At Oticon, we go above and beyond the competition in the way we conduct research to prove the life-changing benefits associated with using our technology, such as reduced listening effort, increased memory recall, and reduced listening stress.
At the forefront of clinical research
To prove the incredible benefits of our technology, we test it in dynamic scenarios that recreate real-life listening environments and use innovative research methods to measure the outcome such as EEG testing, pupillometry, VR technology, and pulse monitoring.
Using EEG testing to measure the brain’s ability to balance sounds
Your brain constantly monitors the sounds around you, whether it’s someone directly talking to you, or sounds in the background that you may need to pay attention to. All sounds can be important, but which ones are most important at any moment depends on your listening intent.
We use EEG testing to show how Oticon hearing aids help the brain balance sounds of interest. This aims to show that Oticon hearing aids enable higher attention to environmental sounds while the brain is actively orienting than during an intimate conversation, without compromising the brain’s attention to speech.
Using VR technology to measure speech comprehension
In traditional listening studies, participants remain motionless during the test. But in real life we move around while we interact with the world.
Using virtual reality technology in the Audio-Visual Immersion Lab (AVIL) lets us capture human behaviour much more realistically. This is important because our technology has sensors that capture how we move and behave, using this information to inform hearing aid processing.
We reconstruct realistic scenarios with simultaneous conversations and background noise. Participants are free to move their heads and bodies to identify and understand one talker amongst others, just as they would in real life.
In studies like these, listening to speech is designed to be very challenging. We want to investigate if our BrainHearing technology helps users navigate and comprehend speech in this type of environment – and show how much it helps.
Using pupillometry to measure listening effort
To better understand the cognitive benefits of wearing Oticon hearing aids, we investigate how much effort is required for users to follow speech while wearing hearing aids.
We do this by monitoring changes in pupil size during listening tasks. Unlike our competitors who often rely solely on subjective user feedback, our method is objective because pupil responses are involuntary. Pupillometry is part of our standard test battery in addition to subjective measures.
You can measure listening effort over the course of a few seconds or over the course of a conversation. Measuring listening effort over time, called sustained listening effort, reflects real-life situations better. It shows that users can remain engaged in conversations across different kinds of sound environments with less effort, freeing up cognitive resources so they can stay open to the world around them.
Using pulse monitoring to measure listening stress
Listening stress is a new measure for demonstrating the benefits of hearing aids. Studies show that even short periods of stress can have a negative impact on our cognitive abilities1, reducing our ability to engage in conversation.
When we reduce the impact of noise on the user’s cognitive abilities, we see reductions in listening stress that are comparable to how a person would feel when they are in busy traffic versus when they are in a quiet place. By reducing listening stress, we can help users feel more engaged during conversations in challenging listening environments.
To measure listening stress, study participants are asked to complete challenging listening tasks in a complex listening environment while wearing a heart rate monitor.
Generations ahead with BrainHearing
At Oticon, our journey of discovery and innovation is continuous. We set the bar higher because we refuse to settle for anything less. Each advancement in our product range is built on the latest BrainHearing insights, evolving from each generation to the next.
What’s more, we don't just advance technology; we also redefine how we demonstrate its benefits. By breaking conventions, we empower hearing aid users to fully engage in life, especially in complex environments where understanding speech remains a challenge.
BrainHearing™ technology provides the full sound scene
Our goal is to provide the most natural hearing experience. We use the philosophy of BrainHearing to develop technology that provides the brain with access to the full sound environment – because the more sound information the brain has to work with, the better the brain can perform. At the heart of Oticon BrainHearing™ technology are the three industry-leading MoreSound Technologies: MoreSound Amplifier™, MoreSound Intelligence™, and MoreSound Optimizer™.
Discovering tomorrow’s hearing solutions
Oticon is the only hearing aid company with its own independent research facility dedicated to audiology – Eriksholm Research Centre – which explores scientific areas with the potential to improve the lives of people with hearing loss. Discoveries from Eriksholm continually inspire us to develop life-changing BrainHearing™ technology.
BrainHearing Network
Be inspired by new frontiers in hearing care
The BrainHearing™ Network connects hearing care professionals with leading scientists, key opinion leaders, and fellow passionate peers, putting you at the forefront of the latest scientific findings and advancements within hearing care. Connect and share experiences, elevate your practice, and be inspired as we shape the future of hearing solutions together.
References
- Qin et al (2009). Acute psychological stress reduces working memory-related activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
- Bianchi/Eskelund et al. (2024). Oticon Intent™ – Clinical evidence. BrainHearing™ benefits of the 4D Sensor technology. Oticon whitepaper.
- Santurette & Laugesen (2023). Audible Contrast Threshold (ACT™). A language-independent diagnostic test to quantify real life speech-in-noise ability and personalise help-in-noise settings in hearing aids. Oticon Whitepaper.