ReSound Creates Revolutionary Design in Custom Hearing Aids

New, innovative design improves patients’ ability to hear sound while decreasing wind noise as well as improving cosmetic appeal and natural directivity

BLOOMINGTON, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--http://www.gnresound.com – ReSound, the technology leader in hearing aid solutions, has created an innovative proprietary Remote Microphone Technology that enhances natural directivity, spatial awareness and wind noise performance in hearing aids.

“As an element of good sound quality, ReSound's remote microphone hearing instruments restore the pinna effect to give a sense of spatial awareness and localization.”

The Remote Microphone Technology uses a thin tube to connect the hearing aid to a microphone that is tucked into the concha cymba area of the external ear. The remote microphone utilizes the natural effects of the pinna, as they relate to directivity, high frequency amplification and wind noise reduction. The body of the hearing aid is placed in the ear canal to create device retention and cosmetic appeal.

“Remote Microphone Technology is a very attractive alternative for hearing aids users that have an aversion to Behind-The-Ear (BTE) instruments,” said Dr. Laurel Christensen, Chief Audiology Officer, ReSound. “The placement of the microphone in the concha cymba not only hides it from view, but also improves acoustic performance due to pinna effects.”

Behind-the-ear (BTE) and some traditional custom hearing instruments have less-than-ideal microphone placement compared to the natural ear, causing distortions to occur if sound collection from the pinna is not utilized. Remote Microphone Technology takes advantage of the pinna effect to preserve natural localization (including front-back localization performance) and directional cues.

“This technology is completely unique to ReSound,” said Dr. Christensen. “As an element of good sound quality, ReSound's remote microphone hearing instruments restore the pinna effect to give a sense of spatial awareness and localization.”

Early market feedback quickly validated the benefits of this innovative hearing instrument design that leverages the ear’s natural abilities through consistent patient reports of significant wind noise reduction, superior sound quality and an improved ability to localize sound.

For more information about Remote Microphone Technology vs. traditional custom hearing aids, visit: http://www.gnresound.com/professionals/GlobalAudiology/researchlibrary/ResearchLibrary.aspx

About ReSound
ReSound is the industry technology leader in hearing solutions. Since the company’s inception in 1943, ReSound has been responsible for a number of hearing industry firsts, including Wide Dynamic Range Compression (WDRC), Digital Feedback Suppression (DFS) and the first open-standard digital chip. Headquartered in Ballerup, Denmark, GN ReSound is part of The GN ReSound Group, one of the world’s largest provider of hearing instruments and diagnostic audiological instrumentation.

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