RESOUND ENYA: BRINGING THE BENEFITS OF WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY TO THE BASIC HEARING INSTRUMENT MARKET

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1 RESOUND ENYA: BRINGING THE BENEFITS OF WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY TO THE BASIC HEARING INSTRUMENT MARKET Tammara Stender, Au.D., ReSound Global Audiology ReSound Enya is truly a landmark device in the hearing industry basic and budget segment. Its technology represents a significant step forward in basic-level hearing instrument signal processing, with more features available than ever. In addition, ReSound Unite wireless accessories augment the functionality and usability of ReSound Enya hearing aids with connectivity to other audio sources. As the first and only manufacturer to incorporate 2.4 GHz digital wireless streaming direct to hearing instruments, Resound continues to raise the bar with wireless ear-to-ear 2.4 GHz communication and synchronized features. ReSound Enya provides unmatched value for users by bringing this industry-leading technology to basic hearing instruments. ReSound Enya is available in three levels: 4, 3 and 2. ReSound Enya 4 and 3 hearing instruments provide connectivity to all ReSound Unite wireless accessories. ReSound Enya 4 extends the capabilities of wireless to provide four ear-to-ear wireless features as well: Synchronized Push Button, Synchronized Volume Control, Synchronized TSG (tinnitus sound generator) and Comfort Phone. Direct wireless connectivity between hearing instruments and accessories opens the door to many new opportunities for basic-level hearing instrument users. ReSound Unite wireless accessories the Remote Control 2, TV Streamer 2, Phone Clip+ and the Mini Microphone provide easy access to audio sources. These accessories boast true benefits in performance and compatibility with today s consumer electronics without requiring the user to wear a gateway streaming device. RESOUND ENYA 4 EAR-TO-EAR WIRELESS FEATURES Ear-to-ear wireless hearing instrument features available in ReSound Enya 4 hearing instruments can provide user benefits in the areas of convenience and usability, sound quality and listening comfort. For devices that have push buttons, Synchronized Push Button halves the time necessary to make a program change or to activate streaming and provides a more discreet solution for carrying out these actions. With this feature, a push button press on one side in a binaural fitting will activate the same change on the other side. In the same manner for hearing instruments with volume controls on the device, Synchronized Volume Control enacts the same volume change for both hearing instruments when the user changes one instrument only. Aside from the obvious convenience and timesaving benefits, Synchronized Push Button and Volume Control features also make hearing instrument use more accessible to users with certain manual dexterity or other usability concerns. For example, if a user is unable to easily access the push button on the right hearing instrument, she can simply activate the push button the on more accessible left hearing instrument and the change will be symmetric. Synchronized TSG is an ear-to-ear wireless feature that may afford benefits to the hearing instrument fitter as well as the user. The modulation level, modulation speed and volume control or environmental steering of the tinnitus noise generator level for each device will be symmetrical, which may translate to better sound quality for some users. In addition, fitters may find it simpler to set the devices, as changes made on one side will be applied to the other side. Comfort Phone is available when the Phone Now option is used, with both the Acoustic Telephone and

Enya 4 hearing instru- streamed audio signal so that it aligns with the moving The Unite Phone Clip+ (Figure 4) transmits speech or benefits for the outgoing signal in a noisy background.

2 Telecoil options. Once a phone is detected by Phone of its kind that allows the user to add a delay to the ReSound Unite Phone Clip+ on the Unite Phone Clip+, which provides directional Now on one side, the ReSound Enya 4 hearing instru- streamed audio signal so that it aligns with the moving The Unite Phone Clip+ (Figure 4) transmits speech or benefits for the outgoing signal in a noisy background. ment on the other side will automatically reduce the picture. audio from a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone direct- gains (volume) by 6 db. This gain reduction will be in ly to the hearing aids. This ability to hear the phone A benchmark study was conducted to assess the effect until the phone is removed from that side, at in both ears promotes better speech understanding sound quality provided for the far-end caller with the which point the gains will return to their normal base- on the phone through binaural listening advantages. 2 Unite Phone Clip+, as compared to the first generation line levels. This ear-to-ear wireless feature affords con- Furthermore, the Unite Phone Clip+ provides stereo ReSound digital wireless cell phone accessory. 3 In the venience as well as listening comfort to the user, as streaming quality for audio from the mobile phone to study, normal hearing listeners compared recordings background noises on the non-phone ear will be at- the hearing aids. made with each accessory in terms of sound quality tenuated. and listening effort. Results revealed a significant preference for the Unite Phone Clip+ recordings, both in RESOUND UNITE WIRELESS ACCESSORIES Through the use of ReSound proprietary 2.4 GHz Figure 2. Unite TV Streamer 2 quiet and in noise. In fact, Unite Phone Clip+ sound quality and ease of listening ratings were better than wireless transmission and ReSound Unite wireless accessories, connectivity has never been simpler. Connectivity with 2.4 GHz benefits the user by eliminating the need for a body-worn streaming device to connect the accessory to the hearing instruments. A bodyworn streamer is an extra device that is typically suspended around the user s neck by a loop. Eliminating this intermediary component from the wireless system allows for better convenience and faster wireless connectivity. A more convenient wireless solution without a conspicuous body-worn streamer promotes greater acceptance and satisfaction among users. ReSound Unite TV Streamer 2 The ReSound Unite TV Streamer 2 connects to any audio source including televisions, PCs, and stereos. It streams in high quality stereo from the source directly to the user s hearing aids. This accessory is compatible with multiple output formats from audio sources, including analog as well as digital coax and optical toslink. The TV Streamer 2 also includes a Dolby Digital TM decoder that automatically downmixes 5.1 type signals to a stereo signal. This typically becomes necessary when a modern TV only outputs a digital or an optical 5.1 signal intended for a surround sound receiver. Owners of digital wireless hearing instruments from other manufacturers must separately purchase and install a Dolby Digital TM decoder if the output of their television does not have other format choices, such as PCM stereo. ReSound Unite Remote Control 2 The ReSound Unite Remote Control 2 is an easy-touse solution for controlling the volume, program and accessory activation in a slim design. A large, high-contrast display screen with a long backlit time promote visibility. The display surface is resistant to scratches, and a carrying pouch is included for further protection. With an antenna location at the top of the device, signal strength to the hearing aids is uninterrupted even if it is operated from a pocket or handbag. In noisy listening situations, or just when users feel the need to turn off their hearing aids, a dedicated mute button is provided. Users can easily activate and deactivate streaming through a dedicated button, but they can also adjust the proportion of direct streamed sound to environmental (hearing aid microphone) sound while in a streaming program. Finally, a rechargeable lithium ion battery allows for charging via the universal wall charger or a USB port connection to a laptop or personal computer. The Remote Control 2 will typically operate for weeks on a single charge. Figure 4. ReSound Unite Phone Clip+ A small swivel clip provides a strong connection to the hearing instruments, and allows for optimum positioning to pick up the hearing aid user s voice. This is especially important, since a major benefit of the Unite Phone Clip+ is the potential for hands-free phone use. Users can answer and end calls with a push of the multifunction button. Additionally, a miniature remote control is integrated in the accessory, allowing for volume and program adjustments. Volume adjustments can be made regardless of whether the user is actively streaming a phone call, or just using the hearing aids normally. A mute button that turns off the hearing aid microphones provides for an easier listening experience in a noisy environment. It is truly a user-friendly device, as it is rechargeable through the universal wall outlet or a USB connector. A cell phone accessory such as the Unite Phone Clip+ must take not only the needs of the hearing aid user into account, but also those of the far-end caller (the conversation partner when using the mobile phone). This is because the accessory also serves to pick up the voice of the hearing aid user and transmit it via Bluetooth to the phone. The quality of the hearing aid user s voice must be preserved for this accessory to be truly useful. The Unite Phone Clip+ incorporates the first generation Unite Phone Clip 78% and 99% of the time, respectively. ReSound Unite Mini Microphone Rounding out the offering of ReSound Unite wireless accessories is the Unite Mini Microphone (Figure 5). This accessory allows a user to stream a conversation partner s voice directly to the hearing aids, improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This is especially beneficial in noisy listening situations, such as a restaurant. It also has line-in functionality for streaming audio sources (such as an ipod, PC or TV) directly to the hearing instruments. Figure 5. Unite Mini Microphone Another issue with modern televisions and auxiliary equipment, such as surround sound systems and settop boxes, is that they can introduce a delay to the picture, leading to the sound and the picture being out of sync. The Unite TV Streamer 2 is the only device Figure 3. Resound Unite Remote Control 2 signal processing to enhance the listening experience for the caller. A special noise reduction algorithm is applied to the outgoing signal to improve the sound quality for the far-end caller. Sound quality for the far-end caller is also improved by the use of two microphones

3 BRINGING IT HOME: USER BENEFITS OF WIRELESS ACCESSORY CONNECTIVITY IN THE RESOUND BASIC PRODUCT LINE What does wireless connectivity of audio sources to hearing aids really mean to the user? The products described in this paper have numerous features and advantages, but the most important points are the benefits they provide to the user s lifestyle. Table 1 lists several user benefits of this technology. REFERENCES 1. Picou EM, Ricketts TA. (2011). Comparison of Wireless and Acoustic Hearing Aid-Based Telephone Listening Strategies. Ear & Hearing, 32(2): Groth J, Groth T. (2013). Consumer and Dispenser Feedback Leads to Substantial Improvements in 2G Wireless Accessories. Hearing Review, 20(10): ReSound Unite accessory Unite Phone Clip+ Unite TV Streamer 2 Unite Remote Control 2 Unite Mini Microphone User benefits Hands-free phone use Access and connectivity to ReSound Control and ReSound relief apps from iphones and Android smart phones Improved audibility for phone calls, music, and other audio played from any Bluetooth enabled cell phone or smart phone Easier connections to modern entertainment systems Listen at preferred volume while others listen at theirs Synchronization of picture and sound Superior sound quality Long battery life and rechargeable battery Excellent screen visibility and easy-touse controls Extended control over volume of streamed signals Improved audibility of speaker s voice in noisy situations or from a distance Portable streaming from audio sources such as TV, stereo, PC or mp3 player Table 1. User benefits of the ReSound Unite wireless accessories PROVIDING MORE BENEFITS TO A GREATER NUMBER OF USERS With the introduction of select ear-to-ear wireless features and ReSound Unite wireless accessory connectivity with the ReSound Enya 4 and 3-level devices, hearing instrument use and applicability has been elevated to new heights in the basic product segment. The usability, convenience and functionality of ReSound Unite digital wireless accessories empower ReSound Enya users to enjoy their hearing aids to the fullest. Perhaps most importantly, users of basic hearing aids can now enjoy the benefits of vastly improved SNR that were previously available only in higher price points, through wireless streaming from audio sources. Introducing these wireless connectivity advancements in the ReSound Enya hearing instrument family provides more hearing benefits for a greater number of hearing instrument users.

5 Worldwide headquarters ReSound A/S Lautrupbjerg 7 DK-2750 Ballerup Denmark Tel.: Fax: M GB Rev.A The trademarks listed are owned and used by The GN ReSound Group and its related affiliates. 2015

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More opportunities to meet individual patient needs C O N N E C T I V I T Y A complete, integrated system Designed to maximize hearing instrument benefits ` ` Based on real user needs and experiences Meet