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Start with a person, not a feature list. That’s the thread that runs through our conversation with Brandon Sawalich and Dr. Dave Fabry about how hearing technology actually improves lives: by putting the patient first, then letting smart tools do the heavy lifting in the background. We dig into how AI moved from a buzzword to a real advantage in tough listening environments, why sound quality remains the non-negotiable foundation, and how “the ear is the new wrist” reframes what a hearing aid can be.

We share the inside story of building Starkey's Omega AI and the eighth generation of sound processing, including DNN 360 and a neuroprocessor designed to make great hearing the default. Think of it as an easy button for clinicians: set a strong baseline fast, then spend time on what only humans can do—listening, coaching, and fitting for comfort. The Da Vinci surgical system offers a useful metaphor: technology doesn’t replace expertise; it amplifies it. That’s how we see the partnership between AI and hearing care professionals, and why robots won’t be fitting ears anytime soon.

Beyond better hearing in noise, Brandon and Dave talk about the bigger health picture. Untreated hearing loss intersects with cardiovascular health, cognition, and social engagement. So Starkey built tools that track activity, encourage connection, and enable voice control without adding another gadget to your routine. They're honest about the pushback that comes with change, the “Swiss Army knife” moment, and what they learned about leading with clarity: it’s a hearing aid first, with multipurpose superpowers second.

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