Fitting m-models with Compass

Audiological Bulletin no. 27

9 502 1036 001 – A 11 07
News from Audiological Research and Communication

This bulletin describes the four main steps in fitting m-models with Compass V4. The descriptions refer to the options in the Selection and Fitting sections in Compass, including change of the acoustic identity of the m-models and the Preconditions, Sensogram, Feedback test and Program manager windows. Please refer to compass in order to see the details of the screen. Remember that Compass offers several help functions to explain the different options in the program: Tooltips, Using this window panels and the help manual. The m models follow the fine tuning procedure of their respective product family. For detailed information about the fine tuning please refer to the specific bulletins for the respective family.

Selection
In the Selection section, you can select the acoustic identity of an m-model. For the m-models you have a choice of four different acoustic identities: élan open, élan flex, Classic open and Classic flex. Please observe that each of the models has its own fitting range. After selecting the right model for your client, you go on to the Fitting section by selecting Fitting in the menu in the left side of the window. The easiest way of fitting m-models is by following the Fitting wizard. You could also proceed by connecting the m-model using the connect icon in the Toptool bar.

On-line communication
After selecting the appropriate hearing aid model, you must establish contact with the hearing aid. On-line communication is available in binaural, right or left mode. You can also choose simulated mode if no hearing aid is attached via the computer. Based on the client data, Compass will make a choice as default.

Define starting point
The Fitting wizard will automatically guide you through the essential steps of the fitting of m-models. If you prefer to do the fitting without the guidance of the Fitting wizard, you may do so by going to Fitting status.

Acoustic identity
You may tailor the acoustic identity of the m-model in the On-line communication window. Use the radio buttons in the acoustic identity section to adjust your choice. You have the choice between élan open, élan flex, Classic open, Classic flex. If you change the acoustic identity, Compass will configure the hearing aid to the new acoustic identity. The configuration can take up to several minutes depending on the programming interface you use. It is very important to make sure that the acoustic identity of the hearing aid is identical to the physical setup of the hearing aid.

The first fitting step - Preconditions
After you have established contact with the hearing aids, you proceed to fitting. Here the first step is to define the fitting preconditions. Most of the parameters in the Preconditions window have been pre-set based on the age and audiogram data stored in NOAH/InfoTrack, but if desired, they can be changed. The choices in the Preconditions window will depend on the selected acoustic identity of the hearing aid.

Fitting type
If you have connected two hearing aids, Compass will automatically select the binaural rationale. If only one hearing aid is connected, the monaural rationale will be selected. The latter will result in a slight increase in amplification to compensate for the loss of binaural summation.
Age group
The age group is automatically pre-set based on the age information stored in NOAH or InfoTrack. if an age younger than five years is selected, the paediatric rationale will be used to ensure that the smaller ear canal in young children is taken into account in the fitting. An extra step will be added to the Fitting wizard, allowing you to indicate audiogram transducer information.
Hearing loss nature
The type of hearing loss (Sensorineural or Conductive/Mixed) is automatically selected based on the audiogram information stored in NOAH/InfoTrack. If a conductive/mixed hearing loss is indicated, the rationale will automatically compensate for the conductive component with less compression and more gain.
Assessment of in-situ acoustics
For the nearly all the modern models, you can choose how the assessment of in-situ acoustics (AISA) should affect the fitting. Assessment of in-situ acoustics is not available for the FL-m models. For most m models, you can choose between three different approaches:

Include in-situ vent compensation in fitting uses the results of the AISA estimated vent effect for gain
compensation in the fitting, all reflected and displayed in the performance graphics. The Sensogram is displayed as an AISA Sensogram in the SoundTracker and Speech spectra views (in-situ vent effect is included). The gain and output graphics include the in-situ vent effect and gain compensation, as
well as the effect of the vent-transmitted sound path.

Display assessment results only displays the results of the AISA estimated vent effect. No compensation
is applied in the fitting. The gain and output graphics include the in-situ vent effect and the effect of the vent-transmitted sound path.

Ignore AISA (off) neither displays nor compensates for the vent effect. All performance graphics and gain settings in the hearing aid assume a completely unvented shell/earmould (0 mm).
RECD
The real-ear-to-coupler difference indicates how much the individual ear canal acoustics differ from the acoustics of a standard 2cc coupler. These values are used in the calculation of gain to ensure the right amount of amplification at the eardrum. Since m-models are fitted using in-situ audiometric measurements (the Sensogram), the individual differences in ear canal size are, to a large extent, taken into account. However, if desired, you can choose to include individually measured RECD values in the fitting. If you select this option, two extra steps will be included in the Fitting wizard, allowing you to indicate data from the RECD measurements.
Acoustic identity
If you are working with hearing aids that can be defined with different acoustic identities, this field shows the selection you have made. You cannot change the acoustic identity from the Preconditions window, but you can register the ear-set that your client uses. If you want to change the acoustic identity, you must go back to the Selection window.
Ear-set tubing
This option provides a drop-down list where you can identify the exact tube length that your client is fitted with. This option is available for fittings with the élan tube. You can choose between the different tube lengths from 1-5.
Ear-set tip
This option provides a drop-down list where you can identify the exact ear-tip size that your client is fitted with. This option is available for fittings with the élan tube. You can choose between four different ear-tip sizes and a Custom ear-tip.
Vent diameter
This option provides a drop-down list where you can select the appropriate vent size for a given fitting. An
asterisk (*) next to one of the diameters indicates that this is the vent size recommended by Widex for the
particular hearing loss. The fitting rationale will automatically compensate for the impact of the vent in the
fitting. This ensures that the output of the hearing aid at the eardrum is always the output prescribed by the
fitting rationale. The default setting of the vent size is “Undefined”. Please be aware that the vent size dropdown list will differ significantly depending on the selected ear-tip. Due to large vent length differences
between the Custom ear-tip and the Classic earmould and the impact of the vent length on the in-situ vent
effect, Compass offers two distinct parameter sets for these two types of solutions.

The second fitting step – the Sensogram
The second step in the Fitting wizard is the Sensogram. The Sensogram is an in-situ audiometric measurement in which the user’s hearing thresholds are measured through the hearing aid. Place the cursor in one of the value fields, click once and use the arrows to set the level of the test tone. Press the Tone button to activate the tone. You can also use the arrow keys on your keyboard to set the level and the space bar to activate the test tone. Once the thresholds in the four basic bands (500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz) have been measured, you can also measure one or more of the intermediate bands by choosing the Expanded Sensogram option. If the earmould or shell is fitted with a vent, it can be particularly useful to measure the thresholds below 500 Hz, as this will enhance the precision of the vent effect compensation using the AISA strategy. If you are fitting an In-m you have the option to perform the expanded Sensogram. For AK-m you can measure the extra Sensogram threshold at 250 Hz for more precision in the lower frequency area.

The third fitting step – Enhanced feedback test
The third step in the Fitting wizard is the Enhanced feedback test, which serves to initialise the active
feedback cancelling feature in In-m and AK-m models. This system ensures that more gain (Super- Gain) can be provided for the individual fitting without increasing the risk of feedback. If the available gain (measured gain limit + SuperGain) is sufficient to amplify normal conversational speech as prescribed by the rationale, an “OK” will be displayed in the Test result value field. If not, “***” will be displayed, indicating that the feedback test is not OK, either because the physical fit of the hearing aid/earmould is not acceptable, or because background noise interfered with the measurement. You should not proceed with the fitting until you have an accepted feedback test indicated by “OK”. The enhanced feedback test is also used to estimate the in-situ acoustics of the hearing aid fitting. This is expressed as the in-situ vent effect in the Feedback test window. The in-situ vent effect is shown as the vent size needed in an average ear with an average earmould to give a vent effect similar to the one measured on this individual ear. Once measured, the in-situ vent effect replaces the physical vent size selected in the Preconditions window to ensure an even more precise compensation for the loss of amplification associated with ventilation in and leakage around the earmould.
For FL-m the feedback test differs from In-m and AK-m in the following points. The maximum gain
before feedback is measured and the settings in the Flash feedback system are defined by the feedback
test. If the available gain is sufficient to amplify normal conversational speech as prescribed by the
Flash rationale, an “OK” will be displayed in the Test result value field. If not, “***” will be displayed,
indicating that the feedback test is not OK, either because the physical fit of the hearing aid/earmould
is not acceptable, or because background noise interfered with the measurement. You should not
proceed with the fitting until you have an accepted feedback test indicated by “OK”.

The fourth fitting step – the Program manager
The fourth and last step in the Fitting wizard is the Program manager. Here you are allowed to select
the number and types of programs you wish to enable in the hearing aids. You have now concluded a
successful fitting with the m-model and you can proceed to Sound Explorer to evaluate the fitting.

Customising receiver ear-sets for Passion hearing aids and removing the battery drawer to connect programming cables

Audiological bulletin no. 50
Customising receiver ear-sets for Passion hearing aids and
removing the battery drawer to connect programming cables

In this bulletin you can learn how to assemble the Passion EarWare. The receiver ear-sets described in
this bulletin are ear-sets from the Widex EarWare RIC box for Passion hearing aids. This bulletin also
contains instructions on how to correctly remove the Passion battery drawer to connect the programming
cables.

You find the following topics in this bulletin:

Acoustic identities: Instant open, Instant flex or Custom flex (vented) 2
• Fitting the EarWare 3
• EarWare maintenance 14
• How to connect the programming cables to a Passion hearing aid 17
• Tips to correct bad fits 18
The procedure of fitting a Passion RIC ear-set is very similar to fitting the ear-set of an m hearing aid
or a 9-model. An additional step in preparing the receiver ear-set is assembling the EarWire with the
receiver.

Acoustic identities: Instant open, Instant flex or Custom flex (vented)

The Passion hearing aid is flexible and can be configured as an instant open fitting or an instant/custom
flex fitting with a vent. When fitting a Passion RIC hearing aid, make sure that the physical and
acoustic identities are the same. Once you have the physical ear-set of the Passion RIC hearing aid,
you must select the corresponding acoustic identity in Compass. This ensures that the correct data set
is loaded into the hearing aid.
Fitting type                                  Acoustic identity                                    Ear-set tip
Open fitting                                     Wire open                      Instant receiver ear-tip open,small (S) or large (L)

Flex fitting with optional vent              Wire flex                         Instant receiver ear-tip flex

(size 8 to 11) or  Custom receiver ear-tip flex

Note that you cannot convert a Passion hearing aid to have a closed instead of an open acoustic identity
and vice versa when you fit Passion with the iP5 programmer. When using iP5, make sure that
the Passion has the desired acoustic identity, i.e. wire open or wire flex.

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Fitting the EarWare

Passion EarWare box

When you fit a Passion RIC hearing aid, you need the EarWare box for Passion. It contains all the
items you need to build a Passion ear-set, that is EarWires in different lengths for the left and for the
right ear, instant receiver ear-tip open and instant receiver ear-tip flex in several sizes, lock rings,
anchors, wax guards, vent tubes, vent blocks, receiver housings, an assembly tool, a measurement tool,
a measurement dummy and an instruction sheet showing how to assemble the ear-set.
EarWires for the right ear are marked with red numbers and EarWires for the left ear are marked
with blue numbers.
Note: Do not use ear-tips from the m or élan EarWare box for Passion hearing aids and vice versa.

Step 1: Finding the appropriate EarWire length

Start the fitting process by finding the appropriate length of EarWire. To find the correct EarWire length, you can use the measuring tool in the EarWare RIC box. Place the measurement tool on the client’s ear. The desired receiver ear-tip must be level with the centre of the tragus.The ear in the photo to the left needs a length 2 EarWire.

Alternatively you can use the EarWire measurement dummy available in the EarWare RIC box. Place the hearing aid dummy on the client’s
ear. Count the plastic markings from the top down. They correspond to the available EarWire lengths.The ear in the photo will be best fitted with a length 2 EarWire.

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Step 2: Connecting the receiver to the EarWire and attaching the NanoCare wax guard

Place the EarWire with the black protector in the black assembly tool. Disconnect the EarWire from the protector and dispose of the protector. Note that the number printed on the terminal end of the EarWire should be facing upwards.

Place the receiver housing with receiver inside in the assembly tool with the side with the number 1 upwards and the small plastic pin downwards. Place the EarWire in the assembly tool with the number pointing upwards. Push the tool together. Remove the EarWire by lifting it upwards and out of the tool.

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Attach the NanoCare wax guard to the end of the receiver that is not attached to the EarWire. The procedure used is the same as when attaching a wax guard to a Widex ITE or CIC hearing aid. Instant receiver ear-tip open

For open fittings select an Instant receiver ear-tip open. This receiver eartip is available in a small (S) and a large (L) version. Select the appropriate size for the client’s ear canal.

Step 3: Attaching the receiver ear-tip: Instant open, Instant flex or Custom flex.
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Slide the Instant open ear-tip onto the receiver housing.

Make sure the ear-tip is securely fastened to the receiver housing. Instant receiver ear-tip flex Select the appropriate receiver ear-tip from the four sizes, from 8 (smallest) to 11 (biggest).

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Push the receiver housing into the larger of the two canals in the Instant
receiver ear-tip flex.

Make sure the blue or red number on the EarWire and the anchor holes
are still visible. Vent: There are three vent options for the Instant receiver ear-tip flex: 1.7 mm (default), 1.0 mm and closed. 1 mm vent: insert the vent tube in the Instant receiver ear-tip flex. 0 mm vent: insert the vent block in the Instant receiver ear-tip flex.

Custom receiver ear-tip flex
For the Custom receiver ear-tip flex place the lock ring onto the receiver
housing. The lock ring makes sure that the receiver ear-tip is sealed acoustically and that the receiver sits properly in the Custom receiver ear-tip flex.

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Insert the receiver and EarWire backwards onto the Custom receiver
ear-tip.

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Push the Custom receiver ear-tip over the receiver housing.

Make sure that the Custom receiver eartip is firmly secured by the lock ring.

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Step 4: Trimming the anchor (Instant open and Instant flex) if needed

Thread the pointed end of the anchor through the upper hole.

Pull the anchor until it is stopped by
the grip at the end.

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Now bend the anchor downwards until you can guide the pointed end through the lower hole to form a small loop.

Define a suitable loop size according to the ear canal of the client.

Cut off any excess anchor with finecutting nippers or scissors, leaving only the loop.

Take care to cut off all the excess anchor protruding out of the hole, so that the end of the anchor loop is flush with the small hole and there are no sharp edges.

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Step 5: Connecting the EarWare to the hearing aid

The EarWire is connected to the hearing aid by means of a click-on mechanism.

To disconnect the receiver ear-set  from the hearing aid, pull the ear-set firmly.

Insert the colour coding (blue for left, red for right) above the battery compartment of the hearing aid.

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Step 6: Placing the hearing aid on the ear

Place the hearing aid behind the client’s ear and place the receiver ear-tip in the ear.

The hearing aid should rest comfortably behind the ear without hanging freely above the ear or pulling the hearing aid or the ear-tip. When the hearing aid with the receiver ear-set is positioned correctly on the ear, the EarWire should closely follow the contour of the ear.

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EarWare maintenance

Exchanging the NanoCare wax guard
Instruct the client thoroughly on how to change the NanoCare wax guard. The receiver can remain in the receiver housing when exchanging the NanoCare wax guard. For Custom receiver ear-tips flex, exchange the NanoCare in the same way as you would with an ITE or CIC hearing aid.

Important
Instruct the client thoroughly that the EarWire may never be washed in water.

Replacing the receiver
If the receiver stops working properly, it should be replaced. See below for instructions on how to replace the receiver for each Passion receiver ear-tip type.

Replacing the receiver housing
To ensure a stable and secure joint, the receiver housing must be changed every time it is removed from the EarWire. The procedure for exchanging the receiver housing depends on the type of receiver ear-tip used.

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Instant receiver flex
1. Push the receiver housing out of the Instant ear-tip by squeezing the solid ear-tip.
2. Place the EarWire and the receiver housing in the closed assembly tool with both the number printed on the receiver housing and the terminal end of the EarWire facing upwards.
3. Hold the EarWire and receiver housing in place while pulling the assembly tool open.
4. Remove the EarWire and the receiver from the tool.
5. Press the receiver and receiver housing into the hole with the pin of the assembly tool. The receiver should eject from the old housing.
6. Place the new receiver housing into the patent hole in the assembly tool, and press the receiver into the new housing.
7. Connect the new receiver housing to the new Ear-Wire using the assembly tool. The number on the receiver housing and the terminal end of the Ear-Wire must point upwards.
8. Attach a NanoCare wax guard.
9. Connect the Instant receiver ear-tip flex.

Instant receiver open
1. Disconnect the ear-tip from the rest of the ear-set by pushing it off.
2. Place the EarWire and receiver in the closed assembly tool.
3. Hold the EarWire and receiver in place while pulling the assembly tool open.
4. Remove the EarWire and receiver from the tool.
5. Press the receiver and receiver housing into the hole with the pin of the assembly tool. The receiver should eject from the old housing.
6. Place the new receiver housing into the patent hole in the assembly tool, and press the receiver into the new housing.
7. Connect the new receiver housing to the new EarWire using the assembly tool. The number on the receiver housing and the terminal end of the EarWire must point upwards.
8. Attach a NanoCare wax guard.
9. Connect the Instant receiver ear-tip open.

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Custom receiver flex
1. Disconnect the EarWire from the BTE part/housing by pulling it off the hearing aid
2. Push the receiver and EarWire using the NanoCare holding pin into the custom flex.
3. Remove and discard the lock ring.
4. Place the EarWire and receiver in the closed assembly tool.
5. Hold the EarWire and receiver in place while pulling the assembly tool open.
6. Remove the EarWire and receiver from the tool.
7. Press the receiver and receiver housing into the hole with the pin of the assembly tool. The receiver should eject from the old housing.
8. Place the new receiver housing into the patent hole in the assembly tool, and press the receiver
into the new housing.
9. Connect the new receiver housing to the new EarWire using the assembly tool. The number on the receiver housing and the terminal end of the EarWire must point upwards.
10. Attach a NanoCare wax guard.
11. Place a lock ring on the new receiver.
12. Thread the EarWire through the Custom receiver ear-tip as described in step 3 of Fitting the EarWare.

Sound bore and vent in the Instant receiver ear-tip flex
The Instant receiver ear-tip flex has two canals: The sound bore for the receiver housing (lower canal) and the vent canal (upper canal). You can block the smaller canal partially or completely.
1 mm vent: insert the vent tube (1.7 mm > 1.0 mm)
0 mm vent: insert the vent block

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How to connect the programming cables to a Passion hearing aid
The Widex CIC programming cables are used to program Passion. Before you can connect these, you must remove the battery drawer. In order not to damage the tiny hinges of the Passion hearing aid we recommend that you follow the procedure below to remove the battery drawer.

Open the battery drawer at an angle of 90 degrees. Insert the loose anchor between the hinges. See the pictures to the left.

Keep the anchor in place and push the battery drawer as if to close it.

Remove the battery drawer. The Passion hearing aid is now ready to be connected to the Widex programming cables. Use the same cables as for the CIC hearing aids.

Click them on at an angle of approx. 30 degrees.

When you have finished programming the Passion hearing aid, remove the programming
cables.

Attach the battery drawer to the hearing aid as shown in the picture to the left.

Push it firmly into the hinges. Open the battery drawer and insert a battery (size 10), then close the battery drawer.

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Tips to correct bad fits
Symptom                                         Cause                                                   Possible remedy
Hearing aid hanging                         EarWire too long                       Choose a smaller length of EarWire. above the ear
EarWire pulling at the                       EarWire too short                      Choose a larger length of EarWire.
ear and hearing aid 
EarWire protruding from                     EarWire too long                  Choose a shorter length of EarWire     the ear canal                           Anchor loop too large                      Make the anchor loop shorter                                                  Anchor not placed appropriately      Make the anchor loop larger and                                                                                                  position the anchor outside of the ear                                                                                                 canal

Discomfort or itching                 Anchor not trimmed appropriately   Check that the anchor is trimmed

flush with the small hole of the EarWire

Ear-set too small                          Choose a larger length of EarWire

Ear-tip incorrectly sized                 Choose a different size of ear-tip
                                               Anchor size or position            Make the loop smaller and position the 
                                               inappropriate                         anchor inside the ear canal

Ear-tip detaches from the         Ear-tip not firmly pressed         Check that the ear-tip is firmly attached  
ear-set                                    onto ear-set                          to the ear-set

Ear-tip size is too large and so not     Choose a smaller ear-tip                                            easily removed from ear canal

Hearing aid easily detaches    Ear-set has been attached and            Replace the ear-set
from the ear-set                  removed too many times 
                                          Ear-set is being inappropriately          Counsel the client on appropriate   
                                          removed                                        removal technique

Hearing aid falling off the     Anchor not providing adequate     Make the anchor loop larger and position 
client’s ear                         retention                                   it outside the ear canal, or make it 
                                                                                      smaller and position it in the ear canal. 
                                        Ear-tip too small                        Choose a larger size of ear-tip      
                                        Incorrect size of ear-set             Choose another ear-set
 
No sound coming from the     Ear canal blocked by wax             Arrange for or perform wax removal      
hearing aid                                                                     and clean or replace the receiver ear-tip

 

Download link for pdf copy of the bulletin Customising earsets for Passion

Widex introduces RECD for Mind M.

Widex introduces in-situ RECD for the m model in the mind series. In-situ RECD is already available for WIDEX BABY440 and the mind BTE 9 model.

The new model (4 000 9600 000) is integrated in Compass 5.1.1.

Why measure RECD?

The precision in fitting can be enhanced by performing an individual RECD measurement. This ensures that the hearing aid delivers the exact amount of sound pressure at the eardrum prescribed for the given hearing loss. It also takes into account the shape of the individual user’s ear canal.

How to measure in-situ RECD

Using a special RECD probe mounted on the hearing aid, in-situ RECD is measured as a part of the standard fitting flow in Compass.

3D TruSound, a further improvement on the TruSound strategy.

Widex introduced TruSound strategy a few years ago, this feature is probably the least understood or easily confused. This is mainly because it is a sub heading as opposed to a name for one single feature. With the Clear platform, Widex has again been able to improve on the TruSound strategy and is now introducing 3D TruSound. Again the name is really a sub heading as opposed to one single feature, it is actually eight features designed to bring a natural sound experience with excellent sound quality.

The components of 3D TruSound are:

InterEar TruSound compression                                                          Digital Pinna

InterEar Speech Enhancer                                                                 InterEar feedback cancelling

InterEar volume shift                                                                        Enhanced Bandwidth

InterEar program control                                                                   TruSound Softener

The first five features work to provide the most natural sound experience available, bringing true binaural processing of signal to hearing devices for the first time. The last three contribute towards the fantastic sound quality that Widex is now famous for. The InterEar features have only been made possible by the invention of the WidexLink technology by Widex R&D. I shall talk about WidexLink at a later date, but to give you an appreciation of the benefits that it allows you need to understand what it does. WidexLink allows the hearing aids to speak to each other on a constant basis, transferring massive amounts of data 21 times a second. That is right, large amounts of processing data, 21 times a second.

This allows the the InterEar TruSound compression to preserve the interaural time difference and the interaural level difference, by preserving these cues the sound is more natural. These cues along with the Digital Pinna allow almost natural localisation for the first time in hearing devices. The InterEar Speech Enhancer again uses the power of the combined processing strategy to improve on the speech Enhancers already impressive abilities with the streaming of data from ear to ear allowing the better application of noise reduction strategies. The InterEar feedback cancelling system again uses the data exchange of the WidexLink system to make more secure decisions on whether or not there is feedback in the system, it is a double check system to ensure that there is less chance of the feedback cancelling system attacking sounds that are not actually feedback.

The InterEar volume shift and program control are designed to allow the best basis for InterEar co-ordination and ease of use. The Enhanced Bandwidth that is available in the Clear platform gives a greater sound quality, the range in transmitted sound is from 70Hz in the low frequencies to 11.2 KHz in the high frequencies, in microphone sound the bandwidth is from 70Hz to 10.5KHz.

In Summary, the features within the 3D TruSound concept give the following benefits,

InterEar TruSound compression: Maintaining interaural level difference to aid localisation.

InterEar Speech Enhancer: Aid focus on dominant speaker in noise.

InterEar volume shift: For balanced hearing.

InterEar program control: For balanced hearing.

Digital Pinna: To aid localisation

TruSound Softener: More comfortable sound.

InterEar feedback cancelling: Better sound quality.

Enhanced bandwidth: Better sound quality.

These combined features are 3D TruSound, one of the components of Widexs’ renowned sound quality which has again been improved on with the dedication and innovation of the Widex R&D team.

The TruSound softener

Widex have introduced a new platform with the Clear family, it has some new and updated features. The Clear is a dramatic departure from most Hearing Aid strategies used to date, however it is a natural progression of ideas & strategies that Widex have been using for several years.

These strategies and features will be explained in a series of articles, in this is the first and we will discuss the TruSound Softener. Although Widex has always since the days of the Senso had a relatively effective feature to deal with impulse sounds, they decided to use the potential of the Clear chip to update it. The TruSound softener is a new algorithm for detecting and handling impulse sounds.

The TruSound  Softener improves the handling of sounds that are, very brief (<1 sec), very sudden, often loud and annoying when amplified through a hearing aid. These sounds can occur at all input levels, loud such as fireworks, hammer blows and slamming doors. Medium such as porcelain chinks, rattling cutlery and soft such as computer keystrokes and a ticking clock. These sounds are technically difficult to handle, because they share some of the characteristics of plosives in speech.

Widex developed TruSound Softener to attack those annoying transients without affecting transient speech sounds. The key is the ability of the analysis system in the Clear to recognise the differences between the transient sounds and deal with them in different manners. The true key is compression, adaptive compression. Widex is famous for its sound quality, while several factors contribute to this, a major part of the foundation is its’ use of slow acting compression.

There are great advantages to slow acting compression, it prevents temporal and spectral smearing and improves listener comfort producing a fantastic sound quality. However, fast compression is necessary in some situations. The TruSound Softener along with the TruSound AOC and the TruSound Stabilisers were designed by Widex to deal with these situations. Transient sounds are a special challenge for hearing aid manufacturers. The TruSound Softener is designed specifically to deal with impulse sounds. The Analyzer detects the specific characteristics of impulse sounds and activates ultra fast compression to deal with the sound in defined specific and relevant channels. There is no overall reduction of gain and indeed gain is reduced according to and taking into account the hearing loss.

The gain is adjusted instantaneously by the ultra fast acting compression which is then reduced quickly to bring it back to the default slow compression strategy. The strength of this feature is adjustable by the Dispenser allowing them to increase the strength to suit their highly sensitive Patients. In summary the strategy was designed to increase the effectiveness of the impulse sound reduction feature already present. It does so with instantaneous gain reduction which is possible because of the strength of Widex’s signal analysis. Transient sounds are attenuated whilst speech sounds are not affected.

Mind 220 Launched in Ireland soon, Feature Set Announcement

The Mind 220 will be launched to the Irish market in the next couple of weeks.

Mind220 comes with a range of selected listening features unique to Widex in the value segment:

Dual ISP

- comfortable hearing in demanding sound environments. With Dual ISP mind220 comes with a powerful, efficient and extremely functional platform.

Audibility Extender - extends the hearing range into the high frequencies for fuller sound with more detail. High-pitched details are automatically transposed into the user´s hearing range, so that even lost details in speech can be easier to hear.
SmartSpeak - a signalling mechanism that uses actual recorded speech to inform users of program mode, hearing aid and remote control activation and low battery power. SmartSpeak takes the guesswork out of hearing aid use.

Mind220 comes with a 5 channel HD Locator

5 channel HD Locator - seldom seen in the value segment. The HD Locator captures sound from all directions.

Noise reduction (SIS) – distinguishes between speech and noise.

EDRC (Enhanced Dynamic Range Compression) - Ensures soft sounds are audible and loud sounds are not uncomfortable.

EDRC (Enhanced Dynamic Range Compression) - Ensures soft sounds are audible and loud sounds are not uncomfortable.

Precision fitting - The mindTM series takes precision in fitting a step further, offering in-situ RECD, a new and improved version of our logging function, Sound Diary II and an in-built performance monitor, ServiceTracker.

QuickFit
QuickFit can be selected in our Compass fitting software. Based on estimated fitting parameters, QuickFit is a fast way to obtain a basic fitting and make the most common fine tuning changes. This option is particularly useful when you wish to demonstrate the hearing aid sound for your client.

15 reasons why you should wear two hearing aids.

God in his wisdom gave you two ears for a reason!

Having two ears allows us to have auditory spatial awareness, basically the power to localise sounds. The power of localisation allows our brains to better decipher the soundscape around us. Wearing two hearing aids allows us to function better, particularly in noisy situations. The localisation cues that two hearing aids give allow us to decipher the sound information in a clearer and more easier manner. The following are the benefits that can be accrued by the wearing of two hearing aids.

1. Better understanding of speech

By wearing two hearing instruments rather than one, selective listening is more easily achieved. This means your brain can focus on the conversation you want to hear.

2. Better understanding in group & even noisy situations

Speech intelligibility is improved in difficult listening situations when wearing two hearing aids. Advanced binaural technology tends to perform better in noise.

3. Better ability to tell the direction of sound

This is called localization. In a social gathering, for example, localization allows you to hear from which direction someone is speaking to you. Simply put, with binaural hearing, you will better detect where sounds are coming from in every situation.

4. Better sound quality

When you listen to a stereo system, you use both speakers to get the smoothest, sharpest, and most natural sound quality. The same can be said of hearing instruments.

5. Smoother tone quality

Wearing two hearing instruments generally requires less volume than one. This results in less distortion and better reproduction of amplified sounds.

6. Wider hearing range

It’s true. A person can hear sounds from a further distance with two ears, rather than just one. A voice that’s barely heard at 10 feet with one ear can be heard up to 40 feet with two ears.

7. Better sound identification

Often, with just one hearing instrument, many noises and words sound alike. But with two hearing instruments, as with two ears, sounds are more easily distinguishable.

8. Keeps both ears active resulting in less hearing loss deterioration

Research has shown that when only one hearing instrument is worn, the unaided ear tends to lose its ability to hear and understand. Those wearing two hearing instruments keep both ears active. In fact, wearing one hearing aid when two are required might result in greater deterioration of hearing loss in the unaided ear than when wearing no hearing aid at all.

9. Hearing is less tiring and listening more pleasant

More binaural hearing aid wearers report that listening and participating in conversation is more enjoyable with two instruments, instead of just one. This is because they do not have to strain to hear with the better ear. Thus, binaural hearing can help make life more relaxing.

10. Feeling of balanced hearing

Two-eared hearing results in a feeling of balanced reception of sound, also known as the stereo effect.

Whereas monaural hearing creates an unusual feeling of sounds being heard in one ear.

11. Greater comfort when loud noises occur

A lower volume control setting is required with each of two hearing instruments than with just one hearing instrument, resulting in better tolerance of loud sounds.

12. Reduced feedback and whistling

With a lower volume control setting the chances of hearing aid feedback is reduced.

13. Tinnitus Masking

About 50% of people with ringing in their ears report improvement when wearing hearing aids. If the

subject has a hearing aid in only one ear, there will still be ringing in the ear, which does not have a hearing aid present.

14. Consumer preference

When given the choice and allowed to hear binaurally, the overwhelming majority of consumers choose two hearing aids over one, when they have a hearing loss in both ears.

15. Customer satisfaction

Research with more than 5,000 consumers with hearing loss in both ears demonstrated that binaurally fit subjects are more satisfied than people fit with one hearing aid. Nature gave us two ears for a reason just like it gave us two eyes and limbs. Your hearing health provider can demonstrate to you the binaural advantage experience, decide for yourself.