Automatic Signal Processing

Hearing instruments monitor the environment and automatically adjust volume to make speech audible and reduce background noise. Soft sounds are amplified and loud sounds receive little or no amplification. This type of signal processing keeps the output of the hearing aid comfortable, so manual changes using a volume control are unnecessary. 

Data logging

Data logging constantly monitors listening situations and wearing patterns. It stores the information and provides valuable insights for more efficient troubleshooting. The Data Logging feature in some instruments can record the most recent 100 hours of patient usage. It can record when and where the hearing aid is used, how often, for how long and what programmes have been used. It can even tell you how often the volume control is used and in what situations. The information can be viewed clearly and simply in graphical formats using the required software. It provides objective information regarding patient's lifestyles and their listening demands and is invaluable in the rehabilitation process. 

Fixed & Adaptive directional microphones

Adaptive directionality is one of the most important factors in improving speech intelligibility in the presence of background noise. With sophisticated multiple microphones, one at the front and one at the back of the hearing aids, the microphones can adapt to the situation. They do this by zooming in and focusing on the speech arriving from the front of the ear and at the same time reducing the sounds that arrive from the opposite direction. 

It can maximise the signal-to-noise ratio in all types of noise, including time-delayed noise reflections and wind noise. The benefit of this is better speech understanding in any type of noise environment.

Direct Audio Input

Direct Audio Input allows a hearing instrument to communicate with assistive listening devices. It is often used in classrooms, auditoriums and places of worship to enhance the listening experience. Direct Audio Input is typically available on BTE hearing aids for people with a moderate to sever hearing loss. When used in some hearing instruments, it's proven to improve speech understanding in noise.

Targeted noise reduction

The inability to hear in a noisy environment is a common complaint among hearing instrument users. Background noise in a restaurant is an example. Modern hearing aids use sophisticated computer programmes that continually monitor the incoming signal and determine the amount of noise in the environment. The hearing instrument automatically minimises background noise in the appropriate frequency regions based on the instructions received from the microprocessor. This allows the user to listen to speech more comfortably in noisy environments. 

As hearing aids become smaller and microphones are positioned together, this source of internal noise becomes louder. Noise reduction combined with low-level expansion is designed to distinguish speech from noise. Low level expansion is used to eliminate the sound the processor makes itself and reduce microphone noise in quiet environments. 

It also identifies low frequency sounds such as the hum from a fridge or an air conditioning unit and reduces their amplification. 

Processing speed

This ensures that hearing aid wearers will not experience any echoing effect when processed sound lags behind “real” sound coming through open vents - 3 - 8 MS. 

Feedback management

Feedback is the unwanted whistling or buzzing noise that a hearing aid can make. Feedback management technology allows hearing instrument user's access to increased high frequency amplification without feedback. High frequency information carries the sounds of speech responsible for clarity. In less sophisticated devices feedback can be reduced by turning down the volume. This method of controlling feedback often sacrifices the clarity of speech. Modern feedback cancellation methods continually monitor the incoming signal and adjust the hearing instrument to minimise feedback without reducing gain - inverted signal. 

Automatic - Self adjusting

We call this SoftSwitching™ and it links into Real-world Directionality. It allows digital hearing aids to monitor and adapt to changes in the users environment, reducing background noise without any effects of speech and takes place automatically without you noticing. 

When the user is sat listening to the latest family news, amid the noise and excitement, they'll be completely unaware of the digital activity taking place in their ear. All they'll experience is the pleasure of knowing they can easily take part in the conversation. 

Open fitting

There are a broad range of open fittings that are designed to help reduce the common user frustration. *35% of hearing aid wearers refer to occlusion ( when air becomes trapped in the ear canal) as a source of dissatisfaction with their hearing aids. Dispensers need to determine whether their patient's hearing loss falls within the open-fitting range. Options for open fitting could be a Flex-tube, Tulip-Dome, Open Vent and StepVent, which are discreet in appearance, comfortable and have minimal occlusion. 

Warp Technology

Warp is basically the technology behind Noise Tracker and is the fastest processor in the industry, Warp allows Noise Tracker to measure, define and clarify what you hear every millisecond - and that means clear speech and superior sound quality. 

The benefits are that it minimizes background noise so you can focus, even in a sea of conversations. Warp technology delivers benchmark sound quality, so constant noises such as air conditioners or PC fans are no longer a problem. This means that the hearing aid user does not need to strain to hear and understand, allowing the user to feel less tired at the end of the day. 

For free demonstrations of the latest hearing aid rechnology and how it can improve your hearing experience, call  Endon Hearing Care Centre on 01782 505666.  If lines are busy or if calling after hours, please freephone 0800 359 2059. Please quote reference WB EN 01 when you call.