Apple seeks patent for hearing aids that deliver speech at an even keel

Although they're called hearing aids, they can sometimes be as much of a hindrance as a help. Catch an unfamiliar accent and the attention might be on just parsing the words, let alone moving the conversation forward. Apple is applying for a patent on a technique that would take the guesswork out of listening by smoothing out all the quirks. The proposed idea would convert speech to text and back, using the switch to remove any unusual pronunciation or too-quick talking before it reaches the listener's ear. Not surprisingly for a company that makes phones and tablets, the hearing aid wouldn't always have to do the heavy lifting, either: iOS devices could handle some of the on-the-fly conversion, and pre-recorded speech could receive advance treatment to speed up the process. We don't know if Apple plans to use its learning in any kind of shipping product, although it's undoubtedly been interested in the category before -- and its ambitions of having iPhone-optimized hearing aids could well get a lift from technology that promises real understanding, not just a boost in volume.Filed under: Cellphones, WearablesApple seeks patent for hearing aids that deliver speech at an even keel originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 11:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  USPTO  | Email this | Commentsgreat discounts just for 3m marine imperial stikit purple buy cheap 2012 amazon great discounts just for putco 59827 stainless steel locker buy cheap 2012 amazo great discounts over f826 x7 disc 24g norton buy cheap 2012 amazon great discount to obtain sumner 780935 econo mac 75 buy cheap 2012 amazon great e coupons on wanner telescopic grease combination nozzle buy cheap 2012 am great electronic coupons just for crossfire dual pressure equalization cf65stabt great electronic coupons just for gtc ltx12 infrared thermometer thermosounder b greatest all you coupons for bondhus goldguard plated balldriver l wrench buy ch greatest all you coupons for lumax lx 1321 corrosion resistant rotary buy cheap greatest all you coupons for the 04 12 yamaha yfz450 durablue aluminum buy cheap greatest all you coupons for the hein werner omehw93720 hydraulic telescopic tra greatest amazon coupon codes free shipping to obtain moog k90323 front upper bea greatest amazon coupon codes free shipping to obtain rugged ridge 11113 05 stain greatest amazon coupon codes free shipping to rcbs chargemaster combination buy greatest amazon coupon codes free shipping to w 73 ampco safety tools adj buy ch greatest amazon promo codes free shipping of waekon 76200 automotive signal test greatest amazon promotional code free shipping of 1100 hydraulic pressure transm greatest amazon promotional code free shipping of white 1997 2004 corvette conve greatest amazon promotional code free shipping suitable for 100 8504 composite n greatest amazon promotional code free shipping suitable for 3 hookit clean sand greatest bargains to moog k9369 steering idler arm buy cheap 2012 amazon greatest bargains to receive better life technology protector sandstone buy chea greatest bargains to receive chek co2tm carbon dioxide detector buy cheap 2012 a greatest best coupons at acdelco d6259a switch assembly buy cheap 2012 amazon greatest best coupons at mbrp 130872 black coated mount buy cheap 2012 amazon greatest best coupons at mbrp 130872 black coated mount buy cheap 2012 amazon greatest best coupons to florida pneumatic fp 708 speed buffer buy cheap 2012 am greatest best coupons to flywheel grind wheel black 6 buy cheap 2012 amazon greatest bonus codes in performance accessories 6615 guard 1994 2001 buy cheap 2 greatest bonus codes to receive westin 20107 fey diamondstep utility buy cheap 2