Are There Hearing Aids with Fall Detection? (Yes!)

What Are Hearing Aids with Fall Detection?

Hearing aids with fall detection support both your hearing and personal safety in one convenient, wearable device. Using built-in motion sensors, these hearing aids can recognise sudden changes in movements, orientation, and impact patterns consistent with a fall.

If a fall is detected and help is needed, an alert is sent to predetermined emergency contacts, such as a caregiver, trusted friend, or family member. In the event of a serious fall, this technology can shorten the time it takes to receive assistance, improving safety, independence, and peace of mind for both the hearing aid wearer and their loved ones.

Which Hearing Aids Have Fall Detection?

Starkey leads the industry as the first and only manufacturer to offer hearing aids with fully integrated fall detection technology. Select Starkey hearing aid models feature built-in motion sensors that can track body movement, speed, and orientation. Beyond delivering personalised sound and speech clarity, these devices also work behind the scenes to automatically detect falls and alert designated emergency contacts when help is needed.

Starkey’s most popular hearing aids with automatic fall detection technology include:

• Omega AI
• Edge AI
• Genesis AI

Starkey Hearing Technologies is a U.S. based hearing aid manufacturer that has pioneered some of the world’s most advanced hearing technology since 1967. Its product range includes rechargeable, Bluetooth-enabled, and custom-fit hearing aids designed for different levels of hearing loss and lifestyle needs.

Starkey’s latest hearing solutions incorporate artificial intelligence (AI), advanced sound processing, built-in health tracking, automatic fall detection, tinnitus technology, smartphone connectivity, and more.

How Do Hearing Aids with Fall Detection Work?

Hearing aids with fall detection work through a combination of built-in motion-sensing technology and AI algorithms that detect falls in real-time. When paired with a companion app, the system can then send a fall alert text message to pre-selected emergency contacts when help is needed.

Below, we take a closer look at exactly how hearing aids with fall detection technology work:

Built-In Motion Sensors:

Starkey hearing aids with fall detection use built-in motion sensors to monitor how the wearer moves throughout the day, similar to how most fitness smartwatches work. These sensors can detect things such as changes in movement, speed, and body position. Because hearing aids sit on the ears, they can easily detect movement patterns associated with the body changing position during a fall.

If the sensors detect an abrupt or unusual shift in movement, such as a quick downward movement, the event is immediately flagged as a possible fall.

Fall Detection AI Algorithms:

If a potential fall is detected, specialised AI algorithms instantly analyse the sensor data for specific patterns indicative of falling, tripping, or collapsing. The fall detection system looks at a combination of factors like:

• Movement patterns immediately before the event
• Sudden changes in speed or orientation
• A rapid acceleration or impact
• Periods of little or no movement afterward

Using several characteristics together helps distinguish a potential fall from everyday movements, such as sitting down quickly or bending over to pick something up. To reduce false alarms, Starkey hearing aid fall sensitivity settings can also be adjusted in the My Starkey app.

If the algorithm determines the event was a fall, it automatically triggers an SOS alert countdown.

SOS Alert Countdown:

If the system determines that a fall likely occurred, it can trigger an alert countdown rather than immediately sending a message. This gives the person a chance to cancel the alert if they’re okay or send it immediately if they need help.

Starkey’s hearing aid fall-alert system allows users to choose between a 60- or 90-second countdown. The countdown plays audibly through the hearing aids and visibly appears on the smartphone screen as well. If no help is needed, the wearer can cancel the alert by pressing the control button on the hearing aid or via their smartphone.

If the countdown isn’t cancelled, a fall alert text is instantly sent to pre-selected emergency contacts.

Fall Alert Messages:

If the countdown expires, or the wearer manually sends the alert, the Starkey fall alert system automatically sends a text message to up to three pre-selected emergency contacts. When location sharing is enabled, this alert text includes the precise GPS location of where the fall occurred, so emergency contacts know where to send help.

Starkey’s fall alert system also lets contacts confirm that they received the alert, triggering a confirmation notification to play through the wearer’s hearing aids and pop up on their smartphone screen.

Explore the Latest Hearing Aid Technology with Hearing Choices Australia

According to public health data, 1 in 3 Australians over the age of 65 experience at least one fall every year.¹ Research also shows that people who wear hearing aids are 50% less likely to experience a fall compared to those who don’t wear them.²

At Hearing Choices Australia, we are proud to partner with a nationwide network of trusted audiologists. Contact us today to find the best hearing aid and care solutions for your needs, lifestyle, and budget.

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References:

1. About falls | Falls Prevention Alliance Australia. (n.d.). https://www.fallspreventionalliance.org.au/about-falls 
2. Campos, L., Prochazka, A., Anderson, M., Kaizer, A., Foster, C., & Hullar, T. (2023). Consistent hearing aid use is associated with lower fall prevalence and risk in older adults with hearing loss. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 71(10), 3163–3171. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.18461