Dezeen promotion: Olive Union has launched a range of earbuds called Olive Pro that function as both hearing aids and wireless headphones.
Olive Pro hearables evoke conventional Bluetooth earphones, but combine mics and high-definition speakers with artificial intelligence (AI) technology to better support a user's hearing.
Olive Pro earbuds function as both hearing aids and wireless headphones
Olive Union's use of AI means that the product can automatically cancel out background noise and amplify human voices ? whether that be in real life, on a phone call or while watching television.
While in music mode, this also helps to create highly immersive listening experiences.
The earbuds are designed to resemble conventional wireless earphones Olive Pro was developed by Japanese brand Olive Union as a contemporary yet affordable hearing aid that is both accessible and appealing to all.
According to the brand, this is because "only 20 per cent of those with hearing loss seek hearing help" due to economic barriers and stigma.
The earbuds can also be used for listening to music
"Everyone takes a different road to healthy hearing, but no matter the journey, today's hearing aids industry has placed unnecessary business-driven roadblocks along the way," said Owen Song, the founder of Olive Union.
"When my uncle first needed hearing assistance, everything from design and pricing to technology and maintenance turned him away. Our third-generation Olive Pro was ...