Audio Service glossary
Definitions of technical terms and product features
Acclimatic refers to the automatic amplification adjustment within a defined time period. The acclimatization objective and duration are adjusted individually for the end customer. This is particularly good for helping new users to get used to the hearing systems gradually.
Following the First Fit initial adjustment of the hearing systems, there are 3 options for using Acclimatic:
ASHA is short for “Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids”
Direct streaming from Android devices:
ASHA allows wearers to stream high-quality audio - including phone calls, music, and media - directly from many compatible Android smartphones and tablets to their hearing aids.
Stability and sound quality:
It provides a stable wireless connection for clear, reliable, and synchronized audio streaming, enhancing speech understanding and overall listening comfort during calls and media playback.
AudioFocus 360 is able to direct the focus automatically to the sides, if the dominant speech comes from the side. This means that, regardless of the position of the speaker, the loudest speaker is focused on directly and background noises from other directions are suppressed.
The previous Speech 360 mode only works omni-directionally when recognizing a speaker on the side.
AudioLink is the high-performance data connection between the left and the right hearing system. It is the prerequisite for the AudioTronic multi-microphone system.
AudioLink enables genuine audio signals to be transmitted between the hearing systems by evaluating up to 4 microphones. This process creates a detailed variable image of the acoustic environment and emulates the natural hearing process.
Comprehension of speech in a noisy situation is particularly acoustically challenging – even for those with normal hearing. A classic example of this is the cocktail party scenario.
The AudioSpot mode is designed specifically for this hearing situation. AudioSpot uses a small frontal focus of up to 45 degrees, which is aligned toward the person speaking and standing in front of the person wearing the hearing system. In addition, the background noise outside this focus is effectively suppressed. The width of the directional level is selected automatically.
AudioTronic stands for multi-microphone technology with switchable operating modes:
Bluetooth Classic Audio refers to the original set of audio streaming technologies and offers a lot of options:
Universal compatibility:
Bluetooth Classic Audio is supported by the vast majority of mobile phones and devices in use today, including many older models. This makes it the most universally compatible streaming solution currently available, promoting nearly every wearer to benefit from wireless audio - regardless of their phone or computer type.
Hands-free calling:
With Bluetooth Classic Audio, wearers can enjoy two-way hands-free (hearing and speaking) calls - not just on iOS, but also on a wide range of Android phones and other devices, like computers and tablets, that are equipped with Bluetooth Classic. The protocol supports robust hands-free telephony, making everyday communication simpler and more accessible.
Long established, proven performance:
As a widely adopted technology, Bluetooth Classic Audio offers mature stability and reliability, with proven performance in thousands of consumer electronics products. Its mature ecosystem reduces technical challenges in pairing, connecting stability, and compatibility
Bluetooth Low Energy Audio is the successor of Bluetooth Classic and provides more advantages:
Energy efficiency
Bluetooth LE Audio is built on the Bluetooth Low Energy technology, which is optimized for minimal power consumption. This means hearing aid wearers can stream audio from compatible devices throughout the day without significantly impacting their hearing aid´s battery life.
Improved sound quality
The LC3 codec used in Bluetooth LE Audio offers improved sound clarity at lower data rates, providing reliable, high-fidelity music and speech streaming. even in environments with limited wireless bandwidth.
Future-ready and forward-looking
Bluetooth LE Audio is progressing gradually, being integrated into technological devices such as smartphones and computers.
The classifier automatically recognizes up to 6 different hearing situations:
Individual ear mold for the Audio Service RIC hearing systems. Easy and secure click connection to connect to external receivers. Better individual fit in the ear: no slipping or falling out during movement. Defined acoustic positioning: The positioning in the auditory canal and thus the volume and frequency spectrum can always be reproduced.
The CLIC MOULD 2.0 is fitted with the small HF 4 Black wax guard as standard and is available in Open and Power versions. The Clic Ball of the external receiver ensures optimum hold and allows maximum movement.
Even for wearers who have a high degree of hearing loss or prefer a closed system, CLIC MOULD Power offers a cosmetically appealing solution.
Comformatic stands for an automatic, situational frequency response adaptation.
By means of the classifier, adaptation based on the situation and frequency response configuration take place. Thus within the hearing program, the characteristics are changed and as a result, the tone of the hearing system is optimized, along with the noise parameters. The result is enhanced sound quality and clearer speech in every hearing situation.
Comfort365 automatically regulates the combination of proven features: automatic situation recognition, noise management, directionality and the SNR management. The auto-situation adaptation classifies acoustic situations and correspondingly coordinates the signal processing to them. The customer can comfortably use the benefits of Comfort365 throughout the entire day – without having to perform manual settings. Comfort365 demonstrates the best efficacy with Audio Service hearing aids which have an AudioLink and the multi-microphone system AudioTronic.
Comfort365 is based on complex algorithms which were implemented exclusively for the fitting formula AS-Fit.
Data Logging is the electronic “diary” for effective and customized fine-tuning. This technology continuously logs and analyzes various parameters and data while the hearing system is worn: hearing environment, frequency with which the programs are used, wearing time, change of volume in the individual programs with display of the corresponding dB level.
Supplemented by the customer’s own input, this information enables exact fine-tuning. It makes situations that are difficult to describe easier to analyze and enables any problems to be alleviated with precision.
Communication in an echoing room – for example, in a hallway or gym – is a challenge for the hearing system wearer since the direct sound of the conversation partner is superimposed with reflections. This reduces speech discrimination and makes it harder to hear. EchoClear is a special hearing program detects the level difference between direct sound and reflected sound and thus reduces echo effects and reverberations. In addition, the directional mode is activated.
Learn more about EchoClear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDAgTSe3-lQ
Headset Mode enables the wearer to use the hearing aids for speaking and listening during phone calls without having to use their iPhone manually. When connected to an iOS device, the sound is streamed directly to-and-from the hearing aids. With Call Control the user is able to answer phone calls via the device's push button or with Tap Control for devices without a push button.
Learn how to use Headset Mode for Mfi pairing with an iPhone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-ZYBnd1arY
The HiRes Comformatic analyzes the acoustic environment. And goes beyond. The Motion Sensor adds a further dimension to the definition of specific hearing scenarios. The result is a more individualized hearing experience and better sound quality.
MFi stands for "Made for iPhone/iPod/iPad." and is a program to ensure that third-party accessories (like cables, chargers, and headphones) meet the specific performance and safety standards of Apple.
Seamless integration and control
Wearers can easily control volume, programs, and settings directly from their Apple device using the native Accessibility menu or dedicated apps. This provides an intuitive and easy-to-use experience.
High-quality sound
The dedicated wireless connection offers stable, high-fidelity sound for both streaming and phone calls, enhancing the overall listening experience.
Microsafe is the world’s first microphone filter for custom hearing systems that effectively reduces wind noise right where it originates: directly in the ear. The integrated filter, which can be changed from outside, systematically blocks out disruptive wind noise without impairing the speech signals. It also protects against soiling. The result: hearing comfort is enhanced significantly, there is less downtime, and fewer repairs are needed.
With a diameter of just 1.85 millimeters, Microsafe is much smaller than the wax guards. Standard with all semi-modular custom hearing systems.
In G7 hearing aids
Multi-Track Processing in G7 hearing aids utilizes a similar technique pioneered in the music industry - isolating separate sound sources to enhance what hearing aids’ wearers want to hear, while balancing the rest of the mix. The result is better speech understanding and environmental awareness, without compromising on performance or battery life.
Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruirUcXlXTg
The latest generation of Multi-Track Processing in G8 hearing aids takes our revolutionary approach to the next level.
Multi-Track Processing now uses up to five tracks to process and balance multiple target speakers at once, while maintaining environmental awareness for users – for better speech understanding, even in noisy social situations.
Learn more: https://youtu.be/2XsOu41GEE0
The modern TRC S compression concept works with two variable compression levels. The knee points are intelligently defined by the First Fit. As a result, the adjustment of the amplification curves for low, medium, and loud input levels can be very easily made with the compression ratio (CR) and the amplification (GC). The adjustment for the applicable input level is thus completely independent of the amplification setting for other input levels.
TRC S is particularly suitable for contemporary fitting philosophies (e.g., percentile analysis). When using the traditional fitting formulas (NAL-NL2, DSL v5) the compression parameters can be manually accessed.
Ideally, the vent of custom hearing systems needs to be big enough to prevent occlusion while the system itself has to be kept small. Good sound quality is also essential. The Pro-Vent is ideal for these requirements. It is available in two versions:
EquiVent
The aim is an extremely small custom hearing system that delivers acoustically equivalent performance to a round vent (AEV - acoustically equivalent vent).
ComforVent
The aim is to find the best balance between freedom from occlusion and a pleasant sound (AOV – acoustically optimized vent).
This smart technology automatically suppresses unpleasant wind noise and therefore ensures a more comfortable hearing experience, particularly outdoors. The automatic algorithm reduces the annoying fluctuations in the wind noise, which makes it easier to ignore them.
Learn more about Wind Noise Reduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xGb7shnLQ8
Hearing aids support wireless communication which s is the prerequisite for the following functions:
Binaural synchronization
• Synchronization of the control elements and their functions right / left
• Synchronization of the auto-situation adaption right / left
AudioLink
Transfer of real audio signals between the hearing aids. This makes it possible to evaluate up to four microphone signals together. AudioLink is the technical prerequisite for the AudioTronic multi-microphone system.
Wireless CROS/BiCROS
The sound is transmitted wirelessly from the unaidable side.