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$1 hearing aid could treat millions with hearing loss

sciencemag.org

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Re: $1 hearing aid could treat millions with hearing loss

#21

Post by jononor »

tyingq wrote: post #17
jononor wrote: post #9

Based on the MAX9814 chip, which costs 0.75 USD in 2.5K volume, leaving 0.25 USD for everything else. The design is not integrated much (many connectors), so assembly costs will be high. It also requires 2xAA batteries as a consumable, which consumer has to pay as well. So this is not a 1 USD hearing aid in any way. And if current units are 500 USD, then going down to 50 or 10 USD would already be a huge improvement.

The pdf shows a MAX98306. Curious where you saw the MAX9814.

The HearingAid.sch PDF says MAX9814 on the JP1 connector on the left side. So are they actually using both?

Re: $1 hearing aid could treat millions with hearing loss

#22

Post by anamexis »

jononor wrote: post #21
tyingq wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The pdf shows a MAX98306. Curious where you saw the MAX9814.

The HearingAid.sch PDF says MAX9814 on the JP1 connector on the left side. So are they actually using both?

The MAX9814 is the microphone.

Here's the BOM which shows the full breakdown coming in under $1.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal... (Table 1)

Re: $1 hearing aid could treat millions with hearing loss

#23

Post by ajnin »

So this is a very simple circuit. Basically a microphone amplifier directly connected to some earphones with a volume knob. No frequency control of any kind. I'm wondering why this sort of device is not already available like loupe type glasses that we can easily find. I'm thinking this has something to do with legislation and maximum allowed earphone sound levels? Or maybe it is too crude to be actually useful?

Re: $1 hearing aid could treat millions with hearing loss

#24

Post by subhashp »

My mother has been wearing Hearing Aids for over 20 years. These days she has trouble with hearing what is on TV even with a powerful hearing aid. Most times she just sits quietly in front of the TV watching moving pictures.

I have always wondered why it is so difficult to make hearing aid which can be connected to a bluetooth enabled TV or Mobile phone, so senior citizens can watch TV or talk to their loved one. Whatever is available on the market is so expensive.

Re: $1 hearing aid could treat millions with hearing loss

#25

Post by jononor »

anamexis wrote: post #13
janekm wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The $1 figure in the headline is clickbait as it’s only the cost of components for the PCB. Add the PCB + mechanical components + battery + plastic enclosure + assembly + testing + factory margin + overhead and it would be a miracle to come under the cost of existing low-cost hearing aids.

That's not true, the $1 figure for all of the parts. Here's the original, search for "Table 1" for the BOM https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal...

Good luck sourcing 3d-printed casings at 0.06 USD, or PCB at 0.05 USD a piece, even in 10k or higher scale.

And of course in addition to the BOM comes production costs.

Re: $1 hearing aid could treat millions with hearing loss

#26

Post by londons_explore »

Jaruzel wrote: post #20

> the scientists anticipate that LoCHAid’s parts will wear out after about a year and a half. Why would that be, I wonder. Anyone know?

Perhaps the AA batteries need changing that frequently?

Or thats the average time till they get crushed/wet/stood on by the user?

Re: $1 hearing aid could treat millions with hearing loss

#27

Post by tyingq »

anamexis wrote: post #22
jononor wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The HearingAid.sch PDF says MAX9814 on the JP1 connector on the left side. So are they actually using both?

The MAX9814 is the microphone. Here's the BOM which shows the full breakdown coming in under $1. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal... (Table 1)

Just the BOM image so it's easier to read: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/figure/image?size=...

Also, I'm not sure where he's getting the prices. Prices for the MAX98306 and MAX9814 seem higher, even in high quantities, than what he's showing.

Re: $1 hearing aid could treat millions with hearing loss

#28

Post by pkphilip »

netdur wrote: post #2

Ok I will bit, I want to build this and redistribute in Africa, I lack technical knowledge to do this, what is best approach?

Talk to someone in Africa who works with repairing mobile phones, laptops etc. They will have enough skills to assemble such a device.

Recruit one of them or work with of them to make the devices in bulk.

Re: $1 hearing aid could treat millions with hearing loss

#29

Post by KSteffensen »

ampdepolymerase wrote: post #12
rini17 wrote: post #7

Hearing aids (nor cochlear implants, for that matter) do not "restore hearing", except for light hearing loss. They are only like crutches (not even wheelchair). For example, to follow conversations or phone/skype with multiple people is very exhausting even with fancy device, because in most cases the "bandwidth" to the brain just isn't available. That said, the hearing aids vendor lock-in is really atrocious and ca…

For a few dollars more it is possible to put a FPGA with perhaps a neural accelerator on it. It may tremendously simplify some of the DSP stack. More importantly, there should be a full-proof app or UI to allow the user to tune the hearing aid appropriately (or coupled with a training course for audiologists in the targeted regions to do so).

Hearing aids are tremendously constrained with regards to power and mechanics. There is no way you will be able to get an FPGA in a hearing aid. An FPGA runnning complex DSP algorithms will:

1. Get hot. I don't want a +60C FPGA in my ear.

2. Eat up the battery. The batteries are small and fiddly to replace for an 85 year old with bad eyes and arthritis in the fingers. They should last for at least a week before needing replacing. No they are generally not rechargeable in the device. That would require a connector, which takes up precious volume. Wireless recharging requires a coil with the same problem.

3. Take up way too much PCB real estate. They are just too big to fit in your ear. Sure, you can run a wire to a box outside the ear, but that messes with the fashion statement. Most hearing aid users want small and discrete, so the world isn't reminded they have a disability.

Besides, why would you put an FPGA in there? Hearing aids already feature some of the most high-grade low-power DSP ASICs available, custom made for that companys DSP algorithms.

Re: $1 hearing aid could treat millions with hearing loss

#30

Post by gedy »

brento wrote: post #18

I was told I could benefit from hearing aids, but was told they would cost $5K to $8K depending on which ones I wanted. I've decided for now that I'll put up with the issues associated with not having them for now. I was also told they blue tooth doesn't work very well if you have an android phone, so I'm hoping that there can be some real innovation and competition in this space to drive the prices down and also imp…

If you have access to Costco their in house brand is much less (~$1600 pair) and good. Also I really like Bose Hearphones which work better for me and were $500, assuming you don't mind looking like you are on a conference call all the time.
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