Table 3 Data analysis Open codes Axial... | Emerald Publishing

Table 3

Data analysis

Open codes	Axial codes	Selective codes	Sample quotes
- Cancellation and filtering of background noise - Enhancing and amplifying speech over ambient sounds - Advanced noise suppression capabilities - Adaptive sound processing	Adept at adaptive management of noise	Intelligent environment management	ID 4: “AI-driven hearing aids offer compelling advantages, including real-time audio adjustment (e.g. filtering out traffic sounds and amplifying voices).”
- Context-aware processing - Clarity in environmental sounds - Environment-specific optimization - Dynamic voice adaptation - Multiple-speaker environment management - Automatic volume adjustments	Automatic environment detection	Intelligent environment management	ID 16: “I envision AI-enhanced hearing aids adapting seamlessly across various environments by automatically adjusting to the surroundings.”
- Lowers mental fatigue - Lowers the listening effort - Reduces the strain on the hearing - Less physical strain to listen - Improves concentration/focus	Reduces cognitive drain	Superior user experience	ID 18: “One problem was mental fatigue after a day of work, where I would need to attend meetings or one-on-one discussions, so by the end of the day, I would be mentally tired.”
- Learning user preferences over time - Personalized processing of sounds - Recognizes the voice of familiar people	Personalization through learning	Superior user experience	ID 6: “What I like most about AI-powered hearing aids is their intelligence and adaptability … I also appreciate the personalization features.”
- Clear conversation in meetings - Better family gathering participation - Improves voice clarity - Reduced need for repetition requests	Improved communication in social and professional settings	Enhanced social inclusion	ID 19: “At family gatherings, it would help me join conversations without constantly asking people to repeat themselves.”
- Increased social confidence - Reduced social isolation - Enhanced social participation - Prioritizing specific speakers - Greater independence in social settings	Enhances comfort in social settings	Enhanced social inclusion	ID 26: “This adaptability would help me stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed, making social and professional interactions smoother, more enjoyable, and far less exhausting.”
- Ability to detect a fall - Heart rate/health monitoring - Hearing health tracking - Activity/fitness tracking - Early health issue detection	Facilitates health monitoring	Integrated wellness-well-being ecosystem	ID 9: “AI could also provide real-time data, helping users monitor hearing health and offering insights into their listening patterns.”
- Integrated with Smartphone applications - Supports Bluetooth streaming - Transmission of phone calls - Music streaming - Integration of voice assistants	Smart connectivity	Integrated wellness-well-being ecosystem	ID 11: “I also very much like the fact that many of them like to use an app or my phone. This provides a comprehensive analysis of my hearing.”
- Directional voice focus - Speaker identification/prioritization - Effective algorithms	Superior voice processing	Technological superiority	ID 23: “I also appreciate features like directional microphones, which help me focus on the person I am speaking with.”
- Language translation in real-time - Transcription and translation - Distinguish between different environmental sounds - Ability to classify and manage noise - Multi-language support	Advanced features	Technological superiority	ID 4: “For outdoor settings, for example, it could cut out wind noise but enhance background warnings like traffic.”

Open codes	Axial codes	Selective codes	Sample quotes
- Cancellation and filtering of background noise - Enhancing and amplifying speech over ambient sounds - Advanced noise suppression capabilities - Adaptive sound processing	Adept at adaptive management of noise	Intelligent environment management	ID 4: “AI-driven hearing aids offer compelling advantages, including real-time audio adjustment (e.g. filtering out traffic sounds and amplifying voices).”
- Context-aware processing - Clarity in environmental sounds - Environment-specific optimization - Dynamic voice adaptation - Multiple-speaker environment management - Automatic volume adjustments	Automatic environment detection	Intelligent environment management	ID 16: “I envision AI-enhanced hearing aids adapting seamlessly across various environments by automatically adjusting to the surroundings.”
- Lowers mental fatigue - Lowers the listening effort - Reduces the strain on the hearing - Less physical strain to listen - Improves concentration/focus	Reduces cognitive drain	Superior user experience	ID 18: “One problem was mental fatigue after a day of work, where I would need to attend meetings or one-on-one discussions, so by the end of the day, I would be mentally tired.”
- Learning user preferences over time - Personalized processing of sounds - Recognizes the voice of familiar people	Personalization through learning	Superior user experience	ID 6: “What I like most about AI-powered hearing aids is their intelligence and adaptability … I also appreciate the personalization features.”
- Clear conversation in meetings - Better family gathering participation - Improves voice clarity - Reduced need for repetition requests	Improved communication in social and professional settings	Enhanced social inclusion	ID 19: “At family gatherings, it would help me join conversations without constantly asking people to repeat themselves.”
- Increased social confidence - Reduced social isolation - Enhanced social participation - Prioritizing specific speakers - Greater independence in social settings	Enhances comfort in social settings	Enhanced social inclusion	ID 26: “This adaptability would help me stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed, making social and professional interactions smoother, more enjoyable, and far less exhausting.”
- Ability to detect a fall - Heart rate/health monitoring - Hearing health tracking - Activity/fitness tracking - Early health issue detection	Facilitates health monitoring	Integrated wellness-well-being ecosystem	ID 9: “AI could also provide real-time data, helping users monitor hearing health and offering insights into their listening patterns.”
- Integrated with Smartphone applications - Supports Bluetooth streaming - Transmission of phone calls - Music streaming - Integration of voice assistants	Smart connectivity	Integrated wellness-well-being ecosystem	ID 11: “I also very much like the fact that many of them like to use an app or my phone. This provides a comprehensive analysis of my hearing.”
- Directional voice focus - Speaker identification/prioritization - Effective algorithms	Superior voice processing	Technological superiority	ID 23: “I also appreciate features like directional microphones, which help me focus on the person I am speaking with.”
- Language translation in real-time - Transcription and translation - Distinguish between different environmental sounds - Ability to classify and manage noise - Multi-language support	Advanced features	Technological superiority	ID 4: “For outdoor settings, for example, it could cut out wind noise but enhance background warnings like traffic.”