Breakthroughs in hearing aids

Designing flexible ultra low power solutions often means combining the conflicting requirements of very low energy consumption with more computational intensive new stimulation algorithms and sound reprocessing algorithms. The heart of these systems are advanced low power signal-processing techniques that operate on a multiplicity of signals produced by non- or minimally-invasive sensors. Philips Applied Technologies can achieve the highest value by combining its digital systems technologies with extreme miniaturization and heterogeneous integration of electrical, optical, mechanical and bio functionality.  

System architecture for Varibel's hearing glasses

Utilizing our experience in hearing systems, Philips Applied Technologies has supported the Dutch company, Varibel, in developing glasses that also function as battery powered hearing aids. The glasses contain tiny microphones that pick up sounds and separate them from background noise. Where traditional hearing aids fail, the Varibel solution is configured to intensify sounds from the front while dampening noise from the sides, thus enabling the user to focus on conversations in noisy environments. The wearer can choose what to hear simply by looking in the relevant direction. Besides providing the overall development project management, Philips Applied Technologies was also responsible for the system architecture, the software and electronic implementation, thereby offering the customer a turn-key solution.

A first for the industry technology applied for Cochlear

Cochlear, an Australian-based world leader in hearing solutions, commissioned Philips Applied Technologies to develop an ultra-low power speech processing chip, which delivers improved hearing performance and functionality to its next generation hearing solution. By designing this custom chip for the Cochlear’s Nucleus Freedom system, we enabled the implant system to perform at its optimal level while minimizing battery power required. The chip also helps deliver an improvement in hearing performance by providing ample processing power. This allowed functionality such as a dual microphone adaptive beam former algorithm, a first for the industry, to be included in the Freedom system, helping cochlear implant users in noisy real-world situations. Philips has a long history of designing and supplying solutions for Cochlear, and the DSP speech processor chip for the Nucleus Freedom System is only one part of a long standing tradition of innovation in health sciences between the two companies. Philips Applied Technologies won the Medical Design Excellence Award 2006 for its role as supplier of Cochlear.