Press room

MINNEAPOLIS (August 27, 2018) — Starkey® Hearing Technologies has reinvented both the hearing experience and the hearing aid with Livio AI. Livio AI is the world’s first Healthable™ hearing aid to utilize integrated sensors and artificial intelligence and the first device to track physical activity and cognitive health as measured by hearing aid use in social situations.

The launch also includes a brand-new mobile app—Thrive™ Hearing; and three new wireless accessories—the Starkey Hearing Technologies TV, the Remote, and the Remote Microphone +. With the Remote Micorophone+, Livio AI is also the first hearing aid to feature Amazon® Alexa connectivity.

“First and foremost, Livio AI is the best performing and best sounding hearing aid we have ever made. What makes today a pivotal moment in the hearing industry, is that with Livio AI, we have transformed a single-use device into the world’s first multi-purpose hearing aid, a Healthable with integrated sensors and artificial intelligence. Livio AI is so much more than just a hearing aid, it is a gateway to better health and wellness,” Starkey Hearing Technologies President Brandon Sawalich said.

The new Hearing Reality™ technology provides an average 50-percent reduction in noisy environments, significant reduced listening effort, and newly enhanced clarity of speech, while the use of artificial intelligence and integrated sensors enabled it to optimize the hearing experience. Livio AI has revolutioned what “hearing better” means.

Artificial intelligence and advancements in hearing technology enabled Livio AI to provide following unique features and benefits:

• Understand and see the real-time health benefits of using hearing aids - NEW
• Overall health and wellness tracking through the app’s combined brain and body health score (Thrive Wellness Score) - NEW
• Integration of the physical activity data measured by inertial sensors of the hearing aids with Apple Health and Google Fit apps - NEW
• Personalized Control for customizable adjustments to sound and programs
• Remote programming by users’ hearing professionals to put hearing healthcare in the hands of the users - NEW
• Natural user interface with tap control - NEW
• Unprecedented, natural listening and speech clarity in the noisiest environments with the new Hearing Reality technology – NEW
• Integrated language translation – NEW
• Dual-radio wireless platform: 2.4GHz radio for streaming of phone calls, music, media, apps, and connecting with various devices including TVs and Amazon Alexa; near-field magnetic induction technology for true ear-to-ear communication and binaural noise reduction
• Fall detection with inertial sensors integrated within the hearing aids (App support coming soon) - NEW

Designed to help users live their healthiest life, Livio AI is available as a RIC 312 and BTE 13 in a variety of colors. In addition to the above unique features, Livio AI also includes Starkey’s best-in-class feedback cancellation, high-definition music prescription, advanced Multiflex Tinnitus Technology and Surface™ NanoShield pioneering water, wax and moisture repellant system to protect and ensure durability and dependability.

How integrated sensors and AI helped Starkey transform the hearing aid “Artificial intelligence, coupled with advanced sensing devices, is rapidly changing the world around us,” Starkey Hearing Technologies Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Engineering Dr. Achin Bhowmik said. “We are proud to introduce these transformational technologies into the world of hearing aids to both optimize the users’ hearing experiences and enable them to continuously monitor and improve their overall health besides treating hearing loss, reducing the associated risks of dementia, anxiety and social isolation.”

The integrated 3D motion sensors inside Livio AI enable the hearing aids to detect movement, track activities, and recognize gestures. The hearing aids communicate with each other and compatible mobile accessories to deliver meaningful, real-time feedback about users’ overall body and cognitive health and fitness.

This cutting-edge technology allows people to take a proactive and personal approach to treating hearing loss, which has been linked to various health issues including dementia, cognitive decline, anxiety, stress, social isolation and an increased risk of falling.

Livio AI is the first device utilizing the ears to help users better understand not only how to improve their overall health and wellness, but also the deep connection between treating hearing loss and reducing health risks. This helps to improve key areas of well-being by reconnecting users to the people, places and activities they love.

Livio AI is available in the United States and Canada at this time, with a global roll out to more than 20 countries in 2019. For more information about Livio AI hearing aids, the Thrive mobile app and new Starkey Hearing Technologies accessories, please visit www.starkey.com

About Starkey Hearing Technologies
Starkey Hearing Technologies is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Founded in 1967, the company is recognized for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. The company develops, manufactures and distributes hearing aids via three distinct brands – Audibel, NuEar and its original brand, Starkey. As the only American-owned and American-operated provider of hearing technologies, Starkey Hearing Technologies is proud to support veterans and active military service personnel with the best in American innovation, including a suite of revolutionary hearing technologies and other resources. Starkey Hearing Technologies currently employs more than 5,000 people, operates 22 facilities and conducts business in more than 100 markets worldwide. For more information, visit www.starkey.com.