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Being European I think they will pay even less attention to me than they would to their constituents. Hearing aids are expensive on this side of the Atlantic as

Being European I think they will pay even less attention to me than they would to their constituents. Hearing aids are expensive on this side of the Atlantic as well though - although less expensive than in the USA - so it is still worth finding a way to open up this market. Just like intrepid hackers managed to turn routing appliances into versatile network components by creating OpenWRT, DD-WRT and similar "hacks" it would be refreshing to see something like this happening by someone creating new firmware for earbuds. While this would not be a real solution - hearing aids need longer battery life than earbuds for starters - it would give lie to the defence of high hearing aid prices. Any earbud with active noise cancellation probably has enough DSP capacity to implement the equaliser necessary to function as a hearing aid so the hardware should be available for such a hack. There was an IndiGogo project aiming to produce 2-in-1 earbuds/hearing aids, it was funded in 15 minutes... https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/olive-pro-2-in-1-hearing-aids-bluetooth-earbuds#/ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/olive-pro-2-in-1-hearing-...

pkaye 5y ago
The high price for hearing aids in the US is due to that independent providers need to mark up their hearing aids to pay for their overhead. So a $4k/pair hearing aid might have cost $2k/pair for them. Here Costco also sells hearing aids so they private label the same top end hearing aids for $1.4k/pair. They are a lot cheaper because they make profits through their overall membership base. Also they can negotiate a volume discount. Based of talking to the audiologist, I'd say the supplier sells them for $1.3k/pair tops. Having hearing aids myself, the big thing is amplifying the sound without the noise. The device needs to figure out what to focus on. If I'm in a restaurant with lots of background noise and people talking, what should be amplified. Most hearing aids use multiple microphones and program settings to identify what to focus on. And there are different kinds of noise like car engine noise or HVAC noise. And don't forget the wind noise on the microphone when you are walking. Also hearing aids compress the dynamic range and frequencies to extend the range of hearing to improve comprehension. And if there is a sudden loud noise it shouldn't go beyond a comfortable power level.
- the_third_wave 5y ago
  > <list of hearing aid functions/> Yes, a hearing aid is not the same as a noise-cancelling earbud, they use different algorithms and the former needs to be more configurable than the latter. Then again, this functionality is implemented in firmware and uses common audio processing algorithms on off-the-shelf low-power DSPs, just like those noise-cancelling earbuds. The IndieGogo example I mentioned seems to be able to sell a pair of multi-purpose buds for around $250 a pair, $600 for 3 pairs. Assuming they are actually making a profit on these sales - and I don't see why they wouldn't, the hardware seems quite standard for noise-cancelling earbuds - this is proof of what I stated before and gives lie to the "overhead" excuse for the high mark-up, especially given the small size of the company behind the things. Of course I do not know whether the buds sold through IndieGogo are as capable hearing aids as "regular, overpriced" ones and I do notice that the stated running time (18 hours) is that of the buds and the charging case together - the buds themselves last for 7 hours between charges. They're specified for "mild ~ moderately-severe hearing loss" and seem to have the required amplification and equalizing capabilities [1]. Maybe give them a try? I don't need hearing aids myself but my mother does use them so I'm thinking about getting her a pair of these once her current pair is in need of replacement. [1] https://c1.iggcdn.com/indiegogo-media-prod-cld/image/upload/c_limit,w_695/v1621441053/zepjoleopyfqcdh6neon.jpg https://c1.iggcdn.com/indiegogo-media-prod-cld/image/upload/...

pkaye 5y ago

The high price for hearing aids in the US is due to that independent providers need to mark up their hearing aids to pay for their overhead. So a $4k/pair hearing aid might have cost $2k/pair for them. Here Costco also sells hearing aids so they private label the same top end hearing aids for $1.4k/pair. They are a lot cheaper because they make profits through their overall membership base. Also they can negotiate a volume discount. Based of talking to the audiologist, I'd say the supplier sells them for $1.3k/pair tops. Having hearing aids myself, the big thing is amplifying the sound without the noise. The device needs to figure out what to focus on. If I'm in a restaurant with lots of background noise and people talking, what should be amplified. Most hearing aids use multiple microphones and program settings to identify what to focus on. And there are different kinds of noise like car engine noise or HVAC noise. And don't forget the wind noise on the microphone when you are walking. Also hearing aids compress the dynamic range and frequencies to extend the range of hearing to improve comprehension. And if there is a sudden loud noise it shouldn't go beyond a comfortable power level.

the_third_wave 5y ago
> <list of hearing aid functions/> Yes, a hearing aid is not the same as a noise-cancelling earbud, they use different algorithms and the former needs to be more configurable than the latter. Then again, this functionality is implemented in firmware and uses common audio processing algorithms on off-the-shelf low-power DSPs, just like those noise-cancelling earbuds. The IndieGogo example I mentioned seems to be able to sell a pair of multi-purpose buds for around $250 a pair, $600 for 3 pairs. Assuming they are actually making a profit on these sales - and I don't see why they wouldn't, the hardware seems quite standard for noise-cancelling earbuds - this is proof of what I stated before and gives lie to the "overhead" excuse for the high mark-up, especially given the small size of the company behind the things. Of course I do not know whether the buds sold through IndieGogo are as capable hearing aids as "regular, overpriced" ones and I do notice that the stated running time (18 hours) is that of the buds and the charging case together - the buds themselves last for 7 hours between charges. They're specified for "mild ~ moderately-severe hearing loss" and seem to have the required amplification and equalizing capabilities [1]. Maybe give them a try? I don't need hearing aids myself but my mother does use them so I'm thinking about getting her a pair of these once her current pair is in need of replacement. [1] https://c1.iggcdn.com/indiegogo-media-prod-cld/image/upload/c_limit,w_695/v1621441053/zepjoleopyfqcdh6neon.jpg https://c1.iggcdn.com/indiegogo-media-prod-cld/image/upload/...