CES 2025: Medical Technology between Daily Life and Clinic

Hearing aids at CES 2025: from medical technology to smart lifestyle gadgets

At CES 2025, semiconductor and embedded chip manufacturer Ambiq showcased a design for non-prescription hearing aids that aims to further blur the boundaries between medical technology and consumer electronics.

The new AI-powered Apollo4 Plus speech processor was developed specifically for over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids and promises a significant improvement in speech intelligibility in noisy environments. The system uses advanced neural networks to effectively suppress background noise while amplifying the desired speech signals. The extremely low energy consumption is remarkable: with a power consumption of less than one milliwatt, the chip enables a battery life of several days. This efficiency is achieved thanks to Ambiq's patented SPOT platform (Subthreshold Power Optimized Technology).

Simple help for mild to moderate hearing impairment

The design is intended to further improve easy access to over-the-counter hearing aids. Since FDA approval for OTC hearing aids, millions of people with mild to moderate hearing loss have been able to benefit from affordable yet high-quality hearing solutions. The Apollo4 Plus enables a sound quality that was previously reserved for expensive prescription devices. Particularly noteworthy is the adaptive noise reduction, which automatically adjusts to different listening situations. In combination with the integrated Bluetooth connectivity, users can also use their hearing aids as wireless headphones for music streaming or phone calls.