Hearing tech startup Ear Machine LLC has launched a new, free hearing app for iOS devices called EarMachine. When used with earbuds, EarMachine’s controllers can be used to customize either sounds picked up by the device’s microphone or music files.
The free app provides an easy and hi-fidelity listening experience to the user in combining data science, hearing science, machine learning, and signal processing.
“We set out to design a simple user interface that still provides the benefits that come from complex signal processing,” explains Andrew Sabin, Ear Machine co-founder and hearing researcher. “We analyzed large databases of hearing profiles to identify the signal processing configurations that would be appropriate for the widest range of listeners.”
Movements of the simple on-screen wheels smoothly changes more than 100 different signal-processing parameters. Over time, the app learns the user’s preference and provides on-screen personalized recommendations (tuned to both the user and the acoustic environment) via the EarShare recommendation engine.
Ear Machine LLC’s work is primarily funded by a fast-track Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Institutes of Health. They intend that the release of this demonstration application will generate user feedback that can guide further enhancements of their software.
Ear Machine LLC is currently working to develop wireless ear-level hardware, and expects to begin field trials of those devices in early 2014.
Download the free EarMachine app from the Apple Store here.
