Danish technology company Widex has pioneered a discreet digital hearing aid which matches the exact dimensions of a wearer's ear canal. The patented technology is called CAMISHA (Computer Aided Manufacturing of Individual Shells for Hearing Aids.)
Small and perfectly formed —
Danish technology company Widex has pioneered a discreet digital hearing aid which matches the exact dimensions of a wearer's ear canal. The patented technology is called CAMISHA (Computer Aided Manufacturing of Individual Shells for Hearing Aids.)
Widex
The first part of building the Widex hearing aid requires a mold of the ear canal to be made, as CNN's Nick Glass demostrates.
The first part of building the Widex hearing aid requires a mold of the ear canal to be made, as CNN's Nick Glass demostrates.
Widex
The mold is placed in a scanner which records all the data required for the 3D printing stage ...
The mold is placed in a scanner which records all the data required for the 3D printing stage ...
Widex
... with all the precise dimensions mapped out on a computer.
... with all the precise dimensions mapped out on a computer.
Widex
Inside the 3D printer, the plastic molds slowly form from a pool of acrylic resin.
Inside the 3D printer, the plastic molds slowly form from a pool of acrylic resin.
Widex
Layer by layer, a laser slowly builds up a precise scuplture of a person's inner ear.
Layer by layer, a laser slowly builds up a precise scuplture of a person's inner ear.
Widex
When the printing is complete, the digital amplification components are fitted inside.
When the printing is complete, the digital amplification components are fitted inside.
Widex
The CAMISHA process is used for 95% of all custom-built hearing aids, according to Widex. The technology earned the company a European Patent Office award in 2012.
The CAMISHA process is used for 95% of all custom-built hearing aids, according to Widex. The technology earned the company a European Patent Office award in 2012.
Widex
Half a century ago, hearing aids weren't quite so discreet.
Evolution of the hearing aid: 1956 —
Half a century ago, hearing aids weren't quite so discreet.
Widex
Five years on, devices had improved ...
1961 —
Five years on, devices had improved ...
Widex
... but a quarter of a century later, the design hadn't moved on much.
1987 —
... but a quarter of a century later, the design hadn't moved on much.
Widex
But by the turn of the century, devices had become much smaller.
2000 —
But by the turn of the century, devices had become much smaller.
Widex
Today, companies like Widex are making hearing aids which are barely noticible, with amplification devices moving from behind to inside the ear.
2012 —
Today, companies like Widex are making hearing aids which are barely noticible, with amplification devices moving from behind to inside the ear.
Widex
Widex CEO, Soren Westermann. His father co-founded the company nearly 60 years ago.
Widex CEO, Soren Westermann. His father co-founded the company nearly 60 years ago.
Widex