Sonova Launches First Real-Time AI Hearing Aid, Sphere Infinio

Switzerland's Sonova has introduced the Sphere Infinio hearing aid, which utilizes real-time artificial intelligence to enhance speech clarity from background noise. This groundbreaking product is the first of its kind in the global market and has boosted Sonova's shares by 5%.

Market Reaction and CEO's Statement

The launch of the Sphere Infinio, along with the new Infinio platform, has taken the market by surprise. "The launch of both new platform and product should be a surprise to the market because nobody knew this technology and this benefit (real-time AI), which is quite significant, will be available for anyone already this year," said CEO Arnd Kaldowski in an interview with Reuters.

Analyst Opinions and Market Dynamics

Analysts have responded positively to the new product. Urs Kunz, an analyst at Research Partners AG, described it as a significant step forward for Sonova. Unlike its main competitors – Italy's Amplifon and Denmark's Demant and GN Store Nord – which have all issued profit warnings, Sonova has maintained its full-year targets. Carnegie analyst Niels Granholm-Leth expects the new product platform to accelerate growth in the latter half of 2024/25.

Technological Breakthroughs

The Sphere Infinio hearing aid features the new DEEPSONIC chip technology, offering 53 times more processing power than current industry standards. This innovation allows for improved speech understanding in noisy environments, a significant advancement over existing products. The Sphere Infinio addresses the critical 'speech-in-noise' problem, enabling users to understand conversations better in challenging settings like crowded places.

Key Features and Performance Statistics

The Infinio platform offers remarkable improvements in:

• Exceptional Sound Quality from the First Moment: Infinio achieves 93% user preference from the first fit compared to leading competitors.

• Reduced Listening Effort: 45% reduction in listening effort.

• Less Fatigue: 21% less fatigue.

• Improved Speech Understanding: 61% improvement in speech understanding when combined with Roger ON.

• Industry-Leading Connectivity: Enables uninterrupted hands-free calls and streaming across twice the distance, compatible with all Bluetooth®-enabled devices.

• Durability: Swiss-engineered to withstand everyday challenges.

Advanced AI and Spheric Speech Clarity

Building on the Infinio platform, the Audéo Sphere Infinio addresses the number one challenge of speech understanding in noise with a paradigm-shifting approach. With 53 times more processing power versus existing industry chips, it unleashes the full potential of artificial intelligence (AI). The Audéo Sphere Infinio is powered by the dedicated DEEPSONIC chip, a world-first real-time AI sound processing chip, providing:

• Spheric Speech Clarity: Clear speech from any direction instantly.

• Speech from Noise Separation: Advanced AI separates speech from unwanted noise.

• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) Improvement: Achieves an unparalleled SNR improvement of 10dB for better speech understanding in noisy environments, superior to competitor devices by up to 3.7dB. Users are two to three times more likely to understand speech from any direction compared to the two leading competitors.

Phonak’s Proprietary DEEPSONIC Chip

Phonak’s DEEPSONIC chip offers dynamic, real-time adjustments, allowing 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.

• Unprecedented Processing Power: 21 times more memory and 4 times more power efficiency, capable of performing 7,700 million operations per second.

Comprehensive Portfolio and Availability

Phonak introduces a comprehensive portfolio of hearing aids with some products available to order by hearing care professionals starting August 7. These devices are based on the Next-Gen Infinio platform, featuring:

• Audéo Sphere Infinio: Receiver-In-the-Canal (RIC), unique dual-chip technology inside, ERA and DEEPSONIC, the world’s first hearing aid with a dedicated AI chip for unprecedented speech clarity in noise.

• Audéo R Infinio: RIC form factor with ultra-responsive ERA chip inside, delivering exceptional sound quality and industry-leading connectivity.

• CROS R Infinio: For unaidable hearing loss in one ear, CROS R is used in combination with Phonak Audéo, offering exceptional sound quality and industry-leading connectivity as well as increased battery runtime.

• Virto R Infinio: Phonak’s first rechargeable custom hearing aid (In-The-Ear/ITE) offering exceptional sound quality and industry-leading connectivity.

Global Impact of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss affects 430 million people worldwide, a number expected to rise to 700 million by 2050. Unaddressed hearing loss can negatively impact social participation and cognitive health. Sonova's new technology aims to mitigate these issues by providing clearer speech understanding and enhancing the quality of life for people with hearing loss.

Product Availability and Future Prospects

The Sphere Infinio and the Infinio platform will be available starting August this year. Sonova's Group CEO, Arnd Kaldowski, emphasized the importance of addressing the 'speech-in-noise' problem to improve the quality of life for millions. Andi Vonlanthen, Sonova's Global Head of Research and Development for Hearing Instruments, highlighted the technological ingenuity required to develop the DEEPSONIC chip and the significant investment in its development.

Future of Hearing Aid Industry

The hearing aid industry has seen continuous technological advancements over the past 30 years, with Sonova leading many innovations. The introduction of real-time AI promises even more profound improvements, addressing the key challenge of understanding speech in background noise. Early intervention in hearing loss is crucial, with unaddressed hearing loss posing an annual global cost of USD 980 billion.