I had a great meeting with a lovely lady from Unitron lately named Leah Vusich to talk about the new Unitron Max super power hearing aids. I will be doing a podcast with the interview quite soon. Super Power hearing aids are designed for people with severe to profound hearing loss, and they are a very fussy bunch. So developing a product for them is not the usual everyday job. Even the strategies and features that are designed for people with severe to profound hearing loss are very different from the norm.  

As I said, superpower hearing aid users are a pain in the ars, I mean have diverse needs, yes diverse that’s the word. The reasons are simple. Generally, they have been wearing hearing aids for almost their entire life. So they have a lot of experience with superpower hearing aids. In the past, superpower hearing aids had little finesse, and they were all about delivering power.

However, things progressed, and hearing aid brands have designed strategies and features to deliver better hearing. The problem is, that superpower hearing aid users don’t like them, they want what they are used to. This is the conundrum that hearing aid brands find themselves in. They want to offer their very latest features because they know they will help people with profound hearing loss to hear better. 

The problem is that generally those features will be rejected by experienced users. A compromise needs to be found, and every hearing aid brand struggles with it. Unitron may have found an answer, let’s take a more in-depth look at what they are doing with their new Max. 

Superpower With All The Features

The Max is a three hearing aid model, superpower range with five levels of technology. Unitron has based the feature set and chipset on Unitron’s celebrated Tempus platform. Unitron has packed these hearing aids with all of their amazing features which focus on the conversation. However, in a direct nod to superpower users everywhere, they have also ensured that they can be fitted with precisely what they want with ease. The devices have three settings designed to offer completely different strategies. 

Superpower Pre-sets To Match Your Preference

Unitron has designed three easily chosen superpower pre-sets in the new Max that should suit the preferences of all superpower users from the first fitting. The pre-sets are as follows:

• Classic: For people who prefer a time-honoured approach to sound processing, with little to no signal processing and no directionality. The most basic hearing aid you can get.
• Conventional: For users who are looking for a more traditional approach to amplification, with moderate signal processing and some directionality. Hearing aids of about ten years ago. 
• Current: For people who want the latest and greatest approach to sound processing, with advanced signal processing and directionality. This is the most modern strategy and features available. 

It is a simple task for a hearing care professional to switch between these modes. That means that the first fit of these hearing aids can and should match your preferences with ease. That’s a smart move by Unitron because it means that more superpower users should accept the devices. 

Three Hearing Aid Types

The range has three hearing aid models, but one of them is not expected to land until sometime next year. The models are a traditional Superpower BTE or the Max SP, a traditional Ultra Power BTE or Max UP and a rechargeable Superpower BTE called the Max SP-R. The rechargeable device is not expected to land until some time in 2019. 

Based on Tempus, Optimised For Superpower 

As I said, the new Max hearing aid range has the Tempus platform at its core. The Tempus platform has been much celebrated by professionals and users alike. Using an infinite mix of seven sound situations, the Tempus platform delivers what you need to hear better no matter the situation. Whether sharing, laughing, debating, commiserating, or merely being a great listener, their intelligent SoundCore technology makes conversations more enjoyable.

The four features work together seamlessly to understand your listening environment, making the instant, fluid adjustments that you need to participate in every conversation actively, no matter the situation. So you can just get on with enjoying the conversation without worrying about anything else. Let;’s take a look at the features that make Max unique.

Sound Conductor SP

Unitron says that the new Max automatically adjusts to provide optimal audibility for speech while maintaining comfort and overall awareness in all environments. It is optimised for the diverse needs of Super Power patients with severe-to-profound hearing loss, with a significantly stronger emphasis on speech, while maintaining a realistic balance of speech and noise

Frequency Compression 2

They say that the new Frequency compression 2 can deliver an optimal balance of sound quality and audibility at all times. No matter what the input signal is, it provides patients with improved awareness and speech intelligibility by compressing high-frequency sounds into lower, more audible ranges. All while adaptively preserving the natural sound quality of vowels.

Power Adaptation Manager

This is a responsible solution to reduce the risk of over-amplification. This feature helps improve first fit acceptance for you if you are accustomed to extra gain but would like to listen at a safe level. This is achieved by providing the starting point that you desire, then gradually and automatically reducing gain and output to a safer target level that maximises speech intelligibility. 

Levels of Technology

The Tempus range is available in five different levels of technology, so there is a hearing aid for every budget. The technology levels are as follows

T Pro – These premium hearing aids work together to automatically help you hear your best in all types of conversations. When background noise is high, your hearing aids will focus on speech from any direction. You will also enjoy effortless, natural hearing and enhanced music performance.

T 800 – Both hearing aids communicate to automatically help you hear better in all types of conversations, especially when background noise is high. You will enjoy effortless, natural hearing and enhanced music performance.

T 700 – Both hearing aids communicate to automatically help you hear better, especially when background noise is high. You will enjoy effortless, natural hearing.

T 600 – These hearing aids automatically help you hear better in some types of conversations and when you are simply relaxing.

T 500 – These hearing aids help you hear better, especially in quieter environments.

The Max looks good; when combined with Unitron’s Flex system it should be an excellent choice for people with severe to profound hearing loss. 

OTC, What You Need to Know

I have noticed quite a bit going on the internet recently in relation to OTC hearing aids and their availability with increasing irritation. Generally, it’s a crock of shit (Irish technical term). Firstly, there is no such thing as an OTC hearing aid right now (Aug 2018), so they are neither legal or available. While the legislation to introduce OTC hearing aids has passed, the FDA has yet to specify what an OTC hearing aid actually is. So, therefore, the current crop of devices available that are being labelled OTC hearing aids, simply aren’t.

OTC Hearing Aids Don’t Exist

Over The Counter hearing aids don’t actually exist as a product line. The FDA first has to tell us what OTC hearing aids are. Until it does, which is expected to happen perhaps in 2019, they can’t exist. Yes, there are plenty of PSAPs and even a few hearing aids being sold online, but they can not be labelled OTC hearing aids legally.

OTC Hearing Aids are Not Legal or Available

As I have said before, OTC hearing aids are a brand new product concept, a product concept that there are no guidelines for. Once the FDA has finished its work though, I would expect to see many of them hit the market pretty quickly. Up until then, OTC hearing aids are neither legal or available.

At present, you can buy devices like Eargo, which I discussed in Eargo, Do They Live Up To The Hype? and iHear. Just to be clear, neither of these companies have labelled themselves OTC. However, both offer online delivery of hearing aids. While both offer pretty good products, it remains to be seen whether either of them will fit into this new category.   

No Guidance So Far

We have no guidance so far on what an OTC hearing aid should be, we understand that the devices should be able to help people with mild to moderate hearing loss. We also believe that the hearing aids will have to have some sort of self-fit and fine tune ability. That’s about it, we know no more because the FDA hasn’t reached its conclusions.

So if you see a product right now, labelling itself as an OTC hearing aid, that’s bullshit (another Irish technical term). Consider everything else that they say about the product as probable bullshit as well. We will be closely following the OTC hearing aid story here on Know, and when and as it develops, we plan to inform you in an in-depth manner.

I have spoken about online hearing aids sales and what you need to think about here before in Buying Hearing Aids Online? Here is What You Need To Know. The article is worth your time if you are considering the purchase of hearing aids online. 

Hearing loss is one of the most common medical conditions, affecting nearly 50 million Americans. It can be difficult to follow conversations, hear important sounds, and even enjoy simple pleasures like birds singing. However, hearing loss doesn’t always occur on its own. For many people, it can be caused by or lead to more serious health conditions.
Whether physical or mental, comorbidities of hearing loss can be serious or potentially life-threatening.

As such, if you believe you may have hearing loss, it is important to consult a hearing care professional to evaluate the extent of your loss and advise you on any potential comorbidities you may have. Either way, you should be aware of the associated medical conditions that can lead to hearing loss, occur at the same time, or result from it.

Health conditions that cause hearing loss

There are several conditions that can lead to hearing loss, either directly or because of the medications used to treat them. These can include: 
Traumatic brain injury: Head trauma resulting from a car accident or fall can lead to hearing loss in several ways. For one, the trauma could damage the tiny bones in the middle ear or the cochlea itself, impairing hearing directly. Alternately, a traumatic brain injury can lead to hearing loss by affecting how sound is processed by the brain. 
Meniere’s disease: Meniere’s disease is a condition that currently has no known cause, but is believed to involve excess fluid in the inner ear. Symptoms include episodes of vertigo, ringing in the ear, or tinnitus, and hearing loss. Though it often affects only one ear, over time it may spread to both. 
Diseases treated with ototoxic medications: Whether prescribed or over-the-counter, some drugs used to treat certain medical conditions are ototoxic, having a harmful effect on your hearing. These include chemotherapy and other drugs for cancer treatment, antibiotics like gentamicin, streptomycin, and neomycin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Ailments that occur alongside hearing loss

Rather than causing hearing loss, some medical conditions occur at the same time, or have hearing loss as one of their symptoms. 
Diabetes: Diabetes is one of the most common comorbidities of hearing loss, with patients twice as likely to have diminished hearing compared to those without diabetes. The effects of high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels and nerves of the inner ear, diminishing your ability to hear. 
Cardiovascular disease: Damage to the sensitive blood vessels of the inner ear is also a symptom of cardiovascular disease and other circulatory conditions. Poor blood flow to the auditory system due to plaque buildup in the blood vessels can lead to hearing loss, which is often the first sign of heart disease. 
Thyroid disease: Illnesses affecting the thyroid, such as Pendred syndrome, Grave’s disease, and Hashimoto’s disease, have all been linked to hearing loss. While the connection is still being researched, thyroid disease is known to affect several bodily processes, including heart rate, energy level, and hearing.

Conditions that result from hearing loss

Rather than being a direct cause of hearing loss, some medical conditions occur because of hearing loss—often due to lack of treatment. 
Cognitive decline and dementia: Difficulty hearing can lead to mental health conditions like dementia and other types of cognitive decline. Straining to hear conversations and other sounds can overwhelm the brain and lead to diminished cognitive ability. Hearing loss can also make you feel embarrassed to be around others, and the resulting social isolation can exacerbate dementia. 
Depression: Hearing loss can lead to depression in several ways. For one, just like with dementia, not being able to hear others can make it difficult to be around people and cause you to withdraw from social situations. It can also damage relationships with those close to you. Constantly asking your family and friends to repeat themselves or having the TV too loud can lead to frustration. Also, the very fact that you can’t hear the sounds you used to can be stressful and saddening. If hearing loss remains untreated, these feelings could worsen and lead to depression.

Healthy hearing, healthy living

The impact of hearing loss on your health goes beyond just your ears, affecting your physical and mental wellbeing. Given the connection between hearing loss and many other illnesses, the benefits of improved hearing to your overall health are clear. Since hearing loss is so closely tied to other issues, it is important to consult with your hearing care professional and primary care physician if you’re having hearing difficulties and find out if any of the above comorbidities are also present. By taking care of your hearing health, you can help keep the rest of your body healthier as well.

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GN Hearing and Google Announce Partnership to Bring Direct Mobile Streaming from Android Devices to Hearing Aids

GN Hearing and Google have today announced a new technology partnership that will make GN Hearing the first hearing device manufacturer to enable a full spectrum of direct audio streaming from Android devices to hearing aids. The expectations are that direct streaming will become available to hearing aid users of the recently launched hearing aids ReSound LiNX Quattro™ and Beltone Amaze™ in a future Android release.

No More Streamers

Up to now, Android phone users have been stuck using streamers to play audio from their phones and to answer phone calls. Unlike Apple products, Android products were not enabled for direct connection. Earlier this year, there were reports that hearing aid support would come with the release of Android P and code commits were seen in the open source code that was available to developers.

This partnership confirms that the capability will be released and hopefully we will see it very soon. Initially, the new update will probably only be available on Google products, as they are the very first to get updates to the Android system. Other phone makers usually follow on within a couple of months. I would imagine that Samsung will respond pretty quickly and push the upgrade out to their products as soon as physically possible. 

First For Made For iPhone, Now First For Made For Android

Resound were the first hearing aid brand to introduce Made For iPhone in 2014. Now fittingly, they will be the first hearing aid brand to introduce Made For Android. I for one, can’t wait.

Ruth Kirkham has told her story of sudden hearing loss before here on Know, today she would like to speak about her personal perspective of the resulting tinnitus. Unfortunately, tinnitus can accompany sudden hearing loss more often than not. Without further blah, I will hand you over to Ruth.

An Aniversary, But Not a Happy One

Yesterday was the two year anniversary of my hearing loss. I suffered a sudden sensorineural loss after a night out with friends which would seem to have been the result of a virus that attacked my inner ear and left me with a moderate to severe loss in my left ear. The virus caused me no other symptoms and my hearing disappeared in the time that it took for me to sit down on the sofa. Much of that I have come to terms with. It’s frustrating not to hear as I once did and there are days when it is more debilitating than others, but it is what it is and I move forward.

Photo by Carolina Heza on Unsplash

Yesterday was also (not coincidentally) the two year anniversary of my journey with tinnitus which is the cheeky, incessant, annoying little sibling of hearing loss. The moment I lost my hearing a loud whooshing and high pitched squealing started which has never really stopped. It changes sometimes, increases often, decreases rarely and is generally made a little better when I wear my hearing aid. In one way I think I’m lucky because I now realise that I’ve always had tinnitus. Not at the same level and nowhere near as loud, but that distant humming I’d hear at night, the sound that was maybe outside or maybe it was the low rumble of the heating or perhaps a factory somewhere off in the distance – all that I now realise was tinnitus and I’d been dealing with it perfectly well, albeit at a quieter level, for years.

It’s taken some time to come terms with obviously, but to be honest I rarely get driven completely crazy by tinnitus. I don’t like the spikes when the usual squeal increases for reasons that I can’t understand and I hate the momentary deafening increases that sometimes afflict both ears, but thankfully those do seem to be momentary and in general the one-sided squeal of my tinnitus (accompanied by the low rumble in my good ear) is something that I try not to give the time of day to.

Tinnitus can be an absolute pain, it’s there, but it’s not going anywhere so like the loss of hearing it’s just something one has to come to terms with. I’ve found that a hearing aid helps – I suspect that when the brain detects more sound it spends less time sending random squealy signals and more time actively deciphering that sound, an assumption that seems to be backed up by Karen Simpson in her post on the connection between tinnitus and hearing loss, though in my case I have no tinnitus support programmed, but find the general boost to my hearing beneficial in that respect. 

Night time can be tricky, but strangely I’ve found that on the days that my tinnitus seems louder completely trying to ignore it is counterproductive. Instead, sometimes I just lie and listen to it. All the different pitches and sounds, all of what I can hear above those sounds and I try to just accept that it’s there. Perhaps it all sounds a bit new-age, but I find that mindfully accepting tinnitus and hearing loss without trying to judge either (certainly easier said than done and I’m not always successful), is the path toward living well alongside them.

RResound today announced the launch of a new hearing aid, the Linx Quattro, which they call a premium plus hearing aid. They say “ReSound LiNX Quattro™ is designed for people who want the very best that technology has to offer. It is the first hearing aid that maximizes the full sound potential of today’s high-performance hearing aid components enabling clearer, fuller and richer Layers of Sound™ for people with hearing loss”. The key takeaways so far are,

• Brand new chip platform
• 100% faster processing than 3D
• 100% additional memory than 3D
• a new way of handling directionality inputs
• extended high-frequencies
• higher input dynamic range
• Lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack 
• 24 hours of use even with 50% streaming

here is what they had to say

ReSound LiNX Quattro™ defines a new category in hearing aids: Premium-Plus

ReSound LiNX Quattro™ represents a combination of benefits that no other hearing aids offer, including:Sound quality: A brilliant sound experience, with clearer, fuller and richer Layers of Sound™. With the highest input dynamic range available and extended high frequencies, sounds are processed in increased detail at all input levels, leading to superior sound quality where softer sounds are clearer and louder sounds are fuller and distortion-free. 
Rechargeability: Longest rechargeable battery life available. Users benefit from an integrated Li-ion battery with 24 hours of use even when streaming 50% of the time.

Access to clearer, fuller and richer Layers of Sound™

With ReSound LiNX Quattro™ GN Hearing introduces a new chip platform and its 6th generation of 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity. Compared to ReSound LiNX 3D™, the new chip enables 100% faster processing, 100% additional memory, 35% increase in frequency bandwidth, and the highest input dynamic range in the industry. With a new chip platform, a completely rewritten sound processing package, a redesigned wireless radio with extra signal strength and a unique utilisation of microphones, sounds are passed to the amplifier without being altered. The result is a brilliant experience with Layers of Sound™ that is designed to inspire confidence in people with hearing loss, so that they can enjoy the moments that matter most.

 
“ReSound LiNX Quattro is the perfect choice for people who want to upgrade to a new premium-plus class of hearing aids that deliver unprecedented Layers of Sound and the longest battery life available in stylish, discreet designs,” said Paul Daft, Managing Director, GN Hearing UK. “Most importantly, the richer sound quality helps people hear better and be more present in their daily lives. Whether at a loud dinner party or business meeting in a quiet café, people can hear a fuller, clearer range of sounds, allowing them to focus on the conversation while still hearing the sounds around them.”
 
ReSound Assist™ enables personalised care from anywhere
The ReSound Assist™ feature connects hearing aid users with their hearing care professionals via the ReSound Smart 3D™ app, allowing remote adjustment of their hearing aids without having to visit the clinic. This is especially beneficial for users who have limited mobility, live in rural areas, have active lives and busy careers, or need to travel long distances to visit their hearing care professional.
 
In a study to examine the impact of remote fine-tuning on hearing care professionals and users, results showed that 100 percent of hearing care professionals said they would recommend remote fine-tuning to peers, and 94 percent said it helps them provide users with a better hearing experience. The same study showed that 77 percent of users think their new settings improve their hearing, while 89 percent said they would recommend remote fine-tuning to other hearing aid users.

Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?

Lindsay Engle of Medicare Faq speaks today about hearing aid coverage for Seniors with Medicare. Original Medicare does not normally cover the cost of hearing aids. However, Medicare coverage may help to cover the cost of hearing aids and related hearing services. I will hand you over to Lindsay

As the baby boomer generation reaches and exceeds the age of 65, the need for good, affordable hearing aids will continue to expand. Problems arise when you experience hearing loss and look for a good, affordable remedy. You may be unprepared for what you find when seeking out high-quality, affordable hearing aids.

Medicare and Hearing Aid Costs

Probably the first question will be, “Does Medicare offer any coverage for hearing aids?”. The real battle will then begin. Like many seniors, you may be financially challenged, having little more than Social Security to cover your expenses. Must you avoid social interaction or just deal with the frustration of not being able to hear normal conversations?

Medicare Part B

If you are a senior citizen on Medicare and have a hearing loss issue, you will be able to get coverage through Part B Medicare if your physician recommends these services because of a medical condition such as vertigo. In the absence of a medical indicator and an order from a health care provider, the hearing exam and hearing aids would not be covered.

Even if Medicare Part B does cover the services due to a medical condition, the 20 per cent copay will be your responsibility to pay, unless you have coverage through a Medicare supplement plan. If the hearing test was done in a hospital, and the hearing aids provided there, then you would have to pay the hospital copay.

What is Meant by Medically Necessary

Remember that patients who have coverage with Original Medicare generally must pay 100 per cent of hearing tests and hearing aids because they are routine care.

If the healthcare provider suspects you may have a disorder that will require medical treatment, and a balance test or hearing exam is required for proper diagnosis, then Medicare Part B may cover up to 80 per cent of Medicare’s allowable rates after you pay any necessary deductible).

To help you understand medical necessity, consider the case of a patient who presents to the doctor reporting at least two episodes of vertigo, each of which had a duration of between 20 minutes and 24 hours (not exceeding 24 hours). The patient may have experienced vertigo (ringing in the ears) or a full sensation in the ears and reported hearing loss. The hearing test would then be needed to confirm the hearing loss.

Medicare Supplement Plans

Without insurance to cover or supplement the costs of hearing aids, your cost per hearing aid could be in the range of $2,400 each. The next question might be whether or not a Medicare supplement policy (Medigap) would cover any of your hearing aid expenses.

At this time, none of the 10 Medicare supplement plans available cover hearing aids. If a patient has a hearing problem due to a medical condition and has been referred by a doctor, a Medigap policy could help cover the 20 per cent out-of-pocket cost of the hearing examination.

Patients who have Plans C or F will have the deductible covered. That is the amount the patient is obliged to pay before Medicare makes any payments on any services.

Do Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Hearing Aids

Part C Medicare (Medicare Advantage Plan) is a private policy offered through Medicare that offers the same benefits as Part A and B, as well as potentially some additional coverage. These extra benefits may include dental and/or vision insurance, prescription drug coverage, and in some case hearing aids. To date, most Medicare Advantage Plans still do not offer hearing aid coverage.

Legislation to Help with Hearing Aid Costs

Congress passed the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Act in August 2017, making hearing aids more accessible to patients with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. After the Food and Drug Administration composes updated regulations that assure the safety of these products, the OTC hearing aids will become more widely available for purchase without a doctor’s prescription.

This legislation is a step in the right direction to help people who cannot afford to pay the high price of hearing aids, but for many people, the price will still be restrictive. The goal of the new law is to continue to reduce hearing aid prices in the future to make them accessible to more people.

Proactive Steps to Get Help with Hearing Aid Costs

Patients do not have to be passive about their hearing needs. Information is available online and through healthcare providers, as well as hearing aid companies, that can guide you in finding help.

Private insurance companies offer a spectrum of plans that cover varying benefits, many at affordable prices. For veterans, a good place to start would be the local VA Office.

Regardless of which Medicare Plan you choose, the insurance policy will list the number of a representative to call 24 hours a day. This person will be able to check the specific plan and outline in detail what it will cover. There will also be advice as to what specialized policies can be added to help cover specific needs.

Conclusion

If you are one of the millions of Americans who experience hearing loss, know that there are steps you can take to find assistance with the phenomenal costs of hearing aids.

Turn to your health care provider or your health insurance representative for information and guidance. You can also seek help 24 hours a day at http://www.Medicare.gov.

As we reported earlier, Resound has announced the launch of a new premium plus hearing aid called the LiNX Quattro. I have been delving through the press release and the details on their website. While there are some pretty clear headlines that are discussed, many of the details have been left purposely vague. I imagine most of those details will be fleshed out over the next few weeks as they are launched to professionals and then to consumers. I wanted to outline clearly what we know, and take a guess at what we don’t, educated guesses in fairness. Hey, if I am wrong, you get to laugh at me, how bad is that? However, from what I am seeing, this hearing aid has pretty much the best of all worlds.

What we know

This is what we know so far:

• The devices will only be available in one new technology level
• The devices are Receiver In Canal devices
• The devices are Bluetooth hearing aids
• The devices use a brand new chip platform
• The chip has 100% faster processing than 3D
• The chip has 100% additional memory over the 3D
• Resound are using a new way of handling directionality inputs
• They have introduced a redesigned wireless radio with extra signal strength
• They have extended the bandwidth of the devices giving extra high-frequencies
• They have increased their dynamic input range, calling it industry leading
• The devices are available with a Lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack and without 
• The rechargeable hearing device will deliver 24 hours of use with 50% streaming on a three-hour charge
• The Lithium-ion devices will deliver 30 hours of use without streaming on a three-hour charge 

Pretty Discreet

Let’s take a closer look and give some observations on what we have seen so far. Firstly, the rechargeable hearing aids look pretty discreet. The Lithium-ion version is based on the LT-61 device which is Resound’s smallest RIC hearing device. The devices look very like the normal LT-61 but the bottom seems to flair a little, I would assume to hold the Lithium-ion powerpack. What is interesting is that there are no visible charging connections, so the devices are either using some sort of wireless charging or induction charging system. They are also available in an LT-62 version which is the slightly larger RIC hearing aid from Resound. This version uses normal hearing aid batteries, I have a feeling they probably won’t sell a lot of them.

The charger for the rechargeable device is both a desktop charger and a carry case for the devices. The charger holds its own charge and can be used for recharging the hearing aids on the go. The charger seems to be an intelligent charger with an auto off and on function for the hearing aids. It also offers clearly visible LEDs that allow you q quick understanding of the charge state of the hearing aids. The charger seems very well designed and in the promo shots, it looks pretty sturdy.

A New Technology Level

The LiNX Quattro will be available in a new technology level that Resound are introducing called Premium Plus. They will initially be released in the two RIC form factors and they will sit above the LiNX 3D which they will continue to offer. There is no word at this stage if Resound will introduce more form factors or how they envision the expansion of the Quattro range. 

A New Chipset

Resound say they are using a new chipset and give some pretty good stats on the improvements over and above the LiNX 3D. Both myself and Steve wear the LiNX 3D 9 regularly and the devices are excellent. SO I am interested to see what the new chipset offers over and above the existing device. One of the things they seem to have used it for is a new type of directionality, on top of that they have saved power consumption by 20% on the LiNX 3D.

They have also used it to increase the dynamic range of the devices, this allows a more normal use of sound inputs. It means that louder sounds won’t become distorted because they won’t be compressed on input. Without getting too technical, it will mean louder sounds are more normal and be more pleasant. 

A New Directionality System

They haven’t included many details on this, just a teaser, from what they are saying though, it seems that how they handle speech in their directionality rules may well have changed. How much so, remains to be seen, but I have a feeling it is a radical change. I think they have given greater emphasis to speech from every direction and allowed their noise reduction to work between. It should deliver a more normal sense of sound in noisier environments.

Better Bluetooth Connection

The newly redesigned wireless radio should make the direct connectivity to iPhones and hopefully Android phones in the near future more stable. Resound already delivers a pretty stable connection, but any improvement here will be welcomed by me and all of the other people who end up on our knees in the back garden offering our firstborn to the Gods of Bluetooth when our phones stubbornly refuse to connect. With the bigger dynamic range and the wider frequency bandwidth, music should sound really good. 

To be honest, this hearing aid seems to have pretty much the best of all worlds. While the features concepts are not necessarily groundbreaking, this is the only hearing aid that seems to do them all well in one device. Those are my observations so far, if I hear any more, I will, of course, update the post. When the hearing aids are formally launched, we will give you all a full rundown of what we find out. 

Budget Bluetooth Hearing Aids

We would all like a top of the range something, for me, it would probably be a laptop. Unfortunately, when it comes to purchasing something, we have to cut our cloth to our budget. When it comes to hearing aids, sometimes that makes for tough decisions. However, with the introduction of a slew of new devices from hearing aid brands, losing out on Bluetooth connectivity is not one of them. Let’s talk about Bluetooth hearing aids on a budget.

Zerena 3 and 1 Hearing Aid Ranges

With the introduction of the Zerena 3 and Zerena 1 hearing aids from Bernafon, it is now possible to purchase Bluetooth hearing aids on a budget. Bernafon has billed the new additions to the Zerena platform as budget options, but what does that mean and what can you expect from them? Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect and what features are on offer.

The Zerena 3 and 1 hearing devices were introduced as part of a Budget range of Zerena hearing aids in 2018. While they are not quite as advanced as the higher levels of Zerena hearing devices, Bernafon has ensured that they are still pretty solid hearing aids. 

Bluetooth Hearing Aids

Even though the Zerena 3 and 1 platforms are Budget hearing aids, they still use that super-fast and powerful chip that is inside the higher levels. That means that just like the rest of the Zerena range you can enjoy direct audio streaming from your iPhone straight to your ears. It also means that you can use the SoundClip-A remote microphone and streamer and the TV-A streamer. They offer huge benefits with direct streaming to the hearing aids for different situations. 

Automatic Hearing Aids

The Zerena 3 and 1 hearing aids are fully automatic and dynamically change to reflect the sound environment.  Neither the Zerena 3 or 1 range uses the brand new Dynamic Environment Control System™ or DECS™.  However, they do both use elements of the new system.

Premium features

Both the Zerena 3 and 1 use Dynamic Directionality, in both ranges, it is set to low focus and both have Dynamic Noise Reduction but there are no changeable settings. While the Zerena 3 has the Transient Noise Reduction feature which handles sudden impact sounds, the Zerena 1 does not.  Basically, that means that the Zerena 3 range has a strategy to handle sudden impact sounds and the Zerena 1 range does not. 

Both the Zerena 3 and 1 range offer an 8 kHz Frequency Bandwidth, and while the Zerena 3 range provides 10 Fitting Bands, the 1 offers just 8. That means that the 3 can be better customised to your hearing loss as you would expect.

The Zerena 3 range has the Bernafon Frequency Composition nxt feature, while the Zerena 1 range does not. The frequency composition feature allows you to hear high-frequency sound information at lower-frequency regions even if you cannot process the high-frequency information.

Tinnitus SoundSupport

Both the Zerena 3 and 1 ranges offer amplification and tinnitus relief together in one solution.

Zerena Budget Models

The Zerena 3 and 1 range are available in the full range of hearing aid types, two Receiver In The Ear (RITE) models, one of which has a rechargeable option. A Behind The Ear (BTE) Model and finally five custom or In The Ear models (ITE). All of the hearing aids in the range except the two smallest, the Completely In Canal (CIC) and the Invisible In Canal (IIC or Invisible hearing aid) are direct connection Bluetooth enabled hearing aids. 

A Strong Budget Offer

All in all, the Zerena Budget ranges add up to a very strong budget offer. Where else could you purchase a Bluetooth hearing aid in any model type you wished at a bargain price? While the feature sets are reduced, they are pretty solid. The Zerena 1 range is very basic, but when combined with a SoundClip-A or the TV streamer it offers the ability to hear in many of the situations that people find difficult.

The Zerena 3 range is quite a robust offering, and I would expect it to help you in some noisy situations, of course, you would also have to use coping mechanisms to get the best effect. However, if you combined it with the SoundClip-A, I think you would be surprised by how well you could hear your companion.  

Phonak Marvel 30 Hearing Aids

Phonak has just introduced a brand new range of Bluetooth enabled hearing aids called the Marvel. The entire range will connect directly to any Bluetooth enabled device, that means a phone, a TV even a computer. The devices fall under the Sonova concept of Made For Any Phone. That means they don’t fall into the traditional concept of Made For iPhone or even Made For Android. But that doesn’t mean they won’t work with both!

Unique Bluetooth Hearing Aids

Because the Marvel uses a very unique Bluetooth protocol the Marvel range will allow you to stream audio and phone calls from any Bluetooth enabled mobile phone whether that be a Smartphone or not. Phonak have also brought the new range out in their typical four levels of technology. That means there is a Marvel 30 range, which means there will eventually be a full line of models at the entry or budget level device with outstanding connectivity. 

Automatic Hearing Aids

Phonak Marvel hearing aids use AutoSense OS 3.0, which is Phonak’s latest hearing aid management system. In essence, the system blends and merges the features of the hearing aid to give you the best hearing possible within the sound environment you are in. At the thirty level of technology, the system only uses four presets, they are calm situation and speech in noise and the new streaming programmes streamed speech and streamed music.

However, they do offer three extra slots that can be filled from a pick of five additional programmes. They are Speech in noise, calm situation, comfort in noise, music, acoustic phone and finally a custom programme. That is a decent selection at this level of technology. It may be industry leading; I will get back to you on that. 

Strong Feature Set

The Marvel 30 range has quite a strong feature set as well. It offers Phonak’s latest frequency compression system, SoundRecover 2. The frequency compression feature allows you to hear high-frequency sound information at lower-frequency regions even if you cannot process the high-frequency information. The devices also have WhistleBlock which suppresses feedback (nasty whistling), NoiseBlock which helps to turn down the background noise and QuickSync which keeps everything synced between the two hearing aids. They only offer 8 fitting bands, which means the customisation of the hearing aids to your loss should be pretty solid. 

Tinnitus Balance

The Marvel 30 range will come with the Phonak tinnitus support feature called Tinnitus Balance. Because it is stereo streaming enabled, it will also allow you to design your own tinnitus sound therapy playlist to stream to the aids from your phone. 

Marvel Hearing Aids Budget Models

Right now, the Marvel is only available in two Receiver In Canal hearing aid type, a lithium-ion powered rechargeable device and a traditionally powered device. However, this is pretty typical of Phonak introductions to the market, and we would expect them to introduce BTEs and custom hearing aids over the next 12 to 16 months. When they do, it will mean that you will have a full range of budget Marvel Bluetooth hearing aid types to choose from.  

 A Strong Budget Offer

The Phonak Marvel 30 hearing aids are an exceedingly strong budget offering. The devices have already been well received across the industry and a lot of people are really excited about them. You will need to consider battery life though, as with all Bluetooth hearing aids, these will be power hungry. They aren’t quite in the marketplace long enough to get a clear idea of how hungry. 

You need to balance that up with functionality if the hearing aids deliver everything that you need but demand new batteries every three to four days, how bad would that truly be?

The Oticon Siya

The Oticon Siya is a family of hearing aids that were introduced in 2018 that fall within what Oticon call the essentials level of technology. The family includes a full range of typical Oticon models at two technology levels. The hearing aid models include the Siya miniRITE (comes in a rechargeable version), the Siya BTE,  the Siya BTE13 PP, the Siya miniRITE-T and finally five custom or In The Ear models (ITE). All of the hearing aids in the range except the two smallest, the Completely In Canal (CIC) and the Invisible In Canal (IIC or Invisible hearing aid) are direct connection Bluetooth enabled hearing aids.

What Oticon Says

Oticon makes some pretty strong claims for the Siya, here is what they say:

• Category-leading performance
• 50 times faster data processing than ever before  
• Category-leading resolution with 48 frequency channels
• Directionality in 15 independent frequency bands for high precision
• Super-fast noise reduction features
• 2.4 GHz Bluetooth® low energy for advanced connectivity

Two Technology Levels

As I said, there are two technology levels which include the Siya 1 and the Siya 2. The beauty of the Siya range is that they are built upon the same groundbreaking chipset that the Opn is built upon. In everything but the directionality protocol, the Siya range is basically cheaper Opns. Having said that, I need to be very clear here, one of the stand-out features of the Opn is that very special directionality strategy. 

Bluetooth Hearing Aids

Even though the Siya 1 and 2 ranges are Budget hearing aids, they still use that super-fast and powerful Velox chip that is inside the Opn. That means that just like the Oticon Opn range you can enjoy direct audio streaming from your iPhone straight to your ears. It also means that you can use the Connect Clip remote microphone and streamer and Oticon’s TV streamer. They offer huge benefits with direct streaming to the hearing aids for different situations. 

Premium features

Both the Siya ranges offer Multiband Adaptive Directionality, it isn’t the famous Opn directionality strategy but it is the base strategy that every other manufacturer is using. Both of the Siya range offer Dynamic Noise Reduction but there are no changeable settings. The Siya 1 range has the Transient Noise Reduction feature which handles sudden impact sounds, the Siya 2 does not.  Basically, that means that the Siya 1 range has a strategy to handle sudden impact sounds and the Siya 2 range does not. 

Both of the Siya ranges offer an 8 kHz Frequency Bandwidth, and while the Siya 1 range provides 10 Fitting Bands, the 2 offers just 8. That means that the 1 can be better customised to your hearing loss as you would expect.

Both of the Siya ranges offer the Oticon Frequency Composition feature. The frequency composition feature allows you to hear high-frequency sound information at lower-frequency regions even if you cannot process the high-frequency information.

Tinnitus SoundSupport

Both of the Siya ranges offer amplification and tinnitus relief together in one solution.

A Strong Budget Offer

All in all, the Siya ranges add up to a very strong budget offer. You will get a Bluetooth hearing aid in any model type you wish at a bargain price. While the feature sets are reduced in comparison to the Opn hearing aids, they are pretty solid. When combined with a Connect Clip or the TV streamer it offers the ability to hear in many of the situations that people find difficult.

Receiver In Canal hearing aids or RICs have proven to be exceptionally popular with hearing care professionals and the public alike. They are exceptionally versatile hearing aids that offer power, functionality and discretion. Generally, RICs are fitted with instant fit silicone tips of varying sizes and shapes. They are usually only fitted with custom tips when the hearing loss really calls for it. However, if you are investing in a set of RICs, it might be a good idea to consider getting custom tips made for them. Let’s take a look at why a custom tip may be a better option.

Generic Silicone Tips

Firstly, generic silicone tips are generally fine and if you have some on your devices and are having no problems, well then don’t panic and run out to get custom tips. Having said that, let’s look at the reasons why I feel custom tips serve people better.

Custom Tips For RICs

Firstly, custom tips are manufactured from a mould of your ear canal, usually in hard acrylic although you can get them in silicone if needed. That means that they are custom made to fit your canal perfectly. When done correctly, they are very comfortable, fit perfectly and deliver outstanding retention (they stay in the ear where they are supposed to).

That really is the key for me, the retention in the ear canal. That means that the tip does not slip out, it means that the position of the tip shouldn’t change. That is important for sound quality. The issue with generic tips that I see is that they move out during the day for many people which means the sound quality deteriorates. It also means that the calibration data and validation data gleaned during the fitting goes out the window. That means that the hearing aids aren’t necessarily working their best as designed. Let me explain that.

The Fitting & Validation

During the fitting process, we push the RIC tips into your ears and calibrate the feedback system and amplification system in some hearing aids by assessing the sound leakage from your ear canals. Those parameters are important because they are parameters that the hearing aid bases everything on.

Further to that, when we validate the fitting through Real Ear Measurements or Speech Mapping, we put in our probe tips and push the RIC tips into your ears before ensuring that the hearing aids are indeed hitting the targets. Again, this based on the position of the receivers in your ears.

Unfortunately, in my personal experience, most generic instant fit tips will change position during the day, especially on my left ear. Therefore undermining the parameters that have been set and changing the calculations. Is it a big change though? I don’t know, and I doubt if anyone does for sure.

I certainly can’t ever remember seeing a study on it. I do know it is a change, I also know that my hearing aids sound better when they are fully pushed into my ear, and for me, that is enough to consider custom tips.

Custom tips should not change position in the ear canal, that means I can be confident that the parameters set through calibration and speech mapping shouldn’t change. It just means that I feel more confident that the hearing aids will be performing as they should be, exactly the same as they were when I fitted them.

Occlusion With Custom Tips

I had a fantastic question from a reader and realised I should have addressed it. Occlusion is a problem that occurs when the ears are closed up. Basically, you feel stuffed up and it is unpleasant. They asked would custom tips cause occlusion? The answer is probably not. Let me explain.

Open Fitting

Even if you are suitable for only an open fitting, custom tips can be made for you with the open effect. In essence, these are hollow moulds that the receiver (speaker) clip into. They give you the benefits of a more custom fitting without occluding your ear. Depending on how good your low-frequency hearing is, you might be suitable for these types of custom tip, or, you may be suitable for a solid custom tip with a vent in it.

The vent is to allow low-frequency sound pressure to escape from your ear canal. Occlusion is only a phenomenon when you have good low-frequency hearing. If your low-frequency hearing is worst than 40 dB, generally you shouldn’t suffer from occlusion.

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