The Latest Advances in Hearing Aid Technology, and How We Use Them

Hearing aids have changed almost beyond recognition over the last few years. The bulky, whistling devices many people still picture have given way to discreet, rechargeable hearing aids that stream phone calls, recognise where you are, and use artificial intelligence to pick out a voice in a crowded room. For anyone who's been putting off hearing aids because of what they used to be like, it's well worth taking a fresh look at what's available today.

But better technology only helps if it's chosen and fitted properly. In this post, we'll look at the most significant recent advances in hearing aid technology, what they mean in everyday life, and how our audiologists make sure you get the full benefit from them.

AI and Deep Neural Network Processing

The single biggest leap in recent hearing aid technology is the arrival of artificial intelligence, specifically deep neural networks (DNNs), built directly into the hearing aid itself. Following a conversation in background noise has always been the most common frustration for hearing aid wearers, and it's exactly the problem these systems are designed to tackle.

A DNN is trained on vast libraries of real-world sound so that it learns to tell the difference between speech and noise. Phonak, for example, says the dedicated AI chip in its Audéo Sphere Infinio was trained on 22 million sound samples, and the EON Sphere features similar technology combined with Spheric Speech Clarity 3.0 for real time noise filtering. Rather than simply turning everything up, the hearing aid works in real time to bring voices forward and push clatter, chatter and traffic into the background.

Several other manufacturers now use DNN-based processing too, including Oticon and Unitron, and the technology is improving with each new generation. It's worth keeping expectations realistic: no hearing aid can recreate perfect natural hearing, and how much difference AI processing makes will depend on your hearing loss and the environments you spend time in.

But for many people, busy restaurants, family gatherings and group conversations are noticeably easier than they were with older devices.

Hearing Aid Technology Advances: Adapting to How You Listen

Older hearing aids relied heavily on manual programmes, meaning you had to press a button or open an app every time your surroundings changed. Many of today's devices do this for you, automatically and continuously.

Modern hearing aids can identify a range of listening environments, from quiet rooms to cars, cafés and outdoor spaces, and adjust their settings to suit each one. Some now go further by using motion sensors. Oticon Intent, for example, uses what Oticon calls 4D sensors, combining head movement, body movement, conversation activity and the acoustic environment to estimate what you're trying to listen to. If you turn your head towards someone in a group conversation, the hearing aid responds accordingly.

In practice, this means less fiddling and more listening. Most wearers simply put their hearing aids in and let them get on with it, with the option to fine-tune via an app when they want to.

Bluetooth Streaming, LE Audio and Auracast

Connectivity is another area that has moved on rapidly. Most new hearing aids can now stream phone calls, music, podcasts and TV audio directly into your ears via Bluetooth, and many support hands-free calls, so you can talk without holding your phone at all.

The next step is Bluetooth LE Audio, a newer, more power-efficient Bluetooth standard, and Auracast, the broadcast audio feature built on it. Auracast allows a single audio source, such as a TV, a cinema, an airport announcement system or a place of worship, to broadcast sound directly to any number of compatible hearing aids nearby. The Bluetooth Special Interest Group describes it as significantly easier and lower cost for venues to install than traditional assistive listening systems.

Auracast is still being rolled out, so it isn't available everywhere yet, and hearing loops remain common across the UK. That's one reason it's important to discuss your day-to-day needs with your audiologist, since not every hearing aid includes a telecoil for loop systems, and the right choice depends on where and how you listen.

If watching TV with the family is a particular struggle, our guide to hearing football on TV again covers some of the streaming options available.

Rechargeable, Smaller and More Durable

Fiddly disposable batteries are fast becoming a thing of the past. Most new hearing aids are rechargeable, typically giving a full day of use from an overnight charge, with quick-charge options for when you need a top-up. For people with reduced dexterity or poor eyesight, not having to change tiny batteries every few days can make a real difference.

Hearing aids have also continued to get smaller and tougher. Many modern models are rated IP68 for dust and water resistance, and custom-made in-the-ear styles can now include rechargeable batteries and wireless connectivity that were once only possible in larger designs.

The NHS outlines their RIC Hearing Aid style with thick or thin tubing, and notes that the smallest styles aren't always powerful enough for more severe hearing loss [External link → NHS: Hearing aids and implants], which is why the right style always depends on your hearing test results as well as your preferences.

Smarter Apps and Personalisation

Smartphone apps now give wearers far more control than ever before. Depending on the model, you can adjust volume and background noise reduction, switch between settings, check battery levels, and in some cases, locate a lost hearing aid. Some apps also allow your audiologist to make adjustments without you needing to visit the clinic.

There are now self-fitting hearing aids too, designed for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss and set up through an app. These can be a useful option for some people, but they work best when hearing loss has first been properly assessed by a qualified audiologist, so that any underlying causes, such as ear wax build-up or a medical condition, aren't missed.

If you're unsure whether your hearing loss is significant enough for hearing aids, our guide to hearing aids for mild hearing loss is a good place to start [Internal link → /blog/how-hearing-aids-can-help-mild-hearing-loss].

Why Fitting Matters as Much as the Technology

Even the most advanced hearing aid won't perform at its best if it isn't set up correctly for your ears. Every ear canal is a different shape and size, and this changes how sound behaves once it leaves the hearing aid. Two people with the same hearing test results and the same hearing aid can end up hearing quite differently.

This is why Real Ear Measurement (REM) matters. During REM, a thin, soft probe tube is placed in the ear canal alongside the hearing aid to measure exactly what sound is reaching your eardrum, so the audiologist can fine-tune the hearing aid to match your prescription. The British Society of Audiology describes probe microphone measurements as the most direct method of verifying a hearing aid fitting.

Ongoing care matters too. NICE guidance recommends offering two hearing aids to adults with aidable hearing loss in both ears, and a follow-up appointment 6 to 12 weeks after fitting, along with clear access to aftercare for repairs and adjustments. Your brain takes time to adjust to new sound, and small changes in the weeks after fitting often make a big difference to comfort and clarity.

There's also good reason not to delay. The 2024 Lancet Commission on dementia identified hearing loss as one of the most significant of 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia, and research into whether hearing aids can help reduce that risk is ongoing. You can read more about this in our post on what happens if hearing loss is left untreated.

How Regain Hearing Puts the Latest Technology to Work

As an independent hearing care provider, we aren't tied to any single manufacturer. That means we can recommend the hearing aid that genuinely suits your hearing, lifestyle and budget, rather than the one we're contracted to sell. We work with nine leading manufacturers, including Phonak, Oticon, Signia, Starkey, Widex, Unitron, Bernafon, and Rexton, and we keep our range up to date as new technology is released.

Here's how we make sure you get the most from it:

• A thorough hearing assessment first, including video otoscopy, tympanometry and speech testing, so that any recommendation is based on a full picture of your hearing.
• Independent advice on which technology is worth it for you. Not everyone needs the most advanced AI features, and we'll explain the real-world differences between models so you can compare them with confidence.
• Real Ear Measurement during fitting, so your hearing aids are verified in your own ears, not just programmed from a chart. Note: Not available at all Clinics.
• Free aftercare, including adjustments, cleaning and support from your audiologist for as long as you wear your hearing aids.
• A 60-day money-back guarantee on all hearing aids, giving you time to try them in your own everyday environments. Home visits through our Hear at Home service, for anyone who finds it difficult to get to one of our clinics.

If you'd like to know what to budget for, our guide to hearing aid costs in the UK explains what's included, and our pricing page sets out our fees in full.

Experience the Latest Hearing Technology

Hearing aid technology has never been more capable, more discreet or easier to live with. Whether you're thinking about hearing aids for the first time or your current pair is a few years old, there's a good chance the latest generation could make everyday listening noticeably easier.

Call our specialists on 0800 028 6763 to book your hearing test, or find your nearest clinic today.