Update on hearing aid batteries now mercury free

As of the 1st October 2015 the hearing care industry has adopted a move to Mercury Free battery solutions in line with the European Directive to help reduce polluting the environment.

What you need to know

• Hearing aid battery manufacturers now only supply mercury free batteries
• We have now started to supply mercury free batteries to you
• Mercury free batteries can be used in all hearing aids
• Running time for mercury free batteries is the same as standard batteries
• Any batteries containing mercury can be used until they have run out.

Click the link to find out more about hearing aid batteries.

Unitron North and Phonak Venture Launch

This year has seen both Unitron and Phonak launch their latest hearing devices to much acclaim.

Unitron North

Unitron’s latest devices are on their new North operating system and feature a series of aesthetically pleasing designs. Their latest Moxi Fit receiver in the canal model has recently received a prestigious 2015 Red Dot Award for product design.

Hearing conversations in background noise is the biggest challenge for hearing device wearers. The North platform specifically targets some of these areas. Unitron’s new SoundNav automatic program offers precise classification of seven different environments, four of which are conversational based. Each conversation comes with its own unique set of background sounds, with the Unitron North product range you can effortlessly enjoy conversations no matter what your situation.

With Unitron Flex we offer you the opportunity to test drive Unitron’s products. We fit you with the latest technology at a level of your choosing and you wear the devices in your day to day life. If you love the benefits of the hearing devices we simply order you your own pair. Another great feature of the Unitron software is the ability to be able to upgrade your existing devices in the future if you would like some extra help in challenging situations.

Phonak Venture

The sounds around you change constantly and vary not only in loudness and type but also in the mix and predominance of one sound over another. Phonak’s latest Venture platform features their new AutoSense operating system specifically developed to help you hear what is important to you. AutoSense is able to accurately capture and analyse sounds in real time to precisely match your exact listening environments. Regardless of your whereabouts your hearing aids will automatically and seamlessly adapt in real time to optimise your settings based on your listening environment.

The feedback from our customers who have been fitted with this technology has been great. If you are interested in trying the latest technology or are looking to upgrade your existing Phonak or Unitron hearing devices then give us a call to book a demonstration.

Hearing Aids Reduce Risk of Cognitive Decline

A long term study has shown that for people with a reduced hearing range, wearing hearing devices reduces the cognitive decline associated with hearing loss. A 25-year study recently published in an American journal compared the path of cognitive decline among older adults who were using hearing devices and those who were not. The study found that those people who would have benefited from hearing devices, but did not wear them, were more likely to score lower on a well-established cognitive function exam conducted during the 25-year follow-up period.

The study shows the importance of looking after your hearing and making sure that it is the best it can possibly be. At Key to Hearing we recommend annual hearing evaluations so you have evidence if and when your hearing range changes. Without this proof it can often be difficult to notice when you are missing out on the sounds you used to hear.

Contact us if you would like to book an evaluation.

References

[Oticon]: First Study to Show Hearing Aids Reduce Risk of Cognitive Decline: [http://www.oticon.com/about/press/2015/pressrelease-reduce-risk-of-cognitive-decline]

Unitron announce release of Stride™

"This new fresh product family gives our customers a wide range of style options and even more avenues to help their patients enjoy, understand and take part in conversations in multiple listening environments.” - Bruce Brown, Global Vice President of Marketing, Unitron.

Last week Unitron announced the release of Stride™ their new range of BTE's and ITE's. The Stride joins the recently released Moxi Fit range on the new North processing platform. Unitron reports that the Stride™ is packed with technologies that truly let patients focus on conversations in all listening environments.

The new behind-the-ear models pair design focus with intuitive controls delivering natural sound and enjoyable conversations in two wireless 13 battery options the Stride P and Stride P Dura. The Stride In-the-ear devices feature a new design inside and out and are customised for comfort. The ITE's feature a volume control, push button, plasma coating and microphone ports that reduce moisture and debris ingress.

What we say

We're looking forward to seeing the new Stride hearing devices from Unitron and will be attending their UK launch in November. Check back for further details in the coming months.

Unitron Stride ITE family

References

[Unitron]: Stride leads the way in patient-centric design: [http://unitron.com/unitron/global/en/about/news-release-standalone-pages/news-stride-20150929.html?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=hyperlink&utm_campaign=stride]: [Sep 29, 2015]

Phonak release the Virto V

"There is no other hearing aid this small that is capable of this much performance" - Martin Grieder, Group Vice President Phonak

Phonak Virto V coming soon to the UK

This week Phonak announced the release of the Virto V the successor to their Virto Q custom fitted hearing device. The Virto V joins the Audeo V and Bolero V on the new Venture platform.

The Virto V runs on Phonak's AutoSense Operating System, a staple of the Venture platform, which draws on the help of 200 settings to adapt to a sound environment automatically without any manual interaction.

A new Floating Antenna design enables the Virto V to provide more performance in a smaller size (25% reduction in visible surface) and a more agile custom product. The new design also features a faceplate with nano-coated battery doors, volume control and push button.

The Virto V is compatible with the Phonak Wireless Communication Portfolio and CROS II (for single-sided hearing) and also features Phonak’s Binaural VoiceStream Technology, Wireless Functionality the Tinnitus Balance noise generator. Expect to see the Virto V to land on these shores in the next few months.

References

[Phonak]: Phonak Virto V: New custom hearing aid offers more performance in smaller size than any other custom hearing aid: [http://www.phonakpro.com/us/en/about-phonak/press-center/2015/2015-september-15-virto-v.html]: [Aug 31 2015]