Background Stories - a series of articles which offer a scientific background to
the various features and technologies.
SoundRecover
and its benefit for Hearing Instrument wearers with a moderately-severe to severe hearing loss Frequency
compression is a proven new technique for improving the ability of people with hearing impairment to
detect and recognise high-frequency sounds. As difficulty perceiving such sounds is one of the most
common characteristics of hearing loss, the practical success of frequency compression is a significant
advance in the field of hearing instruments. SoundRecover, a Phonak proprietary algorithm implementing
frequency compression, was introduced recently in Naída UltraPower hearing instruments. Extensive trials
have demonstrated the benefits of SoundRecover for many adults and children with severe to profound
hearing impairment. Similar benefits may also be obtained by users of SoundRecover who have less-severe
losses. Results from preliminary studies with Naída users having moderate or worse bilateral hearing
loss show, that SoundRecover is generally both readily accepted and reported to assist with sound perception.
This article explains the importance of SoundRecover even to hearing-instrument users with a moderately
severe to severe hearing loss. Download
the Background Story (PDF, 128 kB)
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Top Case
Study Outcomes of Hearing
Impaired Listeners Using Nonlinear Frequency Compression Technology Providing
audibility of a wide range of input levels from a broad frequency spectrum is a goal of any hearing
aid fitting. For listeners with high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss, this goal can be challenging
to meet with amplitude compression technology for several reasons. Firstly, this technology is limited
in its ability to provide the appropriate amount of gain for soft, high-frequency sounds. If suitable
gain is achieved in the high-frequency region, acoustic feedback may result when the aid is worn by
the listener. Thus, application of a feedback management strategy and/or gain reduction is a common
solution. Additionally, the output bandwidth of conventional hearing aids is not broad enough to make
high-frequency sounds consistently audible for listeners with hearing loss (Stelmachowicz, et al., 2004).
These factors limit the audibility of important high-frequency ounds, especially for individuals with
sloping and/or severe to profound hearing losses. It is important to point out that providing audibility
of high-frequency information to listeners with severe to profound hearing impairment remains a controversial
topic. Large variability in aided listening performance is thought to be due to both the level of high-frequency
audibility the listener is receiving as well as the listener’s ability to extract useful information
from the audible signals. Some studies suggest that listeners who are provided with audibility at frequencies
where hearing levels are severe and/or sloping will not show speech recognition benefit (Ching, Dillon,
& Byrne, 1998; Ching, Dillon, Katsch, & Byrne, 2001; Hogan & urner, 1998). This is thought
to be due to a limited ability to use the amplified signal in that frequency region. On the other hand,
other studies have reported that significant improvements in speech understanding, especially in noisy
environments, occur when listeners with sloping sensorineural hearing loss are provided with high-frequency
information (Plyler & Fleck, 2006; Turner & Henry, 2002). Additionally, listeners with suspected
dead regions in the high-frequencies perform better on speech recognition tasks when broadband
amplification is used (Mackersie, Crocker. & Davis, 2004), while listeners without dead regions
are better able to make use of high-frequency cues (Moore, 2004). Thus, the different outcomes may be
due to ctors such as the inner hair cell (IHC) function (i.e. dead regions), congenital versus acquired
hearing loss, and frequency lowering technology. Download
the Background Story (PDF, 120 kB)
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Fit -
Custom CIC as a valid alternative to a microStyle BTE In response
to the experimental questions, the findings of the present study indicate that acoustic optimization
of venting and hearing aid parameters provide smoother in-situ responses that relate positively to user
benefits in terms of occlusion, sound quality and speech intelligibility. In addition, occlusion and
measured feedback with the Exélia CIC Petite with AOV were reduced relative to that observed with the
Savia Art CRT micro BTE device for typical “open fit” hearing aid candidates. Finally, Exélia’s improved
feedback management system resulted in improved feedback cancellation for “dynamic” listening conditions
while also assuring improved audibility for soft input speech levels. In summary, effective performance
with open fit devices depends on: Download
the Background Story (PDF, 195 kB)
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Technology The new benchmark in feedback
elimination
WhistleBlock Technology, now available in Exélia and Naída products,
will yield optimal performance for many different hearing instrument families and styles. WhistleBlock
Technology achieves significant improvements for added stable gain, improved sound quality and reduced
entrainment effects when compared to other competitive schemes of feedback cancellation. WhistleBlock
Technology achieves unprecedented amelioration of one of the major complaints of hearing instrument
users, effectively eliminating feedback without introducing annoying artifacts. Download
the Background Story (PDF, 276 kB)
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AutoPilot
to SoundFlow CORE (Communication Optimized Real-audio
Engine) sets new standards
The CORE platform from Phonak sets a new benchmark in
automatic adaptivity. Numerous innovations made possible with the introduction of SoundFlow means the
active hearing program adapts more specifically to the sound environment and also takes individual preferences
into consideration. Thanks to SoundFlow, it is also finally possible to offer people with severe to
profound hearing loss a device that automatically adjusts to sound environments and still meets their
special power needs. Download the Background Story (PDF,
63 kB)
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Top Phonak
wireless
hearing instruments This fact sheet summarizes some helpful information
and is directed to wearers of wireless enabled Phonak hearing systems and their related accessories. Download
the Background Story (PDF, 182 kB)
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ZoomControl: hear
“around the corner”
With Exélia and the new VoiceZoom and ZoomControl a new chapter
is written in the history of multi-microphone technology. Through wireless data transfer it has become
possible to achieve right and left hearing aid directionality characteristics not possible
with other conventional two microphone systems. With myPilot command center, each individual can decide
when the superior technology is activated and thereby can practically “hear around the corner”.
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the Background Story (PDF, 148 kB)
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the CORE
of Innovation Hearing instrument technology is currently at the
dawn of a new technological era similar to the introduction of digital hearing instruments 10 years
ago. Microelectronics have made significant progress over the past years: the computational power has
significantly increased, and it is now possible to integrate hearing instruments in a network allowing
full audio communication between
two instruments and also the further listening world.
CORE is the new chip platform developed by Phonak that includes significant improvements in both aspects. Download
the Background Story (PDF, 341 kB)
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Design
Audéo Personal Communication Assistant provides the performance a new generationdemands
in a look they will accept, even embrace. Audéo is the ultimate tech-accessory for an active lifestyle.
Download
Audéo Design Background Story (PDF, 596 kB)
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New Generation
It is well-known that traditional hearing instruments reach only a small portion
of people with hearing loss, especially those in the younger age group, 50-65. Audéo PersonalCommunication
Assistant (PCA) is a breakthrough for reaching this population. Stylish,discreet and packed with leading-edge
features, Audéo is a blend of state-of-the-arttechnology and cutting-edge design. Audéo PCA offers a
new generation of clients theperformance they demand in a look they will embrace, even aspire to own.
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Audéo New Generation Background Story (PDF, 458 kB)
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Audéo
Features
Audéo effectively addresses the primary requirements of an active, younger generation
- enhanced clarity and improved understanding in background noise. It offers them theperformance they
demand, in a stylish, discreet look they will accept.
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Audéo Features (PDF, 406 kB)
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Audéo
New Direction
Traditional hearing instrument marketing not only does not appeal to younger baby
boomers,the stigma it perpetuates can actually further alienate them from products that could potenti-ally
be very useful to them. To catch their attention and overcome misconception and stigma,Phonak supports
Audéo Personal Communication Assistant (PCA) with the edgiest campaign inthe company’s (and probably
the industry’s) history.
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(PDF, 612 kB)
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Savia
DataLogging
with User Preference Tuning
Savia DataLogging with User Preference Tuning opens up new possibilities for the
counseling and fine tuning process. These unique features allow a much more focussed communication between
the hearing instrument wearer and the hearing care professional. Volume changes made by the client in
daily life are analyzed and an appropriate fine tuning suggestion is computed for each hearing program.
The hearing care professional has objective data at hand which allow for unambiguous interpretation
of client complaints and efficient intervention. This increases the efficiency of fitting sessions and
contributes to a satisfying fine tuning process. Furthermore, data on average wearing time and manual
program selection are collected and displayed during the follow-up appointment. This allows for targeted
counseling of the client.
Download Savia DataLogging Background
Story (PDF, 390 kB)
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The
anatomy of Savia
Savia, Phonak’s first class hearing instrument family is consistently focused on
natural, effortless hearing in all listening situations. To achieve this goal, a number of innovations,
including novel signal processing strategies, unique fitting tools and breakthrough technological features
have been developed. These allow Savia to precisely navigate through all the listening situations of
daily life and to continuously adapt to the acoustic environment. With Savia speech intelligibility
and effortless hearing even in difficult environments are ensured leading to an exceptional level of
user satisfaction.
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(PDF, 395 kB)
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