In Western Europe, in 2009, 2.6 million hearing aids were sold

Germany claim 713,000 of those and France 408,000, whilst for the UK the figure was 195,000.

Why so little comparatively? - Because our NHS supplied 1million units in that same period!

So whilst NHS hearing aids may not be as cosmetically appealing, or as technically advanced as what can be purchased privately, I think it shows that the UK are ahead of the rest of Europe in helping the hard of hearing, and at least offering a free option.

NHS hearing aids are getting better and neater, but so are privately available hearing aids and there are still many benefits of buying your hearing aids: What are they…?

Crystal Hearing

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Have you ever missed a phone call or someone at the door whilst in the garden? Ever been worried about not hearing the smoke alarm?

Unitron have developed the first fully integrated hearing aid alert system that connects wirelessly to various detectors around the house that send audible signals directly into the wearers hearing aids via a remote control device which is carried by the wearer.

This package will not be for everyone, but for those interested in reading more please click this link - Unitron Smart Alert

Click this link for more information on current Unitron Hearing Aids

Prices on application as not confirmed yet.

Crystal Hearing

0800 077 8248

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The TV adaptor is used in conjunction with the iCom and doubles up as a charger.

Benefits of the new adaptor:

1. Stereo sound

2. Extremely short transmission delay

3. Range of up to 30 meters, allowing you to walk around and still hear the TV

4. Plug and play simple to operate

5. Seperate volume adjustments

Price to be confirmed, but item can be posted and used staright away.

Contact - Crystal Hearing

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The new Nokia Bluetooth neckloop system can be used with ANY Bluetooth enabled mobile phone but must be used with hearing aids that have a telecoil loop programme (the T setting).

Main benefits are:

1. Binaural listening - hear the speaker in both ears

2. The sound is transferred direct to the hearing aids

3. Total elimination of background noise

We can supply these but you may find them cheaper doing your own search.

Contact - Crystal Hearing

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In order to minimise the cost of hearing aid repairs we use an independent repair shop who have many years experience repairing digital hearing aids.

Minor repairs vary between £25-35 and major repairs are £75.

Compare this to the likes of Hidden Hearing and Amplifon who regularly charge between £100 and £200 per repair.

These ongoing costs are an important consideration when choosing who you purchase your hearing aids from.

We can also fix hearing aids not supplied by us. Please call on the freephone number or send the aid in for us to deal with.

All the best

Crystal Hearing

Freephone 0800 077 8248

Hearing Aids

i.e. Problems hearing clearly or just finding mobile phones too fiddly to use.

The Doro PhoneEasy 409 mobile phone is proving to be an excellent solution for many hearing aid wearers. This mobile phone is simple to use, with large buttons, but more importantly it is compatible with hearing aids Telecoil programs meaning the signal is sent directly into the hearing aid. Thus avoiding the difficulty of having to line up the hearing aid microphone and the phone speaker. This phone comes highly recommended.

To read more or buy a Dorophone please click here - Doro PhoneEasy 409

(Note: This is not our recommended site to buy from. Please do your own research on prices)

Hearing aids    Hearing Aids    Hearing Aids

Oticon have now replaced the very successful Epoq range of hearing aids with the Agil and Agil Pro. This new family of extremely high performing hearing solutions takes speech understanding to a whole new level by protecting the natural spatial and speech cues embedded in a sound scene. The Agil is designed to support the brain’s natural process of understanding speech.

‘Moore’s law’ describes the number of transistors that can be placed inexpensively on an integrated circuit doubles approximately every two years. This means that hearing aid models are replaced on average every two years.

The Agil Pro now has a micro-chip twice as fast as the Epoq which allows the hearing aid to maximise the potential of the key features it promotes including Spacial Awareness, Speech Guard, feedback suppression, surround sound directionality and speech enhancement. All technical features are shown  here.

The Agil Pro comes as ITE, BTE and a fantastic sleek new mini-BTE / RIC (not quite as small as the Audeo Smart but slightly more sturdy).

More reading about Oticon at Crystal Hearing UK - here

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 Hearing Aids

Amongst the 600 million batteries ending up in landfill every year, 50 million are hearing aid batteries! Both these figures are unacceptable and are well behind the rest of Europe. Please do your part to help reduce this.

Rayovac has now signed up with one of the largest recycling schemes in the UK called ‘Battery Back’.

‘Battery Back’ now has 3000 collection points for batteries, including your hearing aid batteries, and we urge you to use these collection points, or to save your hearing aid batteries and hand them to your dispenser so that he/she can dispose of them accordingly. This is vital for the batteries that contain mercury, as the mercury eventually leaks back into the soil and can ultimately enter our water system and food chain. Mercury is highly poisonous and destroys our vital organs and nerve tissue.

To find your closest collection point visit:

http://www.wastecare.co.uk/battery/

More info at:

www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/sectors/sustainability/batteries/page30610.html

Mercury Free Hearing Aid Batteries - only £1.80 per pack

Hearing Aids

Hearing Aids

For those who don’t know what a ‘blog’ is click here

This blog reel is a very good way for you to keep in touch with new developments in the hearing aid world, for all the latest released hearing aids, accessories, advice notes, and now also LESSONS!

Articles that may be of interest to get a feel of the blog include:

Lessons 1 and 2

(Lesson 1 - What is a Digital Hearing Aid?)

(Lesson 2 - The hearing test explained)

Mercury Free Hearing Aid Batteries

I hope over time you find this a helpful way of learning more about hearing loss and hearing aids, so that next time you need to upgrade you have a greater understanding of your own personal needs and what is on the market that may be of help to you.

 If you wish to be removed from the notification system please let me know.

All the best

John

Hearing Aids

Hearing Aids

Most batteries have until now contained some level of mercury within them, which means that careless disposal of these batteries will eventually lead to the mercury being leaked into the soil. This mercury then gets into our water and food chain and is ingested by us all! Mercury is a highly toxic substance which damages the brain, kidneys and lungs. Symptoms ironically can include hearing impairment; so a viscous cycle for those who have a hearing loss and who don’t consider the implications of where they discard their batteries!

Rayovac now supply mercury free hearing aid batteries which after considerable development are now providing equivalent lifespan of the mercury batteries. It is in the interest of us ALL to use products that DON’T contain mercury, but as with everything these new batteries are slightly more expensive due to the development costs involved.

At Crystal Hearing we already offer a price on our batteries that is barely profitable so we cannot bear this additional cost.

We can supply ‘Rayovac Mercury Free Extra Advanced’ batteries in all sizes for a discount price of £18 per 60 cells

(Click here for the Rayovac website)

There is a new European Batteries Directive being implemented from the 1st February that requires the UK to recycle 25% of portable batteries by 2012. So please help us to do our bit and either dispose of your batteries at your local tip (or any other appropriate recycling point) or if you cannot do this then please save them in a pot/bag and give them to your dispenser so he/she can dispose of them accordingly.

Click here for the our other Hearing Aid Batteries web page.

We now supply ‘mercury free’ Rayovac Hearing Aid Batteries for only £1.80 / pack

(This price is for Blog subscribers - normal price is £2 / pack)

Crystal Hearing

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The FUSE is very small in design offering a truly almost invisible hearing aid which incorporates an articulated joint mid-way for maximum comfort, and prevents the aid slipping out from excessive jaw movement, which can happen with custom made CIC’s.

 The aid is designed to offer an open-fit solution preventing own voice problems which can be problematic for some clients who suffer with a high frequency loss.

The other advantage is that these CIC’s use the replaceable tips that new receiver-in-the canal (RIC) tips use meaning they can be easily reconfigure to get the best response for each client.

 Who would use these aids - those people who are after an easy to use and premium level digital hearing aid suffering with mild to moderate loss. Those who want less fiddle than what is offered by the RIC’s, and maximum discretion.

Click the image for more details on the Unitron FUSE and other Unitron products

Hearing Aids

Hearing Aids

As shown here:

If you can’t remember your details please send an email to

info@crystalhearinguk.co.uk

Sound is a pressure wave and is the result of molecules impacting upon each other, caused for example by objects hitting each other (such as a hammer onto an anvil) or from objects vibrating (such as our vocal chords). Sound therefore requires a molecular medium to pass through, and the sound is heard until the energy fades out (this fade through air is halved every doubling of distance and is know as the inverse square law). Sound can vary in loudness and pitch.

Sound loudness is measured by the decibel scale, defined as the decibel sound pressure level (dBSPL)

When we test hearing we use ‘puretone’ sounds which are frequency specific and contain no harmonics. They are by definition ‘pure’.

Many decades ago hearing tests were carried out on several hundred young adults with anatomically healthy ears by measuring the faintest level of puretone signal each could hear, measured in dBSPL. This then gave an average minimum threshold of hearing for people with good hearing in which to measure other people against. However, the natural ear actually hears different frequencies at vastly different pressure levels - this can be shown by ’Equal Loudness Curves’ (aka Phon curves) shown here:

Note 1: This graph is based on subjective comparison of frequencies based around 1kHz. So whilst 3kHz is less than zero, it just means we can hear 3kHz better than 1kHz (due to the natural amplification characteristic of the shape of the ear) - we cannot possibly hear better than Zero dBSPL (zero sound!). The graph shows that we can hear 3kHz at a much lower sound pressure level than say 20Hz.

Note 2: As shown in the graph above, young adults with healthy ears can typically hear between 20Hz (very low pitch) to 20,000Hz (very high pitch), but as we grow older this range narrows, especially from the high frequency end. Hearing tests are typically limited between 250Hz-8000Hz being that this is the range of speech.

It would be quite confusing to use a graph like this to base every other test upon, so a flat graph called an Audiogram was produced (shown below). This shows the threshold of sound to be ‘zero decibel hearing level’ (dBHL) - defined as the average minimum level of sound which an 18 year old with anatomically healthy ears can here - and this average perfect is what we compare ALL hearing tests to (note it is possible to hear better than 0dBHL, as it is an average figure). The graph also shows the average upper threshold of hearing where sounds are considered uncomfortable (but not painful) - which is on average 120dBHL. (Note: the graph is always upside down to represent a loss).

Hearing test results can vary wildly, but most people suffer from high frequency loss caused by hair cell damage in the cochlear (the inner ear / nerve centre).

A typical test result is shown below, on an Audiogram which also shows where typical speech sounds occur.

This audiogram shows a client with good low frequency hearing and mild to moderate high frequency hearing loss.

The circle on the left shows that the client is hearing louder vowels sounds normally, but the circle on the right shows they are missing the quieter consonant sounds, which are needed for clarity of speech. This client will therefore perceive that people are not speaking clearly - a clear sign of early stage hearing loss.

I hope this helps! - Please do add comments or ask questions.

For an explanation of the hearing test procedure click here.

All the best

John

Hearing Aids

Hearing Aids

An entry level hearing aid incorporating advanced features such as adaptive dual microphones and noise reduction based around the CORE processing platform that the more advanced range is built on.

So even at a budget level we can now provide fantastic hearing solutions as custom in-the-ear models or mini-behind-the-ear models.

More information here

Hearing Aids

Hearing Aids

Hearing Aids

The Phonak Smart effectively replaces the Audeo YES incorporating the same housing improvements whilst also being wireless functional and therefore compatible with the iCom and the MyPilot, and also now includes the brilliant DuoPhone (an article on DuoPhone is listed under ‘accessories’).

The other main addition is the push button located between the dual microphones which can now be used for mulitple programmes OR for a volume control (more information available on request).

Having smoothed out the minor housing issues that some people experienced this aid is now arguably the best RIC currently available and with Bluetooth functionality it is probably the most versatile.

Full features and colours here

Hearing Aids

A miniature version of the already massively successful Audeo YES which includes all the technology of the three previous technology levels (the 3, 5 and 9) but with a few improvedents including:

1. Hydrophobic microphone protection preventing dust and moisture ingress, which will reduce repair needs.

2. An improved sliding pin mechanism for removing and replacing the speaker wire which the client can now easily do. This is great for field dispensers and clients alike, as it means the client does not have to wait to see someone if their is a fault, as long as they have a spare speaker wire for each ear.

3. Radical new lightweight design - The Audeo Mini is the smallest receiver-in-the canal hearing aid currently available, being 10% less overall volume than the Widex Passion (although the Passion is remote control compatible).

4. Improved battery door, to prevent batteries falling out.

5. Nano-coated housing to prevent moisture ingress.

Note: The Audeo Mini has no wireless function and therefore is not iCom or MyPilot compatible.

Features and colours shown here

Who is this aid for? People who want the highest performing and most discreet RIC hearing aid with no add-ons. Easy to use, fully automatic and does exactly what it says on the tin.

Click here to see the Phonak video of the new Audeo Mini

GN Resound launched their new portfolio of hearing aids this week - the Resound Live and the Resound Dot2. Developing on the multi-featured Resound Azure their latest portfolio now includes more advanced technology including surround sound processing with adaptive auto-scope directionaility, sound impulse smoothing, extended bandwidth and WhistleControl, alongside a new slim-line RIC hearing aid with integrated volume control and telecoil loop, and the addition of a programme button to the miniature award winning Resound DOT (now the DOT2).

WhistleControl: a powerful whistle stop technology working alongside the the existing DFS2 (dual feedback stabiliser) which eliminates those irritating squeaks common in open fittings when, say, people hug you closely (it’s not just a claim, it actually works!).

Surround Sound Processing: gives full directional benefits without losing the ‘depth’ of sound which some directional settings may impose (such as bass-cut to assist noise reduction).

Sound Impulse Smoothing: A super quick acting compression technology which dampens down impulse sounds such as doors slamming and cutlery without affecting clarity of speech definition.

Extended bandwidth: Hearing aid amplification typically falls off at 5-6 kHz (5000-6000Hz) but extended bandwidth pushes this past 7kHz now giving a more natural sounding response. This is however open to argument as the frequency range is limited by the speaker unit and some manufacturers are now using frequency compression with great results (this brings the very high frequencies into lower frequency bands, and overcomes dead regions or profound high frequency losses). Ultimately it comes down to what is right for each person.

What does this all mean to the wearer? Not much to existing clients or for people looking for hearing aids incorporating Bluetooth technology. Also GNR are lacking some other key features such as frequency shift, remote controls (great for CIC versatility) and binaural synchronisation (push one programme button and the other side changes automatically. But they are great aids and the new whistlestop is great for anyone who still has feedback problems, especially when on the phone (no more taking the aids out, honestly!), and the CIC’s are very small and neat.

Ultimately GNR have produced a strong portfolio, and offer a good option for people looking for a hearing aid that does exactly what it says on the tin.

Phonak and Unitron will be launching new products in November - watch this space…!

Hearing Aids

Affiliated to Digital Hearing Care

and Discount Hearing Aids

Click here for more reading

Hearing Aids

This is especially recommended for travelling to hot and humid countries and for anyone who goes camping.

Click here for the link

All the best

John

Hearing Aids

Hearing Aids

What is a ‘digital’ hearing aid?

Firstly let’s explain what ‘analogue’ is:

An analogue signal uses a physical medium to convey information. So for sound, fluctuations in air pressure strike the diaphragm of a microphone which then causes corresponding fluctuations in the voltage (or current) of the connected electrical circuit. The voltage (or current) is said to be an “analog” of the sound. These voltage fluctuations are passed through an amplifier to give greater voltage which is passed through a speaker and thus the sound is made louder. Old analogue hearing aids invariably just made sounds louder, and had a volume control so the wearer could regulate the volume of the hearing aid to suit the volume of the environment they were in. i.e. They would turn it up to hear soft / moderate sounds which they struggle to hear, and turn it down in loud environments because upper loudness thresholds are typically normal (or even hyper-sensitive).

To produce a ‘digital’ signal the originating sound pressure strikes a microphone and the resulting analogue signal instead of being passed through an amplifier, is ‘digitised’ by being passed through an electronic device called an analogue-to-digital convertor, which builds up a stream of sequential numbers (binary code) which can then be stored, manipulated and then reproduced according to specific and exact requirements. This requires a micro-chip as in a computer.

To clarify:

The word digital comes from the same source as the word ‘digit’ and ‘digitus’ (the Latin word for finger), as fingers are used for discrete counting.

‘Digital’ is simply a form of processing a signal, and for this process we use binary code.

Binary code is the numerical representation of a signal using streams of only two digits; 1 and 0; where 1 = pulse present and/or high, and 0 = pulse absent and/or low.

Computer programmes then read this stream of binary code to analyse and manipulate the data to give us predetermined results.

An analogue hearing aid takes in an analogue signal (sound wave), amplifies it, and sends it out via a speaker in exactly the same form, but louder.

A digital hearing aid takes in an analogue signal (sound wave), coverts it to digital signal (binary code), modifies the code/signal, and then sends the modified signal out in analogue form via a speaker.

Computers are required to read this binary code. Digital Hearing Aids are effectively mini-computers possessing micro-chips, some of which can undertake 120million calculations per second – what we call processing speed.

The advantages of this digital processing over an analogue signal is that we can:

Give the exact amount of amplification at each frequency to suit a persons particular hearing loss (i.e. high frequency loss).
Reduce the amplification of background sounds, i.e. steady state background noise such as air conditioning, traffic, aircraft noise etc.
Use directional microphones to help raise the speech to noise ratio (we cannot completely remove sounds, as sounds do bounce off walls!)
Control feedback / unwanted whistling to a degree
Automatic volume control – as sounds get louder the amplification automatically reduces
Use frequency shifting technology to restore lost regions of sound by transposing or compressing them into audible regions of sound
Reduce echo reverberant sounds and wind noise.
Have autopilot settings so the hearing aid analyses the environment the wearer is in and changes the above settings to suit each persons preferences.

Digital technology is advancing at unbelievable rates. Microchips double in power and speed and computer memory doubles in capacity every 12-18 months – this is called the ‘cycle of innovation’.

Cameras had 5 megapixels capacity last year but 10 megapixels this year; laptops had 120gigabytes of storage last year and 250Gb this year; hearing aids have 120million calculations per second this year, so what next year ….….?

One day feedback will be an issue of the past, background noise will be much easier to manage, and Bluetooth will open up a world of hearing solutions.

We must remember though, a person with a hearing loss has damaged hearing organs, and no matter how good a hearing aid becomes, the hearing organs are still damaged. We are not replacing the hearing, we are utilising technology to maximise the potential of the residual hearing.

I do hope this helps. Please add your comments or ask any questions.

(To follow soon: Lesson 2 - Hearing Aid Channels)

Hearing Aids

Hearing Aids