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Speech and Distance from Sound – The Issues – Part 2

August 18th, 2011 by Paul Minikin

In the previous article we covered some points on why it can be difficult to understand speech at a distance with even light ambient noise. Following on the article are some more facts;

Most of the energy in speech tends to be towards the lower frequency vowel sounds, and speech understanding (the consonant sounds in speech that make words distinct and easy for the brain to interpret) tend to be towards the higher frequencies.

The higher frequency consonant sounds, when not heard, can make even a moderate hearing loss quite unbearable when light background noise is present. Add in the factor of distance and the problem becomes more pronounced. As well as the ‘inverse square law’ (read previous article) coming into play, higher frequiencies are reduced more than lower frequencies over distance due to the shorter wavelength at these higher frequencies.

Speech becomes quieter with distance as well as less distinct as the consonants are reduced more than the vowel sounds. Add in the fact that most people with hearing loss typically lose their higher frequencies more than the lower frequencies and you have a double whammy!

So what do we do to overcome this very difficult problem? In part we can utilise the very latest technology available, including directional microphones and the latest noise cancellation algorithms. Over and above that is Direct Audio Input (DAI). DAI exists in a few different formats and can be simple loop systems which actually work very well and are very commonplace, in spite of the fact they ‘have been around a while’. Also Bluetooth and wireless streaming devices work well, and particularly FM equipment, although the latter can be quite pricey.

The simple fact is nothing is better than good natural hearing, but with really good, current technology programmed up to its highest potential, your understanding of the mechanics of hearing including the limitations we work with, and perhaps occasionally other devices to work in tandem with your hearing aids we can generally achieve really very good results.

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Speech and Distance from Sound – The Issues – Part 1

August 15th, 2011 by Paul Minikin

It sounds like common sense really, the further away from a sound you are, the harder it is to hear it. However, one thing we know as hearing professionals is that our clients find most difficulty hearing speech at a distance in noisy environments, even with the best technology on offer. Why would that be?

Over this article and the next we will cover some points that will go some way to explaining what challenges we come up against when trying to help you the customer hear the best you can in that type of environment.

The first point is this; with sound and distance we must consider the ‘inverse square law’ which dictates that sound level falls by 6dB when the distance travelled by the sound is doubled. For instance if a sound is 60dB SPL at a distance of 1 metre, it will be 54dB SPL at 2 metres and 48dB SPL at 4 metres.

Obviously in real life situations, such as a typical room where sound bounces off surfaces etc things become rather more complicated, but let’s leave that out of the equation for simplicity.

A factor to consider is that there is always a level of background noise, even in a quiet room.  If the level of ambient noise is a very low 45dB SPL, once you get more than say 5 metres away speech will start to be muddled in with the ambient background noise and be less distinct.

This difficulty will obviously be more pronounced if you have a degree of hearing loss, even a relatively moderate level of loss.

In the next article in a few days we will cover more points on this subject.

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Panasonic Hearing Aids in the UK

July 14th, 2011 by Paul Minikin

Panasonic UK have launched their first hearing aid in the UK, with more products to follow. Panasonic is widely renowned for their consumer electronics in the UK but one thing they have never supplied to the UK is hearing aids.

That has all changed, Panasonic are at present looking to grow their hearing aid business into new markets, they are well established in Japan with their first hearing product introduced in 1959. They have already recently made inroads into the US market and with the launch of the hearing aid brand in the UK they intend to deliver the same high quality, reliability and innovation that their customers have come to expect from their audio and visual products.

Following on from the UK Panasonic intend to launch into other European markets too.

They manufacture their own digital signal processors and have developed a unique algorithm that apparently enables precise sound reproduction.

It will be very interesting to see how Panasonic fare in a hearing aid market that has seen much consolidation in the last few years with fewer larger players in the market, extra choice can only be a good thing!

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Starkey Wi Series | Discount Hearing Aids

May 2nd, 2011 by Paul Minikin

Starkey Wi Series features their latest noise reduction and speech preservation system, and virtually eliminates buzzing and whistling. It is designed to deliver incredible sound clarity even in the noisiest situations. Wi Series can also stream stereo sound directly from your TV, radio or computer to your hearing aids, like headphones.

The new Starkey Wi Series has a number of groundbreaking features;

IRIS Technology is Starkey’s new wireless integrated circuit platform that lets you connect directly – and wirelessly – to most media devices. Now you can hear TV, radio and your computer in stereo-quality sound directly through your hearing aids.

The biggest problem hearing aid wearers experience is that annoying whistling called feedback, which can be caused by any number of things, such as hugging a loved one, having the hearing aid brushed by hair, or simply being outside on a windy day. Thanks to a breakthrough feature called PureWave Feedback Eliminator, Starkey hearing aids virtually eliminate buzzing and whistling.

Hearing comfortably in noise is one of the biggest problems for people who wear hearing aids. Voice iQ is designed to maintain speech understanding in noise and reduce listening effort.

Chances are you can hear the voices that are directly in front of you when in quiet situations, but have trouble when the noise level increases, like when you are in a restaurant with family and friends. The most advanced modern digital hearing aids are designed to constantly analyze the sounds of various environments and automatically select the appropriate programming mode for specific situations. InVision Directionality is a feature engineered to classify and react to a wide range of environmental sounds to provide comfort and better understanding in even the noisiest situations.

Anyone who wears hearing aids knows telephone conversations can sometimes be difficult. With Automatic Telephone Solutions, Starkey hearing aids virtually eliminate feedback while automatically adjusting for optimal communication on the telephone.

Special memory capability that allows your hearing aids to automatically adjust to the preset music and TV listening settings most comfortable for you.

T2 – First-ever technology that discreetly and simply adjusts your hearing aid’s memory or volume using any touch-tone phone without additional hardware.

Thanks to Starkey’s proprietary Advanced HydraShield technology, your Wi Series hearing aids are 100 percent resistant to water, humidity, sweat, rust and corrosion.

SurfLink Media Streamer – Starkey’s set-and-forget wireless transmitter requires no pairing. Plug it into your TV or stereo and you’re done! It automatically streams sound directly into your hearing aids when you’re in range. You can transition from one device to another simply by moving from room to room. And, it allows others in the room listen to the TV or stereo at the volume they prefer.

SurfLink Remote – A remote is available with Starkey Wi Series hearing aids.

The Starkey Wi Series is available as a RIC product at present but plans are in place to introduce ‘in the ear’ versions in time.

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Widex Passion | Discount Hearing Aids

April 6th, 2011 by Paul Minikin

Widex Passion – Widex Passion is virtually invisible;

Widex Passion, one of the worlds smallest hearing aids, proves that advanced technology can also look good. Ultra-small, incredibly comfortable to wear, stylish and discreet – Passion is all these.

How is this achieved? The receiver, or loudspeaker, in Widex Passion is placed in the ear canal itself with the rest of the hearing aid behind the ear. In that way the size can be radically reduced while at the same time providing you with everything you’d expect from a Widex hearing aid.

For example, you can enjoy the harmonic sound program, Zen, which plays a choice of soothing tones and chimes to help you relax.

And the unique feedback cancelling system in Passion helps minimise annoying whistling.

The Passion family:

Passion440 is ultra-small and high-performance – with a mix of exciting design and incredible technology.

Passion115 is the ultimate in discretion, comfort and style, combined with exclusive Widex technology.

Passion110 is a great mid-range solution that provides great sound and features.

Passion105 is high-quality technology and stylish design in the value segment.

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