Sadly, there is currently no known cure for hearing loss. In good news, however, Phonak are doing everything in their power to bridge that hearing gap until a perfect solution can be found. Here, we will be talking in general terms about the ALDs (Assistive Listening Devices) that are available from Phonak, but much more detail about each can be found on our website page here
It is a widely accepted fact that the most difficult parts of hearing loss to correct involve background noise and distance. Hearing aid microphones have an optimum pick-up distance of between four and six feet, after which they are ineffective. Luckily, it is in these two areas that Roger’s ALDs are designed to offer help*.
Question:
“Will my hearing aids help me when I am in a busy restaurant with five of my friends?”
Answer:
“As you can imagine, levels of hearing loss and response to solutions can vary from client to client, so, to best answer the question, we need to peddle back a step to the all-important initial Hearing Assessment. One process that Steven Hale Hearing includes is that of the Pure Tone Audiogram which shows the specific frequencies you can and cannot hear. We call this your “hearing threshold” and it forms part of your overall assessment. Also included is the “Speech in Noise” test which shows how good or otherwise, your ear/brain’s ability to cope with background noise is. This data enables us to reveal your precise hearing loss areas – at the assessment stage. What this means is that, once conducted in the assessment phase, we as your Audiologists will have a complete picture of your hearing issues. From there, we can advise certain interventions, which could include the option of a Roger ALD.”
Question:
“What can you do if you discover I suffer with poor speech recognition in noise?”
Answer:
“Initially, we will need to correct your hearing thresholds by fitting the most appropriate and effective hearing aid to meet your needs. However, as we said earlier, when distance and noise become a problem, your hearing aid on it’s own will not be able to fully solve all of your challenges. There is no doubt that a hearing aid will make a massive difference to your quality of hearing, but, as above, will not be a total solution. The utilisation of an Assistive Listening Device (ALD) will help to overcome this problem. Phonak’s Roger range of accessories include devices suitable for social interactions, business meetings, sports scenarios, and one to one conversations, with many being multi-functional. We are confident here at Steven Hale Hearing that we could match you with the correct ALD to address this issue.”
Question:
“What is this ‘Roger™’ that you keep mentioning?”
Answer:
“Roger™ is a range of products from Phonak – the highly technical hearing solution providers – revolving around a complex directional and adaptive microphone which wirelessly links to your hearing aids**. For example, this means that when you are sitting in your favourite restaurant with family and friends, you can pop the Table Mic II into the middle of the table and it will instantly focus on the voices of the people around the table, putting an almost invisible force field around YOUR table, thereby reducing the background noise of everyone else in the vicinity. Also, rather than you struggling to hear your friend who is sitting eight feet away, the device will pick up their voice and send it directly into your ears. Another device from Roger can enhance a face-to-face conversation, perhaps with you struggling to hear your partner. In this instance, simply clip the Roger onto their blouse or shirt and it will suddenly sound like they are speaking directly into your ears. You need never miss another word of date night ever again! You can also use Roger in “interview” mode, whereby if, for example, you were standing at a bar, you would discreetly point it in the direction you need to hear. As an added bonus when you pop this device into it’s charging cradle, it can be connected to your TV and send the sounds directly into your ears – no more subtitles or wall rattling volume levels needed!”
In summary:
“We hope this short article has proved helpful to you. Please remember that more details can be found on our website but also, don’t hesitate to contact us because we really are here to hear”.
*Product specific, check with us to see if your aids are able to connect to Roger.
**Just because superb technology is incorporated within Roger does not mean you have to be a technical wizard to use them – they are super simple to set up, adjust and enjoy.
