Exploring the ‘unseen’ ingenuity of ZEAL hearing technology.

Clinical Director of The Well Being By Cubex, Adam Shulberg, met with Oticon UK national Training Manager Alison Stone in two online discusssions, unveiling the extraordinary benefits of new Oticon Zeal.

This breakthrough hearing technology offers remarkable AI-powered functionality with the discreetness of an in-the-ear device.

We will in future be hosting similar online discussions relating to well hearing and wellbeing. We’ll keep you updated!

Keen to explore whether Zeal is suitable for you? Book a consultation here.

Here is the transcript and video recording.

LIVE DISCUSSION WITH OTICON:
Exploring the ‘unseen’ ingenuity of ZEAL hearing technology.

Adam Shulberg
Managing Director and Senior Audiologist at The Well Being BY CUBEX.

Welcome, and many thanks for attending this live event.

We are launching Oticon ZEAL and unveiling this truly groundbreaking evolution in hearing technology.

We've enabled closed captions and live transcriptions, but you may need to activate this on your computers if you've not already done so.

Enable live captions, settle back, and enjoy this session.

First of all, make no mistake, Oticon Zeal is exceptional.

And I was thrilled and delighted to be invited to an almost exclusive unveiling of this to the world in Denmark four or five weeks ago.

And now, we're launching ZEAL here in the UK.

In fact, currently, it's only been launched in Denmark, Switzerland, and the UK, and won't be rolled out to other countries and other markets until next year.

But for those who know us, we were previously Cubex Audiology. And we became The Well Being By Cubex just a few years ago.

But in truth, we've always understood the connection between reduced hearing and wellbeing, because we witness it every day. Communicating with ease and with as little effort as possible is a fundamental need.

As we move through life, what we hear and the way that we hear it is essential to our well-being. It shapes our experience like almost no other sense does.

Daily, we witness people who've become observers rather than participants, removing themselves from conversation due to fears, embarrassment, anxieties, and frustration.

It is such an effort to participate in everything that's going on if you're hearing impaired or have reduced hearing sensitivity.

In our clinic, we have a bottom-up (ears-to-brain) and top-down (brain-to-ears) approach. At The Well Being by Cubex, we truly understand the connection between the brain and the impact that compromised speech input has when hearing is untreated or reduced.

Reduced hearing sensitivity demands even more effort in challenging listening environments, requiring deeper concentration when resources are already depleted.

For those of you who are early adopters of treatment and care—congratulations.

It's never too early to reduce the effort of communication, and delaying this results in increased effort, reduced participation, avoidance, and maladaptive coping. These factors may lead to accelerated cognitive decline.

Oticon Zeal is remarkable, as you will learn—bringing something completely new and different to hearing care. It will be a game changer for many, but it will not be for everybody.

Zeal complements, rather than replaces, existing Oticon BrainHearing technology.

Zeal is incredibly small, discreet, and fully customised, with one of the highest-performing microchips available anywhere in the world today.

Despite its tiny size, it's rechargeable and can stream audio from mobile phones, iPads, and other devices directly into your ears.

This is what makes Zeal so unique.
Zeal will be a game changer for many. It is truly extraordinary, and it is unseen.

We expect the session to run for about 50 to 55 minutes, including 10 minutes at the end for questions, which we'll do our best to answer. Any unanswered questions will be replied to after the session closes.

In a moment, I'm going to introduce Alison, who you already see on your screens. Alison is a personal friend and an incredibly knowledgeable and gifted colleague.

Some of you may know Alison from previous online events where we discussed research and shared insights into why providing your brain with more relevant, precise, and complete information really matters.

Oticon, as a leading global manufacturer of hearing technology, has a strong focus on neuroscience. The term “BrainHearing” is Oticon's trademark describing their approach to making listening easier and less effortful—freeing up cognitive capacity.

To achieve this, we must understand how the brain processes sound and what it requires to do this effectively and with minimal effort. Oticon has spent decades developing algorithms toward this goal.

In her presentation, Alison will discuss this in more detail. Alison is an audiological scientist and National Training Manager for Oticon UK. She's passionate about teaching and inspired by the life-changing impact of hearing technology developments.

Over to you, Alison.

Alison Stone

National Training Manager for Oticon, UK.

Thank you so much, Adam, for that lovely introduction, and good afternoon, everyone. It is lovely to see so many of you join us this afternoon.

At Oticon, this is what we do. Throughout our 121-year history, our goal has been to transform the lives of people with hearing loss and to drive the future of hearing care forward.

Part of that journey has been developing and pioneering the BrainHearing approach to sound processing. We understand that everyone wants to engage freely in conversation, but that shouldn’t be at the expense of being connected to surroundings — as so many hearing-aid brands still do today.

We will continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible with sound processing, bringing everyone who uses our technology closer to natural engagement with the soundscape around them.

Oticon is also about changing the status quo. These are some of the innovations that have defined Oticon over the last 30 years or so: pioneering the first digital hearing aid, launching Oticon Delta — the first hearing aid that didn’t really look like a hearing aid — introducing the first truly wireless solution, and developing the first hearing aid with onboard AI.

But where are we today as hearing-care professionals? There are still people who are primarily driven by discretion. They want the smallest, most discreet solution possible. While we offer high-performing over-the-ear styles, many want something in the ear.

Historically, that has required compromises. It simply wasn’t possible to provide all the functionality that people expect in a tiny, discreet solution. That is — until today.

[Video plays - summary]
“They said it couldn’t be done. They said I’d have to compromise. They said I couldn’t have it all. Well, here I am — coming into the world in a way you’ve never seen before…”

And so, for the first time, we can now drive the conversation with a hearing-aid user not about what we need to compromise on, but rather about offering a solution with all the things they need and expect.

This includes a tiny, discreet style; connectivity to your phone and devices; rechargeability — as you expect from modern technology — plus AI sound processing to help you converse freely in many situations. It also allows your hearing-care professional the flexibility to optimise the solution for you, as and when needed.

Part of what makes Oticon Zeal so special is the processing inside the instrument. Despite its tiny size, it packs a punch thanks to next-generation AI technology.

Before returning to that, I’d like to share some aspects that make Zeal unique — something completely different from anything else in hearing care today.

First: it is a brand-new style. Nothing else like it exists. Hearing aids are generally divided into behind-the-ear devices and in-the-ear devices. But Zeal introduces an entirely new category: Next In-The-Ear.

It is not exactly custom-made, but a pre-made solution inspired by millions of ear scans in our database, allowing it to fit as many ears as possible — with the option to customise the acoustic elements.

Adam mentioned Zeal is not for everyone. There are many reasons another solution might be more suitable. But Zeal has been designed to fit as many ears as possible.

Zeal’s ultra-compact size is possible thanks to a revolutionary production technique called encapsulation. Instead of assembling parts on a chassis and covering them with a shell, we fully seal the internal components. This eliminates wasted space and dramatically improves durability.

Encapsulation is used in other industries — spacecraft, wind turbines, and medical devices like pacemakers. It’s now being applied at microscopic scale for hearing-aid production.

To help you visualise this, think of amber — tree resin that hardens around a leaf or branch, perfectly preserving it. Encapsulation does the same for Zeal’s electronics.

[Engineering video plays]

The amplifier is folded around the battery. New over-moulding processes are used. Encapsulation reduces body size by half compared to a traditional RITE instrument. Zeal achieves unmatched structural integrity and environmental sealing.

The benefits of encapsulation: durability, no wasted space, and the smallest physical size possible.

Flexibility in optimisation allows your audiologist to customise acoustic and audiological needs right in the consultation — unlike custom devices which rely on external manufacturing.

Earpieces can range from flexible domes to custom-made tips or moulds, ensuring optimal comfort and fit.

All parts in Zeal are a fixed unit, so regular maintenance is key. We recommend monthly changes of both the dome and the wax filter — or more often if needed.

Another unique element is the antenna — the part that sits in the concha. It has three functions: maintaining a stable Bluetooth connection, anchoring the device securely, and acting as the grip to remove the device. It is a sensitive electronic component and must not be cut or modified.

The first function of the antenna is providing connection to your phone and other devices. Oticon Zeal includes all the modern connectivity standards: Made for iPhone, Bluetooth LE Audio (the new Bluetooth standard), and for the first time, compatibility with AuraCast — an emerging technology for broadcasting sound to unlimited devices.

There are several ways to control the devices: tap controls, the Oticon Companion app, and native controls on iPhones and some Android phones. Zeal is also compatible with Oticon’s full range of accessories.

For example, if your Android phone does not support Bluetooth LE Audio, you can use our Easy LE Adapter to achieve high-quality, hands-free streaming. There are also accessories for TV audio, remote microphones like ConnectClip or EduMic for noisy environments.

AuraCast is a way of broadcasting sound over Bluetooth to unlimited devices. It’s being rolled out in venues across the UK and worldwide — theatres, airports, train stations, and more.

Let me demonstrate how it works. Here is an AuraCast transmitter called AuraLoop — a microphone that sits on a service desk such as a post office or bank counter. It picks up the service provider’s voice and streams directly into hearing aids via AuraCast.

Using the app, you simply select “AuraCast,” view available broadcasts, tap the venue’s stream, and you are immediately connected. You can adjust the broadcast volume, adjust overall hearing-aid levels, and even EQ the streamed audio. When finished, you tap disconnect. It’s as simple as connecting to Wi-Fi.

Oticon Zeal is rechargeable and charges in a smart travel-charger. The battery is a size 312 — the same size as the old brown disposable batteries — and it is extraordinary that this battery fits into such a small device.

A full charge gives 20 hours of use, even with significant streaming. With fast-charge, 15 minutes gives 4 hours of use — enough for your morning routine if you forgot to charge them overnight.

When you’re not using the hearing aids, keep them in the charger to keep them safe and prevent sleep mode. You also need the charger to reboot the hearing aids, for example when reconnecting Bluetooth. And always close the lid when charging.

Now let’s return to the processing inside Zeal. Zeal is built on the Sirius platform — Oticon’s latest — enabling better music sound quality, the latest AI processing, and future-proof Bluetooth LE Audio.

Zeal uses Oticon More Sound Technology — a suite of algorithms supporting the brain in everyday listening. These technologies provide clear, clean sound and powerful background-noise reduction.

This includes our second-generation deep neural network — a type of artificial intelligence trained to identify speech and reduce background noise very precisely. Unlike other brands, this AI is always on — not activated only in very loud environments. It supports you even in moderately noisy places where you still want less interference.

I want to share highlights from our clinical evidence — two of the five experiments we conducted.

First question: Does Oticon Zeal perform on par with our premium technology?
Answer: Yes — Zeal performs similarly to Oticon Intent and Oticon Own in speech understanding.

Second question: How does Zeal compare to other devices of similar size? We tested in two conditions:

• 0 dB SNR — noise and speech at equal levels, like a very loud restaurant. Zeal outperformed competitor custom devices and same-day-fit devices.
• +5 dB SNR — moderately loud noise, more realistic for daily life. Zeal performed even better here compared to competitors.

What does this mean? Zeal supports you reliably wherever you are — giving priority to the conversation you want to hear.

In summary, Zeal is the first hearing solution to offer all of these in one: ultra-discretion, tiny size, connectivity, rechargeability, AI sound processing, and the flexibility for your audiologist to personalise the solution to your needs.

Zeal is not for everyone. Candidacy depends on your hearing level (typically mild to moderate), manual dexterity for maintenance, ear anatomy, ear-wax production, and other factors.

Another important factor is how much contrast your brain needs when listening in noisy environments. We measure this using the Auditory Contrast Threshold (ACT) test. This helps determine the right solution for you and how to customise it.

Physical fit is also evaluated: depth of insertion, microphone placement, antenna comfort, visibility, and physical comfort.

We’ve found that around two-thirds of ears are suitable for Zeal with a dome fit.

That brings me to the end of my slides. I’ll hand back to Adam for questions.

Q&A Segment

Adam Shulberg: Thank you, Alison — very fluent as always. I’ve got a couple of questions I’d like to run by you. Let’s keep responses short so we can save time for audience questions.

There was a lot of emphasis on encapsulation. I’m wondering how you handle repairs. Oticon tech is very reliable but with encapsulation, how are repairs managed?

Alison Stone: Excellent question. We can repair the devices, but maintenance is crucial to keep repairs to a minimum. The microphone has a replaceable cover, and the receiver must remain open so sound can exit — meaning wax and moisture can still affect it. So regular dome and filter changes (at least monthly) are vital. If a repair is needed, the whole device must come back to us — unlike RITE devices with replaceable in-clinic receivers.

Adam Shulberg: Prevention is better than cure?

Alison Stone: Absolutely.

Adam Shulberg: Another question: You said Zeal gives preference to what the wearer wants to hear. How does the technology determine that?

Alison Stone: All hearing aids must in some sense “guess,” but speech is always prioritised. Our AI has been trained to identify speech and environmental sounds to keep you connected without overwhelming you. It distinguishes relevant from irrelevant sounds, even though the exact algorithms are complex.

Adam Shulberg: Some of that technology is also in Oticon Intent, with 4D processing.

Alison Stone: Yes.

Adam Shulberg: Can we take questions?

Moderator: Yes. Dennis Hall asks: What are the pros and cons versus Lyric?

Adam Shulberg: Lyric is completely different. It is analogue, sits 4mm from the eardrum, very discreet, worn 24/7 for up to 3 months. But it has no connectivity, no noise processing, no customisation, and uses very old technology — similar to 30-40 years ago. The sound is natural and lifestyle-friendly, but technologically far inferior to Zeal.

Moderator: A second question from Edwin: Is there an official waterproof rating? I’d love hearing aids OK for water sport.

Alison Stone: Zeal is IP68 — dust-proof and highly water-resistant. We submerge devices in water at 1 metre for 2 hours and they must still pass testing. However, no hearing aid can be truly waterproof because sound must enter and exit the device. We do not recommend immersion. Some brands claim waterproof, but they have the same IP rating — in my opinion, a bold claim.

Adam Shulberg: Is the test done in fresh or salt water?

Alison Stone: Fresh water. Salt water is far more corrosive.

Adam Shulberg: I want to touch on the ACT test. We’ve used it in our clinic for two years. It measures the brain’s ability to separate speech from noise — not a hearing test, but a brain function. Musicians, especially classical ones, score extremely well. The ACT score helps us decide suitability for Zeal and optimise settings. Only a few clinics in the UK offer this test; it’s expensive but extremely valuable.

Adam Shulberg: Let’s open to the floor.