coil (USA: FCC)

ConsMagnetic interferences from electrical devicesLimited sound quality (BW < 3500 Hz, mono)High installation costs in buildingsLimited range (inside loop only)Limited availability: some countries, some places,…..

Hearing aid connectivity: Today - 2FM systems (Assisting Listening Devices, ALDs):

ProsMostly found at schools (professional equipment)Also used at homes: TV and wireless microphone

ConsNo worldwide frequencies (will not work in other countries)Radio interferences (limited # channels, no hopping, etc.)FM transmitters not found at public placesTherefore: low acceptance

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Hearing aid connectivity: Today - 3

Wireless media gateways: Hub to connect with phone through Bluetooth

Acts as a bridge of HA radio system to Bluetooth radio

ProsGood quality soundBluetooth gives standard connectivity to mobile phones and other sound devices

ConsMust be worn around neck or at bodyInterferences on Bluetooth link possible

2.4 GHz ISM band: WiFi, other Bluetooth devices, other devices

No public access defined so far Short range (5-15 m)No universal standard agreed for bridge HA radio system (inductive radios)

Is a temporary solution

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Wireless media gateway

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Problems for hearing aid connectivity

Todays pitfallsT-coil systems have limited quality, very limited range, limited availability, high installation costsFM systems have no worldwide fequencies, have problems on radio interference.

Hub based systems with Bluetooth need extra body device and have limited range. Is a temporary solution.

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Requirements future wireless connectivity for hearing aids

Need to be integrated in HAs, no extra body deviceHigh demands on hearing aid battery and size

Can be used worldwideWorldwide spectrum for global use required

Have no or low radio interferenceLow in/out band interferences

Can be used personally, at home, at schools, at public places (church, theatre, station, shops, ..)

Range: 1 m to 50 m.

Good acceptance:Worldwide standard, worldwide spectrumeasy installation, easy use, low costs.

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Market Drivers

Increasing legislation requires accessibility for hearing aids:mobile phone: need to find an alternative to T-Coil in mobile phones for cost and size reasonspublic places: Churches, theatres, points of sale, ……What about: stations, airports…….

Growing number of potential users, because of:Aging populationIncreased expectations Increased spending powerGreater familiarity with technologyIncreasing percentage of population requiring integration with their existing mobile and music technology

Desire from many sectors not to disadvantage the hearing impaired

Because of social concernsBecause of market opportunity

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Scenario / Roadmap What How Pros Threads When

Available spectrum

2.4 GHz ISM(5.6 GHz not suitable?)

• available • congestion• interference• out band interf.

2014

New worldwide spectrum

ITU, CEPT, WRC-2018

• low interference

• protection for accessibilty use

• out band interf.• slow process• many

stakeholders

2018-2020

One Standard

• worldwide• Bluetooth like• proprietary

• Enables public wireless

• slow• waits spectrum

2018

Legislation on Accessibility

USA: HAC (FCC)EU: directives

• creates awareness and demand

• harmonization of technology

• costs• timing• may block

innovations

Now -2018

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Summary

Fifty million hearing aid usersNeed for wireless connectivity

For speech understanding without background noise Domestic, Public places, Schools, Entertainment (music), …

Currently different technologiesT-coil, FM-systems, multi-media hubs

Issues: quality, interference, costs, size in hearing aidAvailability: From domestic to (all) public places

Required:Worldwide availability: one standardWorldwide radio spectrum: ITU/CEPT/FCC/WWRCVery small size: chips, antenna, battery: technologyReducing costs: installation, hearing aids (chip integration)

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Questions?

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