Starkey Hearing

Justin R. Burwinkel

Justin R. Burwinkel, Au.D. is a Senior Research Audiologist at Starkey with a doctorate in audiology from the University of Cincinnati. He has been a research audiologist for the last nine years, investigating potential improvements to digital noise reduction, feedback suppression, and the benefits of various sensor technologies for use with hearing instruments. He is also involved in conducting perceptual and usability studies, new feature development, and product validation. Dr. Burwinkel has filed 60 patents related to his research efforts, is an Adjunct Professor of Audiology, and frequently speaks at national and international conferences.

In his interview with MedTech Outlook, Dr. Burwinkel highlights the latest innovations powering hearing aids and how they go beyond the core function of hearing assistance. He also shares insights into some trends that can potentially transform the industry.

What are some of the recent significant developments in the audiology space?

There have been several key developments that I have seen making significant impacts on the profession and the technology we rely on to serve our patients with hearing difficulties. As we are seeing in many industries, the emergence of AI and cloud computing are rapidly transforming our technological capabilities and allowing hearing healthcare providers to maximize the impact that hearing technology has on their patients’ lives. At Starkey, we've been at the forefront of this evolution, focusing on developing novel applications for ‘friendly AI’ and by increasing computational power and efficiency of the microelectronics needed to support these features.

One notable achievement is the significant increase in battery life. Our latest generation of hearing aids, Genesis AI, not only has 4 times more computational power than the previous generation, but it can also deliver more than 51 hours of continuous use from a single battery charge! This extended battery life, combined with the adoption of Bluetooth® low-energy audio streaming protocols, is allowing patients to use their hearing aids throughout the day for phone calls, direct audio streaming, and television connectivity without being concerned about needing to stop for an untimely recharge.

Public hearing accessibility systems, telehealth, and remote audiology services have also gained traction, especially in light of the recent global pandemic. When the pandemic created communication barriers, Starkey adapted quickly. Patients can now receive audiological adjustments and consultations from the comfort of their homes, improving access to care, especially for those in remote areas or with hectic schedules.

“We’ve greatly expanded the capabilities of hearing aids beyond traditional expectations.”

Furthermore, we’ve greatly expanded the capabilities of hearing aids beyond traditional expectations. By integrating motion sensors into our devices and pairing them with AI, we've been able to introduce unique features designed to support wearers' health and well-being. These features include physical activity tracking and automatic fall detection, which can send an alert to loved ones when a fall occurs. These breakthroughs are enabling patients to age in place comfortably and confidently.

Can you talk about any initiatives you are currently working on incorporating these innovations?

We have been actively engaged in several pioneering initiatives to leverage the sensors and AI to enhance the overall well-being of individuals with hearing difficulties. One of our flagship health and wellness initiatives focuses on delivering groundbreaking features that address both hearing and balance concerns. This holistic approach recognizes the natural interconnectedness of hearing and balance through shared physiological pathways, and assists audiologists to provide care at the height of their scope of practice.

Untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, higher rates of depression, and reduced physical activity when compared to age-matched peers.  All of these factors can negatively impact balance and mobility, resulting in higher rates of falls. Recognizing this, we developed the first and only hearing aids with an embedded fall detection system to alert loved ones. To this day, Starkey leads the entire medical industry by using machine learning on real-world motion sensor data to continually improve the only on-ear fall detection and alert system available. In addition, Genesis AI hearing aids can be used to motivate users to reach their fitness targets, helping ward off falls to begin with.

What would be your piece of advice to your peers in the industry?

My advice to my peers in the industry is to embrace the wealth of evidence-based tools and technologies available today. We're living in an era where AI-driven innovations are revolutionizing the way we provide care to patients with hearing difficulties. Enhanced connectivity to smartphones, integration with machine learning networks, increasingly greater access to public assistive listening systems, and the implementation of fall detection are just a few examples of the remarkable opportunities that are ripe and at our disposal. These advancements can enable us to not only help our patients hear better but also live better.