New AI noise-canceling headphone technology lets users choose which sounds to listen to

Noise canceling headphones are an increasingly popular technology that allows users to block out ambient noise. Traditional noise-cancelling headphones use microphones to pick up outside noise and then generate opposite-phase sound waves to cancel it out. However, this technology has some limitations. For example, it may be difficult to block out low-frequency sounds, such as traffic noise or an airplane engine.

A new AI noise-canceling headphone technology called “semantic hearing” is emerging to overcome these limitations. These headphones use artificial intelligence to identify and block unwanted sounds. AI can learn to recognize the sounds the user wants to hear and those they want to block.

This new technology has been developed by researchers at the University of Washington, and is based on the use of deep learning algorithms so that the user of headphones can choose in real time the sounds they want to eliminate. For example, AI can identify the sound of a human voice, the sound of a car, or the sound of a police siren.

Once the AI has determined the meaning of the sound, it can take steps to block or allow it. For example, AI can block the sound of a human voice if the user is trying to concentrate. Or, the AI can enable the sound of a police siren, or whether someone is knocking on their door if the user is trying to be aware of their surroundings.

Semantic hearing offers a number of advantages over traditional noise-canceling headphones. These advantages include:

• Better noise cancellation: Uses AI to identify and block unwanted sounds. This makes them more effective at blocking out low-frequency sounds, such as traffic noise or airplane engine noise.
• Greater customization: Users can choose which sounds they want to hear and which they want to block. This allows them to create a personalized audio experience.
• Better sound quality: Uses AI to improve sound quality. This is because AI can help reduce background noise and improve audio clarity.

But on the other hand, semantic hearing is still in its early stages of development. There are a number of challenges that must be addressed for this technology to be commercially viable. These challenges include:

• Power consumption: AI generally requires a greater amount of processing power. This may result in increased power consumption of the headphones, which may reduce battery life.
• The cost: AI is a complex technology that can be expensive to develop and manufacture. This can make semantic hearing headphones more expensive than traditional noise-canceling headphones.

You can see a video at: https://youtu.be/xx3qocTmAK8

It seems clear that this technology offers a number of advantages over traditional noise-canceling headphones. However, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed for this technology to be commercially viable.

As AI continues to develop, semantic hearing headphones or similar headphones are likely to become more effective and affordable. This could lead to greater adoption of this technology, which could have a significant impact on the way people use their headphones on a day-to-day basis.

It remains to be seen when we see it on the market and at what prices it is offered.