What is the Impact of SpeechSensor in Phonak Audéo™ Lumity?

Question

Answer

Social interactions are strong contributors to our social-emotional well-being. In these situations, conversations do not always happen from the front, so it’s important to be able to identify from which direction speech is coming. Having more access to sound not only provides clarity, but reduces listening effort.¹²³

Phonak Lumity features SpeechSensor, an algorithm that detects the direction from which the main speech signal is coming. This information is sent to AutoSense OS 5.0, which automatically adjusts the directional microphone mode depending on if speech is coming from left, right or behind.

The real-life benefit means your patients can understand speech 15% better when speech is from the side/rear, in addition to 11% reduced listening effort.*4

Image your patient is at a busy restaurant, enjoying a hot bowl of soup with friends. Her head is bent down over the bowl, but the story coming from the friend to the right is getting good! SpeechSensor will detect the friend speaking to the right and AutoSense OS will adjust the beamformer to allow your patient to hear all the details while their soup stays hot.

For more information on Phonak Lumity and SpeechSensor, click here.

Resources

*Compared to fixed directional and for moderate to severe hearing loss.

1. Hornsby, B.W.Y. (2013). The effects of hearing aid use on listening effort and mental fatigue associated with sustained speech processing demands. Ear and Hearing, 34(5), 523–534. https://doi.org/10.1097/AUD.0b013e31828003d8.
2.  Picou, E.M., Ricketts, T.A., & Hornsby, B.W.Y. (2013). How hearing aids, background noise, and visual cues influence objective listening effort. Ear and Hearing, 34(5), e52– e64. https://doi.org/10.1097/AUD.0b013e31827f0431.
3.  Pichora-Fuller, M.K., & Singh, G. (2006). Effects of Age on Auditory and Cognitive Processing: Implications for Hearing Aid Fitting and Audiologic Rehabilitation. Trends in Amplification, 10(1), 29–59. https://doi.org/10.1177/108471380601000103.
4. Woodward, J. and Latzel, M. (2022) New implementation of directional beamforming configurations show improved speech understanding and reduced listening effort. Phonak Field Study News in preparation. Expected end of 2022.