Chinese New Year had long been a bittersweet occasion for Mr Michael Lim (not his real name). Once the life of every family gathering, the 65-year-old retiree had become more withdrawn as his hearing deteriorated over the years, making conversations increasingly challenging for him.
Embarrassed and afraid of being judged, Mr Lim had avoided seeking help. That changed when a close friend who uses hearing aids mentioned how helpful they are and introduced Mr Lim to the hearing care organisation 20dB Digisound.
Ms Tan Chi Yuen, an audiologist at 20dB Digisound, says: “Hearing loss often goes untreated because people view it as a minor inconvenience or an inevitable part of ageing.”
“However, untreated hearing loss can significantly impact mental well-being, contributing to social withdrawal and, in severe cases, even play a part in cognitive decline over time. Early intervention can greatly improve quality of life.”
At the centre, Mr Lim went through a detailed hearing assessment. The diagnosis confirmed his hearing loss, and he was recommended the Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio, an artificial intelligence-enabled hearing aid.
Ms Tan says: “People with hearing loss often find it particularly challenging to follow conversations in noisy places such as crowded restaurants or during social events. This can make it difficult for them to engage fully in discussions and enjoy the experience.”
“The Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio range of hearing aids is designed to address these challenges. With Deepsonic, a dedicated AI chip that runs on a deep neural network algorithm, it can analyse and process sounds in real time for better sound recognition.”
Equipped with advanced noise-reduction technology, the hearing aids filter out background noise to enhance sound clarity, allowing users to better distinguish between sounds.
For Mr Lim, whether he is at home watching TV or at a coffee shop, the device will analyse sound in real time and adjust accordingly to ensure clarity and comfort in every situation.
He also noticed that even in noisy environments, he could distinguish sounds more easily without feeling like he had to strain to hear.
For greater convenience, the Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio can be connected to various devices, such as laptops and TVs, through Bluetooth. This allows users to stream audio directly to their hearing aids, so it is easier to make phone calls, listen to music or even follow dialogue in TV shows.
“As Chinese New Year approaches, I feel excited knowing I can fully immerse myself in the celebrations and connect with loved ones. It has truly transformed my life and brought back a quality of living that I had missed for so long,” says Mr Lim.
*This article is officially published on The Straits Times newspaper (8 Jan 2025).