FIRST MOVER
In late 2013, GN ReSound launched one of the biggest inventions in the history of the hearing aid industry. With ReSound LiNX, GN ReSound took a commanding position as the Fírst Mover with an unprecedented and innovative lifestyle product with direct connection between hearing aid and iPhone, iPad and iPod.

In late 2013, GN ReSound launched one of the biggest inventions in the history of the hearing aid industry. With ReSound LiNX, GN ReSound took a commanding position as the Fírst Mover with an unprecedented and innovative lifestyle product with direct connection between hearing aid and iPhone, iPad and iPod.

The launch of the proprietary audio protocol was preceded by almost 2 years of intensive development in the R&D software departments. TechPeople had provided seven external consultants during this period.

"I contact TechPeople when I am pressed for time and need special skills, for example in the interface between hearing aids and apps, mobile apps and the development of CMS to manage our releases and data."

Jesper Lund Nielsen, GN ReSound Director of Software

Domain 1: IT and business systems

The task was to further develop GN ReSound's software framework HIMS, Hearing Instrument Management System, to define hearing aid products. Two .NET consultants and one dedicated driver development expert were needed. "Almost anyone can make .NET software on a PC today, but when it comes to making software for driver frameworks, there are very few experts in that field. So when TechPeople presented us with just the right profile, we jumped at the chance, even though we had to wait for the consultant to become available," says GN ReSound Director Software Jesper Lund Nielsen, who points out that timing and profile are crucial when it comes to finding skilled consultants.

Domain 2: Apparatus development

Building a radio into a hearing aid was nothing new for GN ReSound. What was new was developing an App for mobile, so instead of a separate remote control, the user could directly use their iPhone, iPad or iPod to adjust sound and select programme. The sound is streamed directly from the phone and into the hearing aid, so the user experiences the same quality as in a wireless bluetooth headset, opening up endless audio possibilities and adding a greatly improved quality of life for people with hearing loss.

TechPeople provided two experienced embedded firmware consultants who were part of the team working on a new protocol for low-power radio and battery-powered devices.

Domain area 3: App development

GN ReSound has created a new standard in audio streaming based on Bluetooth Low Energy, where your iPhone can stream sound to your hearing aids. The work has made GN ReSound the market leader in a previously unknown area, where the remote control is always within reach with an easy and smart app from the App Store. TechPeople posed with two iOS consultants.

"TechPeople is one of the most versatile consultancies, providing competent consultants in all areas from appliances to IT and business services. They are friendly people and there is always a good dialogue. Now it should not be an "Old Men's Club" that makes me choose TechPeople, so therefore I ask more, although I often end up with consultants from TechPeople, "says a smiling Jesper Lund Nielsen, who is very pleased that TechPeople usually provides the right consultants within 24 hours, and at the same time the framework agreement between GN ReSound and TechPeople means that it is easy and fast to conclude an agreement.

"We are proud to have developed the world's first hearing aid made for iPhone, which significantly improves the quality of life for people with hearing loss," says Jesper Lund Nielsen.

About GN ReSound

GN ReSound is one of the world's leading manufacturers of hearing aids. GN ReSound develops solutions that push the boundaries of technology while producing reliable, high-quality products to improve the quality of life for people with hearing loss. Founded in 1934, the company employs 3,825 people globally and is represented in more than 80 countries.

httpss://www.gnresound.dk