Following on from the launch of the ReSound Verso 9 and 7 late last year GN ReSound have now released to the UK market a mid range offering to complement the premium and advanced levels of Verso 9 and Verso 7 respectively. Predictably named the Verso 5, it has a decent feature set and particularly if you like your wireless toys the Verso range is a good option to look at. We haven’t supplied any Verso as yet but we have had some good reports from other hearing aid audiologists and their clients who like the ReSound Verso as a product and are quite impressed with it.

The ReSound Verso 5, in common with its older brothers the 7 and 9 is based on the Range II chip. Here are some of the main features available in Verso 5;

The ReSound Verso range has now pretty effectively replaced the now ageing ReSound Alera range, although ReSound as a manufacturer have unusually kept the Alera range on the books alongside the Verso, which makes for a very crowded product range. Apparently this is because some of the national suppliers are keen to keep the Alera on the books and increase their margins. We can’t imagine a scenario where it would be advisable to purchase the Alera now instead of Verso unless you are replacing one of a pair lost or damaged, or you are buying at a VERY substantial discount.

GN ReSound Hearing Aids

Unitron Moxi Kiss is the latest hearing aid to be released by Unitron UK and is a nice development of the Unitron Moxi, offering most of the features the Moxi has but in a really sleek design and a new palette of colours with a luxurious finish. The Unitron Moxi Kiss oozes quality.

Unitron Moxi Kiss is built on the success of the Era platform and is available in 5 technology levels to suit all budgets and all needs. Available in the Unitron Moxi Kiss are the Era features such as SmartFocus and SpeechZone, Natural Sound Balance and Pinna effect, and a new tinnitus masker feature for those that are troubled by tinnitus.

The Unitron Moxi Kiss is fully wireless compatible, accessories compatible with the Moxi Kiss include the Unitron Remote Control, uDirect2, uTV2 and uMic.

For such a sleek hearing aid to be possible certain features have been dropped compared to the standard Unitron Moxi, the telecoil and program button have gone at the expense of the design aesthetics, but for most that will be a price worth paying.

Siemens Hearing Instruments have launched a brand new platform of hearing aid technology to improve on their Xcel range of hearing aids. Siemens Micon promises over double the number of instructions per second compared to its predecessor, an incredible 250 million a second! The Micon platform has a very wide bandwidth of 12kHz, 48 channels and 20 handles on the premium products (7mi), this is an impressive launch from Siemens who seem to have been working hard behind the scenes to produce a real contender to the marketplace.

As usual with Siemens, they have launched the upper half of the range in the new chipset, the majority of the lower end of the technology will be launched with the Micon technology later this year.

Siemens have taken the opportunity to utilise improvements in receiver design and a smaller chip to release a micro RIC called Ace which is absolutely tiny. The Micon Ace loses some wireless functionality in the pursuit of cosmetics, but for anyone wanting a VERY small RIC it really fits the bill. Also improvements in Siemens shell design promise more discreet ITE, ITC and CIC’s, along with a re-brand of the ‘in the ear models. In the Ear hearing aids from Siemens will no longer be branded as Motion ITE’s but as Insio.

At present Siemens have released to market the 7mi technology level (premium), the 5mi (advanced) and the some of the 3mi (mid range). In the autumn expect to see the rest of the range launched including 1mi technology level for the budget conscious.

So for a run down of the new range, at premium 7mi level we have Siemens Ace RIC, Pure RIC, Motion BTE, Aquaris BTE and Life Thin Tube. Insio to follow shortly.

At advanced 5mi level we have the same mix of products, and at 3mi mid range level we have Pure RIC, Aquaris BTE and Life thin tube.

More models will migrate across to the new technology later this year, towards the end of 2013 we expect to see the vast majority of Siemens hearing aids taking advantage of the better performing Micon technology.

So here are some of the highlights of the new Micon platform, not all features are available in all technology levels;

Automatic Classification – At 7mi level the Micon has 6 separate sound classifications in automatic mode, Quiet, Speech in Quiet, Noise, Speech in Noise, Music, Car. The Micon has a great new feeedback cancellation system, in the past it has been a bit of a weak area for Siemens hearing aids, but now they seem to have addressed the issue and it does not seem to be an issue at all.

Frequency Compression is an option, unlike Phonak’s SoundRecover, Siemens only activate their frequency compression as a general rule with steeply dropping high frequency losses and it can pull the frequencies across to the low end more aggressively than other manufacturers.

With previous Siemens technology tinnitus management was buolt in, but only on Life models, now tinnitus management is available through the whole Micon range.

A telecoil is now available in the Siemens Pure 312 Micon, and water and dust resistance across the range of BTE’s and RIC’s is a very impressive IP67 which means they are extremely resistant to dust and moisture. The Aquaris Micon models are even better with dust and moisture resistance, with an IP score of IP68.

Phonak have launched some new products to replace the RIC and super power hearing aids in their range. The Audeo Q is based on the Quest chip replaces the Audeo S Smart and Audeo S Mini, the Naida Q, also based on the new Quest chip replaces the Naida S.

So firstly the Phonak Audeo Q – available in a new range of colours and three distinct models. The Audeo Q-10 model is a direct replacement for the Audeo S Mini, with a size 10 battery and in common with the Mini having the wireless functionality stripped out in favour of a (slightly) smaller frame. Personally we can’t see the point in the Q-10 as the absence of wireless when the smaller frame is barely noticeable makes it a bad choice we think. A much wiser choice is the Q-312 version, with a 312 battery and full wireless capabilities. Also available, a new model in the Audeo range of hearing aids is the Q-312T, slightly larger version of a Q-312 with a telecoil built in, certainly a useful extra feature worth having for some.

Phonak have at the same time released details of a new set of receiver wires, with improvements in shaping for comfort and retention, also the power wires are slimmed down drastically from the older bulkier versions. As you would expect from Phonak, thoughtfully, the new wires are forward and backward compatible. Why other manufacturers don’t try harder to do this and make life simpler we don’t know!

Phonak Audeo Q is available in four technology levels, Q90, Q70 and Q50 to match the Virto and Bolero range, and also an entry level Q30.

The Phonak Audeo Q range has a built in Tinnitus Balance Noise System that is available right through the range.

An interesting development is that the Phonak Audeo Q RIC is supplied with a lifetime of free receiver wires. (well, lifetime of the product anyway!).

Phonak Naida Q is replacing the Naida S range of super power BTE and RIC hearing aids. Like its predecessor the Naida Q is water and dust resistant and has all the features you see on the Virto and Bolero Q range transferred right across the the Naida Q. Like the Audeo Q, the Naida Q is available in four technology levels including the entry level model. So the range consists of Naida Q90, Q70, Q50 and Q30.

Starkey Laboratories have released some new models to their range of hearing aids. Their 3 Series is currently available only in BTE format, but Starkey are likely to release the 3 Series in ITE format in April. Until then, Starkey ITE’s will continue to be supplied in the older Wi Series technology.

The new models released are a mini BTE 3 Series with an impressive 65dB of gain, they have expanded their Xino range of mini RIC hearing aids to incorporate a wireless version at three technology levels, 110, 90 and 70 and with a 312 battery, and also the Xino Tinnitus which is aimed at addressing those with hearing loss and tinnitus, and also those with tinnitus only.

In the 3 Series Starkey have made some subtle changes. The sweep switch has gone, replaced by a more tactile solution. the program button is discreet and can be configured as a volume adjuster, a program selector, or both.

Receiver wires in the RIC products are re-designed too as a 6 pin snap fit as opposed to the fiddly and convoluted older RIC wires. Double (power) domes are a new addition to the RIC products too, previously the choice has been only open or closed domes.

Direct Audio Input shoes are available for 3 Series BTE’s for those that want to make use of FM systems too.

Starkey wireless hearing aids can take advantage of the new Surflink Mobile, a fantastic little device which, although at first glance might seem a tad expensive compared to other streaming devices on the market, works fantastically well and actually pretty much does the job of most wireless hearing aid accessories combined.

It can be used as a remote microphone, as a mobile streamer, as a media streamer, a remote control, and because all the latest Starkey products from the Wi through to the new 3 Series are wireless compatible, it just works seamlessly and directly with the hearing aids, no pairing dramas, just high quality audio.

Widex UK have this week launched a new range of hearing aid technology called Dream.

Based on the new platform, True ISP, unusually for Widex they have released the whole range all at once, and included a new entry level too. The previous range to the Widex Dream was the Widex Clear range, which was available as Clear 440, Clear 330 and Clear 220.

The new Widex Dream range is now available as Widex Dream 440, Dream 330, Dream 220 and the new Dream 110.

Widex have kept the same number of channels in the 440, 330 and 220 ie 15, 10 and 5 channels respectively, and the new Widex Dream 110 is a three channel instrument.

The Widex Dream is available in all form factors from ITC / CIC to Passion and Fusion. Widex Super and the Widex IIC remain unchanged.

Widex tell us the new Dream range benefits from far better battery drain and claim 20% longer battery life.

Notably Audibility Extender (Widex’s frequency transposition strategy) is available alongside all program structures as opposed to being a standalone program, and automatic acclimatisation is included too.

It looks like Oticon are releasing a new premium product shortly, based on what we have read on the Oticon international site the new product will be called Oticon Alta.

The Oticon Alta will be available in a full range of form factors, from BTE to RITE and miniRITE and some new re-designed ITE versions too. The BTE and RITE versions will have a range of subtle and some not so subtle colour shells to choose from.

Based on the brand new Inium platform, Oticon claim the Alta is a ‘game changing solution’ which aims to reduce listening effort.

Available with the Oticon Alta is a new souped up Streamer, the Oticon Streamer Pro. Details are sketchy at present and we are unsure if the Streamer Pro will be backwards compatible with older technology that has been superceded.

As information becomes available we will post here on the news blog.

Some of the standout features of the new Oticon Alta are as follows;

Unitron have released a new range of super power BTE hearing aids called Max. Available with a size 13 battery and also a slightly higher powered 675 battery if required, the Unitron Max is available in three technology levels, Max 20, Max 6 and the entry level Max E.

Unitron Max is designed to maximise speech intelligibility whilst attempting to reduce a common situation of over amplification for hearing aid wearers in this particular grouping.

Hearing aid wearers with severe to profound hearing loss often demand ever-increasing levels of amplification. This is not a great idea as ultimately this strategy can have a long term detrimental effect on residual hearing.

Unitron Max allows you to experience the amplification you feel you need initially, but gradually and imperceptibly reduce the level of amplification to a more appropriate level. This feature is called ‘Power Adaption Manager’.

Unitron Max also includes frequency compression, a great feature that moves sounds away from areas where hearing is most damaged and compressing them into the audible range You can experience a fuller range of sounds for improved awareness and speech intelligibility.

Another interesting feature is SmartFocus. The optimised performance of directional microphones, speech enhancement, noise reduction and amplification working together so that you automatically experience the best speech understanding or comfort as the situation demands.

Unitron Max has been designed with reliability in mind. Max is water resistant thanks to plasma coating that protects against humidity, dampness and perspiration.

The plasma coating is bound to the hearing instrument surface providing corrosion protection that lasts. A robust shell is proven to protect against extreme temperatures, impact, shock, dust and debris for vital endurance and reliability.

You can find Hearing Aid Prices for Unitron Max (and prices for all the other hearing aids we can supply too) by clicking the tab above.

Siemens have announced that their rollout of the Xcel portfolio is complete as of the first week in November 2012. The Xcel BestSound technology has been gradually introduced through the Siemens range, effectively a mini upgrade to the existing hearing aid technology Siemens offer.

The full Siemens Xcel portfolio consists of these models;

Pure- 701, 501, 301 & 101 XCEL

Pure Carat – 701, 501 & 301 XCEL

Motion SX – 701, 501, 301 & 101 XCEL

Motion P – 701, 501, 301 & 101 XCEL

Motion custom – 701, 501, 301 & 101 XCEL

Eclipse – 701 & 301 XCEL

For the full range of Siemens Hearing Aid Prices check out our main website hearing aid prices page, click on the button above.

Phonak have released a new range of hearing aids to market, the new range is called Quest, and the Phonak Quest banner encompasses BTE (behind the ear) hearing aids called Bolero Q and custom in the ear products called Virto Q. Other form factors are expected to follow through 2013.

Phonak have revamped how they name their products and how they define technology levels, previous technology levels were differentiated by roman numerals III, V and IX for the mid range, advanced and premium models respectively.

The new range of Phonak Bolero and Phonak Virto hearing aids are labelled 50 series for mid range technology, 70 series for advanced, and 90 for the premium products.

Improvements in the new range include DuoPhone as standard through all technology levels, the mid range Bolero Q50 and Virto Q50 jumping to 12 channels as opposed to 6 channels that previous Phonak hearing aids had at this technology level, StereoZoom is available as a program option on Bolero Q70 and Virto Q70 where it was only available at premium level previously, and a new program destination within the automatic SoundFlow program that allows for a new feature called autoStereoZoom is available, this automatically activates StereoZoom without any manual interaction.

Phonak have also introduced a brand new wind manager called Binaural WindBlock at Bolero Q90 and Virto Q90 level and an Acclimatization Manager through the range which has been offered with other manufacturers products before but is new to Phonak. All this new technology is backed up by Phonak’s unique ‘Binaural VoiceSteam Technology’ which allows information to be passed from ear to ear, analysed and processed to provide some remarkable results particularly in the most difficult and challenging environments.

The Phonak Bolero Q BTE range has had an update on the colour palette so there is a very nice range of colours now available.

Another interesting development is a remote control that is now available for Phonak Virto Q Nano IIC (Invisible in Canal) instruments, called the MiniControl. Nano wearers will now have the benefit of being able to unleash program and volume changes via the MiniControl. Phonak have also launched a new remote microphone to compete with Oticon’s Connectline Microphone, ReSound’s Unite Mini Microphone, Siemens VoiceLink and Starkey’s recent SurfLink Mobile, which doubles up as a remote microphone. Phonak’s offering (the RemoteMike) is a very neat gadget with a lapel clip, it has an omni directional mike and works to 20 metres in free field. The Phonak RemoteMike does need to work in conjunction with the Phonak Compilot neckloop, the idea being the audio picked up by it is sent via Bluetooth to the ComPilot and then sent to the hearing aids at 10.6gHz to enable fast transmission of data and all the best features of the new range to work optimally.

The new range of Phonak products have increased in price so expect to pay a little more compared to the old range, we feel its a price worth paying for the new and enhanced features of the Phonak Quest range of hearing aids, the Bolero Q and Virto Q.