Earlier this month, it was reported that Apple was working with the manufacturer of hearing aids Cochlear to be able to provide Bluetooth solutions and solve other technological challenges that allow a Direct connection of these devices with iPhones.
Now, new information appeared in the publication Wired They offer more details about the work being done in this regard and talk about how "Apple puts voice in the heads of users" thanks to technology. Tim Cook also shared the story on his Twitter profile during the afternoon, saying he is proud of the work Apple is doing in this area.
The information of Wired They talk about the story of Mathias Bahnmueller, 49, who suffers from hearing loss and uses a system developed by Apple and Cochlear:
Cochlear implants avoid the traditional hearing process by incorporating a device in the inner ear and its connection through electrodes in the nerve that sends audio signals to the brain. The implant picks up the sound from an external microphone assisted by the sound processor, which is usually located behind the ear. Until now, users had to deal with remote controls to adjust their settings.
Dealing with smartphones has required independent equipment that allowed communication due to its low quality and very annoying delays that occurred. However, Bahnmueller, a 49-year-old car safety executive, has recently been testing a new solution. The reason he convinced me so quickly was that the device that he wore in his ear connected to the implant was connected directly from his iPhone, moving the conversation to his head.
The device was approved by the FDA in June and is undoubtedly a breakthrough for the industry. The Cochlear Nucleus 7 Sound Processor It is the first solution that receives FDA approval which offers a relationship between Cochlear implants and smart phones or tablets. Such a connection means that users can obtain music, podcasts, and other types of digital sound by moving these directly from the device to the inside of the skull. There is also a feature developed by Apple called Live Listen that allows users to use the iPhone as if it were a microphone.
Sarah Herrlinger, Apple's global accessibility policy directorHe talked about the company's efforts in this area:
“While our devices have been designed to be compatible with hearing aids for many years, we have seen that the experience lived by people trying to make a phone call was not always good. So we gather many people in different areas around the company to start investigating ways to make the process easier.
Our goal was to get rid of all those additional things that need batteries and could get in the way, so that when you press the button to pick up a call, the sound of the call arrives directly and instantly to the hearing aid installed. ”
Without a doubt, this area is a field that needed a great development and Apple has been aware of this when it comes to work on improving the compatibility of its devices with hearing aids used by deaf people. Now it's time to improve the product and make it possible for anyone with hearing difficulties to access it. The development of hearing aids has made a great leap in quality in recent times, but the compatibility between these devices and smartphones or tablets was always their pending issue. Technology companies with the power of Apple and committed managers like Tim Cook they must make possible the development of measures that help society, especially the groups that need it, as is the case of people with hearing problems.
The best accessories for your iPhone
Are you looking for a new case for your iPhone? An accessory for the Apple Watch? Maybe a Bluetooth speaker? Do not miss these offers on accessories and get the most out of Apple's mobile:
