Phonak’s Infinio hearing aids perform real-time AI processing

Phonak, the flagship brand of Sonova Group, introduced its new Infinio family of hearing aids integrating a dedicated artificial intelligence (AI) chip for real-time separation of speech from noise. The company claims that its Audéo Sphere Infinio hearing aid delivers an “unparalleled” 10-decibel improvement in speech-to-noise ratio (SNR).1

New AI chip powers the Infinio platform

Phonak says the Infinio sound processing platform with its new ERA chip offers improvements in:

• Sound Quality, achieving:
  • 93% user preference from the first fit compared to leading competitors2
  • 45% reduction in listening effort*3
  • 21% less fatigue**4
  • 61% improvement in speech understanding (when combined with Roger ON remote microphone system) ***5,
• Industry-leading connectivity, enabling uninterrupted hands-free calls and streaming across twice the distance and compatibility with all Bluetooth®-enabled devices.

Clear speech from any direction with real-time AI sound processing

The Audéo Sphere Infinio addresses the number-one challenge of speech understanding in noise with its ERA and DEEPSONIC chips providing real-time AI sound processing. The DEEPSONIC chip is the first of its kind, providing real-time AI processing to instantly separate speech from background noise. Dynamic, real-time adjustments make it easier for users to engage in conversations from any direction. The chip’s AI architecture includes:

• Deep neural network (DNN): 4.5 million neural connections trained with over 22 million sound samples.
• More processing power: with 21 times more memory and 4 times more power efficiency, this chip is 53 times more powerful than previous chips and is capable of performing 7,700 million operations per second.

“We are incredibly excited to bring the Audéo Sphere Infinio to our users,” Robert Woolley, Group Vice President Hearing Instruments at Sonova, said in a news release. “This is more than just a hearing aid; it's a game-changer for anyone struggling with hearing in noisy environments,” 

Comprehensive Infinio portfolio

Phonak’s Infinio portfolio of hearing aids includes four models:

• Audéo Sphere Infinio: Receiver-In-the-Canal (RIC) hearing aid, with unique ERA and DEEPSONIC dual chip technology inside, is the world’s first hearing aid with a dedicated AI chip for separation of speech from background noise.
• Audéo R Infinio: RIC form factor hearing aid with ERA chip inside delivers exceptional sound quality and industry-leading connectivity.
• CROS R Infinio: For unaidable hearing loss in one ear, CROS R hearing aid is used in combination with Phonak Audéo, offering exceptional sound quality and connectivity as well as increased battery runtime.
• Virto R Infinio: Phonak’s first rechargeable in-the-ear (ITE) form factor custom hearing aid offers exceptional sound quality and industry-leading connectivity.

References (provided by Phonak)

1. Raufer, S., Kohlhauer, P., Jehle, F., Kühnel, V., Preuss, M., Hobi, S. (2024). Spheric Speech Clarity proven to outperform three key competitors for clear speech in noise. Phonak Field Study News retrieved from https://www.phonak.com/evidence
2. Stewart, E., Adler, M., Seitz-Paquette, K., "Adaptive Phonak Digital (APD) 3.0 is the preferred first fit compared to a leading competitor device". Phonak Field Study News in preparation expected August 2024
3. Habicht, J. & Schuepbach-Wolf, M. (2024). Speech Enhancer reduces subjective listening effort of speech by up to 45%. Phonak Field Study News retrieved from www.phonak.com/evidence
4. Latzel, M, Heeren, J and Lesimple, C. (2024) "Speech Enhancer reduces listening effort and fatigue." Phonak Field Study News retrieved from www.phonak.com/evidence
5. Thibodeau L. M. (2020). Benefits in Speech Recognition in Noise with Remote Wireless Microphones in Group Settings. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 31(6), 404–411. https://doi.org/10.3766/jaaa.19060. Appleton-Huber, J et al "Speech Enhancer reduces listening effort of speech from adjacent room." Phonak Field Study News in preparation expected July 2024
6. Wright, A., Kuehnel, V., Keller, M., Seitz-Paquette, K., Latzel, M. (2024). "Spheric Speech Clarity applies DNN signal processing to significantly improve speech understanding from any direction and reduce the listening effort." Phonak Field Study News retrieved from https://www.phonak.com/evidence

* In quiet listening situation for adult hearing-impaired subjects with moderate to severe hearing loss** Speech Enhancer on versus off, moderate to severe hearing loss*** Adults with sensorineural hearing loss using Roger Select with a compatible hearing aid or cochlear implant compared to hearing aid or cochlear implant alone tested in a simulated noisy restaurant setting