Editorial illustration for Fortell Taps NYU Langone Researchers to Validate Hearing Aid Performance
NYU Researchers Validate Breakthrough Hearing Aid Tech
Fortell hires NYU Langone researchers to scientifically test its hearing aid
Hearing aid technology has long struggled with a fundamental challenge: accurately measuring real-world performance. While manufacturers tout impressive specs, proving actual sound quality remains notoriously difficult.
Fortell, an emerging player in the hearing assistance market, is taking an unusually rigorous approach to validation. The company has recruited researchers from NYU Langone's specialized audiology and neuroscience departments to conduct an independent assessment of its technology.
This isn't a typical marketing exercise. By bringing in academic experts to design a blind comparative experiment, Fortell signals serious confidence in its hearing solution. The move suggests the company wants more than just promotional claims - they're seeking scientific credibility.
Academic partnerships like these are rare in the hearing aid industry. Most manufacturers rely on internal testing or sponsored research. Fortell's willingness to submit its technology to external, impartial scrutiny could set a new standard for transparency.
The stakes are high. With millions of people experiencing hearing loss, a truly breakthrough technology could transform how we understand auditory assistance.
It's hard to measure hearing quality, but Fortell has set out to prove scientifically that it has a better solution to hearing loss. It contracted researchers in NYU Langone's audiology and neuroscience departments to consult on a blind experiment comparing Fortell with the leading AI-powered hearing aid competitor, a Swiss company called Phonak, whose devices retail for $4,000 and is considered the gold standard in AI hearing products. (In the study, Phonak isn't mentioned by name and is identified only as the control hearing aid group.) The test matched performance in environments where noise was coming at random intervals from three directions--kind of an emulation of the Cocktail Party Problem.
Hearing aid idea just got a serious credibility boost. Fortell's decision to partner with NYU Langone researchers signals a strategic move toward scientific validation in a market traditionally driven by marketing claims.
The blind experiment against an established competitor suggests Fortell isn't just another startup making bold promises. By engaging audiology and neuroscience experts, the company appears committed to rigorous, independent testing.
Hearing loss solutions are deeply personal technology. Consumers need more than flashy specs - they need proof that a device actually improves their quality of life.
Phonak's $4,000 price point sets a high bar for performance. Fortell's willingness to directly compare itself against this industry standard reveals confidence in its technology.
Scientific validation could be a game-changer for Fortell. If the NYU Langone research confirms meaningful improvements in hearing quality, the startup might disrupt a market dominated by expensive, established brands.
Still, the real test will be the study's actual results. For now, Fortell's approach looks promising.
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Common Questions Answered
How is Fortell approaching hearing aid performance validation differently from other manufacturers?
Fortell is taking an unusually rigorous approach by recruiting researchers from NYU Langone's audiology and neuroscience departments to conduct an independent assessment of its technology. Unlike traditional marketing-driven claims, the company is pursuing a blind experiment against an established competitor to scientifically validate its hearing aid performance.
What makes the NYU Langone partnership significant for Fortell's hearing aid technology?
The partnership with NYU Langone researchers provides Fortell with credible, independent scientific validation of its hearing aid performance. By engaging experts in audiology and neuroscience, Fortell is demonstrating a commitment to rigorous testing and moving beyond typical marketing claims in the hearing assistance market.
What is the competitive context of Fortell's hearing aid validation study?
Fortell is conducting a blind experiment comparing its technology against Phonak, a Swiss company considered the gold standard in AI-powered hearing aids with devices retailing for $4,000. This approach signals Fortell's confidence in its technology and its desire to prove superior performance through scientific methodology.