Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 480,597 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,297 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 104,008 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,297 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 104,008 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,233 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 480,597 cutting edge ideas.

3D-Printed Hearing Aids

Clean the Sky - Positive Eco Trends & Breakthroughs

Sonova's Custom Hearing Aids are Discreet and Efficiently Made

— August 10, 2017 — Tech
3D-printed hearing aids are bringing a much needed sense of efficiency to the deeply personal devices which require precise customization. Each ear is uniquely shaped, requiring the custom molds of hearing aids to be made by hand -- a strenuous and time-consuming process that lacks automation. Sonova's custom titanium 3D-printed devices are equal parts discreet and functional, serving as the first of its kind on the current market.

Sonova's research suggested that the majority of people requiring hearing aids would rather not wear one at all than wear one that's visible. This information prompted the company to design pieces that could be worn in-ear, instead of wrapped around the lobe. The company is now producing hundreds of custom shells, all of which maintain the same quality and precision as hand molded devices.
Trend Themes
1. Customized Hearing Aids - The trend of 3D-printed hearing aids allows for precise customization based on the unique shape of each individual's ear.
2. Discreet Design - The trend of 3D-printed hearing aids addresses the desire for discreetness, allowing users to have a comfortable and inconspicuous device.
3. Automated Manufacturing - The trend of 3D-printed hearing aids disrupts the manual and time-consuming process of hand molding, offering efficient and automated manufacturing.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - The healthcare industry can benefit from 3D-printed hearing aids by providing more personalized and efficient solutions for individuals with hearing impairments.
2. Consumer Electronics - The consumer electronics industry can explore the market opportunities of 3D-printed hearing aids, catering to the demand for discreet and customized devices.
3. Manufacturing - The manufacturing industry can seize the disruptive innovation opportunity of 3D printing technology to automate and streamline the production of customized hearing aids.
5.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness