“Cochlear Ltd said Wednesday it can now stream audio directly from Apple Inc’s iPhone, iPad and iPod to the microchips in its hearing implants without having to use an additional device,” Stephen Nellis reports for Reuters. “Previously, Cochlear’s sound processors worked with mobile phones, but implant wearers had to connect the sound processor to an intermediate Bluetooth device – usually worn around the neck like a pendant – that would then pair with a phone.”
“‘It’s the first time people with an iPhone will be able to pick up the phone normally, or just listen to music, without any additional devices,’ said Jan Janssen, senior vice president of research and development at Cochlear, in an interview,” Nellis reports. “The iPhone capabilities will come in Cochlear’s newest sound processor that sits outside the ear, the Nucleus 7, expected to be released in September. Users can upgrade the processor without a new implant.”
“Apple has also worked with hearing aide firms such as GN ReSound and Starkey, which can also connect directly to the iPhone,” Nellis reports. “Apple developed the protocols with the firms and licenses it to them for free.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: This is another fantastic example of Apple leading the way in accessibility!
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The implant includes a free Apple Music subscription that will stream Beats 1 directly to the user’s brain and cannot be turned off.
Congratulations! Your snark over an extremely awesome thing that Apple did earns you the “Asshole of the Day” award. Take it with you when you slime back into your hole.
Jeez, lighten up Nancy, it was just a joke.
agreed
That is why you use “/s” so that all know it’s a joke.
Trust me — it works. 🙂
MDN readers can’t resist poking fun.
Unfortunately, I will need a hearing aid soon, and I look forward to being able to be “fully connected.”
Hearing aids have had this for a long time. A Cochlear implant is a bit different, intended for largely deaf people.
FWIW, I have hearing aids and (foolishly) spent the extra $500 for the Bluetooth option. Never use it. I’d far prefer a software solution that lets me load an EQ profile into my iPhone to adjust the frequencies for all audio material to my prescription.
pretty neat.
Is anyone doing any studies on the positive or negative effects of the gadgets’ RF signals streaming through a human body’s electrical system?