Tag Archives: Phonak

Phonak Roger Component Overview

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by Allan Larson

After using my Resound MultiMic, I realized what a difference remote microphones could make. I wanted to use multiple microphones at once in several different situations, and found that the Phonak Roger system could do that.  I started looking into Phonak Roger and trying several different components.  I found that getting information on what was available was a little difficult, so I wanted to put a quick reference out for anyone else who may need it. The information below comes from my own research, so if you find something that is incorrect please let me know.

Phonak Roger is Not FM

Many people confuse Phonak Roger with the older FM systems, but Roger is actually completely new technology.  Older FM systems transmitted an analog signal on FM frequencies (72.025 to 75.975 MHz and 216 to 217 MHz), and only transmitted on one channel at a time making it prone to interference, range problems, and eavesdropping. Phonak Roger transmits at 2.4GHz (ISM band) using digital transmission and frequency hopping technology to decrease dead spots, improve sound quality, and secure the transmission. For more information on the Phonak Roger wireless technology, click this link.

Roger Microphones

With most of the microphones below, you can link multiple devices together, and even mix and match microphones (like a Roger Pen and 2 clip-on mics).  There are some limitations to this. For example, when you have multiple Roger Pens linked, only one can be in conference mode, and the rest can be in neck-worn mode.  When the microphones are linked, they do not all transmit at once.  The microphone that picks up speech first will transmit until it no longer hears speech.  At that point the system will switch to the next microphone that detects speech.

Roger Pen

Roger Easy PenThe Phonak Roger Pen has three different microphone operating modes. Conference mode (when laying on a table), Interview mode (when held at an angle), and neck-worn. The Roger Pen can automatically switch microphone modes based on its position, or you can manually select the mode.  In Conference mode it will pick up audio from all around.  In Interview mode the microphone will become directional and pick up the voice of whoever it is pointing at, while blocking out noise from around the pen.  In neck-worn mode it will become highly directional with a shorter pick-up range in order to just pick up whoever is talking directly above it. The Roger pen also has Bluetooth connectivity for connecting to cellular phones and other Bluetooth devices.  Using an included cable, you can also connect the Roger Pen to other audio sources like a TV or headphone jack on a computer.

Roger EasyPen

Roger Easy PenThe Roger EasyPen has the same three microphone modes as the Roger Pen.  With the Roger EasyPen you cannot manually select the microphone modes, and it does not have Bluetooth.  Like the RogerPen, the Roger EasyPen can be connected to an audio source using a cable.

Roger Clip-On Mic

Roger Clip-on MicThe roger clip-on mic is made to be worn clipped to a shirt or lanyard.  It picks up speech from directly above it.  The Clip-On Mic can also be used to stream audio from another source using the included cable.

 

 

Roger Table Mic

Roger Table Mic.pngThe Roger Table Mic is specifically designed to be used in meetings.  It picks up audio from all around while filtering out background noise like projector fans, coughs, etc…  For large meetings (15+) people, you can use multiple Table Mics to pick up sound from all around the room.  The Table Mic can also be connected to other audio sources, and has a remote control that can be used to mute/un-mute the microphone.

Roger Touchscreen Mic and Roger Pass-around

Roger Touchscreen Mic Pass-aroundThe Roger Touchscreen Mic and Roger Pass-around are geared for educational use.  The Roger Touchscreen Mic is worn by a teacher and the Pass-around is passed to other students to allow them to talk on the system as well. Multiple Touchscreen Mics and Pass-arounds can be used together in a network.  The Touchscreen Mic and Pass-around only work with the newer Roger receivers, they are not backwards compatible to older FM systems.

Roger Inspiro and Roger DynaMic

Roger Inspiro Pass-around.pngThe Roger Inspiro and Roger DynaMic are also geared toward educational use and have similar functionality as the Roger Touchscreen Mic and Roger Pass-around.  The Inspiro and DynaMic will work with Phonak Roger and older FM systems.

Roger Receivers

The Phonak Roger system has several different receivers that enable the system to be used with almost any hearing aid, Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA), or cochlear implant.

Roger design-integrated receivers

The design integrated receivers are made to blend in with the design of Phonak hearing aids as well as some Cochlear implants from Cochlear and Advanced Bionics.  The design integrated receivers will work with the full line of Roger microphones including the Touchscreen Mic and Inspiro.

Roger X

The Roger X receiver uses a Direct Audio Input connection (DAI, a.k.a Europlug) and can be used on many hearing aids (with a DAI boot), cochlear implants, and neck-worn streamers such as the Phonak ComPilot.  The Roger X comes in two different versions.  One is a lower cost type 3 (03) that works with the Roger Pen, EasyPen, Clip-On Mic, and Table Mic.  The other is the type 2 (02) which costs a little more, but adds support for the educational based mics (TouchScreen and Inspiro), as well as some settings that can be made using the Inspiro, and compatibility with more Roger devices. For more information on the differences between the 02 and 03 Roger X receivers, click this link.

Roger MyLink

The Roger MyLink is a neck-worn streamer that works with hearing aids that contain a TeleCoil (T-Coil).  The Mylink also has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack that allows it to be plugged in to other devices like sound systems, or hearing aid streamers with a 3.5mm input.

Roger Focus

The Roger Focus is a behind-the-ear receiver made for people with normal hearing, but that have attention related issues.  It is intended to limit distractions by bringing the teacher’s voice directly in to the persons ear to help with focus and understanding.  The Roger Focus is not a hearing aid, it is simply a receiver for Roger microphones.

About the Author

Allan LarsonI have been a hearing aid user for over 20 years, since receiving my first aid at age 20. As my hearing loss has progressed, I’ve come to rely on various Assistive Listening Devices. My career in IT requires many fast paced meetings. Without remote mics I wouldn’t be able to keep up and contribute. In January of 2018 I was approved for a cochlear implant, and look forward to the next phase of my journey. I hope to not need wireless microphones once I get adjusted to hearing with a CI, but it’s nice to have them available if needed.

Allan lives in Illinois with his wife and 4 kids.

Choosing a Cochlear Implant that Works with a Hearing Aid

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By Jessica Lewis

The journey to begin the process of cochlear implantation is an exciting prospect. When your audiologist tells you there may be hope to regain hearing and comprehension, the potential seem limitless. Amongst the excitement and new possibilities, the process of cochlear implantation can be overwhelming, and it’s not a decision to be made overnight.

My first step after making the decision to move forward with implantation was to learn about how cochlear implants work – not a deep technical perspective, just an overview such as can be found in the videos on the manufacturer’s web sites.  In particular, I was interested in understanding the differences between cochlear implants and hearing aids.   

When I began my cochlear implant journey last year, I had to choose which implant and company I would partner with for life. And they all promised better-than-ever features over the others. I was told by my audiologist all the general bells and whistles of the different implants, but ultimately she just handed me big packets of information on the three brands: MED-EL, Advanced Bionics, and Cochlear and said, “it’s up to you!”

The first step to any decision is to research every possible outcome. Brand packets in hand, I meticulously combed through each one hoping to have one company stand out over the other. But unfortunately, all three brands look like they offer similar implants, with very small distinctions between them. This was where I decided to hit the pavement and go straight to the sources. My audiologist was kind enough to get me in contact with representatives and implant recipients for Advanced Bionics, Cochlear, and MED-EL. I set up meetings over coffee, chatted via email, and took voluminous notes throughout the process. I truly felt this made my decision easier, as I was able to discuss and listen to first hand experiences: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I qualified for a cochlear implant in both ears, but I decided to only implant one for now as I can still use a hearing aid in the other ear. Many cochlear implant recipients are bimodal, meaning that they use one cochlear implant and one hearing aid.

While you can use any hearing aid with a cochlear implant, they really are different devices, and process sounds differently.  Successful bimodal users learn to adapt to the different inputs to each ear.

Sister companies Advanced Bionics and Phonak recently introduced the Naída bimodal hearing solution, consisting of a cochlear implant with a Naída CI Q90 processor, and a Naída Link hearing aid.  The sound processing technology is the same for both instruments.  And the volume behavior (the way the loudness is adjusted automatically) is also the same. My hope is that this will make the transition to becoming a bimodal user as effortless as possible, and that it will provide me with the best bimodal hearing experience.

One nice feature available now is that when you change program or volume by pressing buttons on either instrument, both instruments respond, and you can hear the beeps in both ears.  Also, you can stream sounds to both instruments using a ComPilot or a Roger Pen.  

Some new features are coming soon that will make the Naída Link system even more integrated.  I look forward to programs such as DuoPhone, where you hold the phone up to one ear, and the sound is streamed wirelessly to the other, so you hear it in both ears!  And StereoZoom uses the mics on the two instruments together to make a super-tight focus directly in front of you – perfect for noisy restaurants!

Needless to say, I made the decision to go with Advanced Bionics because of all the features for bimodal users like me.

Naida bimodal

With both the Link and implant,  I am able to hear sounds that I haven’t heard since my hearing loss began (including my cat’s incessant meowing which I’m not sure I missed…). I’m able to capture wonderfully clear sounds and speech with just the implant itself, but the addition of the Link adds such a richer sound to my surroundings, adding a more natural tone. I can carry on conversations in restaurants with ease, hear my boyfriend calling me from another room, and even talk on the phone with the T-mic or my Roger pen streaming into both ears. It’s astounding how clear I am able localize sounds through these intelligent and cohesive devices; two ears are definitely better than one!

Going forward, I can’t wait to see what additional features Advanced Bionics and Phonak will offer bimodal users.

About the Author

Jessica LewisJessica Lewis is a twenty-two-year-old recently hired pediatric oncology RN. Her hearing loss started in 2014 warranting the use of bilateral hearing aids until becoming a cochlear implant recipient in 2015. She was implanted June 30th, 2016 and activated on July 14th, 2016 and received her Naida Link a week later. She currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida where she hopes to not only change the lives of her pediatric patients but also advocate for the deaf/hard-of-hearing community she so closely relates with. She strives to pave the way for awareness and recognition of this community in introducing new technology and communication techniques through her experiences both medically and professionally.

 

Advanced Bionics and Phonak Announce Bimodal CI/HA Streaming

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The_Naída_bimodal_hearing_solution_from_Advanced_Bionics_and_Phonak_webready

Advanced Bionics (AB) and Phonak announce the introduction of the new Naída bimodal hearing solution featuring the Phonak Naída™ Link, the world’s first hearing aid offering full-bandwidth, bidirectional audio streaming with the Naída CI sound processor from AB. Using shared technology co-developed by AB and Phonak, the Naída devices are able to communicate with each other in a way no other hearing aid and cochlear implant combination can match.

Bimodal features may include functions such as DuoPhone, in which you hold the phone up to one ear, and hear the sound in both ears. The direct communication between the cochlear implant processor and the hearing aid may also allow you to change program or volume on both instruments by pressing a button on either one of them. Currently these types of functionality are only available for bilateral Advanced Bionics cochlear implant users, or bilateral Phonak hearing aid users.  About half of all cochlear implant users are bimodal, meaning one cochlear implant and one hearing aid. These users will be able to take advantage of features previously available only to those with two cochlear implants or two hearing aids.

For more information, see the press release.

AB Processors to be Compatible Wirelessly to Home Phones

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DECT phone

No intermediary device required!  Connect directly to the Phonak DECT phone, or use the Phonak EasyCall to connect directly to your existing  Bluetooth-equipped mobile phone, and Naída CI Q70 sound processors.

Advanced Bionics announces future compatibility with Phonak EasyCall and Phonak DECT Phone.

The Phonak EasyCall* accessory is designed to provide universal, discreet, and hassle-free communication with any Bluetooth®-enabled mobile phone.

  • Attaches directly to the phone
  • Streams directly to both ears for best sound quality and speech intelligibility
  • Supports all brands of cell phones, including iPhone and Samsung
  • No intermediary device needed

The Phonak DECT Phone* is a cordless phone for everyone that provides an easy-to-use phone option at home or at work.

  • Enjoy calls on your landline phone
  • Transmit sound directly to one or both ears to reduce noise and maximize speech understanding – hearing aid users experience 40% better speech understanding¹
  • One solution for the whole family – family members without hearing loss can use the DECT Phone just like a regular phone
  • No intermediary device required

Sonova / Advanced Bionics Product Pipeline Update

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Sonova Investor day 2013 coverSonova presented the product pipeline for Advanced Bionics during the Investor and Analyst Day 2013.  Recent products including the Neptune processor, HiRes 90k Advantage implant, HiFocus Mid-Scala electrode array, and the Naída CI Q70 processor were highlighted.  Advanced Bionics is on track to release new electrodes, implants, and processors in 2014 and also in 2015.  Here is the timeline from the investor presentation.