WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WSAW) – Artificial intelligence is a tool with immense potential, capable of being both beneficial and powerful, depending on its application.
While concerns about AI’s role in our daily lives are widespread, some individuals in Wisconsin Rapids are already embracing its presence every day.
When new technology incorporates AI, the immediate question is often “why?” In Wisconsin Rapids, patients at the city’s Beltone Clinic are experiencing a profound answer to that question, as AI is enabling them to hear with unprecedented clarity.
This integration of AI into hearing aids is a growing trend in clinics nationwide.
At the heart of this innovation is a new chip embedded within the hearing aids. This chip is designed to deliver a more natural and clear hearing experience for the user.
Bryan Kroeger, a hearing specialist at Beltone Clinic, explains the technology’s capability, “It’s taking millions of different sound samples, in real-life environments, to distinguish speech from other unwanted noises.”
Kroeger acknowledges that fears surrounding AI are common, but he reassures the public that the AI in these devices is there to assist, not to control.
“AI is designed to assist, and not take over the hearing aids,” Kroeger said, “I mean, the user can still manually make adjustments on their own.”
Recognizing that hearing needs are highly individual, the AI-powered hearing aids are not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Kroeger elaborates on the personalized approach, “Some people are more active than others, you know, we take all of that into account,” he said, “You know, depending on the person, they might not want to utilize all of that technology as well.”
Beyond improved clarity, these AI hearing aids offer users the ability to directly stream audio from various public spaces, such as libraries and churches.
Kroeger anticipates that even more applications for AI in hearing aids are on the horizon.
The cost of these AI-empowered hearing aids is comparable to that of regular hearing aids, typically ranging from $4,000 to $7,000. It’s important to note that these costs may be covered by insurance.
The devices offer a 30-hour lifespan and are rechargeable.
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