Question
What are the benefits of 2nd generation Unite wireless accessories?
Answer
ReSound’s second generation wireless accessories include the Unite Phone Clip+, Unite Remote Control 2 and Unite TV Streamer 2.
The Phone Clip+ has the same core benefit as the first generation Phone Clip; that it via wireless communication with a Bluetooth phone enables the user to hear the phone conversation directly in both hearing aids.
The Phone Clip + has a completely new design with an improved user interface. First of all, the pairing process has become easier with dedicated pairing buttons for Bluetooth phone pairing and pairing to the hearing aids. With two microphones it offers improved S/N ratio and improved sound quality during normal use, both for the user of the Phone Clip+ as well as the person on the other end of the call. The stability of the connection is moreover improved avoiding drop-outs when the user turns his head . The Phone Clip+ has several new buttons adding new functionality: An on/off button, a multifunctional button for incoming and outbound calls, a volume control that controls the level of the streamed audio signal when a call is active and functions like a Remote Control volume control when a call is not active. Two new buttons are the Mute button and the hearing aid Program Change button. Pressing the mute button will mute the hearing aid microphones, thereby turning off the surroundings for better hearing while on the phone. The hearing aid Program Change button changes the current listening program in the hearing aids. Finally the clip design has been improved to be stronger than its predecessor. The Phone Clip+ can still be clipped on or worn around the neck.
The Remote Control has shown to be well-suited to users who prefer to be able to discreetly operate theirs hearing aids or have problems with dexterity.
The Remote Control 2 has an updated design including improved and new functionality. In terms of improved functionality, there is a better wireless link between the Remote Control 2 and the hearing aids to avoid losing connection to the hearing aids, a mechanical on/off switch, an improved display that is more scratch resistant, and longer display back-lit time. The remote Control 2 also has a new button design for improved usability and a Mute button that will mute the hearing instrument microphones. This might be desired when listening to another sound source, such as streaming from the TV. The Remote Control 2 also now has a rechargeable battery just like the other accessories offered by ReSound. The display is larger with higher contrast and colours. Some end-users would like to be able to adjust both the hearing aid microphone level and the streaming level when in streaming mode and this functionality is now added with a new balance mode that can be used to adjust the hearing aid microphones and the streamed signal individually while streaming. A battery capacity indicator for both the hearing instruments as well as the Remote Control 2 is also added.
The TV Streamer 2 core benefit continues to be to offer direct audio streaming to the hearing aids from a TV, PC, stereo, etc. with at least 7 meters’ range. It comes with both improved as well as updated functionality. Improvements include a 3.5 mm stereo jack connector for receiving analogue audio signals substituting existing phono connectors and a micro-USB connector for power and for firmware updates.
Experience with the original TV streamer showed that TV sets increasingly do not offer analogue audio output. The TV Streamer 2 therefore now offers connectors for receiving digital audio signals (optical and coax). Moreover, a built-in Dolby Digital™ decoder eliminates the need for special adaptors to handle signals in this format. It was also learned that auxiliary equipment, like surround sound systems and set-top boxes, sometimes introduce a delay to the system. A new adjustable delay control is added to allow the user to manually adjust for any delay between the audio and picture. Finally the design of the TV Streamer 2 is new; it is smaller and with integrated stand for better usability during set up.
For more information about ReSound, visit www.gnresound.com or the ReSound Expo Page on AudiologyOnline.