Siemens Hearing Instruments The most technologically advanced hearing aids

Siemens is the 13th largest company in the world with many divisions and hearing being one of them.  For over  125 years, Siemens Hearing Instruments has dedicated itself to designing and building the most technologically advanced hearing aids to fit all types and degrees of hearing loss and cosmetic preferences, so people with hearing loss can enjoy the world with better hearing and better living.  Their complete line of hearing aids range from entry level to very sophisticated high-end devices.

What’s New at Siemens? This summer Siemens will launch the new AQUARIS hearing device. Aquaris is said to be waterproof, dustproof and shock resistant. This breakthrough technology also features a textured surface on the device to help it fit securely to the ear and prevent slipping. Aquaris will be equipped with Siemens BestSound Technology with Feedback Stopper and SpeechFocus for true sound comfort, clarity and excellent speech understanding.

Siemens will also be introducing the Imini an incredibly small hearing aid packed with amazing features! Imini's SoundSmoothing suppresses sudden, disturbing noise and has speech and noise management that automatically reduces background noise making it easier to focus on conversations.

Phonak Entry level to high-end digital hearing aids

Phonak is owned by Sonova, a Swiss company.  Sonova owns Phonak, Unitron, Insound Medical, and Advanced Bionics.  Phonak has a complete line of entry level to high-end digital hearing aids.  They are also the leading manufacturer of a comprehensive line of FM systems (wireless communication) for the hearing industry today.  We performed the first study of adult FM in 2001, which was published in Hearing Review and presented this to the Academy of Doctors of Audiologists in 2002.

What’s New at Phonak?  Exclusive Phonak SoundRecover Technology brings back all the subtle sounds that complete life’s rich soundscapes – from the sweet whispers of a loved one to the pleasant sound of birds singing.  Its intelligent shape enhances the ability of Audeo SMART to automatically zoom in on speech and reduce background noise.   Most importantly, SoundRecover allows you to follow conversations clearly and steadily, even conversation in noisy restaurants or on windy streets.

Oticon Receiver-In-The-Ear Hearing Aid Technology

Oticon is owned by William Demant, a Danish company based in Copenhagen.  Oticon has been a leading innovator in new technology and has been making hearing devices for over  100 years.  We traveled to Copenhagen in 2006 to learn about their new Receiver-In-The-Ear Technology and was one of the first offices to dispense these devices in the United States.  Whether it’s audiology, technology, hearing aid fitting systems, consumers, or interacting with hearing care professionals, Oticon’s company philosophy is:  We put people first.

What’s New at Oticon?    Oticon, Inc., recently introduced the most advanced signal processing concept ever with the launch of Oticon Agil, a second generation wireless hearing instrument family.  New audiological concepts in Agil are designed to preserve the natural characteristics of speech, while enriching the sound quality to enable the brain to use fewer of its resources for listening purposes.  As a result, the end-user should have more residual energy for other important tasks such as full social interaction.

Widex Wireless technology for hearing aids - processes and transmits phone signals

Widex is privately owned by two Danish families based in Copenhagen.  They have been making hearing devices for 60 years.  Widex introduced the first digital hearing aid in 1996.  We were flown over to Copenhagen in December 1995 to learn about it.  Our offices were one of the first to use this technology in the United States.

What’s New at Widex?   Widex's latest technology is called the FUSION. FUSION uses WidexLink, the first wireless technology designed specifically for hearing aids. The phone+ feature processes and transmits phone signals from one hearing aid to the other without delay. This means the wearer can hear mobile and landline phone calls in both hearing aids without the use of extra devices. FUSION suits most types of hearing loss, from minimal to severe-to-profound.

ReSound The first programmable hearing aid

ReSound was started in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1986.  ReSound was formed after purchasing technology developed by AT&T Bell Labs.  This technology was the first programmable hearing aid and came to market in 1989.  Our offices were one of the first in the country to use this device for our patients.  Our office performed a study that was published in Hearing Review, the leading professional publication for hearing devices.  ReSound also developed thin tube and open fitting technology in 2001.  Our office was one of the testing sites for this new technology.  We spoke at the 2002 symposium in London regarding this new device.

What’s New at ReSound?   The ReSound Alera is now available, offering an exceptional surround sound experience, strong and clear wireless connections to your TV and phone, and a nano-tech coating protecting the hearing aids from water – all to help you connect to the important things in life.   Alera will give you an exceptionally rich sound, full awareness of all individual sounds around you, improved ability to locate where sounds are coming from, and clear sound and complete comfort when using the phone and listening to music.

Starkey Invisible in-the-canal hearing aid

Starkey was founded in the 1970s by Bill Austin in the Minneapolis area.  It is a privately held company.  They are the first company with a deep insertion device that is removed daily.  We will be doing a study on this device in 2010.

What’s New at Starkey?  SoundLens is Starkey's new custom fit invisible in-the-canal hearing aid that features Voice IQ. Voice IQ is Starkey's latest noise reduction and speech preservation system designed to filter out background noise.

Also available from Starkey is the AMP, which fits in your ear canal and is removable and ready to wear in a single visit. The AMP's small size and ear canal placement take advantage of the ear's natural acoustics for an amazing sound quality. With all this amazing technology it is hard to believe this is one of the most affordable devices on the market!

Ear Technology Corporation Hearng aid for single-sided deafness

Ear Technology Corporation (“ETC”) is based in Johnson City, Tennessee.  ETC’s products are the direct result of company president Dr. Daniel R. Schumaier’s experience as a dispensing audiologist. Dry & Store came about as a remedy for hearing aid performance problems caused by moisture as well as the common complaint of itchy ears.

Ear Technology Corporation?  TransEar  is a new type of hearing instrument, specifically designed for single-sided deafness.  It doesn’t simply amplify sound.  Instead, TransEar works by bone conduction, utilizing a miniature oscillator in the canal of the bad ear to send sound energy via the bones of the skull to the good ear.  TransEar is a single hearing instrument, worn on the deaf side.  It’s an innovative and elegant solution that enables the effect of hearing on both sides.

Insound Medical

Insound was started in 1999 in Newark, California, and was recently purchased by Sonova, a Swiss Company.

What’s New at Insound Medical?   Insound’s product, Lyric, is the first deep insertion device that is worn 24 hours a day for up to 4 months  at a time.  Our office was the fourth to start fitting this device and has the most experience with the Lyric.  In fact, we train audiologists from around the country to be successful with the Lyric.  We have performed a study with over 100 patients using the Lyric and presented these results at two national meetings and one international symposium.

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