Hearing loss in global spotlight as technology and research leaders collaborate to tackle rising impact, and experts unite to demystify care

Rhea-AI Summary

Cochlear, along with members of the Australian Hearing Hub, including National Acoustic Laboratories and Macquarie University, has initiated a groundbreaking collaboration with Google to develop innovative solutions to address hearing loss. This multi-year project will leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to create personalized hearing devices, targeting environments with complex soundscapes. Additionally, experts have released the first international guidelines for cochlear implant eligibility, aiming to improve screening and referral practices. Currently, only 3 out of 100 adults who could benefit from these implants actually receive them, highlighting the need for better awareness and access.

Positive

• Collaboration with Google aims to enhance hearing technology through AI and machine learning.
• Development of personalized hearing models for complex listening environments.
• First-ever international guidelines released to improve cochlear implant referral processes.

Negative

• Only 3% of adults in the U.S. who could benefit from cochlear implants actually receive them, indicating a significant accessibility issue.

• Cochlear and Australian Hearing Hub Members, National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL), Macquarie University, The Shepherd Centre, and NextSense, announce research collaboration with Google combining expertise in hearing, speech, artificial intelligence, machine learning and neurosciences, to generate new solutions to tackle hearing loss.
• Medical experts release first-ever international guidelines outlining when adults with hearing loss should be screened and referred for a cochlear implant.

LONE TREE, Colo., March 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of people living with hearing loss is set to reach 2.5 billion by 2050.¹ Now, leading technology companies, researchers, and people living with hearing loss are coming together to tackle its rising impact.

World-first hearing collaboration announced with Google
Cochlear, together with the Australian Hearing Hub members, National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL), Macquarie University, The Shepherd Centre, and NextSense, have agreed to a world-first collaboration with Google to uncover new solutions to help people with hearing loss. The collaboration brings together expertise and resources from hearing, research, technology, academia, government, healthcare and information sciences sectors.

The agreement is a multi-year collaboration. Research teams will evaluate new methods, such as machine learning, big data, speech enhancement, cloud computing and neuroscience to improve and develop hearing technologies and strategies.

The first project seeks to personalize hearing models in listening devices. This technology could be particularly beneficial for people using hearing devices in complex listening environments, such as busy restaurants, group conversations or live music performances. The overlapping sounds in these kinds of settings can be challenging for people using hearing devices to process and decipher various types and ranges of sound.

Simon Carlile, Google Australia's research lead on the project said, "Hearing technology helps people around the world connect with people and their surroundings, but there are many more people who could benefit. As part of Google's Digital Future Initiative, this exciting collaboration will help us explore new ways to design and improve machine learning models that better fit the needs of the individual listener – and help develop a more precise and accessible approach to hearing care."

NAL Director, Dr Brent Edwards said, "For over 75 years, NAL has been a pioneer in hearing technologies that are used around the world. This is an opportunity to combine NAL's unique innovation program with Google's capabilities to introduce new hearing products to enhance health and wellbeing."

Experts publish first-ever guidelines on who should be tested and referred for a cochlear implant
A cross-section of experts has published the first-ever international guidelines outlining who should be tested and referred for a cochlear implant.²

Estimates suggest that out of every 100 adults in the U.S. who could benefit from a cochlear implant, only three will go on to receive one.³ This is in part due to inconsistent practices that mean people with hearing loss don't know when to seek help, and many who do, don't get the advice they need.⁴

Meredith Holcomb AuD. Director, Hearing Implant Program, University of Miami Ear Institute and Co-Chair of the CI Taskforce said, "Millions of adults live with untreated significant hearing loss and often times an over-the-counter or prescription hearing aid simply cannot help them communicate effectively. Their ears reach a point where increasing the volume of sounds causes distortion instead of clarity. This is when a cochlear implant is necessary as it can bypass the damaged parts of the ear to allow for improved speech understanding."

"People sometimes delay seeking treatment for hearing loss until they are struggling in their everyday life. Even when they do receive help, they may see multiple hearing healthcare providers in the same city and get different advice about their treatment options. Unfortunately, many are never told about the option and benefit of cochlear implants until their hearing is horribly bad."

"With these guidelines, adults living with hearing loss and clinicians treating hearing loss will have consistent evidence-based advice about who should be tested and referred for a cochlear implant, and what standards of care they should go on to receive if they qualify."

Lou Ferrigno, actor, fitness expert and retired bodybuilder, received a cochlear implant to address his hearing loss after struggling in hearing aids for the majority of his life. "I heard a lot of misinformation about cochlear implants over the years, but a friend of mine received the device and went from 15 percent word understanding before the implant to 95 percent with the implant," said Ferrigno. "I'm someone that has had profound hearing loss almost all my life, so if this cochlear implant is working for me already, it can give other people hope too. I wish I would have entertained a cochlear implant sooner. There is no shame in hearing loss and getting it treated."
For more information visit adulthearing.com/living-guidelines.

About Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH)
People have always been Cochlear's inspiration, and since 1981, Cochlear has provided more than 700,000 devices in more than 180 countries, helping people of all ages around the world to hear.  As the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, Cochlear connects people with life's opportunities.

Cochlear continually innovates to anticipate future needs, investing more than AUD$2 billion to date in research and development to push the boundaries of technology and help more people hear.
www.cochlear.com 

References

1. World report on hearing. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.S
2. Living Guidelines for Cochlear Implantation in Adults. Available at https://app.magicapp.org/#/guideline/j2bBrj/section/noR8W1. [Last Accessed February 2023]
3. Nassiri AM, Sorkin DL, Carlson ML. Current Estimates of Cochlear Implant Utilization in the United States. Otol Neurotol. 2022 Jun 1;43(5):e558-e562. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000003513. Epub 2022 Mar 8.
4. Nassiri AM, Marinelli JP, Sorkin DL, Carlson ML. Barriers to Adult Cochlear Implant Care in the United States: An Analysis of Health Care Delivery. Semin Hear. 2021 Nov; 42(4): 311–320.

Please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always follow the directions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.

Views expressed are those of the individual. Consult your health professional to determine if you are a candidate for Cochlear technology.

Cochlear, Hear now. And always, Nucleus, and the elliptical logo are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the Cochlear group of companies.

© Cochlear Limited 2023. All rights reserved.

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SOURCE Cochlear Limited

FAQ

What is the purpose of the Cochlear and Google collaboration?

The collaboration aims to develop innovative solutions using AI and machine learning to improve hearing technology and personalize hearing devices.

What are the new guidelines regarding cochlear implants?

The guidelines outline who should be screened and referred for cochlear implants to standardize care and increase awareness.

How many people are estimated to live with hearing loss by 2050?

According to the WHO, the number is expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050.

What percentage of adults in the U.S. could benefit from cochlear implants?

It is estimated that only 3 out of every 100 adults who could benefit from cochlear implants actually receive one.

What technologies will be explored in the Cochlear and Google partnership?

The partnership will explore machine learning, big data, speech enhancement, and cloud computing to improve hearing technologies.