Starkey Livio and Livio AI – leading the way in Healthable hearing aid technology

Bournemouth-based audiologists, Key to Hearing, are delighted to introduce the Starkey Livio and Livio AI hearing aids. The Livio and Livio AI offer some of the most advanced technology and features on the market today and include rechargeable devices.

Crystal clear hearing, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing

Whether you’re at home or out and about, talking on the phone, watching TV or streaming music, Starkey’s HearingReality TM system offers a fantastic hearing experience and excellent feedback cancellation. In fact, Livio AI was recently given the top rating for reducing background noise in an independent study of premium hearing aids 1.

The devices also offer high quality Bluetooth connectivity and wireless streaming and are compatible with a wide range of Apple and Android devices.

What’s more, Livio and Livio AI both feature clever geotagging technology that senses when you’re in a certain place, like at home or work, and automatically adjusts your hearing aid settings to suit. Other shared features include easy adjustments with the Thrive Hearing Aid app, tinnitus relief and CROS technology for single-sided hearing loss.

Rechargeable technology you can trust

As sealed units, the rechargeable devices also offer great protection from dust, moisture and dirt. Both devices are amongst the smallest on the market and offer 24 hours of high quality hearing from just one charge. A portable charging pod is supplied with your hearing aids.

Livio AI – link your health with your hearing with Healthable

Whilst Livo is certainly advanced, Livio AI really takes things to the next level with its state of the art Healthable technology. This aims to give you a deeper understanding of the connection between your hearing and your overall health – for example, did you know that using hearing aids can improve or limit conditions such as dementia and cognitive decline 2?

Healthable technology works by using 3D motion sensors and the Thrive app to monitor how, when and where you use your hearing aids, and tracks your brain and body activity to give you a Wellness Score. The data collected by your Livio AI can then be integrated with other wellbeing apps such as Google Fit and Apple Health. This amazing device can even detect if you’ve had a fall and alert a relative or carer so they can help!

Livio AI’s other cutting-edge features include:

• Translating up to 27 languages in real time

• Asking your audiologist to make remote adjustments

• Integration with Siri

• ‘Find My Hearing Aids’ function

• Adaptive Car Mode for a better driving experience

• Automatic volume adjustment for maximum comfort

A range of wireless accessories are available with Livio AI. These include the Remote Microphone+ – the first ever audio streaming hearing aid accessory to connect with Amazon Alexa.

Like to know more?

Key to Hearing are on hand to help you make the right choice of hearing aid and accessories. Please contact us to find out more about the Livio and Livio AI or download the brochure to learn more.

References

1. 2 FORCE Technology, Senselab. (2018, November). Benchmark evaluation of spatial noise management in hearing aids. FORCE Technology Venlighedsvej 4 2970 Hørsholm, Denmark.

2. Bassuk, S. S., Glass, T. A., & Berkman, L. F. (1999, Aug. 3). Social disengagement and incident cognitive decline in community-dwelling elderly persons. Annals of Internal Medicine, 131(3), 165-173.

Béland, F., Zunzunegui, M. V., Alvarado, B., Otero, A., & Del Ser T. (2005, Nov.). Trajectories of cognitive decline and social relations. Journal of Gerontology Series B Psychological and Social Sciences, 60(6), P320-P330.

Marioni, R. E., Proust-Lima, C., Amieva, H., Brayne, C., Matthews, F. E., Dartigues, J. F., & Jacqmin-Gadda, H. (2015, Oct. 24). Social activity, cognitive decline and dementia risk: a 20-year prospective cohort study. BMC Public Health, 15, 1089.

Zunzunegui, M. V., Alvarado, B. E., Del Ser, T., & Otero, A. (2003, March). Social networks, social integration, and social engagement determine cognitive decline in community-dwelling Spanish older adults. Journal of Gerontology Series B Psychological and Social Sciences, 58(2), S93-S100.

Phonak announce Virto B hearing aid with Biometric Calibration

At the sametime as announcing the Audéo B-Direct, Phonak also announced the latest additions to their Phonak Virto B range. Following on from the Spring launch of the Phonak Virto B-Titanium the newest  models to the Virto B range sees the Phonak Belong platform incorporated into a range of custom in-the-ear (ITE)  hearing aids to suit your needs. 

World's first hearing aid with Biometric Calibration

The Phonak Virto B are the world's first hearing aids with Biometric Calibration. Using over 1600 biometric data points, unique to your ear, Phonak calculate the unique calibration settings for each Virto B hearing aid. Phonak claim this results in a 2dB improvement in directionality leading to better hearing performance.

What this means for you

As your ears are unique, just like your fingerprints, the characteristics of our ear anatomy influences on how sound is captured, directed towards your ear drum and converted into information that your brain can understand. The custom-made fit to your ears, ensures the Phonak Virto B will be able to reliably sense where sound is coming from and provide a better hearing performance. This improvement is to be confirmed in a soon to be released study by Phonak. The Biometric Calibration combined with Phonak's AutoSense Operating System (OS), which automatically senses your surroundings and adjusts your hearing aids, should result in an improved performance and sound quality.

A model for you

Six models will be available from launch in four performance levels from the truly invisible Virto B-10 Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) to the larger Virto B-13 Full Shell (FS). See the Phonak Virto B brochure for further details.

References

[Phonak]: Phonak to release a game-changing Bluetooth hearing aid that connects directly to any cell phone* and TV, based on a revolutionary new chip technology [https://www.phonak.com/uk/en/press/bluetooth-hearing-aid.html]: [Aug 17 2017]

[Phonak]: Phonak Virto™ B [https://www.phonak.com/uk/en/hearing-aids/phonak-virto-b.html]

Phonak Bolero B now available from Key to Hearing

The Bolero family is the latest behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing device to join Phonak’s Belong platform. Like the previously released Audeo B the Bolero B will also feature a lithium-ion rechargeable model (Bolero B-PR).
 

Phonak Bolero B-PR & Mini Charger available at Key to Hearing, Bournemouth

Highlights

• With Bolero B-PR, Phonak extends its ground-breaking built-in lithium-ion rechargeable technology to a BTE, delivering 24 hours of hearing with one simple charge.

• Features Phonak’s highly acclaimed AutoSense Operating System which delivers better speech understanding over patients’ manual selection and unmatched hearing performance in everyday listening situations over two leading competitors.

A recent study by Phonak showed that 9 out of 10 hearing aid wearers were “very satisfied” with the battery life of their Phonak rechargeable hearing devices and found them easy to use. The study also found that hearing care professionals would highly recommend the rechargeable technology to other colleagues.

Available from 1st April the Phonak Bolero B will be available in four different models and nine colours and is suitable for those with a mild to severe hearing loss. For further information please see the Phonak Bolero B brochure. If you live in the Bournemouth area and are interested in the Bolero B contact us to register your interest.

References

[Phonak]: Phonak continues to break ground with a new lithium-ion rechargeable hearing aid and its first titanium-made custom device [https://www.phonak.com/uk/en/press/phonak-launches-first-titanium-made-custom-device.html]: [Feb 21 2017]

The Super Discreet Phonak Virto B-Titanium

Phonak’s first titanium made custom device

Next month sees Phonak extend its Belong platform. The new Virto-B Titanium is a discreet custom hearing device made from titanium. It is the smallest and most discreet custom instrument Phonak has ever produced.

Phonak Virto B-Titanium available from Key to Hearing, Bournemouth

Titanium is very strong, durable and lightweight. Its properties see it used in applications including aerospace, marine engineering, medical, automobile and motorcycling racing as well in the finest sporting goods including tennis rackets and golf clubs. Its characteristics has allowed Phonak to create its smallest ever custom device.

Highlights

• Super-discreet when worn, perfect for first-time hearing aid wearers
• A titanium shell is half as thin as traditional acrylic shells, reducing size significantly
• Fits patients with smaller ear canals who were not good candidates for invisible-in-the-canal devices previously.

The Phonak Virto B-Titanium is available from 1st April. Take a look at the Phonak Virto B brochure for further information and if you live in Bournemouth or the surrounding area contact us to register your interest.

References

[Phonak]: Phonak continues to break ground with a new lithium-ion rechargeable hearing aid and its first titanium-made custom device [https://www.phonak.com/uk/en/press/phonak-launches-first-titanium-made-custom-device.html]: [Feb 21 2017]

Let us help you take care of your hearing aid

Hearing Aid Care Advice

Caring for your hearing aid is important to ensure long life and reliability. Damage to you hearing aid can be caused by exposure to sweat, earwax and dirt. By maintaining your hearing aid’s physical condition you can assure a long-term functioning device.

Oticon Alta hearing instruments

General Advice to Protect your Hearing Aid

Protect from Dirt

Ensure that your hands are clean and dry when inserting or removing your hearing aid. The microphone area is very small and can become blocked if not handled correctly.

Protect from Moisture

Hearing aids like to be kept clean and dry. Ensure that you do not expose your hearing aid to excessive moisture. Remove your hearing aid(s) before showering/bathing or swimming.

General Tips for Hearing Aid Maintenance

• Store your hearing aid in a cool dry place.
• Protect your hearing aid from excessive heat.
• Protect your hearing aid from sprays such as hairspray.
• Use the cleaning tools provided to brush or wipe any excess wax or moisture off of the device/earmould.
• Do not insert the tools into the sound outlet (receiver) as this could damage the hearing aid.
• Only use the wax filters and instructions provided.
• Change the wax filter regularly.
• Switch your hearing aid off when not using it.
• If you are not wearing the hearing aid for a long period of time, remove the battery

Let us help you take care of your hearing aid

Ask your hearing care professional if you are unsure about cleaning and maintenance.