Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 6, 2006 - Siemens Hearing Instruments today introduced CENTRA™, a new hearing system equipped with new "wearer-centered" technologies: transient noise reduction, trainable volume control and wireless synchronization. CENTRA's SoundSmoothing™ suppresses impulsive non-speech sounds that traditional noise reduction and speech enhancement systems cannot effectively process. The system's DataLearning™ technology learns the wearer's loudness preferences and adjusts automatically in real-world listening situations. CENTRA also offers e2e wireless™ (ear-to-ear) which couples signal processing to enable precise localization. CENTRA and other innovations from Siemens were shown at the AudiologyNOW convention from April 6 - 8, in Minneapolis, MN.
"A major problem with today's noise reduction systems is that they do not classify transient sounds - rustling papers and clanging utensils - as actual noise, yet wearers find these noises extremely annoying," explains Thomas Powers, PhD, Chief Research Officer for Siemens Hearing Instruments. "We designed SoundSmoothing for CENTRA to specifically reduce annoying transient noise signals without affecting speech so patients could experience true natural and comfortable sound quality."
SoundSmoothing
A new feature of the Siemens sound processing system, SoundSmoothing is the first and only sound suppression system that reduces annoying impulsive non-speech sounds, while leaving speech signals intact. It smoothes sounds like rustling paper, clanging dishes, breaking glass, and even high heels click-clacking on a hard floor. Traditional noise reduction algorithms cannot provide the wearers relief from transient noise because these sounds are not recognized as noise by the digital classification system. SoundSmoothing uses envelope slope adjustment to specifically address the problem of these abrupt annoying environmental noises.
DataLearning
This proprietary technology not only records information, it also incorporates an on-board learning system that automatically fine-tunes itself based on the wearer's volume preferences for different listening environments. Adjustments are made by the system — without extra effort for the Hearing Care Professional. And since all adjustments are logged, professionals can use the data when counseling patients or making additional manual programming refinements.
e2e wireless
With traditional hearing instruments, wearer adjustment on controls between left and right instruments can be significantly different, hindering performance. e2e wireless couples signal processing to ensure that both left and right instruments transition between omni-directional and directional microphone modes automatically and simultaneously and that volume level and listening programs are always in sync.
More Wearer-Centered Solutions
CENTRA's wearer-centered philosophy is also shown through its integration of the most advanced and automated features available, requiring little or no wearer intervention.
- Siemens next generation of directional microphone technology, both two and three microphone systems, incorporates an improved directivity index, automatic situation detection and corresponding algorithm switching, and a multi-channel adaptive directionality pattern.
- The Feedback Cancellation System employs a new algorithm, Adaptive Speed Control, which automatically selects the optimal adaptation speed to eliminate or reduce feedback while avoiding any processing artifacts. With the CENTRA Feedback System, Professionals no longer have to make programming compromises to address feedback or possible artifacts.
- eWindscreen™ detects even low wind conditions and adapts automatically, reducing the annoyance of wind interference so wearers can enjoy outdoor activities.
- A new expanded range of Power BTE (Behind-the-Ear) models with directional microphones offer optimized directivity in low noise, max directivity in high noise, and high acoustic stability.
- The first open-fit Life system with a directional microphone system, CENTRA Life, automatically transitions between omni-directional and directional microphone mode, as appropriate, for unsurpassed directivity in any given environment.
- A new generation of wax proofing technology, the C-Guard option for custom instruments effectively seals the receiver with a membrane-like barrier to protect from cerumen and moisture — without affecting the hearing instrument response.
- CENTRA BTEs also feature nanocoated housings, a new innovation that repels water, sweat and other adherents to prevent corrosion and enhance longterm reliability.
To assist Professionals with the challenging task of counseling patients and their families, Siemens developed a CENTRA Demonstration Tool, available in CONNEXX 5 fitting software. This tool explains in patient-friendly terms and comprehensive pictures the main benefits of CENTRA. It can easily be accessed and delivers a professional yet patient-oriented appeal. Short sound examples and visual animations help to explain the features and advantages of advanced hearing instrument technology. The Demonstration Tool covers the following features:
- SoundSmoothing, Speech and Noise Management
- DataLearning's Learning Volume Control
- e2e wireless
- Feedback cancellation
- Directional microphone system
Siemens Hearing Instruments, part of Siemens Medical Solutions, is one of the leading manufacturers of hearing aids in the United States. Headquartered in Piscataway, New Jersey, the Company offers a range of innovative products, solutions and services to Hearing Care Professionals across the United States. Among its innovative products, the Company designs and manufactures a variety of digital hearing aids in all styles to improve the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss.
Visit www.usa.siemens.com/hearing for more information.
