ReSound LiNX Reshapes the Reach of Audio for the Hard of Hearing

By Kira Grunenberg

Though many people with alternative needs are capable of leading productive lives, there are inherent difficulties in recognizing and acquiring tools that facilitate productivity in the home and workplace. So when breakthroughs in technology and research benefit humanity in unexpected ways, staring common logic in the face, the result is inevitably impressive and cool.

The researchers and developers with Minnesota-based hearing solution company ReSound have managed to achieve such a breakthrough with their latest hearing aid device. Their technology is especially relevant with today’s start of “Deaf Awareness Week” in the UK.

Named the ReSound LiNX, this hearing aid/smart app system is promoted as, “The world´s smartest hearing aid.” The iPhone’s strides in capability and platform universality are paired with an on-ear aid that delivers sounds right to a wearer’s ear, and can be adjusted via the iPhone. The aid also works with the iPad and iPod Touch. Seeing that hearing loss occurs both naturally due to age and unexpectedly due to other factors, it is a wonder this sort of pairing has not come out sooner!

The traditional controls like gain, treble, and bass can be adjusted individually, and can be tailored to optimize hearing in various settings depending on background noise levels. Though adjusting settings for each environment seems tedious, the integration of  geo-tagging allows the app to recall the settings for each place, which can be labeled for quick reference (e.g. stadium, movie theater, restaurant). The receiver-in-ear unit (RIE)  also allows the ReSound LiNX to work as stereo headphones, wirelessly streaming not just ambient noise from outside but music, movie, game, or map direction audio as well.

An additional feature takes advantage of the iPhone location technology, in that If the RIE is lost or misplaced, it can be honed in and recovered similarly to the “Find my iPhone” app. Then, to top the icing on the cake, each ear even offers assorted colors for aesthetic options.

Thanks to technology like the Resound LiNX, the hard of hearing can hear ambient sounds and enjoy  their favorite music at its fullest potential. That said, for active musicians, it is all the more important to be aware of your hearing. If you’re an artist and are experiencing some hearing loss, it’s hugely important to be aware of the various types of protection and support available. Even if it is not officially Deaf Awareness Week here in the US, there’s never a bad time to spread word about the progress of a company like ReSound and the impact it has on those with hearing challenges worldwide.

Below is a short promo video of the ReSound LiNX:

You can find a hearing professional to consult with about ReSound LiNX here and the free, accompanying app is available now in the iTunes App Store.

ReSound is on Facebook and you can follow them on Twitter @GNReSoundus.

Kira is an old school music nerd with a love for all things creative; always searching for music’s common ground. She graduated with an M.A. in Performing Arts Administration from New York University. Drop her a tweet @shadowmelody1.

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