O2 has conducted a proof-of-concept trial of new technology designed to enhance phone call clarity for customers with hearing loss, according to a June 22 announcement.
The operator partnered with Mavenir, a cloud-native network software provider, to test the capability. The technology operates in the background and allows participants to use their existing phones and numbers as usual. It works by tailoring call audio in real time to individual hearing needs.
Participants in the trial completed an automated hearing test that assessed how they perceive different sound frequencies. This process generated a personalized hearing profile linked securely to each mobile number. The technology then adapted speech delivery during calls based on this profile, making conversations clearer and easier to follow.
Unlike device-based accessibility features or third-party applications, this optimization occurred within O2’s network infrastructure. Participants could make and receive calls normally while benefiting from clearer audio without additional steps or equipment.
Following the trial, nearly 90% of participants reported improvements in call clarity, noting that conversations were easier to follow and misunderstandings were reduced. Participants also experienced less listening effort and described the calling experience as more natural. Mary Higgins, who is profoundly deaf and participated in the trial, said, “I usually find phone calls tiring and stressful, even with hearing aids. Making a call without them is almost impossible. Using the technology was a completely different experience, as I could hear clearly without my hearing aids and didn’t need to keep asking people to repeat themselves.”
While still at an early stage of development, O2 said this proof-of-concept demonstrates how network-based solutions could improve accessibility for people with hearing loss.
