Manufacturers News

Energizer introduces battery dispenserFigureST. LOUIS—Energizer® introduced the first hearing aid battery dispenser, the EZ Change™ Amplifier® Air Cell®, at the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) Convention held in April in San Diego. The unique dispenser design eliminates the need to handle hearing aid batteries, allowing users to quickly and easily remove old batteries and replace them with new ones. EZ Change users will no longer be required to remove tabs from batteries, which, Energizer said, will allow audiologists to fit their choice of hearing aid style on patients without worrying that lack of dexterity will make it difficult for them to change the smaller batteries. More than 60% of dispensing professionals have sacrificed audio capability for an easier-to-manage battery when prescribing hearing aids for senior patients, according to a recent Energizer survey. The EZ Change features a magnetic arm that allows hearing aid wearers to accurately insert fresh batteries directly from the dispenser into the hearing aid without need to pick up or hold the battery. The tab is removed as the magnetic arm slides the battery into place. The dispenser allows users to drop, snap, or tilt a battery into a hearing aid, depending on the model. In addition, the device preserves battery freshness by sealing the battery until it is placed in the hearing aid. The dispenser will be available with batteries in the 10, 13, 312, and 675 sizes and works with all styles of hearing aids. EZ Change will be available for distribution in hearing professionals' offices this fall. Circle 201 on Reader Service Card Duracell to offer EasyTab battery, with longer lifeFigureBETHEL, CT—Duracell® has announced EasyTab™, a hearing aid battery designed to simplify changing batteries. The device, which was displayed at the AAA Convention, also provides improved technologies that will allow the new batteries to last up to 20% longer than the Duracell hearing aid batteries they will replace. The EasyTab features a patent-pending innovation of a long, custom-shaped tab that adheres to each battery and can be held between the thumb and forefinger to serve as a guide for insertion into a hearing aid. The tab is also brightly colored so it can be easily seen, even when dropped, and is removed once the battery is inserted into the aid to activate the battery. The tabs are color-coded to indicate the correct size needed for replacement batteries. Also, instead of the traditional circular case design, the EasyTab case is rectangular and hinged for easier opening and closing. The batteries are secured inside the case with the elongated tabs facing outward, designed for easy removal. The new hearing aid batteries will be available at North America retail stores in September in sizes 10, 13, 312, 675. In October, the product will be available as Duracell Activair through hearing professionals in the same sizes, plus size 5. Circle 202 on Reader Service Card Canta from ReSound has 3-D digital features BLOOMINGTON, MN—Canta, GN ReSound America's new digital product line with “3-D Digital” signal processing, was unveiled at the AAA Convention. Sophisticated interactive signal processing features made possible by this advance include: Adaptive directionality, which automatically reduces levels of background noise even if the location of the noise changes. This feature is designed to optimize speech understanding in changing background noise environments and for different head shapes. The adaptive directionality algorithm analyzes noise energy locations around the user's head 250 times a second. Localized noise sources are identified and the directional polar pattern null is automatically re-directed to maximally reduce the level of that localized noise. As the patient's head turns or as the noise source location changes, the adaptive directionality system senses these changes and adjusts the location of the null. Adaptive microphone matching, which matches the frequency response from each microphone to maintain maximum directional performance with a dual-microphone directional system. An on-going internal system runs checks automatically through the 3-D digital technology that sense any changes in microphone sensitivity or response pattern. A digital correction is then applied to compensate for any mis-match in response. A spectral-enhancement algorithm, in addition to GN ReSound's modulation-based, 14-band noise-reduction algorithm. The processor digitally reconstructs the input signal wave form, literally reconstructing speech stimuli to make them more naturally recognizable. Other features of Canta include fast-acting noise reduction, digital feedback suppression (DFS) technology, adaptive slow-mode for the adaptive DFS feature, and an MSG (max stable gain) display on the fitting screen. The new digital line includes styles from power BTE to CIC. Circle 203 on Reader Service Card Siemens to use laser process in building shells PISCATAWAY, NJ—Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc., will begin using a new shell-manufacturing process, LasR™, that applies advanced software and precision laser scanning to increase accuracy in duplicating ear canal impressions for hearing aid shells. Introduced at the AAA Convention, LasR (Laser Accurate Scan Replication) uses the laser scans to capture the physical impression. After scanning, the software creates a “point-cloud” image of the impression in 3-D space. The raw data are used to create a surface over the virtual impression; vent and receiver holes can be easily positioned, or repositioned, as needed. The software uses a highly complex algorithm that performs millions of calculations to complete the process. Guided by the 3-D rendered data, the laser then builds the shell from a bed of powdered polymer shell material, which is biocompatible and has been proven more durable than traditional acrylic shells. The laser selectively creates, or sinters, the shell with unprecedented accuracy. The traditional manufacturing process can then continue. In patient tests, Siemens reports that users rated LasR shells more comfortable when worn for long periods and more secure in their ears. Patients also reported less feedback and improved sound. A customer field test indicated a greater level of customer satisfaction, with fewer returns and refits during recent trial sessions. Using the stored impression information, shells can be recreated to identical specifications as needed without new impressions. This will speed and facilitate replacement of lost or damaged hearing aids. Siemens is poised to initiate use of the process immediately. Future possibilities for this technology include enabling dispensers to scan a patient's ear in the office and send the information electronically to a Siemens production facility, thus eliminating the need for a physical impression. A free patient video presentation is available through Siemens sales representatives. Siemens adds to Signia line Siemens has expanded its digital Signia™ line with the Select Mini-BTE. Described as “the world's smallest BTE with ConTrast™,” the device has a new profile, an extremely small case, and a signal processing algorithm that uses artificial intelligence. As with the Signia BTE, the mini-BTE features the TwinMic™ directional system with two microphone programs for customized amplification. The user can choose to hear sounds from directly in front or from all directions. The system is designed to enhance communication in a group or party situation Also included is a telecoil, which delivers improved inductive perception of speech and music in theaters and concert halls with induction loop systems. A separate program adjusts the parameters for the telecoil. The Signia Select Mini-BTE has 54 dB of peak gain and a maximum output level of 123 dB and has automatic gain control. Connexx™ 3.4 can be used for fitting. New tinnitus product to be introduced Siemens Hearing Instruments has developed the first fully digital, programmable therapy product designed for normal-hearing as well as hearing-impaired tinnitus sufferers. Pending Food and Drug Administration clearance, the Sereniti™ TCI and Sereniti TCI-C tinnitus-control instruments will initially be introduced in BTE versions, with custom models available at a later date. Sereniti TCI is a therapy noiser (or “noise generator”) including two therapy programs with manual selection that allows patients to meet therapeutic requirements and satisfy personal preferences. Included are four pre-programmed noise types, with fine-tuning possible in eight channels. Sereniti TCI-C combines digital signal processing with the functionality of a digital tinnitus-control instrument. Included are a fully digital four-channel WDRC amplifier with speech-sensitive processing and multiple compression algorithms and precise therapy noise signal adjustment. The product is designed to provide improved speech intelligibility in difficult listening environments. Both models have volume control with programmable range and are fitted with Connexx™ programming software. Madsen offers new audiometer platform BLOOMINGTON, MN—Madsen has introduced a new diagnostic audiometer platform, Itera, as part of a new generation of advanced diagnostic instrumentation. Itera features a light-weight “flat console” design that allows for an extremely small footprint in a clinical setting as well as portability. The platform includes custom set-up menus that operators can use to assign special tests such as Stenger, ABLB/Fowler, and SISI with one-button selection. A master hearing aid is a standard feature. Fully NOAH-compatible, Itera can be upgraded to include a high-frequency option that allows testing to 12.5 KHz. Circle 204 on Reader Service Card Capella analyzer redesigned Also new from Madsen is the redesigned Capella TEOAE/DPOAE analyzer, a NOAH-compatible, computer-driven analyzer that offers middle ear testing OAE through a shared multi-functional probe. The completely redesigned probe is light-weight, which allows for OAE testing in virtually all age ranges and provides complete objective testing of both the middle ear and cochlea with one instrument. Features include a tympanometry module that can test at both 226 Hz and 1000 Hz to accommodate adults and children, probes and cables that can be swapped independently of each other, and an optional TEOAE infant screening module. The improved signal-to-noise ratio allows testing in noisy environments, and the new Fast-Screen Mode provides swift testing and analysis abilities. Circle 205 on Reader Service Card New Madsen Tymp-Link with Tymp-Screen Another new product from Madsen is the Tymp-Link, which connects to any PC and allows for a cordless and cable-free connection between the Madsen hand-held Tymp-Screen and one's computer. After finishing tympanometry testing, the hearing professional can point the Tymp-Screen toward the Tymp-Link infrared receiver (smaller than a standard CD-ROM case), and the results are displayed on the computer screen. Results can then be stored in and printed from NOAH™ or independently through the PC. The infrared receiver requires no batteries and is powered from the PC's serial port. Print layouts can be customized to include company logos, digital images, or specialized layouts. The Tymp-Link is available for under $300, and the Tymp-Screen is available for under $1500. Circle 206 on Reader Service Card Etymotic releases QuickSIN™FigureELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL—Etymotic Research has announced the release of the QuickSIN™ Speech-in-Noise Test. The test was developed to provide a quick way to quantify a patient's ability to hear in noise. The CD contains 12 standard equivalent 1-minute tests for signal-to-noise ratio loss (SNR loss) testing. Additional lists are filtered for use with ski-slope losses and for determining whether hearing aids with extended high-frequency emphasis improve or degrade speech intelligibility. One section of the CD contains lists that can demonstrate the effectiveness of directional microphones. Results are expressed as SNR loss and can be used to predict which patients are likely to need hearing aids with directional microphones and other assistive technologies. According to Etymotic, the test is statistically valid and reliable, and scoring is simple and straightforward. Circle 207 on Reader Service Card Device measures occlusion effectFigureEtymotic Research has begun producing an occlusion effect meter, a new hand-held instrument for measuring the magnitude of the occlusion effect and of earmold leakage. This instrument contains two sound-level meters that independently measure the SPL inside and outside the ear canal and display the difference in dB on LEDs. Because it is dedicated to only these two tasks, the occlusion effect meter is much faster and easier to use for these measurements than traditional real-ear equipment. The smaller the difference in SPL measured between the inside and outside of the ear, the smaller the occlusion effect (typically caused by vibration from one's own voice, chewing, or playing musical instruments, such as brass or woodwinds). A poor seal can be detected when the measured sound inside the ear is the same as or louder than outside the ear canal. The effects of venting and hearing aid adjustments can be verified pre- and post-modification. Troubleshooting should be easier and remakes reduced, the company said. Circle 208 on Reader Service Card “Colors of Clarity” for ER-20 Also new from Etymotic Research is “Colors of Clarity,” fun new colors for ER-20 High-Fidelity Earplugs™. Since the introduction of custom Musician's Earplugs, Etymotic's goal has been to produce high-fidelity ear protection at a price that everyone can afford. New manufacturing capabilities now make it possible to produce these earplugs at a reduced cost while preserving the quality and performance of the ER-20 Hi-Fi earplugs. ER-20s use a tuned resonator and acoustic resistor to achieve flat attenuation so that sound levels are reduced but voices and music aren't muffled. ER-20s are designed for anyone who wants to hear clearly and accurately in noise. Etymotic offers an introductory kit for dispensing offices, which includes a counter display, nine pairs of earplugs, a poster, and 50 brochures. Circle 209 on Reader Service Card Beltone enhances its digital line CHICAGO—Beltone Electronics used the recent AAA Convention to showcase the D61 and D71, the two latest additions to its digital series. As one of the world's smallest digital BTE hearing instruments, the D61 offers patients the fitting flexibility of digital signal processing in a powerful, yet inconspicuous package. The D71, Beltone's most powerful digital BTE hearing instrument, offers patients with moderate-to-severe hearing loss the high power and high-fidelity hearing help needed to communicate more effectively in everyday life. Circle 210 on Reader Service Card Audioscan honors top performers SAN DIEGO—During the AAA Convention in April, Audioscan held a breakfast where it honored distributors for outstanding performance. The award for highest sales in 2000 by a regional U.S. office went to Grason-Stadler, Inc. of Chapel Hill, NC; the awards for highest sales above target and for highest sales per capita in North America both went to Dahlberg Sciences, Ltd. of Kitchener, Ontario. The Most Valuable Partner award was presented to MSR West of Farmington, UT.Figure: Alan Moore, left, president of Dahlberg Sciences, is congratulated by Bill Cole, president of Audioscan, on the two awards that his company received for 2000.Cochlear, Phonak form pact STAFA, SWITZERLAND & LANE COVE, AUSTRALIA—Phonak AG (Switzerland) and Cochlear Limited (Australia) have signed an agreement designed to provide performance improvements for cochlear implant recipients in difficult listening environments. Under the agreement, Cochlear, the leader in cochlear implants, will distribute and support Phonak FM technology. Phonak is a leader in FM communication systems for the hearing-impaired population. Phonak has developed a range of FM products that help overcome the challenges faced by persons with hearing loss when they attempt to listen to competing conversations, in reverberating rooms, or when the speaker is distant. The Phonak system improves performance in noise by either providing much higher signal-to-noise ratio (by transmitting the speaker's voice by FM directly to the student) and/or by using signal processing technology to “zoom in” on a target speaker or area in a room, suppressing unwanted noise. The key advantage of the Phonak-Cochlear agreement for clinicians, educators, and cochlear implant wearers is that Cochlear will provide a single reference point for technical support for this integrated system. In the future, Phonak's MicroLink technology will be integrated with Nucleus speech processors making FM technology for improved performance for Nucleus recipients simpler. Songbird and Boots team up in UK CRANBURY, NJ—Songbird Hearing, Inc., has formed a strategic alliance with The Boots Company, PLC, to sell its disposable hearing aid in the United Kingdom. Boots is the UK's leading retailer of health and beauty products, with approximately 1400 pharmacies, and is also the UK's second largest professional dispenser of optical products. The first two Boots Hearingcare centers opened in March, with full nationwide availability expected later in the year. Fred Fritz, president and CEO of Songbird, said that Boots is building the hearing assessment and dispensing centers in its clinics, which will be staffed by licensed audiologists and registered hearing aid dispensers (RHADs).Figure: and of Madsen the of San that the company during the AAA to millions of into and to hearing to the United said with U.S. of products only through licensed hearing said this is the hearing correction in the UK is as as the U.S. with of the hearing-impaired of the Songbird Hearing has been of the by the New which honors the most highly in the adds to Hearing and of have with audiologists nationwide of hearing The to will also pick up all of which provide hearing aid This of will serve as a platform from which will secure regional and A battery system a new source of hearing aid batteries, has introduced the 13, which of a size hearing aid battery and a battery The battery is designed to last up to which should provide between and of A fully battery will provide up to of use that the will users up to a per hearing aid. The price of an plus one is with batteries for if with the system Circle on Reader Service Card new has announced the the addition to its product line designed to facilitate hearing aid use of the The has a powerful microphone that can be The device creates a and eliminates and feedback when amplification. batteries are The system uses to improve of sound between the audio device and the hearing aid. The are available in single for one hearing aid or in Included is a standard which works with both and cordless Circle on Reader Service Card to use will be used as the platform for for the a new nationwide providing with The which the latest with and provides for The clearly recognizable. The will a of in the the provide an between the and a are possible in offices, and other The will a a on Reader

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