St. John's Clinic-Audiology offers Bluetooth technology in hearing aids
By Trudy Baker, Au.D.

Hearing aid technology has evolved over the years from analog to digital circuitry; however, even with these advancements the needs of the hearing impaired population are still often overlooked. 

The primary challenge has been to provide better speech understanding while reducing noise in challenging environments like family gatherings, restaurants and sporting events. In an effort to reduce interfering noise we have often reduced important acoustical information found in our surroundings. This ambiance is essential for the listener to feel connected to their environment.   

The Oticon Epoq offers answers to the following challenges looking closer at the needs of the hearing impaired today, keeping in mind the importance of the ambiance.

• Preserving and making use of the vast variety of sounds in our daily environment

• Keeping up with conversation in noisy environments

• Discriminating where sounds are coming from

• Using a cell phone without distortion and interference

High-speed communication between the hearing instruments or “binaural broadband streaming” makes binaural processing possible for the first time. This broadband binaural streaming enables the two instruments to process sound as one allowing the natural arrangement of sound to be preserved.  This helps to maintain the goal of clear speech understanding, but at the same time maintain the ambiance of the surrounding.

Another feature of the device includes expanded bandwidth which helps the listener make use of localization cues. Information in the high frequencies (4000-16,000 Hz) beyond what is necessary to hear speech cues is used by the brain to locate the talker and focus attention on the message.

The Epoq evaluates changes in volume made by the patient and determines patterns of change over time. Once a proper sample is taken appropriate changes will automatically applied without the patient manipulating the volume control.  This feature is called Life Learning.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Epoq is it’s Bluetooth compatibility. Bluetooth technology is utilized for avid cell phone users to provide hands-free binaural communication on the phone.  A device called a streamer is used to interface between the hearing device and the cell phone. The streamer also provides connection to other technology such as iPods and computers. (Oticon Epoq whitepaper, 2007)

Epoq is available in many different styles and is appropriate for mild to severe losses. 

To learn more about this product and others please contact St. John's Clinic-Audiology at 417-820-5071.