Audibel, Bernafon, MicroTech, NuEar, Omni, Oticon, Phonic Ear, Qualitone and Starkey introduce a new Wireless Personal Communication system for the hearing impaired community.
Nine independent leaders in the hearing healthcare field - Audibel, Bernafon, MicroTech, NuEar, Omni, Oticon, Phonic Ear, Qualitone and Starkey - are collaborating to introduce Lexis, an advanced wireless system that helps overcome the barriers of noise and distance. Lexis will be distributed and supported worldwide by all nine companies.
Lexis consists of a handheld digital microphone/transmitter and a small ear level receiver which attaches directly to a hearing instrument. The extreme directionality offered by the Lexis transmitter gives hearing impaired users the ability to participate in conversations in noisy situations far more effectively than with hearing instruments alone. Where there is a problem caused by the distance between the speaker and the listener, such as in a meeting or a classroom, Lexis can be used as a cosmetically appealing and highly flexible FM system. It can also give the user the ability to interface wirelessly with other audio inputs such as television, stereo and a computer.
A system so effective that nine companies are proud to put their names on it. Lexis is a step ahead of traditional body-worn FM technologies which have mainly been used in the educational environment. It is attractive, wireless, ergonomic and compact.
The 4 microphone, digital beam forming array in the transmitter gives an unprecedented directionality level of 8.5 AI-DI Articulation Index - Weighted Directivity Index. This makes it a far more effective noise reduction system than either a directional hearing aid or traditional FM system.
Now users can translate the benefits of the enhanced signal to noise ratio, from the educational environment into an active social life as well.
It has long been known that FM technology can improve speech understanding in listening environments impacted by noise and reverberation. Research has also indicated that wireless communication systems combined with power hearing instruments increase product satisfaction for hearing aid users who suffer from noise related problems in professional, recreational, social as well as educational situations. Lexis is built on a vision to make a positive change in the way hearing impaired people interact with friends, family and the environment.
With Lexis, hearing healthcare professionals have the opportunity to expand their level of patient care and product offering. The benefits of wireless technology have also been found to include decreased patient return rates. Lexis is compatible with most BTEs via an FM/DAI shoe and is compatible with other FM systems operating on the same transmission/receiver frequencies. (i.e., Solaris, Microlink).
To learn more about this exciting new wireless solution and how it can benefit hearing aid users, Audibel, Bernafon, MicroTech, NuEar, Omni, Oticon, Phonic Ear, Qualitone and Starkey invite hearing healthcare professionals to a special Lexis technology display at the 2003 American Academy of Audiology convention in San Antonio, Texas April 2 - 5, Booth # 1134.
For more details from the individual companies please contact:
Bernafon, Pascal Gauch, pg@bernafon.ch, +41 31 998 15 23
Oticon, Heine Andersen, han@oticon.dk, +45 39 17 71 00 ext. 8624
Phonic Ear, Johnnie Sexton, jes@phonicear.com, +1 800 227 0735 ext. 280
Starkey, Jessica Kelley, Jessica_kelley@starkey.com, +1 800 328 8602
Starkey Laboratories, Inc. headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota is a worldwide provider of comprehensive hearing systems, including custom and standard devices, protection products, instrumentation, and unique business solutions. Founded in 1967, Starkey owns and operates manufacturing and sales facilities in 21 countries, including the Audibel, MicroTech, NuEar, Omni Hearing Systems and Qualitone companies. Starkey is the recognized world leader in the design and development of innovative custom hearing instruments.
William Demant Holding A/S - listed at the Copenhagen Stock Exchange (WIDE.CO) - is a group of international companies that develops, manufactures and sells innovative and highly advanced technological solutions in the hearing healthcare field. The group includes Bernafon, Oticon and Phonic Ear. Founded in 1904 as a Danish hearing aid company, the group today consists of international businesses within hearing instruments, diagnostic instruments and personal communications.
