Hearing aid 'breakthrough hope'

One in seven people in the UK have hearing problems

Experts say an "intelligent" hearing aid has the potential to help the many people who have hearing problems in both ears.

They currently have to use aids that work independently of each other.

It means people with hearing problems have to alter the settings on each one when they change environments.

The RNID said the £1,850 Acuris, launched by Siemens which allows the user to synchronise any changes by remote control was a "step forward".

One in seven people in the UK have hearing problems with about 80% experiencing difficulty in both ears.

Siemens hearing therapist and audiologist Rob Ryman said: "Previously users had to operate each hearing aid independently to make adjustments when faced with different listening environments.

Advancements in technology are always welcome and this is a step forward Phil Kennedy, of the RNID

"With Acuris users can now make adjustments to volume or programme by touching just one of the hearing instruments or by using the remote control."

In a UK trial carried out by the company, nine out of 10 people reported significant benefits in challenging listening situations and, in particular, their ability to distinguish speech from noise in situations such as busy offices, restaurants or parties.

Welcome

Janet Lynch, 53, a complementary therapist from Buckinghamshire who took part in the trial, said: "I have been wearing hearing aids for years but hearing my clients had become a problem for me particularly when there was a lot of noise.

"Since using Acuris, my hearing has improved and my confidence has been restored, which has made me a lot less self-conscious.

"I can also adjust the system if need be with the remote control without losing my client's contact."

Acuris works by using interactive wireless technology to allow both aids to "talk" to each other.

Phil Kennedy, of the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID), who makes recommendations to the NHS about what aids should be made available, said: "Advancements in technology are always welcome and this is a step forward.

"It is too early to say whether this is something we will be looking to make available but it has the potential. We will have to wait and see."