Insects Inspire Hearing Aids

An insect-inspired microphone is set to revolutionise modern-day hearing aid systems.

Scottish researchers are to test a new design which is similar to the ear of an insect.

It's hoped the system can block out background noise and allow users to focus on direct sounds and in turn improve quality of life.

Despite remarkable advances in sound analysis in hearing aids, the actual microphone itself has remained essentially unchanged for decades. Current directional microphone technology adds cost, weight and power requirements to hearing aids compromising their design.

But collaborative research between Strathclyde and MRC/CSO IHR at the University’s Technology and Innovation Centre is set to offer an alternative design approach. Dr James Windmilll, of the Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering at Strathclyde, said: “Our research aims to create a hearing aid system that can reduce or control unwanted noises, focusing the hearing aid on only the sound arriving from in front of the user.

“Currently, users can tell whether a sound source is in front or behind, but struggle to detect sounds from below or above, such as echoes in a large room.

“We aim to solve the problem using a new type of miniature directional microphone, inspired by how some insects hear sounds.

“We will be able to evaluate the problems caused by the distance from which a sound emanates, for example how to separate a sound from a loud source far away, like a train or plane, from a quiet sound from nearby, like a human voice.

“The project will also investigate 3D printing techniques to optimise the hearing aid design so that it works best acoustically in conjunction with the new microphone.”

Strathclyde will design, build and test the new microphones and hearing aid structures. IHR will test their operation as hearing aids, including human trials of the new designs.

Dr Bill Whitmer, Scientist at MRC/CSO IHR added: “We are very excited about this collaboration, applying our hearing-aid and hearing-loss expertise to this project. These recent breakthroughs in microphones could revolutionize hearing-aid design, and could result in real advances in the quality of support offered to those affected by hearing loss.”

The research is being funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council with a £430,000 grant.

It's estimated one in six people in Fife suffer from hearing loss.