Selecting ReSound Alera Directionality

Question

Answer

There are five directional options offered in the ReSound Alera. All are based on the Surround Sound Processor and are designed to be fitted according to the hearing instrument wearer's needs. These options include omnidirectional, fixed directionality, MultiScope Adaptive Directionality with AutoScope, SoftSwitching Adaptive Directionality and Natural Directionality II.

Omnidirectional settings are best for quiet situations, and may be useful in Music and Traffic programs. Fixed directionality may be useful for noisy situations, or for patients who prefer a more traditional directional approach. MultiScope Adaptive Directionality selects omnidirectional and directional responses based on the intensity and direction of the noise. Beamwidths for the directional response include narrow, medium and wide, and with the option of AutoScope, can be automatically selected based on the characteristics of the listening situation. For clients who may not care to manually switch programs but who may benefit from directionality, SoftSwitching Adaptive Directionality slowly transitions between omnidirectional and directional settings based on an analysis of the acoustic environment.

Natural Directionality II maximizes environmental awareness by combining the benefits of the Surround Sound Processor with asymmetrical directional processing. An omnidirectional pattern is applied to one ear, termed the "Monitor" ear, and a fixed hypercardioid directional pattern is selected for the other ear, termed the "Focus" ear. The Focus and Monitor ears are automatically designated through the Focus Ear Calculator in the Aventa3 software. Asymmetric directionality offers improved ease of listening and awareness of surroundings as compared to bilateral directional fittings without degrading directional benefit (Cord, Walden, Surr & Dittberner, 2007;Bentler, Egge, Tubbs, Dittberner & Flamme, 2004) due to the availability of environmental sound inputs from the monitor ear. Further, Natural Directionality II synchronizes the processing delay on both ears in order to preserve important localization cues. This unique fitting strategy represents the best solution for clients seeking improved hearing in noisy situations without losing the ability to monitor the listening environment.

The ReSound Alera offers this wide array of directional options to allow for the most personalized fitting for the individual hearing instrument user. Whether the user's lifestyle would be best accommodated with symmetric or asymmetric fitting, or with fixed or adaptive directionality, the optimal selection is easily accessed through the fitting software. Together with the personalized directional mix, ReSound's directional options promote individualized, effective fittings to optimize speech understanding and environmental awareness.

References

Cord, M.T.;Walden, B.E.;Surr, R.K.;Dittberner, A.B. (2007). Field evaluation of an asymmetric directional microphone fitting. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 18(3), 245 - 256.

Bentler, R.A.;Egge, J.L.M.;Tubbs, J.L.;Dittberner, A.B.;& Flamme, G.A. (2004). Quantification of directional benefit across different polar response patterns. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 15(9), 649 - 659.

For more information about ReSound, visit www.gnresound.com/ or the ReSound web channel on AudiologyOnline.

Tammara Stender, Au.D., CCC-A is a Senior Audiologist at GN ReSound, where she plans and conducts clinical trials for newly developed hearing aid technology and prepares documentation for released products. Her research interests include hearing aid benefit and satisfaction, the occlusion effect and spatial localization abilities with hearing aids. She received her Master of Science degree from Vanderbilt University, and her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Florida.