PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA – Neosensory has published its latest clinical trial, showcasing the efficacy of the Clarify wristband in improving speech comprehension in people with high frequency hearing loss. The study, coordinated by Stanford University neuroscientist Dr. David Eagleman, represents a major advancement in assistive hearing technologies.
The study enrolled participants with high-frequency hearing loss, which gave them trouble understanding the words of others. Over six weeks, the participants wore the Clarify wristband during the day. The wristband contains several vibratory motors and employs machine learning to translate high-frequency phonemes into spatially unique vibrations felt by the user on the wrist. This innovative approach allows users to perceive these phonemes as distinct touch sensations, enhancing their ability to understand speech.
Key Findings:
- The study observed a significant improvement in participants’ speech comprehension, as evidenced by an average improvement of 12.4 points in the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) scores.
- The Clarify wristband demonstrated substantial benefits in various challenging auditory environments, including settings with background noise and reverberation.
- Participants who wore the wristband without hearing aids showed the greatest improvement. Those who already wore hearing aids showed improvement over the improvement they already had.
“The results from this study are significant, because they represent a meaningful change in the daily experiences of people with high-frequency hearing loss. The wristband is a novel and effective solution for those who struggle with speech comprehension, a challenge that has long been a barrier to effective communication and quality of life.”
–David Eagleman, PhD
Izzy Kohler, Lead Scientist at Neosensory, added, “This study is a testament to the potential of sensory substitution technology. We are thrilled to see such positive outcomes and provide a convenient, accessible solution for millions of people currently living with untreated hearing loss”.
Figure 1: Six week progression of the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) scores for participants who were not users of hearing aids.
Neosensory’s Clarify wristband is part of the company’s broader mission to harness cutting-edge technology to address sensory health challenges. Earlier, Neosensory had introduced Duo, a wearable device for tinnitus relief boasting 91% effectiveness in clinical trials published in the International Tinnitus Journal (2023).
For a deeper discussion about the newly published study and the research behind Neosensory’s Clarify and Duo products, check out this week’s interview:
Reference:
- Kohler I, Perrotta MV, Ferreira T, Eagleman DM. Cross-Modal Sensory Boosting to Improve High-Frequency Hearing Loss: Device Development and Validation. JMIRx Med 2024;5:e49969 doi: 10.2196/49969
About Neosensory
Founded by Stanford neuroscientist David Eagleman and his lab, Neosensory has built a wristband that has revolutionized the hearing space. Neosensory’s innovative technology expands the brain’s sensory capacity: think of it like AR that operates through the skin instead of the eyes. Neosensory’s wearable devices take in information streams and translate them into patterns of vibration on the skin. With practice, the brain learns to understand this information at a direct perceptual level. Learn more at neosensory.com.
Source: Neosensory
