Question
What does the new Hansaton XearA platform offer to address feedback?
Answer
The feedback canceller in our previous technology is called the Active Feedback Block. Research comparing it to other systems on the market by measuring real ear insertion gain as a function of frequency has shown it to be among the best. The new feedback algorithm, which is called Feedback X, builds on the performance of the earlier version and makes it even better. There are a number of different things going on in the feedback canceller, including the introduction of an inaudible phase-modulated acoustic marker to help the digital signal processor (DSP) identify what incoming signal is feedback and what incoming signal is a desirable input. In addition to that, there is a slight frequency shift to disrupt the feedback path. The frequency shift is adaptive in this system, which is a new feature. It will be a larger or smaller frequency shift depending on the incoming signal.
One additional feature is Open X. This is specifically for open fittings that have become so popular in recent years. It adds another layer of processing to deal specifically with high-level feedback radiating directly out of an open ear canal and back to the hearing aid microphone. On top of that, there are three different levels of aggressiveness of this feedback system. We continue to make progress toward the complete obliteration of feedback in hearing aids.
To learn more about HANSATON, visit https://www.hansaton-usa.com/ or the HANSATON Expo Page on AudiologyOnline.
