Interview with Robin Donham, Au.D., Interton

Topic: Interton Scope 4 and Scope 6

Robin Donham

CAROLYN SMAKA: Today I'm speaking with Robin Donham, Au.D., who is the National Product Training Manager for Interton. Robin, nice speaking with you again. I see you've launched a new product at Interton.

ROBIN DONHAM: Thanks Carolyn, good to be here.

Yes, this fall we launched Scope, a brand-new family of devices. What makes Scope exciting is that we have been able to incorporate proven high-end technology features like split-band directionality that we call SoundScape. This is known as Surround Sound in ReSound's case, and other companies use this technology as well. We've harnessed the technology into a reasonably priced device in two different categories, Scope 4 and Scope 6, so that you can fit it at any patient's price point. At Interton, our goal is to provide excellent technology at prices that people can afford, especially in today's economy.



The other exciting feature in Scope is the Environmental Gain Tuner. We have maintained this feature from our previous generation instruments. This is another proven technology on the market that is expected from a consumer and professional point of view.

With Environmental Gain Tuner, you have different volume control settings depending on the environment that the user is in. According to Dr. Nabelek's Acceptable Noise Level (ANL) research, if people cannot accept high volumes or high noise levels, they may not accept amplification. The Environmental Gain Tuner will determine when a patient is in those loud environments and then turn down the overall gain automatically. This allows comfort in noise regardless of what program they're in. As an extension of that, the hearing aid will also automatically turn the overall volume up when soft speech is detected.

SMAKA: Can you provide more detail about SoundScape, and why split-band directionality was a feature that was important to include in Scope?

DONHAM: Sure. SoundScape mimics the effects of the pinna, the ear canal resonance, and the transfer function of the middle ear. Our ear has the natural ability to enhance high frequencies coming from the front, resulting in a higher directivity index. High frequencies and low frequencies are actually processed differently as they move around the head due to their bandwidth and the head-shadow effect. The lower, noisier frequencies are processed in an omni-directional manner by the normal ear. So they are, in essence, taken out of that directional beam providing an even better signal-to-noise ratio to the speech frequencies that come from the front. SoundScape separates those frequencies in the same way. Higher speech frequencies are processed directionally while the lower frequencies are processed omni-directionally.

SMAKA: Do Scope devices come with directionality or is it a separate option?

DONHAM: With devices from an ITC on up, space permitting, dual microphones are a standard feature.

What's also unique about Scope 6 is that you have the ability to choose the crossover frequency. So if someone has more hearing loss in the lower frequencies you might want more low frequencies processed in a directional manner. It makes it really easy to tailor the effects of amplification for any configuration of hearing loss. Scope 4 includes SoundScape but does not have the ability to change that crossover frequency.

SMAKA: What styles are available in the Scope product family?

DONHAM: The styles include CIC to power BTE. There are four BTE options: standard, power, receiver-in-the-canal and a mini BTE. The receiver-in-the-canal has a telecoil and multi-programs with the learning volume control option. It also has a high-power gain receiver option, all in a tiny device. The mini BTE has a 312 battery with multi-programs and dual mics, and does not include a volume control. The standard and power BTEs have a 13 battery.



Interton Scope styles

We're also one of the only companies to offer compatibility with Bluetooth via a telecoil. You can use the Beetle option with hearing aids that have a telecoil, even if those aids were fitted five years ago. The Beetle is available as a ReSound product, and is compatible with the Interton family as well.

You can couple the telecoil to the Beetle, and the Beetle will communicate with Bluetooth-compatible devices such as phones, TV, computers, etc. This is great for patients who want the convenience of up-to-date wireless connectivity, even those who may be using older hearing aids.



Beetle Wireless Communication Device

SMAKA: What is some of the feedback you've gotten about Scope from hearing professionals?

DONHAM: You know, some of the features that people have grown to love about Interton are things like our processor, how natural the devices sound and how we handle noise. Of course, with Scope's SoundScape and directionality options we are doing an even better job with noise than ever before.

We are still using logarithmic WDRC for processing in these devices. It's based on frequency warping and it is a very, very fast processor. Our bands are overlapping so that the center frequency is exactly replicating the important speech frequencies in the cochlea.

SMAKA: I liked the videos on your website with recorded sound samples that you could hear processed through SoundScape.

DONHAM: Yes. I think they are extremely effective. I always encourage any professional that I'm training to use those as tools to better understand the technology and also for patient education and counseling. There are three different videos available on the Interton site as well at www.interton.com/professionals/products/scope/Scope6.aspx The SoundScape video lets you hear the difference in "tunnel hearing," as I've come to call it, versus full SoundScape directionality mode.

The videos demonstrate how the algorithm takes the noise out of the predominant speech signal so you end up with this, full, rich sound quality.

SMAKA: Robin, can you talk about Interton as a company before we wrap up today?

DONHAM: Sure. Interton is a small, intimate company. We don't have huge sales teams like other companies do, so we don't have people coming to your office or to your area every three or four weeks like other companies do. And that's the reason why some people may not be as familiar with Interton. It's not because we don't have excellent technology or quality;it's because we're a smaller company with a lot less overhead.

This is the reason why we're able to give a better price point for our products. The technology in Interton's hearing instruments is excellent as we've talked about today with Scope's proven technology. But we have fewer people to get out there and to talk about it. And I guess that's how we like it.

SMAKA: Where can people go for training on Scope?

DONHAM: We've got several courses coming up on AudiologyOnline, and they'll be recorded as well. Some are overviews, some go into more depth about the various features and there is an Appraise software class coming up as well. All of these courses would be extremely helpful if you just really wanted to dive into the features and understand the technology and software. Or if you're fitting ReSound right now then you're already familiar with these features, and it should be pretty intuitive as far as fitting Scope. It's an exciting time right now and we have a lot to offer.

SMAKA: Thanks so much, Robin, for talking with me today about Interton and the new Scope products.

DONHAM: Thanks, Carolyn.

About Interton

Founded in Germany in 1962, Interton is today a part of one of the world's largest hearing aid organizations, the GN Group. We use their proven core technology in a way that falls in line with our own way of doing things. We believe that most people need a straightforward, functional and easy-to-use hearing solution at a fair price. So that's what we give them.

For more information about Interton, please visit www.interton.com or the Interton Web Channel on AudiologyOnline. For more information about Interton Scope, please contact your Interton sales representative or visit www.intertonscope.com/