This Week in Hearing

The Signia Pure Charge&Go BCT IX hearing aids bring several advanced upgrades designed to enhance the user experience. Powered by a newly redesigned chip, these hearing aids offer improved sound quality and extended battery life, providing up to 36 hours of use, including five hours of streaming. New features, such as a convenient LED light indicator and a tactile button for better handling, further improve usability.Built on the IX platform, the BCT IX is designed to offer reliable, straightforward functionality for hearing aid users in a variety of everyday situations.Host Andrew Bellavia meets with Mike O'Neill, President of US Wholesale at WS Audiology, and Lisa Perhacs, AuD, Senior Clinical Development Manager at Signia, to learn more about the features and functionality of the new BCT IX. They also discuss how the real-time AI assistant (Signia Assistant) adapts to user preferences, allowing for adjustments in different environments to enhance the hearing experience. With a focus on reliable connectivity, long battery life, and intuitive design, the Signia Pure BCT IX is aimed at meeting the diverse needs of hearing aid users in everyday situations.Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest episodes each week, and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter):

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Access to communication is a fundamental right, yet for many individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing in the prison system, it remains a significant challenge. In this discussion, Paul Lee, COO of InnoCaption, joins Shari Eberts to discuss InnoCaption Connect, a program designed to bring real-time captioned calls to incarcerated individuals.With an estimated 10% of the prison population experiencing hearing loss, traditional communication methods like TTYs or outdated landline caption phones have often left them isolated. InnoCaption is working to change that by integrating their captioning technology with secure prison telecommunications systems, ensuring that deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals can stay connected with family, access legal services, and prepare for reintegration into society.For more information on InnoCaption:

• https://www.innocaption.com/
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/innocaptionapp
• FB: https://www.facebook.com/InnoCaption/
• LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innocaption/
• X: https://twitter.com/innocaption

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AI is rapidly transforming hearing technology, and Femtosense is at the forefront of this shift. Sam Fok, co-founder and CEO of FemtoSense, discusses the company’s AI-driven chip technology and its applications in hearing aids, earbuds, and other audio devices. FemtoSense, founded in 2018 out of Stanford University, specializes in neuromorphic engineering, a method that mimics the brain’s efficiency to enable AI processing on low-power devices. Their AI chip optimizes speech separation and noise reduction while maintaining battery efficiency—critical for hearing devices that operate within strict power constraints.Fok highlights how hearing aids are becoming an arena for cutting-edge AI innovation, similar to how Deep Learning transformed computing. With AI-driven real-time speech enhancement, modern hearing aids can now improve the clarity of conversations in noisy environments, addressing one of the biggest barriers to adoption. As AI capabilities advance, hearing aids are shifting from simple preset sound adjustments to adaptive, real-time sound processing, providing a more personalized and effective hearing experience.Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest episodes each week, and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter): https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearing/https://twitter.com/WeekinHearing

Hearing technology is evolving, and fully implantable devices are becoming a reality. In this discussion, Brent Lucas, CEO of Envoy Medical, joins Shari Eberts to talk about the company's fully implantable hearing solutions, including the Esteem active middle ear implant and the Acclaim fully implantable cochlear implant, which is currently in clinical trials. Unlike traditional hearing aids and cochlear implants, these devices do not require an external component, allowing users to hear 24/7, even while sleeping or showering.The conversation also explores key trends in hearing technology, including increased competition and innovation in the space. With major tech players like Apple entering the market and advancements in consumer hearing solutions, the landscape of hearing care is shifting. Brent discusses how greater competition, choice, and awareness can help address hearing loss stigma and ensure that individuals have more options beyond traditional hearing aids.Additionally, Brent highlights the Hearing Device Coverage Clarification Act, legislation aimed at improving insurance coverage for fully implantable hearing devices. He emphasizes the importance of consumer advocacy and encourages individuals to research all available hearing solutions to find the best option for their unique needs.Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest episodes each week, and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter):

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Will genetic therapies revolutionize hearing loss treatment? Dr. Christo Bester, Head of Implant Innovation at Ear Science Institute Australia, discusses the emerging role of gene therapy and personalized medicine in hearing restoration. He highlights the Aussie Earbank initiative, a pioneering effort to collect genetic samples and audiometric data, helping researchers develop targeted treatments. With over 155 genes linked to hearing loss, this presents both challenges and opportunities for targeted interventions. He emphasizes the importance of global collaboration in advancing gene therapy, as large-scale research efforts are needed to bring these treatments from the lab to clinical practice. The discussion sheds light on how biobanking plays a crucial role in identifying patients who may benefit from emerging genetic treatments, offering new hope beyond traditional hearing aids and cochlear implants.Looking ahead, gene therapy and personalized medicine are set to reshape hearing care by complementing existing solutions. While still in its early stages, genetic research is paving the way for a future where treatments are tailored to an individual’s unique genetic profile, potentially restoring hearing function in ways never before possible.Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest episodes each week, and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter):

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Hearing therapeutics are advancing rapidly, but how close are we to real breakthroughs? That was the focus of The State of Hearing Therapeutics, a panel discussion held during the 2025 Hearing Therapeutics Summit on February 4.

Moderated by Brian Taylor, AuD, the panel featured Hugo Peris (Spiral Therapeutics), Tony Ricci, PhD (Stanford University School of Medicine), Jian Zuo, PhD (Ting Therapeutics), Dr. Douglas Hartley (Rinri Therapeutics), and Jonas Dyhrfjeld-Johnsen, PhD (Acousia Therapeutics).

GN’s new ReSound Vivia hearing aids integrate advanced AI to deliver a more adaptive and personalized listening experience. The devices leverage a deep neural network (DNN) trained on 13.5 million spoken sentences, enabling it to differentiate speech from background noise more effectively than previous models. Alongside ReSound Vivia, GN also launched ReSound Savi, a new essentials range featuring Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast™ capabilities for expanded accessibility and connectivity.

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Attention podcast listeners! Due to popular demand, we’re bringing back this exclusive discount for a limited time!

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Hearing loss affects millions worldwide, but could a cure be within reach? Researchers at Stanford’s SICHL are making significant strides in regenerative medicine and innovative therapies to address one of the most common sensory impairments. Dr. Tina Stankovic, Chair of Otolaryngology at Stanford University, discusses the latest advancements in hearing loss research and the collaborative approach SICHL is taking to accelerate discoveries. She highlighted the complexity of the cochlea—a tiny yet intricate organ embedded deep in the skull—making traditional treatments challenging. However, with new technologies and multidisciplinary expertise, researchers are making strides toward solutions that could one day restore hearing.

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How are hearing loss and musicality connected? In a recent conversation, Brian Taylor spoke with Dr. Srishti Nayak, a researcher at the Vanderbilt Music Cognition Lab, to explore the relationship between hearing and musical abilities. Dr. Nayak discussed emerging research on how musical engagement may support hearing health and introduced the MAPLE framework, which suggests that musical skills, language abilities, and hearing are intertwined through genetic and behavioral factors. The discussion examined how hearing loss can affect musical experiences and whether musicality might help preserve auditory function over time.

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