Siemens' BestSound Technology Receives Clinical Applaud

Main Category: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Also Included In: Hearing / Deafness
Article Date: 17 May 2011 - 4:00 PDT


BestSound™ Technology from Siemens Hearing Instruments has received independent evaluation for its FeedbackStopper™, SpeechFocus™ and SoundLearning™ 2.0 algorithms, following studies conducted in America and Germany.

A study held at the auditory research laboratory of Todd Ricketts, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USAi focused on the effectiveness of automatic feedback reduction systems using the premier instrument from each of the six leading hearing manufacturers. Siemens' Pure™ 701 device had the joint highest mean added stable gain (ASG) (13-14.5dB) and a 7dB advantage over its nearest competitor for Real Ear Insertion Gain (REIG). Such an advantage for REIG extends the fitting range by 15-20dB.

Clinical studies into the efficiency of SpeechFocus again in Siemens' Pure 701 behind-the-ear (BTE) instruments were conducted at the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Coloradoii. Results revealed that SpeechFocus was around 10dB better than adaptive directional microphone technology and about 5dB better when compared to omni directional microphone technology.

Furthermore, the capabilities of SoundLearning in Pure 701 instruments were tested in a study carried out at the Universityof Giessen in Germanyiii. Having been initially fitted using Siemens' FirstFit prescriptive algorithm, participants were then evaluated after two weeks with SoundLearning and results revealed a 20% improvement in speech intelligibility. Additional subjective measures indicated greater satisfaction with loudness for speech in quiet environments and sound quality for noisy environments.

"Independent evaluation that focuses on benchmarking of technology innovation is important to the market and for manufacturers to ensure high standards and ongoing R&D," states Mark Laben, UK Product and Marketing Manager at Siemens Hearing Instruments. "We are delighted that our FeedbackStopper technology has been identified as the industry leading solution for Real Ear Insertion Gain, plus that SpeechFocus and SoundLearning have received similarly positive acclaim from test situations. Our BestSound Technology promotes natural hearing and ease-of-wear and we are committed to the ongoing innovation that continues to exceed expectations."

Notes

i Ricketts, TA (2010): Adults with mild to moderate hearing losses: are they really hearing instrument candidates? Paper presented at IHCON 2010, August 2010, Lake Tahoe, USA.

ii Branda E, Hernandez A (2010): New directional solutions for special listening situations. Paper presented at the 2010 annual meeting of the American Academy of Audiology, April 2010, San Diego, USA.

iii McKinnon, P., Chalupper, J (2010): Clinical Applications of Trainable Hearing Aids. Paper presented at the 2010 annual meeting of the Australian Society of Audiology, May 2010, Sydney, Australia.

Source:
Siemens Hearing Instruments Ltd

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