For anyone interested in the mysterious inner workings of hearing aid algorithms, this free BioAid app which transforms your smart phone or iPod/iPad into a hearing aid could be just the thing. The Open Source code behind it is also available for tinkering purposes, but count me out on that one since I don’t know my coding arse from my elbow.
Having had a quick play with BioAid on the spouse’s iPad this morning, I don’t think I’m going to be throwing away the wondrous Oticons just yet, but I’m quite interested in using it to try and get some understanding of how different hearing aid settings would operate in the background noise of the studio at work. Watch this space.
It will also come in very handy for listening at doors to check if a room is occupied. If I had a penny for every time I’ve forgetfully pressed my ear to a door and received a painful cranial embossing and a loud squeal of feedback from a hearing aid…
You can download BioAid and read about it here. There’s a 1, 2 and 1-2 kHz setting for Cookiebiters to play with.
The Cookie Bite Chronicles 
Hi Nick, thanks for that, I’d spotted Prof Meddis’s name on the list in the info, but didn’t realise it was the same team. I’m looking forward to astounding my colleagues with my newly acquired BioAid superpowers of hearing tomorrow, and also demonstrating to all and sundry why I’m obsessed with fans, air conditioning units, and open office windows 😉
Good luck with the project!
Hi again. I thought you might be interested to know that I’ve been looking at hearing assistive software once again, and released something a little more special just this week. Check out http://www.aud1.com.
Feel free to email me if you have any questions. All the best, Nick.
Thanks for the heads-up Nick, I’ll check out the new app
I thought you might be interested to know that this is produced by the same research group featured in your earlier blog post on “hearing dummies” https://thecookiebitechronicles.wordpress.com/2012/08/16/dummies-for-hearing-aids/