Phonak's latest EON hearing aids feature two AI systems on a chip designed for low power consumption.

      Phonak has introduced EON, a hearing aid platform featuring a newly designed processor called HYPERSONIC. The company claims this processor operates two artificial intelligence systems simultaneously while consuming 37% less power than its predecessor.

      The Sonova-owned brand is addressing two longstanding challenges in the hearing aid industry: improving speech comprehension in noisy environments and ensuring that the devices provide sufficient value for their cost.

      The first AI system, Spheric Speech Clarity 3.0, employs a deep neural network to differentiate speech from background noise as it is received. The second system, AutoSense OS AI 8.0, assesses the surrounding sound environment and automatically adjusts the device's features accordingly, eliminating the need for users to manually change settings when moving between locations, like from a restaurant to a street.

      The capability to run both systems simultaneously is made possible by the chip. “With the HYPERSONIC chip, we have achieved a significant improvement in power efficiency without compromising real-time AI performance,” stated Anders Rosengren, Sonova’s chief R&D officer.

      The gain in efficiency is evident in both size and battery life. According to Phonak, EON is 25% smaller and 20% lighter than the previous Sphere generation and can operate for up to 38 hours on a single charge, a generous lifespan for a device designed to fit behind an ear while continuously processing audio.

      On the performance front, the company references its own testing instead of third-party evaluations. Phonak asserts that users of Spheric Speech Clarity 3.0 are twice as likely to comprehend every word spoken from any direction compared to identical hearing aids without the feature activated.

      Wind noise is addressed through a dedicated subsystem. WindBlock 2.0 can minimize wind noise by up to 50 dB and enhance the signal-to-noise ratio by as much as 30 dB, tackling a common issue for hearing aid users in outdoor settings.

      The connectivity aspect highlights EON's appeal to a broader consumer audio market. Phonak refers to the platform as Made-For-All, indicating its compatibility with virtually any Bluetooth device rather than being limited to specific phones. It combines Bluetooth Classic with the proprietary Roger Direct wireless microphone protocol and Auracast.

      Auracast is particularly significant as it allows venues to transmit audio to an unlimited number of receivers simultaneously, enabling places like museums, theaters, or airport gates to send audio directly to users' ears instead of relying on outdated loop systems.

      This functionality is most beneficial in locations traditionally underserved by assistive listening technologies, such as departure lounges or guided tours, where users connect directly to the broadcast rather than searching for a receiver.

      Phonak is offering three configurations instead of one. The Audéo EON Sphere and Audéo EON R cater to mild to profound hearing loss, while CROS EON R is specifically designed for unilateral loss, directing sound from the unaided ear to the better one. The range features eight color options.

      “EON sets a new standard for intelligent hearing,” stated Josipa Kern, global head of Phonak. “It combines the most essential capabilities for daily life: understanding speech, automatic adaptation, and reliable connectivity.”

      Licensed hearing care professionals in the U.S. could begin placing orders on Monday, with Germany, France, the UK, Australia, and other markets to follow in September. Phonak has not disclosed pricing, which is typical for products sold through clinicians and influenced by national reimbursement policies rather than standard retail pricing.

      This distribution model provides context for such a launch. Hearing aids remain a prescription-based product fitted by professionals, even as consumer earbuds encroach upon the same market from the opposite direction. The specifications for both products are converging more rapidly than their sales channels.