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Sonova (Phonak and Unitron) now owns David Ormerod Hearing and Boots Hearing Care

March 26th, 2012 by Paul Minikin

So the rumour is right, something as independent hearing aid audiologists we have been aware of for a long time, that the Sonova Group (who own the Phonak and Unitron brands) have had a major shareholding in David Ormerod Hearing Centres (and Boots Hearing Care, DOHC supply the service into Boots branches).

The stake Sonova have in DOHC up until recently has been a sizeable 49% but it has now been reported that Sonova have aquired the remaining stake in the company up to the full 100%.

For David Ormerod Hearing Centre and Boots Hearing Care customers this is not necessarily a bad thing, as Phonak are one of the best manufacturers of hearing aids in the UK, but it does of course impact on the amount of choice a customer walking into a Boots branch for instance would have.

Phonak as a brand does seem to be pushed very heavily in these outlets which is not such a surprise, and it does not stretch the imagination to believe this will continue to happen into the future, perhaps more so based on the fact that Sonova now own 100% of the business.

To be able to access the FULL range of hearing aids available in the UK you must approach a local independent hearing aid audiologist, as a nice extra you will probably find the price you pay more reasonable too! Please ask us for details if you would like us to put you in touch with your nearest local independent hearing aid audiologist for free advice, the widest choice with low prices, and with the assurance of great aftercare.

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Phonak CROS | Discount Hearing Aids

March 22nd, 2011 by Paul Minikin

Phonak CROS – the new wireless CROS / BiCROS product from Phonak.

For those of you that are unsure what a CROS / BiCROS hearing aid is – the Phonak CROS is designed for people with one sided hearing loss. That could be a person with a total or near total hearing loss on one side and normal hearing on the other (that would be a CROS system), or alternatively someone with a total loss in one ear and some hearing loss in the better ear (a BiCROS system).

The answer to this problem is Phonak CROS, a small and stylish wireless CROS / BiCROS solution.

Phonak CROS consists of two parts, the transmitter sits in the worst ear, picks up sound from that side and transmits it wirelessly to a receiver in the better ear.

In the case of a CROS system the hearing in the better ear remains natural and unaffected, with a BiCROS a hearing aid in the better ear also amplifies sound, the net effect is that you are able to hear sounds regardless of where they come from.

Phonak CROS is available in a very small and discreet ‘on the ear’ version and also as a full shell and canal size product. All the range are wireless.


Although the Phonak CROS can be viewed as a niche product (after all most people with hearing loss have a loss in both their ears and generally the ears tend to have a similar level of hearing loss), there is a small but not insubstantial percentage of people whose hearing loss would be addressed with this type of product.

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Phonak Audeo S Smart / Mini | Discount Hearing Aids

March 21st, 2011 by Paul Minikin

Phonak Audeo S SMART / MINI is based on the new SPICE chipset launched in November 2010. Building on the success of previous Audeo models the new RIC versions of the SPICE chipset has twice the number of transmitters, twice the speed, three times the memory on a chip half the size compared to the older CORE chip.

This has enabled Phonak to up their game and add extra performance into the new models, if you don’t see an ‘S’ in the product name, ask for it!

Phonak Audeo S SMART and Audeo S MINI are available in three technology levels, IX at premium level, V at advanced level and III at mid range. The unrivalled technology of Phonak Audeo S in it’s different forms of SMART and MINI let you hear the full spectrum of sounds no matter what your hearing loss.

They offer more than high-tech, they are comfortable to wear and match your individual lifestyle. The award-winning design comes in many different color combinations.

What’s more, Phonak Audeo S are incredibly small ‚ in fact, the Phonak Audeo S SMART is the smallest wireless hearing system available and the Phonak Audeo S MINI is the smallest RIC product you can find by a margin.

Phonak Audeo S SMART is also capable of pairing with the various bluetooth streaming accessories available with Phonak hearing aids. Connect the Phonak Audeo S SMART to electronic devices such as your mobile phone, your TV or your computer and enjoy all the advantages of modern wireless communication.

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Phonak Naida by Discount Hearing Aids

March 21st, 2011 by Paul Minikin

Phonak Naida – The Naida is the super power BTE hearing aid range from Phonak, designed for moderately-severe to profound hearing losses.

All Phonak Naida models offer exceptional levels of audibility and clarity and are water-resistant.

The complete power hearing solution includes SuperPower (taking a size 13 battery) and UltraPower (taking a 675 battery) models, available at three technology levels and price points, the Phonak Naida IX is the premium model, the Phonak Naida V is the advanced level model, and the Phonak Naida III is the mid range product in the line up.

Phonak Naida utilises all the technology available in the rest of the Phonak product range, including all the wireless bluetooth streaming products like iCom and TV-Link.

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Phonak Cassia by Discount Hearing Aids

March 19th, 2011 by Paul Minikin

Phonak Cassia is the latest mid range hearing aid based on the SPICE chipset, the brand new technology from Phonak. Based on the same technology as the much lauded Phonak Ambra, launched in November 2010, the Phonak Cassia was launched in January 2011 to replace the Phonak Certena Art.

Phonak was the first manufacturer to make use of zoom technology to help hearing in busy environments and have further refined the technology with UltraZoom Standard. Basically, in a noisy environment with lots of people talking at the same time, UltraZoom focuses on speech coming from the front while reducing the noise from the side and rear.

Phonak Cassia also has other features to note, including SoundRecover (which enables you to hear frequencies previously inaudible), NoiseBlock Standard (which automatically reduces the sounds you don’t need to hear), SoundFlow Standard (which automatically adjusts the settings of the hearing aids depending on the environment you are in), and WhistleBlock (which eliminates whistling or feedback).

Most versions of the Phonak Solana are capable of taking advantage of the various bluetooth streaming accessories, such as iCom, TV-Link etc

Phonak Cassia is a welcome addition to the Phonak stable of products.

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