Breakthrough App Uses the Power of AI to Make it Easier to Hear Speech in Background Noise

The HeardThat app leverages the power of smartphones to increase intelligibility and reduce the effort of having conversations in loud environments

VANCOUVER, B.C. (PRWEB) SEPTEMBER 08, 2022 - Singular Hearing, a subsidiary of Singular Software and creator of HeardThat, today announced the full release of its HeardThat app for iOS and Android. HeardThat uses the power of smartphones to run sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that separate speech and noise, empowering users to hold clear and effortless conversations in places with background noise, like restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, and family gatherings. As a software-only app, no new devices are required. HeardThat works with the devices most people already have, including most Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, cochlear implants, and ordinary earbuds and headphones.

Since HeardThat’s early release, the company’s AI experts have worked tirelessly with users to improve ease of use, recognize more types of noise, and work with more devices. Testing by National Research Council Canada showed a significant improvement in objective measures of intelligibility and listening effort. The app also gained a loyal following of thousands of regular users, with its most active user base growing by 12% month-over-month.

The difficulty of understanding speech in noise impacts people across a wide range of hearing abilities and is common among the aging population. Previous hearing-assistive devices and apps have not effectively addressed background noise. As a result, those that have trouble hearing conversations in loud places tend to avoid noisy social scenarios, which can lead to isolation and cognitive decline. The emergence of AI algorithms capable of being run on smartphones opens more opportunities for improving accessibility technologies.

“The ability to hear speech in noise is one of the first signs of hearing decline. It’s also the most desired feature users of hearing aids or other hearing-assistive wearables request,” said Singular Hearing founder and CEO Bruce Sharpe. “HeardThat users regularly share the positive impact our app has made on their lives and we’re proud to offer a solution that enables understandable conversations with less effort.”

“I have a lot of trouble in noisy situations, even hearing the people next to me. I have the latest and greatest hearing aids, but they don't increase understanding in noisy environments,” said one user. “HeardThat’s technology is pretty amazing. I never use the amplifier feature on my phone because it just doesn't work the way that HeardThat does.”

With the full release, new and current users can access HeardThat for a one-month free trial period. They can then choose to subscribe to the app for $9.99 USD per month (or $99.99 USD per year) or use the free tier, which provides users with 30 minutes of app time per week. For more information on HeardThat, please visit heardthat.ai.

About Singular Hearing
Singular Hearing is a subsidiary of Singular Software. Founder and CEO Bruce Sharpe and his team of AI experts have extensive experience in audio technology and a deep passion for finding effective solutions to everyday problems. They leverage machine learning and speech processing to create innovative products that help people live better by hearing better.

Singular Hearing is the creator of HeardThat, an award-winning innovative app that turns smartphones into sophisticated hearing-assistive devices. HeardThat helps those with hearing challenges by delivering clear speech in noisy environments.

HeardThat won the What's Next Innovation Challenge Sponsored by AARP Innovation Labs at the 17th Annual What's Next Longevity Venture Summit and was named the first runner-up in the What’s Next Business Plan Competition at the 17th What’s Next Longevity Venture Summit. For more information, please visit heardthat.ai.

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