Sonova is establishing a new category for early entry hearing solutions with the launch of the Sennheiser Conversation Clear Plus earbuds. The new speech-enhanced hearable helps users improve their comprehension in noisy environments.
Conversation Clear Plus earbuds can be used whenever users want effortless, clear conversations in typically noisy environments, such as in a restaurant or on a loud street. This is achieved thanks to advanced Sonova technologies and audiological expertise integrated into the Conversation Clear Plus earbuds. An independent study showed 95% of users experienced significant speech enhancement in noisy situations when using the product.
An app permits Conversation Clear Plus users to tailor their listening preferences, such as the amount of background noise they want to hear, while integrated true wireless technology allows a rapid connection to any Bluetooth-enabled device.
“Our goal is to become the go-to brand for situational hearing solutions and this is one of the key strategic priorities of our Consumer Hearing business,” said Martin Grieder, Group Vice President Consumer Hearing at Sonova. “With their smart, intuitive features, these earbuds set a new standard for speech-enhanced hearables that will empower our consumers’ dynamic lives. We see a significant and growing market opportunity for this new category of early entry devices, with best-in-class products for different hearing situations to come in 2023 and beyond.”
WIDEX HEARING AIDS OFFER SOOTHING SOUNDS TO RELIEVE STRESS
A new hearing aid feature from Widex helps users regain their inner peace with a great new world of relaxing sounds. Widex SoundRelax is a unique feature designed to help all hearing aid wearers — with or without tinnitus — deal with anxiety, soothe the mind, and boost concentration.
Widex SoundRelax is the proven solution for hearing aid wearers who are looking for sounds that help relaxation, well-being, and concentration. In a recent study, 20 participants with and without tinnitus rated the new sounds. They listened to each sound over headphones for at least 10 minutes and then rated them for likeableness and to what extent they supported relaxation, concentration, and general well-being.
The results were striking. While not every hearing aid wearer liked every sound, the mean ratings of listeners’ favorite sounds were roughly 9 out of 10, very high ratings for something so personal as taste in tones and soundscapes.
Widex SoundRelax is based on fractal mathematics to generate changing, soothing tones and meditative chimes that become familiar but never repeat themselves. Research has shown that recorded music can evoke memories and potentially unpleasant emotions. Fractal sounds prevent such unwanted distractions because they incorporate the properties of music that have been proven to be most relaxing without sudden changes in tonality or tempo.
SPIRAL THERAPEUTICS MAKES PROGRESS ON INNER EAR TREATMENT
Spiral Therapeutics recently completed an $8.25 million financing to continue the development of its lead candidate, SPT-2101, for the treatment of inner ear inflammation.
SPT-2101 is a sustained-release steroid formulation designed for precise inner ear administration using Spiral’s novel delivery procedure. Spiral recently completed enrollment of an open label pilot clinical study of SPT-2101 in 10 patients with Ménière’s disease. Data from this study confirmed the favorable safety profile of SPT-2101, as well as marked improvements from baseline in the frequency and severity of patient-reported vertigo episodes at three months and in other key efficacy outcome measures. Further, pharmacokinetic data provided confirmation of the durability of Spiral’s drug delivery platform. A randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial was recently initiated and will further investigate the safety and efficacy of SPT-2101 given as a single administration.
There is no known cure for Ménière’s disease and there are currently no FDA-approved drug treatments available.
“Hearing loss and balance disorders are among the largest unmet needs in medicine,” said Dr. Charles Limb, Professor and Chief of Otology and Neurotology at UCSF, and Chief Medical Officer of Spiral Therapeutics.
