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Self Tuning Hearing Aid

 

One of the most potentially awkward and frustrating parts of a holiday dinner with the whole family is the conversation with a loved one who can’t hear what you have to say, even if they do have a hearing aid.  

That was the scenario in Kilkenny in December of 2016 for Paul Allen, who was 23 at the time.  He was trying to have a conversation with his grandfather, who couldn’t hear over the voices of the other people talking.  This was despite having hearing aids that had cost €6000.

Paul realized that he could do it better.  Along with co-founders Luc Bellintani and Dinnaga Padmaperuma, he realized that although hearing aid hardware was fairly standard, the software was where devices fell short. Together, they founded Aurius, a company offering affordable, high quality hearing aids accompanied by an app that allows users to tune their device at home.

The app is the real innovation.  Previously, when purchasing a hearing aid, a user would need to return to the shop every month to get their device tuned, a service that often cost €50 each time.  That can be a financial hardship for many users, especially those on a fixed income, so they might not go in as frequently as they should.

Aurius has developed a hearing aid which retails at €550, including the app, whose algorithm allows the user to self-tune through smartphone or internet whenever required. The hearing aid also has a rechargeable battery and comes with a wireless charging pack.

In 2017, the company won €10,000 as part of the annual Ireland Funds Business Plan Competition in partnership with the NDRC. In addition to the prize money, the business also gained mentorship and networking opportunities, which they recognize as equally valuable in helping them get their product to market. They strongly recommend any early-stage start-ups to consider applying for future competitions.  

 

 

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Self-Tuning Hearing Aid | Reflection

Junior Cycle Business Studies Specifications

  • Strand two:  Enterprise
    • Element:  Managing my resources
      • 2.1 Identify different types of financial, cultural and social enterprise and appreciate the role each plays in society
      • 2.2 Describe the skills and characteristics of being enterprising and appreciate the role of an entrepreneur in an organisation, in society and to the economy

Curriculum Elements of the 8 Key Skills of the Junior Cycle

  • MANAGING MYSELF
    • Knowing myself
    • Making considered decisions
    • Setting and achieving personal goals
  • MANAGING INFORMATION & THINKING
    • Gathering, recording, organising and evaluating information and data
    • Thinking creatively and critically
    • Reflecting on and evaluating my learning
    • Using digital technology to access, manage and share content
  • BEING NUMERATE
    • Estimating, predicting and calculating
    • Developing a positive disposition towards investigating, reasoning and problem-solving
    • Seeing patterns, trends and relationships
  • BEING CREATIVE
    • Imagining
    • Exploring options and alternatives
    • Implementing ideas and taking action
    • Learning creatively
    • Stimulating creativity using digital technology