The bionic earpiece: Development of an advanced digital earpiece for audio and cognitive interfaces

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This NSERC Alliance research program will allow the research team of the industrial research chair in in-ear technologies (CRITIAS) together with 4 co-applicants and 6 collaborators to focus on the development of an advanced digital earpiece for audio and cognitive interfaces, dubbed the "Bionic Earpiece".This five-year research program will cover both software and hardware development, at various Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), to improve technologies already developed by CRITIAS by filling some knowledge gaps previously identified. The first focus is the development of new audio and radio signal processing algorithms for advanced hearing protection and communication in noise to benefit the industrial partner of this research program, EERS, in the improvement of its products in the field of occupational health and safety, with the support of its strategic partner, the American multinational 3M. The second focus is the development of hearing aid and in-ear biosensing functionalities to support EERS's research efforts in consumer applications for one of its recent strategic partners among GAFAM. The focus is on the use of new material, manufacturing processes and individualized design criteria for the development of a digital custom-fitted in-ear device of superior comfort with unique acoustics and electrophysiological capabilities. Such "bionic earpiece" will enable new medical applications and neuro-auditory technologies ranging from embedded diagnostics to the development of ultimate human-machine and brain-computer interfaces (BCI). It will enable EERS to further develop innovative hearing products for the industrial, military, consumer and medical markets.The program will benefit from the $637k cash contribution and the $667k in-kind received from EERS and will be also leveraged by a PROMPT grant and a MITACS Accelerate internship cluster. Through the commitment of its chairholder and that of the EERS management team, this program will provide its 11 graduate and 25 undergrad students with a solid scientific, technical and entrepreneurial training and thus gives Canadian industry a unique and coveted source of Highly Qualified Personnel in these domains.