Google and Danish hearing aid maker GN Hearing have partnered to enable direct audio streaming from Android devices to hearing aids.
The agreement impacts two hearing aids: the ReSound LiNX Quattro and the Beltone Amaze. In a future Android release, streaming will be available to users of said GN Hearing devices.
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The idea is that consumers will be able to use their Android devices without relying on an intermediate tool or device for streaming audio to their hearing aids.
In a news release, Seang Chau, Google’s vice president of engineering, commented on the partnership:
According to the World Health Organization, around 466 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss. This number is expected to increase to 900 million people by the year 2050. Google is working with GN Hearing to create a new open specification for hearing aid streaming support on future versions of Android devices.
The tech giant has been making healthcare moves in the non-device spaces as well.
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Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
An April analysis from research firm CB Insights outlined how the Mountain View, California company is leveraging artificial intelligence for its healthcare pursuits.
Its Verily subsidiary, for example, has teamed up with Nikon subsidiary Optos to work on detecting diabetic retinopathy.
The company is also exploring the significance of AI tools for physicians. It joined forces with Johnson & Johnson to make Verb Surgical, a company that claims to be building a surgery platform that ties together robotics, data analytics, visualization and more.
And on the consumer side, the use of AI through products like Google Home could present an opportunity for Google to explore patient-facing health assessments.
As the analysis notes, the company seems to have dipped its toes into so many facets of healthcare that the likelihood of accomplishing all its goals is a bit of a toss-up.
“Ultimately, if Google can find effective solutions for any one of the many issues it’s tackling, there’s a potential to apply lessons and successful approaches elsewhere, and create a new data- and AI-driven healthcare paradigm,” the analysis concludes.
Photo: iLexx, Getty Images
