Vice President Audiology & Professional Relations, Oticon
Somerset, New Jersey
Topic: Oticon's Syncro 2
Beck: Hi Don. Thanks for joining me today.
Schum: Hi Doug. Thanks for the opportunity.
Beck: Don, I know you only have a few moments...I'd like to really focus in on the attributes of the new Syncro 2. How is it different from the original Syncro?
Schum: The Syncro 2 is the most advanced hearing product in our line-up. The Syncro 2 has the same core signal processing as the Syncro. However we've added three brand new specific functionalities. The Syncro Activity Analyzer, the Automatic Adaptation Manager, and an increased fitting range.
Beck: Very good...let's tackle one at a time. Please tell me about the Activity Analyzer?
Schum: The Syncro Activity Analyzer is an Advanced Data Logging system which monitors the many aspects of how the product is used by the patient, and how the product is responding to the changing acoustic environment. This feature provides the professional with a readout of the real use and history. For example, it might tell us that the directional microphones were active, and which directional setting was used, and the percentage of time they were used. Likewise, the same Activity Analyzer can track sound levels, noise presence and reduction, wear time and other features too. This is a much more detailed data logging than what has been previously available, and so it provides more information for the professional, to better program the instrument specific to the patient's needs.
Beck: Excellent Don. Please tell me about the Automatic Adaptation Manager?
Schum: This is another feature that really helps to tailor the circuit to the patient's needs and desires. We introduced this concept almost a decade ago, as a three-step process in which the circuit is changed over time, in three steps, as the patient adapts to amplification. The previous adaptation manager allows the patient to slowly and steadily adapt to amplification. In the Syncro 2, we're better able to provide this adaptation to the patient by automating the process, and allowing the professional to set the beginning step, the number of days for adaptation, and then the final setting...so the transition is essentially effortless. We believe the one-on-one, face-to-face office visits, particularly in the early days while the patient is learning to use the instrument, and throughout their aural rehabilitation program is very important...and this feature does not replace that...Rather, this feature allows the patient and the professional to plan and implement a rehabilitation strategy to enhance the adaptation period.
Beck: Very good. In addition to planning and implementing the AR program, the patient and the professional will also be able to spend more time interacting during follow-up visits, and less time "programming and reprogramming"
Schum: Yes -- that would be great. Nothing replaces the one-on-one relationship
between the professional and the patient, and it would be great if we could all do less fine-tuning and spend more time counseling.
Beck: Agreed. Is the Syncro 2 available in a directional In-The-Canal (ITC) model?
Schum: Yes, that's correct.
Beck: And what was the third new feature of the Syncro 2?
Schum: We've introduced the Syncro 2 Power BTE, with a 13 battery and with all the Syncro 2 features and processing. The Syncro 2 Power is available for patients with severe hearing loss, and we use a modified and more sensible gain and compression protocol for this degree of hearing loss. We also modified the noise reduction and directionality characteristics too - again, to make the instrument more reasonable for severe hearing loss.
Beck: Don...thanks very much for your time and the update on the Syncro 2.
Schum: Thanks Doug. Nice to chat with you, again.
--------------
For more information, log on to www.oticonusa.com.
