FM TECHNOLOGY
Even with the latest generation hearing instruments, speech intelligibility can be severely impaired in noisy listening situations. The ultimate solution is a wireless communication or FM system. FM technology when added to hearing aids can provide dramatic improvement in the ability to hear in noisy surroundings.
Columbia Hearing Centers, in partnership with Phonak is proud to announce the opening of our Wireless Technology Center (WiTC). Phonak is the recognized industry leader in FM technology. Our FM specialist has the training and expertise to guide you to the FM solution that’s best for you. Our technology center is equipped with all of Phonak’s FM products. The entire Phonak FM product line is available for purchase at Columbia Hearing Centers. No cost demonstrations of this wonderful technology are also available exclusively at our main office, located at 217 W Cataldo.
What is a wireless communication system (FM)?
Wireless communication technology is very common today for a multitude of applications and situations all over the world, whenever communication is in the focus of interest. Other examples of the use of wireless communication technology are:
- Cable free telephones
- Walky-talkies
- Baby monitoring systems
A wireless communication system (FM system) for hearing instrument users works on the same principle. It consists of a transmitter, which picks up the voice from the speaker and sends it via radio waves, wirelessly, directly to the tiny radio (FM) receiver, which is connected to the personal hearing instrument.
Why wireless communication is important
Even with the best hearing instruments, most hearing-impaired people notice that they have difficulty hearing in certain situations such as using a telephone, watching television, during a business meeting, or in a restaurant. Using a wireless communication system (FM system) makes communication in all these difficult situations much easier.
Phonak: Industry leader in wireless communication systems
Phonak celebrates the 10th anniversary of MicroLink. The launch of MicroLink in 1996 was a milestone in the history of hearing health care technology. During the last decade, Phonak has offered many new wireless products and services. Hundreds of thousands of patients have benefited from wireless “links” to their teachers, colleagues or loved ones. Wireless technology is the best approach to improve speech understanding in noise, which is the number one desire of adult hearing instrument users.
Having been active for more than 10 years in the field of miniaturized FM systems, Phonak has accumulated an impressive amount of experience in this field, which remains largely unmatched in the hearing health care industry. Phonak offers a wide choice of transmitters and receivers to meet the demands of different hearing impaired clients - children and adults. Fitting wireless products is getting more and more standard practice in hearing health care. It is Phonak’s clear mission to share its knowledge and experience with hearing care professionals. Dedicated phone support, fast and regular access to local FM experts, FM-seminars, preventive maintenance programs and fast repair services are offered in many countries.
Applications
Phonak wireless communication systems (FM) combined with your hearing instruments let you benefit in all the situations where you have difficulties understanding with your hearing instruments alone.
- Dialog
At home, in a busy street, at the shopping center, or in a restaurant.
- Group conversations
At a family get-together, in a very noisy restaurant, at business meetings or conferences.
- Making telephone calls
Phonak wireless systems provide access to all capabilities of modern telecommunication devices.
- Watching TV and listening to music
Phonak wireless systems provide access to the entire spectrum of today's information and entertainment technologies.
- Schools and further education
In classes at schools and universities, on outings and excursions, in lectures, or on museum tours.
- Transportation
In cars, trains, trams and buses.
- Sports of all kinds
When cycling, playing golf, skiing, jogging or hiking.
- Events
At the theater, in concerts, at the movies, in church services, or at community meetings.
Transmitters
Phonak has developed a versatile range of FM transmitters, combining user-friendliness with optimum signal-to-noise ratio for improved speech understanding.
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SmartLink offers access to the communication possibilities of business life – Bluetooth link for mobile phones, hearing instrument remote control, advanced FM functionality, etc. Campus S is the best solution for schools and educational settings thanks to its FM channel selection. HandyMic is a universal transmitter with directional/omnidirectional microphone. TelCom provides convenient access to telephone, TV, radio, and other audio sources.
SmartLink: The new benchmark in wireless communication
SmartLink is the first communication device to incorporate three solutions in one instrument
- Advanced FM features
- Hearing instrument remote control
- Bluetooth link for mobile phone use
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Today’s fast-moving world presents many communication challenges to people with hearing loss. These include understanding speech over distance and conversing in noisy, echo-filled rooms. They also extend to the effective use of modern communication tools such as mobile phones and video-conferencing.
SmartLink is a communication gateway to all situations where understanding perfectly, all of the time, is key. This unique innovation, SmartLink, meets the needs of people with hearing loss, allowing them to communicate effectively in all environments and to take full advantage of all the communication tools available today.
- Smart input
The gateway to communication
- Smart signal processing
For the first time in the industry, SmartLink combines all of the verified advantages of digital signal processing strategies with the Phonak proven miniaturized MicroLink technology.
- Smart calling
Integrated Bluetooth technology in SmartLink enables a bi-directional digital link between wearers’ hearing instruments and their Bluetooth mobile phones.
- Smart connections to all audio sources
Any external audio input or external microphone signal can be transmitted wirelessly via SmartLink to the hearing instrument, simply by attaching to the smart interface.
- Smart output
The heartbeat of communication
- Smart control
The remote control enables discrete control of all the hearing instrument’s functions – from program selection and volume control to full FM-control.
- Smart digital synthesizer technology
Wireless communication systems (FM systems) can now be used in one location without interference, due to user frequency management, powered by the unique Phonak digital synthesizer technology.
- Smart FM transmission
The proven Phonak wireless technology clearly transmits all incoming auditory signals from SmartLink to the receiver attached to the user’s hearing instrument.
ZoomLink
ZoomLink is a new high-quality entry-level FM transmitter. ZoomLink features three different microphone modes: Omni, Zoom and SuperZoom2 for an optimal reception angle in all listening situations. ZoomLink is very easy to use and compatible with all Phonak receivers. ZoomLink will be available worldwide approximately November 2006. A special bundle of a ZoomLink transmitter and the easy, affordable and universal MyLink receiver will also be available.
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EasyLink
The new EasyLink was specially developed as the ideal companion transmitter for iLink. EasyLink is a new remote microphone and FM transmitter with just one button. EasyLink overcomes the barriers that often stand in the way of prescribing FM. With one-button operation the entire system is also extremely easy to use. Thanks to the finely tuned internal microphone and advanced beamforming technology, nothing stands in the way of the clearest sound experience.
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Receivers
Phonak FM receivers are distinguished by their miniaturization, compatibility and flexibility. These FM receivers are not only compatible with Phonak hearing instruments, but also with hearing instruments of many other manufacturers. The frequency compatibility of the receivers with future Phonak wireless solutions is guaranteed. The state-of-the-art multi-frequency FM receivers with synthesizer technology focus on flexibility. They can be synchronized wirelessly to the transmitter frequency with Campus SX, EasyLink, SmartLink SX or WallPilot.
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MyLink; receiver with neck-loop
MyLink offers an outstanding entry level wireless solution because one MyLink can serve two hearing instruments! MyLink is an FM receiver with neck-loop which allows to wear it visibly around the neck, or completely invisible under clothing. MyLink can be used with any hearing instrument that has a T-coil and it is compatible with all Phonak transmitters: Easylink, SmartLink, TelCom and Campus SX.
Any hearing instrument user who wants to hear better in noisy situations can enjoy MyLink.
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When headphones are connected, MyLink becomes a wireless headset for people with normal hearing. Museum tours, zoos and other public places are some examples of useful applications. MyLink: Easy. Universal. Affordable.
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MicroMLxS for BTE users
MicroMLxS is the smallest universal multi-frequency FM receiver in the world! This incredible shrinking of 50% compared to the MLxS is possible due to a new revolutionary Phonak invention: the ‘isotropic magnetic antenna’. This antenna picks up the electromagnetic waves from the FM transmitter from all directions. The signal is then sent on to the hearing instrument and delivered to the ear.
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MLxS for BTE users
MLxS is the most popular universal miniaturized mulit-frequency FM receiver in the world! The MLxS has a standardized Euro connector that makes it compatible with both Phonak hearing instruments and BTEs from other manufacturers.
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ML9S for BTE users
ML9S is a very attractive design-integrated multi-frequency FM receiver. It is compatible with Savia, Eleva and eXtra BTE hearing instruments from Phonak. It offers all features of MLxS and MicroMLxS.
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ML8S for BTE users
ML8S is another design-integrated multi-frequency FM receiver. The ML8S fits neatly onto the BTE instruments of the Perseo and Claro hearing instrument lines.
Page content and product photos courtesy of Phonak
For more information, click here.
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