Manufacturers News

Micro-Tech has new digital circuitFigurePLYMOUTH, MN—Micro-Tech has introduced Caballo, which it describes as a small, affordable digital circuit with features found in many high-end digital instruments. The two-channel circuit offers the ability to program up to three of the four memories with Memory-Pro. The Touchless Telecoil™ and the Touchless Telephone Response™, telephone solutions that activate automatically when patients place the telephone next to their ear, are both available with Caballo. DiRx Switchable Directional System is another option that is offered. Caballo is available in a full range of models, BTE through CIC. Circle 233 on Reader Service Card Bernafon offers “channel-free” Symbio, plus Flair, Smile SOMERSET, NJ—Bernafon has introduced the next generation of 100% digital with the first generation of ChannelFree digital. While many hearing aids boast more and more channels and bands, the new Symbio is channel-free. This technology is based on the premise that if sound is not divided into channels and bands, voices stay true and focused. Bernafon has also completed its full line of digital solutions with the new entry-level Flair and mid-level Smile Plus. They join the high-end Symbio. Flair, a two-channel hearing aid with one listening program, can accommodate most audiogram configurations. It has convenient local controls for volume adjustment and switching between microphone and T-coil. It is available in models from CIC to compact power BTE and, says the manufacturer, is priced so that patients can afford the benefits of a 100% digital hearing aid at the cost of a programmable. Flair 110 BTE is compatible with FM systems.Figure: The ChannelFree SymbioFigure: Smile PlusA multi-channel system, Smile Plus can be fully automatic or adjusted either via local controls or with an optional remote control. It offers two listening programs and optional dual microphone for maximum speech understanding in noisy environments. Circle 234 on Reader Service Card Phonak adds Maxx and Amio to digital line WARRENVILLE, IL—Maxx and Amio, two new lines of hearing instruments from Phonak, are designed to offer affordable access to the latest digital technology without sacrificing excellent sound quality. The Maxx line includes two digital BTE models: Maxx 211 and Maxx 311 Forte. Both offer six-channel digital signal processing and a digital noise canceler. The digital wide dynamic range compression (dWDRC) processing strategy is designed to automatically ensure the correct gain in relation to the loudness of the incoming sound, reducing the need to use the volume control. Maxx also integrates “soft squelch” to eliminate microphone noise and other potentially irritating ambient sounds. Maxx is fully compatible with all Phonak FM products and has standard audio input. The Amio line includes two models of custom instruments: Amio 11 CIC and Amio 22 ITE/ITC. Both offer standard five-channel digital signal processing. When ordering, one chooses the signal processor that best suits the client (digital WDRC, digital SuperCompression, or digital limiting). Amio also has a standard feedback-control system that Phonak says is fast, easy to program and effective. The Amio 22 has an optional miniZoom directional microphone. Multiple listening programs are standard when the miniZoom directional microphone is ordered, or can be added separately.Figure: The Phonak MaxxFigure: The Amio familyCircle 235 on Reader Service Card Siemens offers new Music Professional PISCATAWAY, NJ—Music® Professional, a new hearing aid from Siemens Hearing Instruments, is designed to build on the success of its predecessors, Music and Music Digital. Music Pro has the Voice Activity Detection (VAD) system and enhanced digital features in order to offer more choices to hearing professionals and patients. Siemens VAD, a standard feature with Music Pro, continually monitors for speech sounds and automatically reduces the level of background noise when speech is detected. Music Pro also comes equipped with many other features, including: a core digital sound processor, which offers a wider dynamic range; an enhanced directional-microphone system; two channels and flexible compression kneepoints and ratios, plus additional frequency shaping tools; and patient-friendly features, such as power on delay, as well as acoustic signal indicators (beeps) for program changes and low battery condition Music Pro comes in a complete family of styles, including the Micro-CIC™ and a BTE. Circle 236 on Reader Service Card Infiniti Pro also debuts Siemens has also introduced the Infiniti™ Professional family of hearing instruments, which is based on the Infiniti, its predecessor launched 10 years ago. “Hearing professionals have used Infiniti over the past decade to improve the lives of individuals all over the world,” said Pam Burton, the company's director of product management. “Infiniti Pro widens the utilization of digital technology in the cost-effective, uncomplicated, and dependable category. The new digital technologies significantly enhance the sound quality, directional-microphone system and patient-friendly features.” Circle 237 on Reader Service Card Unitron Hearing opens Dutch, UK offices KITCHENER, ON—Unitron Hearing has opened new offices in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom to better meet the needs of its growing customer base in those countries. Unitron Hearing BV in the Netherlands will be supported through its European headquarters in Bremen, Germany. André C.M. de Goeij, 33, the manager of the new office, has represented Unitron Hearing for the past 3 years and has over a decade of experience in the hearing industry.Figure. de: GoeijThe new office is located at Archimedesbaan 19, 3439 ME Nieuwegein, the Netherlands; telephone 31 (0) 30 604 9325; fax +31 (0) 30 604 4589. It has an ITE hearing aid laboratory as well as a fully functioning repair department for both ITE and BTE instruments. At the UK office in Warrington, Cheshire, Roger Lewin, the general manager, has primary responsibility for operations. Audifon UK Limited had previously managed the Unitron brand in the UK.Figure. LewinLewin will broaden Unitron Hearing's line of digital products and increase the company's brand and presence across the UK and Ireland. He holds an MS in technical audiology and a BS in physiology and is a registered hearing aid dispenser. He is also a past chairman of the National Committee of Professionals in Audiology. Before joining Unitron, he worked for 5 years at Phonak Hearing Systems as head of audiology and professional services in the United Kingdom and for 10 years with Siemens Hearing Instruments. Circle 238 on Reader Service Card Advanced Bionics has new processorFigureVALENCIA, CA—Advanced Bionics® has announced that its new HiRes™ Auria™, an ear-level processor for the HiResolution™ Bionic Ear System, has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada. The new processor combines the benefits of HiResolution Sound (HiRes) with the flexibility to meet the listening and lifestyle needs of patients of all ages. It comes in three base colors (silver, beige metallic, and dark sienna) and users can choose among 20 accent colors and graphics. The processor is a full-capability processor that can run the CII Bionic Ear implant electronics at maximum speed using maximum channels for high-resolution sound. Circle 239 on Reader Service Card New sound processing strategy released Advanced Bionics has also begun commercial release of the HiResolution Sound (HiRes) processing strategy for the new HiResolution Bionic Ear System. The new strategy has been approved by the FDA and Health Canada. HiRes is a new approach to how sound is processed and delivered to the hearing nerve and is designed for improved music appreciation, better understanding in noise, and greater sound clarity. Results of clinical trials are available at http://www.bionicear.com/products/hires_trials.html. HiResolution Sound requires extremely fast and efficient processing electronics, and is therefore only compatible with the CII Bionic Ear electronic platform. In releasing the software, the company is working with each cochlear implant center individually to ensure that it is fully trained and certified on the new fast and efficient programming methodology. Circle 240 on Reader Service Card Natus acquires Neometrics SAN CARLOS, CA—Natus Medical, Inc., maker of the Algo® newborn hearing screening technology, has acquired the privately held Neometrics, a supplier of data systems used in 18 state health departments for newborn screenings, including hearing screening. Under the agreement announced in July, Natus has purchased the assets of Neometrics for $3.6 million cash. The company, which reported revenues of $6 million last year, is based in East Northport, NY. Natus also recently announced that its equipment has now been used in screening more than 10 million newborns worldwide. SeboTek offers coverage TULSA, OK—Loss and damage coverage on SeboTek PAC (post auricular canal) hearing systems will be handled through Ear Services Corporation (ESCO). SeboTek may be the first hearing aid manufacturer to outsource an insurance company to administer loss and damage for this service. Jim Feeley, president of SeboTek Hearing Systems, explained, “After evaluating the insurance laws specific to each state, we concluded that insurance or loss and damage coverage can be more effectively administered by a third party such as ESCO, which is registered in each state as an insurance/service contract and extended warranty provider.” ESCO also offers optional, extended repair coverage on SeboTek's PAC hearing instruments to dispensers and patients. Circle 241 on Reader Service Card Electone announces $1000 winner LONGWOOD, FL—Electone has announced that Perfect Sounds Hearing Care of Boone, NC, is the third winner in the company's BTE scratch-off game. The game offers substantial discounts on the purchase of BTE hearing instruments as well as chances to win $1000 in cash by collecting enough game cards to spell “Electone.” Electone is extending the game to September 30, with the final drawing scheduled for October 3. Game cards are shipped with every custom or BTE hearing instrument order. Circle 242 on Reader Service Card New iCommunicator softwareFigureSARASOTA, FL—The iCommunicator™ V.4.0 software program, a patented communication access technology developed and manufactured by Teltronics, Inc., is now available. This tool provides a multisensory, interactive communication solution for persons with hearing loss and other communication problems. The iCommunicator program converts speech to text and video sign language in real time. Speech or text also can be converted to computer-generated speech, and text can be converted to video sign language. The iCommunicator program promotes independent communication and is offered as an alternative, rather than a replacement, for sign language interpreters. The program delivers American Sign Language in English word order to improve the association between spoken, written, and signed words. For further information about the iCommunicator technology or to locate an authorized reseller, one may call 888/933-0001, fax 561/630-0375, e-mail [email protected], or go to www.1450.com on the web. Circle 243 on Reader Service Card CareCredit launches web siteFigureANAHEIM, CA—CareCredit, a leading patient-payment program, has launched an enhanced web site at www.carecredit.com. The site provides additional information and tools to demonstrate how practices can use CareCredit to help patients receive care. Developed with the guidance of top CareCredit practices, the web site has detailed information about the comprehensive range of CareCredit patient-payment plans, including the recently introduced 24- and 36-month extended-payment options. An on-line application is provided on the “Getting Started” page, which provides a credit decision in seconds. The site also features a Payment Calculator, which gives an estimated monthly payment based on the fee for care and the type of plan chosen. For treatment fees from $1 to over $25,000, CareCredit offers a comprehensive range of no-interest and low-interest plans of varying lengths. Circle 244 on Reader Service Card Free CD on building one's practice CareCredit is also offering “Growing Your Practice; Effective Communication Techniques,” an audio program featuring J. Scott Bailey, a professional sales trainer for the Sandler System, who for over 25 years has been teaching effective communication techniques that uncover a patient's emotional needs, buying cycles, and buying objectives. In a program developed for hearing professionals, Bailey shares insights on how they can eliminate price objections beforehand by means of a systematic approach. He identifies the most common mistakes professionals make during sales presentations and explains simple techniques to empower practices to help patients discover their buying motivations by asking the right questions.FigureCircle 245 on Reader Service Card Dspfactory chip selected by Starkey WATERLOO, ON—Dspfactory Ltd., a provider of open programmable digital signal processing (DSP) technology for hearing aids, has announced that its Toccata Plus chip has been selected by Starkey Laboratories for use in its advanced line of digital hearing instruments. Toccata Plus is designed to provide hearing aid manufacturers with advanced DSP capabilities while drawing very little power within an ultra-miniature footprint. It is the second generation of Dspfactory's industry-leading Toccata chipset. Through its tightly integrated system-on-a-chip (SoC) architecture, Toccata Plus delivers twice the processing power in half the space of its predecessor. Circle 246 on Reader Service Card Interton celebrates PLYMOUTH, MN—Interton Hörgeräte GmbH recently marked the launch of SilFlex at its US subsidiary here, Interton/AHS. According to Interton, SilFlex represents a significant advance in hearing aid comfort, using medical-grade silicone to construct the body of the hearing aid instead of rigid acrylic materials. The company, which is based in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, also recently celebrated the 65th birthday of Hellmuth J. Türk, who, along with his brother, Hans Herbert, founded the company in 1962. The organization has grown into an enterprise that includes 50 partner companies all over the world. Circle 247 on Reader Service Card

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