Innovations in Hearing Science: What You Should Know

At Safer Hearing Now, we believe that knowledge is power—especially when it comes to protecting and improving your hearing. Thanks to science and technology, caring for your hearing has never been more convenient or more effective. Here are some of the latest breakthroughs you should know about:

Smarter Hearing Tests - You can now check your hearing using a smartphone app. These apps use advanced algorithms to screen for hearing loss, often in just a few minutes. They're a great first step—but they don’t replace a full hearing test with a professional.

See Inside Your Ear - Small cameras, called video otoscopes, let you (or your provider) see inside your ear canal. They're especially helpful for checking for earwax buildup or infection.

Hearing Aids Are Getting Smarter - Modern hearing aids can do more than just amplify sound:
• Self-adjust to noisy or quiet places
• Connect to your phone or TV
• Filter out background noise
• Some are available over the counter (OTC) without a prescription for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

Training Your Brain to Hear Better - Hearing isn’t just about your ears—it’s also about your brain. New apps use auditory training to help your brain make sense of sound, especially in noisy environments.

Helping People with All Types of Hearing Loss - People who are deaf or have more severe hearing loss now have more tools than ever:
• Cochlear implants are becoming smaller and more advanced
• Real-time captioning apps and glasses that display speech text help in conversations
• Smart home devices can flash lights or send alerts when the doorbell rings or a smoke alarm goes off

Protecting Your Ears from Harmful Noise - Loud sounds can damage your hearing over time. New tools can help you:
• Measure how loud your environment is
• Wear smart earplugs that block harmful noise but still let you hear speech or music
• Track your daily sound exposure with a wearable sensor

Innovations for the Deaf: Empowering Communication and Access

Real-Time Captioning—Anywhere - Speech-to-text apps now use artificial intelligence to turn spoken words into live captions on your phone, tablet, or glasses.
• Apps like Ava, Google Live Transcribe, or Otter.ai are easy to use
• Some smart glasses (e.g., XRAI Glass) show captions right in your field of vision

Sign Language Avatars (In Progress) - Developers are creating digital avatars that can translate spoken or written text into American Sign Language (ASL). While still being improved, these tools could help Deaf users access online content or announcements more easily.
Smart Home Devices with Visual Alerts - Smart home tech now includes features that notify Deaf users with flashing lights, screen messages, or vibrations when:
• The doorbell rings
• A baby cries
• A smoke or carbon monoxide alarm goes off

Two-Way Communication Devices - For situations like ordering food, visiting a clinic, or emergency response, some devices allow Deaf individuals to type or sign, and then speak text aloud—or vice versa.
• UbiDuo: a face-to-face communication device with dual keyboards and screens
• Interpreter-on-demand kiosks in some hospitals or public buildings

Better Accessibility for Media and Events
• ASL interpretation is now more available at live events, on social media, and even in Zoom calls
• Closed captioning is more common and customizable across streaming services
• Haptic wearables (e.g., SoundShirt, Neosensory Buzz) can translate sounds into vibrations felt on the skin

Emergency Services Access
• Text-to-911 is now available in many U.S. locations
• Video Relay Services (VRS) allow Deaf users to connect with interpreters on video calls for real-time communication with hearing callers

Respecting Deaf Culture - Remember: Not all Deaf people want or need hearing aids or implants. Many are proud members of the Deaf community, with their own language (ASL) and culture. These innovations aim to support communication—not erase identity.