Sonova Holding AG (SIX:SOON) and semiconductor maker Semtech said today they jointly developed a new advanced radio system intended for use in Sonova’s hearing aids.
The new technology, an ultra-small integrated circuit, will serve as the main component in a new generation of hearing aids and enable support for multiple radio protocols in the 2.4GHz band, the companies said.
“This chip allows Sonova to move in a new direction with our hearing aids. The breakthrough radio technology and power management are the game changers for hearing aids. It allows them to support a number of applications that have previously not been possible in a hearing aid, all at low power consumption and low supply voltage. Possible applications span from connectivity to any Bluetooth enabled audio device (e.g. a smartphone or television) to full duplex audio streaming between hearing aids and connectivity to wireless microphones,” Sonova wireless R&D director Marc Secall said in a prepared statement.
The device is also intended to operate on low power, Semtech said.
“Semtech continues to innovate and create flexible, reliable solutions for challenging applications associated with the best radio frequency connectivity at the lowest power and 0.8V supply voltage. Sonova has long been a leader for hearing devices. By implementing Semtech’s technology and enabling access to the cloud, we believe that these devices will enrich the IoT-connected solutions which Semtech is serving with LoRa Technology,” Semtech wireless and sensing products group R&D VP Jean-Paul Bardyn said in a press release.
Last November, Sonova said that it inked a deal to license Ceva’s RivieraWaves Bluetooth intellectual property for use in its Sword 3.0 wireless hearing aid chip, Ceva said today.
