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Sonova Introduces New AI-Powered Hearing Aid
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor
Sonova has announced yesterday a new hearing aid that employs real-time AI to enhance speech clarity in noisy environments. According to Reuters , this device is first product of this kind in the global market.
The new device, named Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio, uses real-time AI to tackle the significant challenge of understanding speech in noisy environments.
The Sonova announcement reveals that its AI chip boasts 53 times the processing power of current hearing aid industry chips. This technology enables it to instantly distinguish clear speech from background noise.
As a result, they claim that users experience a marked improvement in speech comprehension, enabling them to easily understand conversations from any direction. This allows them to participate in dynamic group discussions without the need to constantly turn their heads.
The same announcement reports that clinical studies show users experienced over double the speech understanding in noisy environments with this new hearing aid compared to existing models.
Arnd Kaldowski, Sonova’s Group CEO, emphasized the importance of this development, stating in the announcement, “While every user would state we have come a long way in the last 10 years, they will say they still can’t understand conversations as well as they would like to, when background noise is present, like in many crowded places, such as public transport or restaurants. We are convinced that with our new technology, we can make a significant difference for people in need.”
According to Reuters, the hearing aid industry has encountered softening market conditions in Europe and the U.S., coupled with intensified competition. Despite these challenges, Sonova CEO Arnd Kaldowski stated, “We will need to see how the market evolves and the customer reaction to the products. But we are good with our full year guidance even with the currently somewhat slower market,”
Image by RawPixel.com from Pxhere
EU Bans TikTok’s Reward System Amid Addiction Concerns
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor
On August 5th, TikTok agreed to permanently remove its Lite Rewards program from the European Union following concerns raised by the European Commission about its potential addictive effects.
The video-sharing platform made the commitment to withdraw the program, after the Commission launched formal proceedings against it in April. The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), designed to regulate large online platforms, was cited as the reason for the action.
The Commission expressed concerns that the Rewards program could encourage addictive behavior, particularly among minors. The DSA requires platforms to conduct thorough risk assessments before launching new features that could have a significant impact. TikTok’s failure to do so for the Lite Rewards program led to the Commission’s intervention.
By accepting TikTok’s commitments, the Commission has closed its first case under the DSA. However, it’s important to note that this is just one step in the EU’s ongoing scrutiny of the platform. Formal proceedings against TikTok initiated in February, unrelated to the Rewards program, remain open.
TikTok has expressed satisfaction with reaching an agreement with the European Union. In a statement to The Washington Post, spokesperson Elliott Burton said the company is pleased to have resolved the issue and is committed to constructive engagement with regulators.
TikTok has faced increasing pressure from regulators around the world over data privacy and user safety concerns. The EU’s actions highlight the growing concern about the potential psychological impact of social media, particularly on young people.
