I was really pleased to meet Andrew Hugill who is a professor of music and a composer at EUHA recently. Andrew suffered hearing loss from Meniere’s disease which is quite a difficult hearing loss to treat because of its nature. In essence, Andrew hasn’t enjoyed music for over ten years, simply because any hearing aid he tried helped him to hear better but never came close to allowing him to appreciate music. That is ten years without something he loves, but with the LiNX Quattro, things have changed. Here is what I found out.
Music Composition
Andrew loves music, it really is as simple as that, he has devoted his working life to it. However, when he suffered a hearing loss brought on by Meniere’s his ability to appreciate it was destroyed. Meniere’s disease causes fluctuating reverse slope hearing loss. Reverse slope hearing loss is a rare phenomenon and most hearing aids struggle to help, primarily because they are designed to focus on high-frequency emphasis which is usually where the problem lies.
I asked Andrew what his experience had been with hearing aids before. Andrew explained that while hearing aids did help with his ability to communicate, they just didn’t allow him to appreciate music. Music sounded alien to his ear, no matter how good the hearing aids where.
What’s Changed?
I asked him what has changed for him, he replied that pretty much everything has. The LiNX Quattro delivers music to him in a normal manner, allowing him to appreciate the full soundscape of music from the low lows, to the high highs. For the first time in ten years, he is now listening to music again. That is an amazing statement for a man whose whole life is centred on music.
For the first time in ten years, I am listening to music again
Challenges Still
Andrew’s hearing loss is compounded by the fact that he has a perforation in his eardrum, which means that he has to wear a vented ear mould. Of course, for the full enjoyment of those low-frequency sounds, he needs all of the low-frequency amplification possible and the vent in the mould allows some to escape. His solution, a simple one, vented ear moulds for day to day use and un-vented ear moulds for the enjoyment of music and when he is composing. Unfortunately because of the perforation, if he wore closed ear moulds all of the time there is a high chance of him getting an ear infection.
Re-Invigorated
I really enjoyed talking to Andrew because we actually share a lot of different vision around the future of the hearing aids we wear. Both of us are interested in augmented audio reality and how hearing aids may one day deliver much more than just the ability to hear better. One thing really struck me about Andrew, his re-discovered ability to enjoy music has re-invigorated him.
It has made a huge difference to his outlook and his plans. He is planning a project now centred around music experience. He envisages writing a piece that will allow people with different hearing abilities to enjoy it. It will be a complex task and I wish him well with it.
His story was moving, for a man whose joy is obviously music, losing the ability to enjoy it must have been devastating. His experiences with Quattro and his reaffirmed love of the music that is a massive part of his life was fantastic to behold.
I really appreciated spending some time with him because it allowed me to consider my own perspective on what hearing aids do. It has also spurred me to try to ensure that we at Hearing Aid Know help everyone with hearing loss understand what hearing aids can do for them. Arbitrary nonsense about stigma or embarrassment should never put someone off a device that can truly make their life better. Andrew has spoken himself movingly about his struggle with Meniere’s and you can read his account here.
Like Your Music? Try LiNX Quattro
I have tried the LiNX Quattro and I will be reviewing it very soon, as will Steve. I like my music, but I am by no means an expert. Andrew Hugill is, so if he says the Quattro is good for music, I think you can take his word for it.
Great Hearing Aids, Impressive Sound, Love The Rechargeability
I was hugely impressed by the ReSound LiNX 3D last year, so I was eager to try out the latest model from GN ReSound. The LiNX Quattro has all the features and performance of the 3D but manages to surpass it in terms of speech recognition and sound quality. And, oh yeah, the Quattro is a rechargeable hearing aid, no more fiddling with batteries!
I’ve been writing on this site now for about 15 years (not enough recently, as Geoff would say) and even after all this time I am still surprised how hearing aid technology manages to improve year-on-year. When I tried the ReSound 3Ds last year they were pretty much perfect, I could hear wonderfully, Bluetooth phone calls were a revelation and I struggled to find fault with them. And here we are, a year on and I’m surprised again as the Quattro range improves on the 3Ds awesome feature set and allows me to hear more still.
This is great for me personally, I have a progressive hearing loss, i.e. it is getting worse all the time, so it’s great that as my hearing gets worse the technology gets better and I’m still able to communicate well most of the time even though I have absolutely no useful hearing left with aids.
Rechargeable for Convenience
Any product with a rechargeable battery is only useful if it lasts a decent amount of time between charges, annoys the hell out of me that I have to charge my phone twice a day. The photo at the top of the page shows a pair of Quattro hearing aids sitting in their charging case, you can use the Quattro for 30 hours on a single full charge, so can easily wear them the whole day without having to worry about the battery dying on you.
If you stream via Bluetooth a lot (for phone calls or music) then the battery does drain a bit quicker but you’d still easily get a whole day of use out of them, worry-free. The case charges the hearing aids and the case itself is charged via a USB lead, the case can charge a pair of aids three times before it needs plugging in again.
The Quattro from GN ReSound is an impressive rechargeble hearing aid. The aids can be used for up to 30 hours between charges.
For me, not having to change the batteries and having worry-free 24 hour usage is great, but for people who might not be able to change hearing aid batteries easily, it might be the difference between being able to use hearing aids and not – the fiddly battery change might not be possible for people with arthritis or mobility problems in their hands.
How it works
Recharging could not be simpler: You take your aids out of your ears and place them into the charging box, that’s it, done. When you put the aids into the box you see a line of green lights show up on the box, this indicates how much charge is in the aids, you’ll also see a little green light flashing on each aid to indicate that it is charging, if you don’t see a flashing light on the aid then move it a little to make sure it is sitting right in the hole.
Bluetooth streaming for phone calls, music and TV
The Quattro, like the 3D before it, is a Made For iPhone (MFI) hearing aid, which means that you can stream audio from your iPhone or iPad directly into your hearing aids with a very high quality. GN ReSound was one of the first to work directly with Apple on audio streaming, that experience shows as the Quattro delivers a rich and glitch-free sound.
I said this in the 3D review and I will say it again: having such great audio playing directly into my hearing aids has enabled me to make stress-free phone calls for the first time years, due to my severe hearing loss I just could not get enough volume or clarity on calls the normal way, streaming fixes that for me, I can answer a call in total confidence that I will be able to hear with ease.
There is no delay in streaming, when your phone rings, you hear the ring in your hearing aids, if you answer it then you are straight into the call.
An important thing when streaming is being able to still be aware of environmental sounds, you don’t really want to walk out in front of a truck whilst listening to the latest Kanye track because you didn’t hear the truck. Quattro strikes a balance of these sounds, environmental sounds are lowered quite a bit to make the streaming clear but it’s still enough to be able to hear what’s around you – this is also adjustable by your hearing aid provider and also via the smartphone App.
Made for iPhone – remote control
Another aspect of the phone to hearing aid connectivity is being able to control your hearing aids using your phone. ReSound have an App that lets you do a ton of stuff with your Quattro hearing aid, more of that in a bit, but because the Quattro is an MFI hearing aid, the integration with Apple iOS allows you to do some things outside of the App.
Your phone effectively acts a remote control, which is really nice if you want to change volume and don’t want to be seen by people making strange-looking hand gestures around your head. A triple-press of your phone’s home button takes you to a simple control panel where you can adjust the volume, switch between programmes and also use the “live listen” feature that turns your iPhone into a remote microphone. The short video below shows me making some quick adjustments (no sound).
GN ReSound Smart 3D App
GN introduced their Smart 3D App with the 3D range of hearing aids, the same App works with the LiNX Quattro hearing aids, the only difference is that the App automatically recognises that you have Quattro hearing aid and automatically switches on some new features.
This App is easy to use and gives you a lot of customization options – it is well designed in that it does not have any fiddly controls our options that require any deep knowledge of how the hearing aid works. App options are clearly labelled and easy to press, this App should be pretty easy for most users to pick up and use effectively.
You can, of course, switch between programmes via the App and change volume, the basic stuff – where this App really shines is the sounds customisation it gives you, these options can make a real difference to voice quality in particular environments, if you tweak these settings and find something you like you can save them so that you can select them again another time with a single button press.
You have three sliders that allow you to change bass/mid/treble, changing these make a huge difference to how the hearing aids sound, you have real control here, for example, boosting the mid and/or treble can help you to hear a very softly spoken person.
The ReSound Smart 3D App isn’t a novelty that the company thought would be a good selling point (“Hey, we’ve got an App, how cool is that?”), it’s a powerful tool that gives you fine-grained control over your hearing experience, allowing you to configure your own personal setup.
A comfortable and natural sound in everyday environments
Its all well and good a hearing aid having some cool Apps and snazzy features, the real proof of the pudding is how well you can hear as you go about your daily life.
The first thing I will say about the GN Quattro is: I’ve worn a lot of hearing aids over the years, fitted by a lot of different people and this is the only time that I have ever been completely happy with the hearing aid after the first fitting! Usually I go back to see the hearing aid professional a number of times to get things tweaked and tuned until I am happy with the sound – with the Quattro everything is right the first time, which I think is actually a big win for ReSound and us patients as people are used to things “just working” these days, you don’t expect to have to fine-tune your TV after buying it, you turn it on and it is ready to go: I got my Quattro’s fitted by Kate Ogden and they were just ready to go. That won’t happen for everyone as people’s brains need to get used to hearing new sounds and that can take time, but I’m mentioning it here as it’s a first for me.
GN Resound says that the Quattro offers “more layers of sound” and I don’t think that is an idle boast. I have noticed voices and music both having more detail to them, this, of course, makes voices easier to understand.
What I thought I would do in this review is list hearing-related problems that I have and talk about how the Quattro is helping me with those problems.
Hyperacusis and noise reduction
Hyperacusis is a sensitivity to loud noises. I suffer a bit from this and it is a very common problem, in the past, I have had real trouble with slamming doors, dog barks and even running water hitting a metal sink, my hearing aid at the time just couldn’t bring these down to a comfortable level. Noise reduction in the Quattro gives me confidence that I won’t experience any uncomfortably loud sounds – when the noise reduction algorithm does kick in it is fast and seamless and still allows for good speech recognition. I’ve found some aids to have too aggressive noise reduction and speech is also reduced too much but the Quattro strikes a good balance to block out unwanted noise and keep you in the conversation.
Tinnitus
I have a constant buzzing in my right ear, sufferers often find that wearing hearing aids help to mask the tinnitus and reduce its annoyance – this has always been the case for me: no tinnitus when I’m wearing hearing aids but it flares up when I take them out. Exactly the same with the Quattro: does a great job of masking my tinnitus.
Speech Understanding and Recognition in Noise
I have been using the default programme on my Quattro, which is called “All Around”, this works well for me in all environments, even pubs/bars and other noisy places. The Quattros do a remarkably good job focusing on the speaker(s) in your line of sight (you are usually looking at the person you are listening too), whilst still giving me a good sound from speakers to my side and back, I can comfortably listen to the people in front but am still aware of the other conversations – this works really well in a crowd.
I think the best thing I can say about these hearing aids is that they don’t leave me feeling tired at the end of the day because listening is hard work. That might seem like an obvious thing to say but having a severe hearing loss and trying to keep in the conversation all day can be exhausting, with these aids I find it much less work.
Directionality
Talking above about being able to focus on people in front of me but still being able to be very aware of chatting from other angles leads me on to the directionality features. This used to be a horrendous problem with older hearing aids, I could hear a voice but couldn’t be sure exactly where it was coming from, this meant I would quickly lose the drift of groups conversations as by the time I’d worked out who was talking the next person would say something, so I was forever catching up.
A pair of Quattro’s effectively work together to fix directionality issues, when you are wearing two aids they communicate with each other to locate sound sources and bring prominent voices to your attention. As I said above, the default “All Around” programme puts an emphasis on voices in front of you whilst keeping the full 360 degrees in your attention but you can alter setting using the app to put full focus in front of you or to give equal focus around the 360 degrees. The full focus at the front will work if you are in a very noisy bar or restaurant and you need full attention on the person in front an equal around 360 will work better if you are in a meeting or group where the conversation is darting around the group.
Directionality in the LiNX Quattro works brilliantly in the default mode but it is easy to alter it to suit specific environments either by using the App or getting your hearing care provider to set up different programmes for you to switch between.
Music
Music sounded great with the LiNX 3D and I have streamed a lot of music, podcasts and audiobooks using them. The Quattro hearing aid goes even further than the 3D, it has the same clarity when streaming but the “more layers of sound” that Quattro delivers shines here, it does add to the sound quality of music and lets me hear a fuller sound and also small parts of songs that I may have missed before, a snare here, a beep there, a tonal change there – the Quattro enables me to hear the subtleties of the soundscape that I had been missing.
Wind Noise
An addition to the Smart App that I really like is that the “wind noise reduction” option is available to use on the “All Around” default programme, this is a slider that lets you pick how aggressive wind-noise cancellation is – I’ve found this option very useful when I’m out walking the dogs. Wind noise is a very hard problem for hearing aid manufacturers to get right, ReSound does a great job with the Quattro. You can ramp up the wind reduction slider on the App until you feel comfortable and then reduce it when you are out of the wind, it helps a lot, wind noise is still there to some extent, you can still hear the wind blowing on the hearing aid’s microphone, but it isn’t overpowering and voices can be heard easily over the wind.
An excellent hearing aid
GN ReSound has done it again, I thought their 3D line was amazing but the Quattro is even better, it has all the great features of the 3D but adds superior sound quality, both when listening to everyday sounds and streaming music. Being rechargeable is the icing on the cake.
To my eternal shame I missed this a couple of months ago, Cochlear announced on January 22nd this year the introduction of a brand new instant fit BAHA devices. The new device is called the SoundArc and it is designed to allow children with conductive or mixed hearing loss, or single-sided deafness (SSD), who are not yet eligible or ready for an implant to try out the benefits of Bone Anchored Hearing Aids.
Worried about surgery
Any surgical intervention is a worry, in particular when it is your child who faces it. The new solution offers the opportunity to assess the benefits of BAHA without having to undergo surgery. It is also ideal for children who are not eligible for surgery just yet.
Supporting normal development
The device will allow the normal development of language skills. Language skills are an important cornerstone of all childhood development including learning and socialisation. The device works like other BAHA devices by bypassing the damaged outer or middle ear and delivering sound to the undamaged inner ear. Cochlear says:
The new Baha SoundArc is a non-surgical, behind-the-head band that is an alternative to the Baha® Softband (released in 2002). The non-surgical wearing options are part of Cochlear’s bone conduction implant system, the CochlearTM Baha® System. The Baha System utilizes the body’s natural ability to conduct sound to skip over the damaged parts of the outer and middle ear, sending clear, crisp sound directly to a working inner ear (the cochlea).2 The Baha SoundArc and the Baha Softband are designed to provide the same benefits and hearing performance and will work with one (unilateral) or two (bilateral) Baha® 5 Sound Processors. The new SoundArc provides a modern look, is lightweight, practical and easy to put on and take off. It fits securely and comfortably in place. The SoundArc comes in several sizes, is adaptable to fit different shaped heads and sizes, and it has a variety of soft colored tips to match hair, clothes or mood.
Made For iPhone with an app
The Baha 5 Sound Processor in the SoundArc will allow users to hear better across noisy environments and connect wirelessly to a variety of electronic devices. The sound processor facilitates direct-to-device wireless streaming and control with Made for iPhone technology, and a personalized hearing experience with the Baha 5 Smart App.
A trial BAHA for adults
For adults struggling with conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss, SSD and any of the associated conditions, the new device can be used as a trial device to demo how a Baha will sound before they make decisions to move forward with the Baha Implant System.
In an announcement today Widex has introduced a brand new hearing aid platform that they are calling the Evoke. The details are scarce, however, the really interesting announcement is that the platform will use cloud-based artificial intelligence to continually improve the sound for users. I truly believe that this is one of the 2018 innovations that will change the future of hearing aids.
We have spoken before about continued innovation in hearing aids and what we would expect future hearing aids to offer. Oticon, Signia and now Widex have all begun to innovate beyond the hearing aid to ensure better hearing. By that, I mean that they have all looked strongly at how they can leverage wireless connection to Smartphones to deliver a far better hearing experience. Each one of the brands has done different things, however, the common theme is to expand the functionality by piggybacking on the Smartphone functionality.
Machine Learning and Hearing Aids
I have spoken about this subject several times in the past elsewhere. Artificial intelligence and machine learning have been revolutionising many industries and medical fields. The tipping point of converging technology within the hearing aid industry that we are now at is ideal to introduce this type of process to hearing aids. Widex have completely broken with the rest of the industry to seize the moment and introduce what could be a stunning step forward in hearing aid technology. It remains to be seen exactly what they have done and how in-depth the feature is, however, it has to be seen as a massive step forward nonetheless.
Machine Learning Concept
As I said, I spoke elsewhere about machine learning as a concept, in essence, my vision was that the hearing aid user would move through their days using an app to change settings and customise them as they move through different sound situations. Each customisation would be stored in the cloud alongside thousands of other user’s customisations and preferences. Over a period of time, these data points would be used to push changes to the automatic features in the hearing aids and the user’s experience would become seamlessly better. Judging by the Widex announcement, that is what they visualise. Here is the announcement:
Today, leading Danish hearing aid manufacturer Widex, announces the launch of the ground-breaking WIDEX EVOKE™ – the first hearing aid to ever feature advanced machine learning technology in real time. Together with major advances in sound technology, WIDEX EVOKE™ provides a clearer and more personal hearing experience than ever before. Hearing happens in real life, not just in a lab or in a clinic examination room. The challenge of real-life hearing is that it is personal and happens right here, right now. That requires the hearing aid to be able to adapt and adjust seamlessly and instantaneously. For the first time ever, it is now possible for a hearing aid to learn from the user’s input and preferences – and even share this learning with other users around the globe. WIDEX EVOKE is the first hearing aid to give users the ability to employ real-time machine learning, featuring intuitive new controls that quickly and surely guide users to their desired hearing experience. With WIDEX EVOKE users don’t have to remember issues with specific listening situations to explain to their audiologist when getting their hearing aid adjusted later. New SoundSense Technology means users just tell WIDEX EVOKE what sounds they prefer by choosing between sound suggestions provided by their smartphone EVOKE app. The powerful WIDEX EVOKE processor then uses this data to deliver even better real-life sound, based on the user’s personal preferences when they need it, in real time. What’s more, the combination of user input and machine learning enables WIDEX EVOKE to evolve and become even smarter as time passes. And over time, all EVOKE hearing aids will be able to learn from anonymous global user input to improve the real life sound experience even further. “WIDEX EVOKE will forever change what people expect from hearing aids. I firmly believe that WIDEX EVOKE marks the beginning of new era in hearing aid technology – a new way of thinking. It is the first hearing aid that is truly intelligent and grows smarter as you use it. EVOKE not only learns on the level of the individual device but also across the devices in the EVOKE eco-system. The perspectives and the potential are breath-taking: Just imagine an EVOKE user in Paris benefitting from the input of an EVOKE user in Sydney. You can say that WIDEX EVOKE is the world’s first hearing aid that is intelligent today – and even smarter tomorrow”, says Widex President and CEO Jørgen Jensen. WIDEX EVOKE will be offered in a full range of form factors and will become available in all major hearing aid markets beginning late April and continuing through May and June 2018. Widex Announcement 17/04/2018
I am looking forward to hearing much more about this system and to see it in action. As always, as I learn more, I will keep you informed.
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Dan Butterworth of DJB Hearing is the latest ear wax removal specialist to join the No Wax Ear Wax Removal network. Dan provides private ear wax removal in Manchester, at his hearing aid centre on Marsland Road, Sale. He also offers home visits if a customer needs them. Dan has over 25 years experience as both an NHS and Private Audiologist in Manchester.
Microsuction Ear Wax Removal Manchester
Dan provides micro-suction ear wax removal for one or both ears for £60 and he has built up an excellent reputation with many happy customers. Dan says that it has become much harder to get ear wax removal from GPs in the Manchester area and wait times are often weeks.
Dan tries to ensure that as many of his customers are seen on the same day if possible, but certainly within two days. If you are looking for ear wax removal in Manchester, give Dan a call on 0161 962 1700 to book your appointment now.
With everything that was going on with EUHA we actually missed this, Signia has added to their rechargeable hearing aid range with a new Behind The Ear Hearing Aid. They have announced the launch of their new Motion Charge&Go Nx hearing aids. That means that traditional BTE hearing aid users now have a rechargeable option on the Nx platform.
The Motion hearing aid is a very versatile device that offers coverage for mild, moderate and severe hearing losses. It can be fitted with a thin tube and instant tip, which you can see above, or a traditional ear hook, tube and ear mould. It means that people who like BTEs now have a rechargeable option.
Three Levels of Tech
There was no indication of this but I would imagine that the new model will be available across the three usual levels of Signia tech, the 7, the 5 and the 3. If we hear anything else, we will update the article.
The Relevant Power Facts
Signia say that Motion Charge&Go’s high-capacity power cell will allow for enhanced Bluetooth connectivity. This will enable users to enjoy high-quality, long-lasting stereo streaming of TV audio, music, and phone calls directly to both hearing aids.
They say that you will be able to stream up to five hours per day and still benefit from 17 hours of battery life before needing to recharge. That’s pretty good streaming time and battery life. So for a quick overview:
Up to 17 hours of battery life with 5 hours of streaming
Just 3 hours to fully charged
30 mins of charging gives 6 hours of use
Easy wireless charging, drop them in the charger and voila
Made For iPhone, Direct connection to iPhone
High-quality audio streaming
Ultra HD e2e and Bluetooth connectivity
3D Classifier
The 3D Classifier was introduced across the Nx range, it analyses many factors of the user’s environment and communication behaviour. It uses information on the user’s voice activity, their motion and sound data to tailor the hearing aids response to better suit the user’s needs.
Two Radios
The Signia Nx platform has two wireless radios, the Bluetooth radio and the proprietary Signia wireless system called Ultra HD e2e. This approach brings real benefits, it ensures that the outstanding ear to ear features can still run even if you are streaming audio or taking a phone call. All of this in a very discreet package.
Telecare 3.0
The new service means that you can set-up a video call with your hearing professional and explain the issue you are having in the situation you are having it in. While you are connected, your hearing professional can tweak your hearing aid’s settings live and you can quickly assess if they are better.
The Signia Nx platform has really been very popular since its introduction, I think the move to add a rechargeable device to the line up can only seal that popularity.
The much-awaited Livio AI from Starkey has now been launched and they have been a bit of a smash hit in the tech world. But is it more sizzle than substance? Not really, I think that the premise of the Livio AI opens up an entirely new use case for hearing aids and may well make the devices far more attractive to new consumers. The premise of the devices represents a great leap forward for hearing aid technology. Starkey says, welcome to the revolution, and for once, that actually isn’t quite marketing fluff. Let’s take a look at why I think this latest offering points the way for hearing aids in general.
A New Use Case
The Livio AI presents users with a completely new use case for hearing aids. A merging of different technology means that the device offers far more than just better hearing, it also offers a more holistic view of health and to a certain extent cognitive fitness. In the near future, it will also offer a feature that will allow caregivers or loved ones to monitor if an older user takes a fall. Let’s take a look at what has been said and cut through the marketing fluff.
The Big News A Hearing Aid That’s a Health Tracker and More
The Livio AI is truly a multifunctional device that combines features from wireless headsets, fitness trackers and health apps, and finally, language translation programs. That’s right, language translation. Oh, and it appears to be a very interesting hearing aid as well. The keys to all of this are a brand new chipset, an embedded sensor on the chipset and 2.4Ghz communication between the hearing aid and a smartphone. This allows the monitoring of movement and a deeper instantaneous communication between the hearing aids and a smartphone which has been leveraged to deliver real user benefits.
Health Monitoring With The Thrive App
The health monitoring element of the Livio AI is offered via the Thrive App. It offers two measurements that both deliver the possibility of a score of 100 points. It focuses on a Body score and a Brain score. The body score is calculated through a combination of activity, steps and overall movement. This information is tracked daily and accessed easily in the Thrive app. As I said, a daily score of 100 points is possible.
Cognitive Health
Starkey says that because of the important connection between cognitive health and hearing health, Livio AI measures the brain benefits of wearing hearing aids. That’s marketing fluff, however, there is some validity to what they are doing. The metrics used to measure the Brain score include hours of daily use, social engagement and the tracking of active listening. Again the daily score of 100 points is possible.
Does it really give you a score based on cognitive health? No, it doesn’t, however, it gives you a clear idea about some of the things that we know promote good cognitive health.
Language Translation
Like the embedded sensor, this really is a world’s first, it is an integrated feature to help users easily communicate with people who speak other languages via an easy-to-use translation tool in the Thrive app. The feature is Smartphone based so you will need a Smartphone to make it work, I think it will only work directly with an iPhone. If you have an android phone, you will probably have to use a streamer for it to work.
This really is a cool feature that offers more than just coolness. Many seniors travel in retirement, this type of feature will make that travel easier. It will also appeal to younger users, again, they like to travel, who doesn’t like the idea of easier communication?
Fall Notification
This will come in a future update, in essence, the sensor can sense a fall. It will then set off a notification to be sent to someone that the person wearing the devices has fallen. I think this is an amazing feature and I believe it is a feature that will make families of older hearing aid users very happy. It will be interesting to see how this feature is deployed. I will keep you updated on the evolution of this feature.
Binaural Compression
On top of those headline features, there is a lot more to talk about. There are a host of features you need to know about, some are new to Starkey, some aren’t. These look like really solid hearing aids, they are automatic hearing aids that offer binaural processing of sound. That means that the aids work as a unit to make decisions about what they do. The binaural compression strategy also retains auditory and spatial cues that naturally occur so the experience should be more natural.
Remote Programming
Starkey has also introduced remote programming facilities in the Livio AI, Patients can request adjustments from their professional remotely to help fine tune their hearing experience.
Find My Hearing Aids
This feature has been around for a long time, you can easily locate lost hearing aids using the Find My Hearing Aids feature, with both a location and timestamp. A signal detector sends a stronger or weaker signal based on how close you are to locating their Livio AI hearing aids. While this will definitely work with iPhones, I am not sure about Android phones.
Phone Calls Direct to Hearing Aids
So Starkey says that you can answer calls with the touch of a button and hear an entire conversation streaming directly to their Livio AI hearing aids. I take it this means that you can use an iPhone as you would with other Made For iPhone hearing aids. If that is what they are talking about, then I would imagine you will need a streamer for Android.
Remote Control
There is a remote control feature in the Thrive app, which will allow you to change volume and switch memories.
Personalized Memories
This has been around for a while and Starkey does it exceptionally well. Basically, you can create multiple custom memories in the Thrive app by using any of the Customise options. It gives you a lot of freedom in the personalisation of your experience.
You can also geotag memories, a geotagged memory will use your Smartphones GPS and cellular towers to recognize where you are and automatically adjust your Livio AI hearing aids when you enter the space. For instance, if you set up a geotagged “coffee shop” memory, it will automatically activate when you walk into that coffee shop.
Audio Notifications From Your Smartphone
Notifications for phone calls, texts, emails or other apps can be streamed directly to your Livio AI hearing aids but only if you are using an iPhone, if you have an Android, you will need a Streamer.
Adaptive Car Mode
This is a new automatic hearing aid setting, in Adaptive Car Mode, Livio AI hearing aids will automatically change to a setting designed to reduce the annoying sounds of driving and enhance your overall driving experience.
Universal Bluetooth connectivity
Starkey says that the Livio AI hearing aids connect simply and easily to any modern smartphone, TV or media device, like Amazon® Echo, to stream phone calls, music, voice assistants and more. Again, we will need more info on how that works but as I get it, I will update the article.
AI Artificial Intelligence
Starkey has labelled the new Livio with the buzzword Artificial Intelligence. To be honest, there really isn’t a true artificial intelligence feature within the hearing aids. Or at least not one that fits the normal conceptual parameters. Having said that, and without doubt, these are a big leap forwards for hearing aids, I think their marketing department got a little over exuberant with the name.
Two Hearing Aid Types
The Livio AI will be available in two different hearing aid types, a Receiver In Canal device and a Behind The Ear device. The RIC has two options, one for moderate to severe hearing losses and one for severe hearing losses. The BTE will cover down to severe hearing losses. The RIC is powered by a 312 battery and there is no word on a rechargeable option. The BTE is powered on a size 13 battery.
As I said, these hearing aids represent a big leap forward in hearing aid technology. I think they point the way towards the future of hearing aids as an integrated health device. It will be very interesting to see how consumers receive them. I think they will be well received by both older users and younger users, while many think older users aren’t as techy, there are still features here that will excite them.
Have you ever had a song stuck in your head? – An unwanted earworm that keeps playing over and over? A catchy piece of music that continually repeats through your mind, long after it has finished playing? This is similar to how I would describe my tinnitus. But instead of the notion of the song, there is actual ‘noise’, and the music never stops playing. There is no end to the record.
Tinnitus is defined as the perception of noise or ringing in the ears or head. The noise is not from an external source, and can manifest itself in many forms. The varying sounds have been described as whistling, whirring, clicking, screeching, hissing, ringing, buzzing, pulsing, whooshing, or even musical. Tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying condition such as hearing loss, ear injury or circulation problems. From the moment I lost the hearing in my left ear, I simultaneously gained these unwanted sounds. My life became noisier.
My tinnitus feeds off salt and sugar, caffeine and alcohol, and feasts on a lack of sleep. Exposure to loud noise makes my tinnitus worse; giving it energy, enabling it to accelerate or become louder, and more prominent. Sometimes it is so loud that it is difficult to hear or concentrate on ‘real’ sounds. Sometimes it steals my attention from conversation. My tinnitus seems to be related to the pressure I feel in my ears and head. Louder or faster tinnitus means more pressure, sometimes culminating in a pain that feels like the inside of my ear is being stretched to full capacity; to the point of something bursting.
For some people their tinnitus comes and goes, and for others it is constant, chronic and persistent. Mine is ever-present. It will often fade into the background of my days; everyday noises will usually mask it, forcing it away from my attention. Yet, there is the cruelty of finding a peaceful moment, or going for a walk in the countryside, and realizing the tinnitus has no ‘real’ background noise to overcome. It bounds into the foreground, onto the stage for full attention.
At night-time there are no ‘real’ sounds to mask it. At night-time it loves the limelight; gobbling it up with glee. The more I focus on it, the more layers of noise I discover. The foundation layer is the sensation of being underwater. I am under the sea, swimming deeper and deeper; water whooshing past my ears. With more focus, electronic-sounding agonized moans begin to emerge. A violin enters the stage; playing a continuous high-pitched and out of tune note that wavers painfully up and down in tone. The sound of an old metal kettle materializes, boiling with the shrill continuous whistle; demanding to be taken off the heat. Occasionally there is a piercing spark of noise; like the sound you’d expect your finger to make if you were turning something magically to ice. Sometimes the moans sound like melancholy singing. A penetrating fog horn begins to sound. A burst of crackling radio static joins the chorus, as the knob of an analogue radio is turned; seeking out a resonating frequency and occasionally skipping past the notion of a word or a piece of music. I make pictures with my mind. I form images around the sounds. The more I focus, the more elaborate the scenes become. Wailing prisoners bound and shackled, all in a row, somewhere in the distance. Someone is trying to scream, but is not able to make the desired sound, just a sharp continuous squeal. There is someone drying their hair in another room…
… When I stop feeding it my attention, it’s back to swimming underwater.
My tinnitus is like being in an argument I don’t want to be part of. I am engaged in a duel I didn’t sign up for. At times it can be a torture. I am always fighting. I stay busy. I take my mind off it. I surround myself with everyday sounds.
I find myself observing people on the street, on the Metro, in bars, restaurants and parks. I wonder whether they too have these unwanted noises. Are they too trying to ignore the record that won’t stop playing?
I choose to ignore my tinnitus with as little effort as possible. Since the more effort used, the more attention it receives, and then it starts to win the battle. It’s a paradox I must fight. I wish for the noises to stop. I dream of relishing a quiet moment, but I can’t remember silence.
Alan Hopkirk, a Tinnitus Expert who has a Practice in Glasgow, Scotland, recently undertook a video report summing up the latest findings at the Regensburg Tinnitus Research Initiative Conference 2018. We thought it was important to share the video to a wide audience.
If you like what you see, share it so others can benefit
Signia is today introducing a new Lithium-ion rechargeable hearing aid they are calling the Styletto (pronounced Style-Etto). The devices are a completely new form factor which follows new conceptual design parameters. In essence, Signia decided to design something that would break the mould for hearing aid design and appeal to a new generation of hearing aid users. They are very different from anything that has come before, let’s talk about the Styletto.
A New Form Factor
Firstly, the new devices will be available on the Nx platform and they will be available in the three levels of technology. They will also have the Own Voice feature that has been pretty successful for Signia. The devices will be suitable for mild to moderate hearing losses mainly. They will not be Made For iPhone enabled, however, they will have the Signia wireless protocol. As you can see the devices are unlike anything that is currently available.
They are a Receiver In Canal hearing aid but the body of the devices are very long and very thin. Signia understands that Lithium-ion power packs can really come in any shape or size. Up to now, most power packs have been based on the traditional battery cell shape. They decided to break from that design in order that they can offer something new. That decision led to the ability to really push the form factor design concept.
Modern Hearing Devices
The devices are very small and quite discreet, they feel pretty light on the ears and hug the back of the ear nicely. The case of the device has a nice quality feel with a brushed steel back. All in all, it feels quite modern and luxurious. The receiver is fixed to the case and the case appears sealed pretty well. Signia say they have a high waterproof and dustproof value (more on that when I know).
The Charger Case
Signia have a lot of experience with rechargeable hearing aids and their rechargers are some of the best in the business. This charger is no different, it is an automatic charger which turns the hearing aids off when placed in it and on when they are taken out. It charges the devices in as little as three hours and it offers three extra charges. So if you go away for the weekend and you forget your plug, your charger will see you through.
The charger is quite small, so it is ideal for throwing in a coat pocket or handbag. It has LED lights on the front which allow you to ascertain what the charge state is at a glance so you should never be caught out. All in all, it is a nice charger and you can see that some thought has gone into it.
Interesting Market Research
Signia have done some really interesting market research around the new Styletto which seems to show that it changes attitudes to hearing devices. In essence, they showed the group one range without the Styletto and one range with the Styletto included. The differences were a little startling. In the first group, 24% of the group did not choose a hearing aid.
When shown the second range with the Styletto included, the number of people who did not choose a hearing aid had reduced to 10%. That meant that nine in ten picked a hearing aid with many of them actually picking the Styletto.
Pros and Cons
For me, the size, shape or colour of a hearing device does not matter. I am famously in-different so I am not the best person to be discussing the cosmetic appeal. I do however realise that there are many people who are worried about discretion and cosmetics. For those people, this is a pretty discrete device when worn, while also being cosmetically appealing in that modern consumer electronics kind of way.
The new form factor does bring issues though. The receiver is fixed in the hearing aid and can not be replaced in the clinic. That means that you will need to take care of it to ensure it doesn’t fail. Generally, people do not take care of their receivers, we see them failing all of the time through user negligence. They get full of wax and moisture and die.
Double Wax Guard System
If that happens with these devices, they will need to be sent back for a factory repair. So if I were you, I would be very diligent about my clean and care routine. In fairness, Signia offers a pretty good wax management system. It comprises both a wax guard in the receiver and a grid guard in the tip. That’s really double protection, so if you do kill your receiver with wax, you really have been negligent.
The devices are to hit the market in early September and should be available at that time. I had a great experience with the Pure Nx, so I look forward to giving them a try.
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