Staying tuned in to life
From filtering out background noise in real time to streaming phone calls, hearing aids have come a long way with smarter and more intuitive features.
Hearing loss can creep up slowly, often going unnoticed until it starts to disrupt one’s daily life. For Mr Joel Lim (not his real name), the first signs appeared as far back as over 20 years ago, when he found himself struggling to follow conversations in noisy places.
“I thought it was just age or background noise,” says the chef, now aged 60. The turning point came when he could not hear his granddaughter calling out to him.
His first hearing aid, prescribed over a decade ago, was large and had limitations, including unclear speech and a robotic sound quality. “I wore it, but I wasn’t happy with it,” he recalls.
Today’s hearing aids are a different story – they are smaller, clearer and more comfortable, says senior audiologist Leu Yee Ven. Mr Lim, who is her customer at 20dB Hearing Singapore, now uses the Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio.
“Older hearing aids relied on a more basic digital processor to handle amplification and noise reduction, so they may not perform well in noisy settings,” explains Ms Leu.
“The Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio is different – it uses two specialised chips. One manages general sound tasks such as input and feedback control, while the other uses artificial intelligence to separate speech from background noise in real time. This makes conversations clearer and less tiring for the user.
Smarter features for daily life
Beyond its dual-chip system, the Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio is also built for durability. Its water- and dust-repellent coating offers better protection against daily wear and tear.
The device also comes with Bluetooth streaming, which allows audio from smartphones, televisions and laptops to be sent directly to the hearing aid. For Mr Lim, this has given him a new level of convenience.
“This feature has made life simpler and made me feel more connected to people around me. I can now take hands-free calls, listen to music or watch videos with the help of my hearing aids,” he says.
For those seeking an even more discreet option, the Phonak Virto Infinio, which was first introduced in Singapore by 20dB Hearing Singapore, is a more compact alternative – smaller than a 20-cent coin.
Behind the technology, 20dB Hearing Singapore also puts a strong focus on care. Every customer undergoes a thorough hearing assessment, followed by customised fitting and lifetime aftercare. This ongoing support has been key to Mr Lim’s experience over the years.
“I feel reassured knowing I can go back any time for adjustments or advice. It’s about knowing someone’s there to help you hear your best,” he says.
Anniversary special
To mark 20dB Hearing Singapore’s 23rd anniversary, enjoy up to $2,300 in hearing aid rebates and a special promotional price with purchase-with-purchase of the Roger On wireless microphone accessory.
These offers are valid from now till Oct 31, 2025. Terms and conditions apply.
