Phonak Virto B-Titanium Wins International Awards for 2018’s Best New Product

Phonak Virto B-Titanium won of two renowned international awards: the 2018 Red Dot Award for Product Design, and a Gold Stevie® Award for Best New Product or Service of the Year in the health and pharmaceutical industry. , the tiny hearing device is made by Phonak, the world's leading provider of hearing aids.

Virto B-Titanium devices are custom 3D-printed and almost invisible when worn. Wearers get the benefits of a medical-grade titanium hearing aid. The device is powered by Phonak's latest technology featuring AutoSense OS™ that gives wearers a fully-automatic and seamless hearing experience in different hearing situations.

One of these wearers is William Goode, Senior Advancement Officer for Athletics at Ferris State University in Michigan. Will had dealt with hearing loss in one ear for most of his life, yet never sought treatment. As a first-time hearing aid wearer, Will wanted something ultra-discreet yet durable enough to keep up with his active lifestyle.

"My new titanium hearing aid has been a blessing," said Goode. "At work I'm able to pick up on key conversations and information that allows me to develop, incorporate, and execute plans. Before, it was difficult to hear ideas, take suggestions, and process information quickly. Outside of work in restaurants the Virto B-Titanium has helped me focus on the people at the table and not background noise. It has changed the way I go about everyday life, giving me confidence at work, outside of work, and at home."

The Virto B-Titanium is the smallest and most discreet custom hearing aid Phonak has ever produced. Compared to traditional acrylic, titanium shells are half as thin yet 15 times stronger. Thinner shells result in smaller devices. This means the hearing aid can be placed even deeper in the canal, resulting in a more discreet fit that delivers natural sound quality. Virto B-Titanium has also received an IP68 rating for resistance to both water and dust.

"Phonak is extremely proud of the amount of success and praise Virto B-Titanium has received, most recently with these two prestigious product awards," said Thomas Lang, Senior Vice President of Phonak. But there's an even greater sense of pride when we hear the many stories about what the hearing aid is doing for people. And that can be summed up in three words: "it changes lives."

Virto B-Titanium will be honored at the International Business Awards gala on October 20, 2018 in London. It previously took honors for product excellence along with two other Phonak products at the Red Dot Awards gala on July 9 in Essen, Germany. The other two international Red Dot Awards winners included Phonak Audéo B-Direct, a revolutionary hearing aid using Bluetooth.​

Published: 8/27/2018 2:16:00 PM

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2wjnPK0
via IFTTT

New Hotline Launched for Parents & Caregivers of Children with Hearing Loss

​As part of its Cradle to Career initiative, the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) launched Listen-Learn-Link, its international new parent hotline for parents, caregivers and guardians of children with hearing loss. The hotline is the first-ever confidential, bilingual (English/Spanish) hotline for parents, caregivers and guardians of newly identified children with hearing loss worldwide who possess any degree of unilateral or bilateral hearing loss. The hotline connects parents via telephone, email and video conference to the organization's Early Intervention Parent Consultant eager to answer parents' questions, provide hearing loss resources, information, support and next steps related to early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) and communication options for those with hearing loss.

"Having access to another parent who has traveled a similar road can be a lifesaver for new parents of a child with hearing loss. AG Bell is launching its new hotline so new parents, caregivers and guardians can have easy access to a parent who has had similar experiences and who also understands the systems and services that they will soon access for their own child and family," said Gayla Guignard, AG Bell's Chief Strategy Officer, who is also an audiologist, speech-language pathologist, and certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialist through AG Bell's Academy.  

Early identification and intervention is extremely important for an infant with hearing loss to achieve listening and spoken language skills. The human brain is programmed to learn language during the first six years of life – with the first three-and-a-half years being the most critical. Without intervention, it becomes increasingly difficult to acquire language and literacy as a child grows older.

 Parents, caregivers and guardians who call the hotline will speak to Julie ­­­­Swaim, AG Bell's early intervention parent consultant. As a parent whose child has hearing loss and a seven-year veteran in the EHDI field, Ms. Swaim is fully aware of the challenges associated with hearing loss in children as well as next steps needed to ensure they receive proper diagnosis and treatment. She will connect them with other resources related to hearing loss. She also has access to qualified hearing and speech professionals whom she can contact for important medical information.  

Published: 8/27/2018 2:01:00 PM

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2BTphYV
via IFTTT

Improved directional hearing of children with congenital unilateral conductive hearing loss implanted with an active bone-conduction implant or an active middle ear implant

Publication date: Available online 26 August 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): K. Vogt, H. Frenzel, S. Ausili, D. Hollfelder, B. Wollenberg, A.F.M. Snik, M.J.H. Agterberg

Abstract

Different amplification options are available for listeners with congenital unilateral conductive hearing loss (UCHL). For example, bone-conduction devices (BCDs) and middle ear implants. The present study investigated whether intervention with an active BCD, the Bonebridge, or a middle ear implant, the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB), affected sound-localization performance of listeners with congenital UCHL. Listening with a Bonebridge or VSB might provide access to binaural cues. However, when fitted with the Bonebridge, but not with a VSB, binaural processing might be affected through cross stimulation of the contralateral normal hearing ear, and could interfere with processing of binaural cues. In the present study twenty-three listeners with congenital UCHL were included. To assess processing of binaural cues, we investigated localization abilities of broadband (BB, 0.5-20 kHz) filtered noise presented at varying sound levels. Sound localization abilities were analysed separately for stimuli presented at the side of the normal-hearing ear, and for stimuli presented at the side of the hearing-impaired ear. Twenty-six normal hearing children and young adults were tested as control listeners. Sound localization abilities were measured under open-loop conditions by recording head-movement responses. We demonstrate improved sound localization abilities of children with congenital UCHL, when listening with a Bonebridge or VSB, predominantly for stimuli presented at the impaired (aided) side. Our results suggest that the improvement is not related to accurate processing of binaural cues. When listening with the Bonebridge, despite cross stimulation of the contralateral cochlea, localization performance was not deteriorated compared to listening with a VSB.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2PI6WRu
via IFTTT

Improved directional hearing of children with congenital unilateral conductive hearing loss implanted with an active bone-conduction implant or an active middle ear implant

Publication date: Available online 26 August 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): K. Vogt, H. Frenzel, S. Ausili, D. Hollfelder, B. Wollenberg, A.F.M. Snik, M.J.H. Agterberg

Abstract

Different amplification options are available for listeners with congenital unilateral conductive hearing loss (UCHL). For example, bone-conduction devices (BCDs) and middle ear implants. The present study investigated whether intervention with an active BCD, the Bonebridge, or a middle ear implant, the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB), affected sound-localization performance of listeners with congenital UCHL. Listening with a Bonebridge or VSB might provide access to binaural cues. However, when fitted with the Bonebridge, but not with a VSB, binaural processing might be affected through cross stimulation of the contralateral normal hearing ear, and could interfere with processing of binaural cues. In the present study twenty-three listeners with congenital UCHL were included. To assess processing of binaural cues, we investigated localization abilities of broadband (BB, 0.5-20 kHz) filtered noise presented at varying sound levels. Sound localization abilities were analysed separately for stimuli presented at the side of the normal-hearing ear, and for stimuli presented at the side of the hearing-impaired ear. Twenty-six normal hearing children and young adults were tested as control listeners. Sound localization abilities were measured under open-loop conditions by recording head-movement responses. We demonstrate improved sound localization abilities of children with congenital UCHL, when listening with a Bonebridge or VSB, predominantly for stimuli presented at the impaired (aided) side. Our results suggest that the improvement is not related to accurate processing of binaural cues. When listening with the Bonebridge, despite cross stimulation of the contralateral cochlea, localization performance was not deteriorated compared to listening with a VSB.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2PI6WRu
via IFTTT

Is There a Safe Level for Recording Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential? Evidence From Cochlear and Hearing Function Tests

Objective: There is a growing concern among the scientific community about the possible detrimental effects of signal levels used for eliciting vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) on hearing. A few recent studies showed temporary reduction in amplitude of otoacoustic emissions (OAE) after VEMP administration. Nonetheless, these studies used higher stimulus levels (133 and 130 dB peak equivalent sound pressure level [pe SPL]) than the ones often used (120 to 125 dB pe SPL) for clinical recording of VEMP. Therefore, it is not known whether these lower levels also have similar detrimental impact on hearing function. Hence, the present study aimed at investigating the effect of 500 Hz tone burst presented at 125 dB pe SPL on hearing functions. Design: True experimental design, with an experimental and a control group, was used in this study. The study included 60 individuals with normal auditory and vestibular system. Of them, 30 underwent unilateral VEMP recording (group I) while the remaining 30 did not undergo VEMP testing (group II). Selection of participants to the groups was random. Pre- and post-VEMP assessments included pure-tone audiometry (250 to 16,000 Hz), distortion product OAE, and subjective symptoms. To simulate the time taken for VEMP testing in group I, participants in group II underwent these tests twice with a gap of 15 minutes. Results: No participant experienced any subjective symptom after VEMP testing. There was no significant interear and intergroup difference in pure-tone thresholds and distortion product OAE amplitude before and after VEMP recording (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the response rate of cervical VEMP was 100% at stimulus intensity of 125 dB pe SPL. Conclusions: Use of 500 Hz tone burst at 125 dB pe SPL does not cause any temporary or permanent changes in cochlear function and hearing, yet produces 100% response rate of cervical VEMP in normal-hearing young adults. Therefore, 125 dB pe SPL of 500 Hz tone burst is recommended as safe level for obtaining cervical VEMP without significantly losing out on its response rate, at least in normal-hearing young adults. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The authors thank the Director and HOD Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, for granting permission to carry out this research work. The authors also express their gratitude to all participants of the study who unconditionally agreed to participate and extended their cooperation throughout the course of data collection for this study. The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. Address for correspondence: Niraj Kumar Singh, Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Manasagangothri, Mysore 570006, Karnataka, India. E-mail: niraj6@gmail.com Received August 19, 2017; accepted June 13, 2018. Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2wfOdET
via IFTTT

Is There a Safe Level for Recording Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential? Evidence From Cochlear and Hearing Function Tests

Objective: There is a growing concern among the scientific community about the possible detrimental effects of signal levels used for eliciting vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) on hearing. A few recent studies showed temporary reduction in amplitude of otoacoustic emissions (OAE) after VEMP administration. Nonetheless, these studies used higher stimulus levels (133 and 130 dB peak equivalent sound pressure level [pe SPL]) than the ones often used (120 to 125 dB pe SPL) for clinical recording of VEMP. Therefore, it is not known whether these lower levels also have similar detrimental impact on hearing function. Hence, the present study aimed at investigating the effect of 500 Hz tone burst presented at 125 dB pe SPL on hearing functions. Design: True experimental design, with an experimental and a control group, was used in this study. The study included 60 individuals with normal auditory and vestibular system. Of them, 30 underwent unilateral VEMP recording (group I) while the remaining 30 did not undergo VEMP testing (group II). Selection of participants to the groups was random. Pre- and post-VEMP assessments included pure-tone audiometry (250 to 16,000 Hz), distortion product OAE, and subjective symptoms. To simulate the time taken for VEMP testing in group I, participants in group II underwent these tests twice with a gap of 15 minutes. Results: No participant experienced any subjective symptom after VEMP testing. There was no significant interear and intergroup difference in pure-tone thresholds and distortion product OAE amplitude before and after VEMP recording (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the response rate of cervical VEMP was 100% at stimulus intensity of 125 dB pe SPL. Conclusions: Use of 500 Hz tone burst at 125 dB pe SPL does not cause any temporary or permanent changes in cochlear function and hearing, yet produces 100% response rate of cervical VEMP in normal-hearing young adults. Therefore, 125 dB pe SPL of 500 Hz tone burst is recommended as safe level for obtaining cervical VEMP without significantly losing out on its response rate, at least in normal-hearing young adults. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The authors thank the Director and HOD Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, for granting permission to carry out this research work. The authors also express their gratitude to all participants of the study who unconditionally agreed to participate and extended their cooperation throughout the course of data collection for this study. The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. Address for correspondence: Niraj Kumar Singh, Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Manasagangothri, Mysore 570006, Karnataka, India. E-mail: niraj6@gmail.com Received August 19, 2017; accepted June 13, 2018. Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2wfOdET
via IFTTT