Eriksholm and the Oticon Audio Explorer Challenge: Uncovering Real-World Hearing Insights in NYC

At Eriksholm, part of our research is dedicated to understanding the real-life challenges faced by individuals in their daily lives with hearing impairments. By combining lab studies with real-world field trials, we explore how hearing aids perform in the environments where they are actually used. Monitoring physiological markers, gathering user feedback, and analyzing hearing aid data allow us to see the impact of hearing aids on individuals’ well-being, stress, and fatigue in complex soundscapes. This real-world approach helps us shape innovations that truly improve both hearing aid technology and users’ quality of life.

Bright minds compete

Real-world data is also central to the annual Audio Explorer challenge, a unique event hosted by Oticon. In this competition, engineering students from different tech-fields are invited to tackle a complex case, with the winning teams earning a 4-day trip to New York City. There, they explore cutting-edge advancements in hearing care technology at Oticon’s US headquarters and participate in a real-world audiological experiment. Jeppe Høy Christensen, principal investigator at Eriksholm and expert in real-world hearing, is part of the team that accompanies the students and provides scientific guidance throughout the hands-on experience:

“Visiting New York is fantastic, but the true highlight for me is spending time with such engaged and skilled students. It is inspiring to see their fascination with the world of audiology and hearing aid technology grow throughout the trip.”

Soundscapes of New York

During this years’ event, students were equipped with small sound-measuring devices and immersed in the urban soundscapes of NYC. As they navigated crowded streets, subways, and noisy restaurants, their sound exposure was continuously logged using a specialized app that also allowed students to provide subjective feedback on their listening experiences, including how noisy they perceived the environment to be. Additionally, their heart rates were monitored via fitness trackers, providing data on how different environments and activities impact stress and listening effort. This data also opened new opportunities for measuring “auditory engagement,” by analyzing how students’ heart rates synchronized during group activities in response to environmental noise.