Directional-Microphone Hearing Aid Technology
How Directional Hearing Aids Work
A major source for infrequent use and user dissatisfaction of hearing aids has been the inability to distinguish between wanted sounds-such as speech from a person talking directly to you – and the background or ambient noise which clutters up this ability to hone-in on the desired sound. This problem is multiplied when the user changes environments. For example, there are times when she/he wants to hear only the speech in one-to-one conversation; other times when walking down the street or listening to music, she/he needs to
hear all sounds in the environment for both safety and enjoyment reasons.
Researchers have identified the culprit to be the Omni-directional Microphone, which by design picks up sound from all directions. This discovery has given way to several technological advances based on changing the microphone configuration and controlling sound pickup. Now, those with hearing problems have bona fide solutions for better listening ability as they move from environment to environment.
Most of the major hearing aid manufacturers now have digital, directional microphone systems. These selectively amplify sounds coming from the front, while sounds coming form the sides or rear are amplified much less. In a noisy situation, if the user looks at the person they want to hear, the directional microphone can help them pick out the desired voice form the background noise. Directional microphones are available in both behind-the-ear and in-the-ear hearing aids, but they are not available (and could not work) in completely-in-the-canal hearing aids.
Look at the face of a directional in-the-ear hearing aid and you’ll see two small holes called sound ports. The front sound port is designed for listening in all types of environments. But in noisy environments, the rear sound port will pick up sounds coming from behind and the sides and the hearing aid will automatically reduce sound confusion and enhance the users listening ability from the front.
Hearing aid manufacturers achieve this in different ways. In some models a computer chip measures the sound at each of the two sounds ports continuously and determines which to amplify and which to reduce or suppress. In other models the acoustic modification is achieved at the microphone sound ports. With this method the rear sound port is acoustically out-of-phase with the front sound port, and the hearing aid electronically suppresses the sounds coming from the rear and the side. Both methods achieve the same result.
Directional technology can be compare to the use of blinders on a race horse to minimize distractions; while the horse is aware of it s surroundings, it is less distracted by them.
Some directional hearing aid models are preprogrammed by your audiologist so the instrument will switch from omni-directional to directional automatically depending on environmental sounds. With other models the directional microphones may be turned on-or-off manually by the wearer for best listening.
A directional microphone system may not be for everyone. For patients with minimal hearing loss, or those who spend most of their time at home, omni-directional hearing aids may be fine. But for those who need amplification in the workplace or in social settings, the ability to have a more sophisticated hearing aid with directional capabilities is crucial.
People who have problems hearing require optimum conditions to perform well on speech-intelligibility tasks. Directional microphone systems offer the possibility of improving the signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio even when speech and noise are similar, thus improving understanding. And when speech and noise come from sources that are spatially separated, directional hearing aids do their best work.
For those with more profound hearing loss, the “directional hearing array,” a group of microphones worn as a necklace, may help with hearing conversation even more. This system works in tandem with a conventional hearing aid. Sound signals from the front of the user are picked up by microphones on the necklace, and that sound can be “heard” by the hearing aid.
Some with minor hearing loss, may find little difference between directional microphone technology and standard hearing aids. Others, with more profound hearing loss, may find the directional hearing array system more advantageous. Ask your audiologist for a demonstration of these technologies to determine what helps your specific hearing.
FM Systems
A remarkable improvement to the performance of your hearing instruments
Master difficult hearing situations around the clock
Even with latest-generation hearing instruments, speech intelligibility can be severely impaired in difficult listening situations. But FM systems restore the instrument user’s ability to effortlessly engage in a conversation even in noisy surroundings.
The advantage in difficult hearing situations:
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With a mobile wireless microphone, the speaker’s voice is picked up directly at the source and transmitted to the hearing instruments as an FM signal. This optimizes hearing quality.
Lead discussion - understand everything and everyone better
For most hearing instrument users, it is difficult to simultaneously understand everyone during a discussion and an even greater challenge to act as a moderator. Instruments equipped with FM allow active participation in group discussions.
The advantage in discussion settings:
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The user can understand more easily because the mobile microphone is positioned near the speaker to assure optimized speech intelligibility.
Communicate more easily in noisy surroundings
It is often hard to understand speech in crowded settings. For hearing instrument users, this can become troublesome in situations where even people with normal hearing can no longer communicate without difficulty. FM makes it easy to focus on one or several speakers.
The advantage in noisy surroundings:
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The mobile microphone fades out annoying background noise; this significantly increases the audibility and intelligibility of individual voices.
Watch TV while conversing or telephoning
For TV viewers, the FM system combines several advantages: it eliminates the need to turn up the volume and at the same time allows them to engage in a conversation, hear the phone ring, and clearly understand the caller’s voice.
The advantage in watching TV and using the phone:
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Superb sound quality based on FM signal transmission plus a unique automatic source selection feature that mutes the TV’s sound when the telephone rings.
Hearing instruments are transformed into communication systems
Hearing instruments pick up speech with built-in microphones. As the distance to the speaker increases, speech intelligibility becomes a problem for instrument users. This often leads to situations in which they cannot understand enough to actively participate in a discussion.
FM systems upgrade hearing instruments into powerful communication systems. A mobile wireless microphone that picks up voices and instantly transmits the signal to the miniaturized FM receivers at the hearing instruments substantially enhances hearing comfort.
Speech intelligibility is always optimized even if the distance between the speaker and the hearing instrument increases, because the microphone overcomes distance by radio transmission. For this reason, FM system users often understand better than people without a hearing loss.
FM systems can be integrated into your current behind-the-ear hearing aids as well as in-the-ear hearing aids via a neckloop such as MyLink.
BLUETOOTH IS THE NEWEST BUZZ IN THE HEARING WORLD!
The
ConnectLine bluetooth system from Oticon is the most seamless system for transitioning between multiple devices such as your cell phone and your television.
Wireless connectivity has opened up a world of possibilities for people with hearing loss. Connectline allows for clear wireless channeling of sound directly into both hearing instruments from cell phones and standard landline phones. The result varies from clear hands free cell phone use when driving, to trouble free connection with the TV and home phone. Connectline makes using the phone possible for the first time for many hearing instruments wearers.
Core to the ConnectLine is Streamer, a small body device connecting your hearing devices to cell phones, landline phones, TV and other audio sources.
Streamer
Attractive and unobtrusive, this small adaptor connects to the audio output of any TV and runs on its own power supply. It is easy to install. You will enjoy high quality sound with new freedom. So relax - hear the score, get the news or never miss a punch line while pouring a cup of coffee from the kitchen. The ConnectLine TV adaptor has a range up to 30 ft. With Streamer, you adjust your preferred volume while the family adjusts the volume on the TV. Enjoy an added benefit- You won't be cut off from the conversation unless you choose to be. You are in control - not the technology.
The ConnectLine TV box is connected to the audio output of any TV or audio reciever device. The TV box send the TV signal wirelessly to the Streamer with a range of up to 30 feet. There is no signal delay or echo.
Turns an existing landline phone into a cordless BluetoothTM phone
No need to replace your current phone.
The small adaptor connects in parallel to your existing phone, tuning it into a Bluetooth phone. The phone adaptor sends the phone signal wirelessly to Streamer and it transmits up to 30 ft. Enjoy hearing on the phone through both ears and being hands free. Imagine - the phone rings in your hearing instruments and you answers it with a simple push of a button on your streamer!
The two ear advantage makes Cell Phone use much easier and pleasant, as well as safer for use while driving!
Whether walking on a busy street or driving in your car - using a cell phone with hearing aids can be challenging. Streamer works with any Bluetooth enabled cell phone. So even in difficult listening situations on the go - you will have the advantage!
The HELPcard
Providing Unordinary Financing Options
Nothing Is Quite So Lonely As a Silent World and
Nothing is more frustrating than not being able to hear. It’s almost like the world is going on around you without you being a part of it. Your hearing aid speci, alist understands. Our goal is to make sure that you have every opportunity to be involved in life, not just watching from the sidelines. In addition to providing the best hearing aids, we have taken your care one step further, by becoming associated with The HELPcard, to take care of your financial needs.
The HELPcare card allows you to make small monthly payments and even offers 0% interest through their Deferred Interest Options.
Life Is Too Important To Miss Even One Special Word!
You don’t have to miss life. Financing is available through The HELPcard. The HELPcard allows clients to make small monthly payments. A minimum monthly payment is required and the balance must be paid in full in order for you to take advantage of deferred interest. If you can’t completely pay off the balance in a short period of time, easy to budget monthly payments are also available.
Are you interested in hearing instruments?
behind the ear. They can be employed for all degrees of hearing losses and are particularly beneficial for severe hearing losses and special requirements regarding hearing in difficult listening situations (FM systems etc.).
