A mind-controlled hearing aid that allows the wearer to focus on particular voices has been created by scientists, who say it could transform the ability of those with hearing impairments to cope with noisy environments.
The device mimics the brain's natural ability to single out and amplify one voice against background conversation. Until now, even the most advanced hearing aids work by boosting all voices at once, which can be experienced as a cacophony of sound for the wearer, especially in crowded environments.
[...] The hearing aid first uses an algorithm to automatically separate the voices of multiple speakers. It then compares these audio tracks to the brain activity of the listener. Previous work by Mesgarani's lab found that it is possible to identify which person someone is paying attention to, as their brain activity tracks the sound waves of that voice most closely.
[...] The current version of the hearing aid, which involved direct implants into the brain, would be unsuitable for mainstream use. But the team believe it will be possible to create a non-invasive version of the device within the next five years, which would monitor brain activity using electrodes placed inside the ear, or under the skin of the scalp.
Finally some tech to help the stalkers among us.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Friday May 17 2019, @04:57PM (6 children)
The last hearing test I did told me I heard things well, I just couldn't separate the noises and focus one one, a "I can't hear the tree because I hear the forest" thing.
Ah, autism at its best?
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 2) by Snow on Friday May 17 2019, @05:13PM (1 child)
I was thinking the same thing... at a noisy pub it can be really hard to hear sometimes. Especially if the person is not sitting directly beside me.
I'd love a filter/enhancer.
EARS! ENHANCE!
(Score: 2) by Pslytely Psycho on Saturday May 18 2019, @04:01AM
Go go go Gadget Ears!!!!
Alex Jones lawyer inspires new TV series: CSI Moron Division.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 17 2019, @05:16PM
The honest answer to this question is too much for your poor ears.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by mhajicek on Friday May 17 2019, @06:45PM (2 children)
I'm the same way. It's hard to get others to understand about; they don't get that when three people are talking at once not only can't I understand any of them, it physically hurts me to try.
The spacelike surfaces of time foliations can have a cusp at the surface of discontinuity. - P. Hajicek
(Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 17 2019, @08:52PM
Get in the habit of keeping earplugs in your pockets.
You never know when you'll find yourself in a moderately noisy social environment. Being able to forcibly filter out all conversations not directed specifically at you is glorious.
Just make sure you only put them on when nobody is looking. Some people take offense when you interrupt their conversation to plug your ears. I can't imagine why.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Saturday May 18 2019, @03:30AM
Yup! My wife thinks I'm going deaf because when my son is making his 'vocalisations', she's talking to me and the TV is playing, I "don't hear her".
But if sitting in a fast food joint and it's not noisy, my son and I both hear the French fry alarm and she doesn't.
And yes, get earplugs.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 17 2019, @09:39PM (1 child)
Could I just get some that automatically/always enhances my voice over everyone else's?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday May 18 2019, @02:03AM
Remember those old loudspeaker cars that seemed to endlessly meander around the neighborhood while some lout hocked up all sorts of sale crap into the microphone?
Gramps wanted to dump a load of manure on it.