SOMERSET, NJ - Oticon, one of the world's leading manufacturers of hearing instruments, today launched DigiFocus II Direct, a new directional instrument that provides superior speech intelligibility, even in the most difficult listening situations. DigiFocus II Direct combines state-of-the-art directionality with easy fitting and direct user control. The result is an increase in speech intelligibility in noisy situations from 35% to 85% in the Directional program for a typical moderate hearing loss.
New standard in microphone matching
Superior speech intelligibility depends, to a great extent, on a hearing instrument's ability to ''clean'' the incoming signal of noise prior to onward processing. The quality and match of an instrument's microphone system determines the degree to which the signal can be cleansed successfully. Oticon has worked closely with Knowles Electronics, the world's largest manufacturer of hearing aid microphones, to set new standards in microphone matching and has implemented that new system in DigiFocus II Direct.
Clean, shape, sharpen
After cleaning, DigiFocus II Direct uses the two proprietary rationales - ASA2 and SKI - to shape and sharpen the signal. The flexibility of the instrument's 7-band frequency shaping precisely matches the newly cleaned signal to the user's individual audiometric profile, achieving optimum audibility across the frequencies.
To sharpen the speech signal, DigiFocus Direct processes the vowels and consonants on two separate channels. The low frequency channel prevents the vowels from becoming loud enough to cause upward spread of masking. The high frequency channel increases the audibility of the high-frequency consonants.
Easy fitting - high flexibility
DigiFocus II Direct follows the same familiar fitting process as DigiFocus II, but with the addition of two independent programs - Omni-directional and Directional. Adjusting these programs is easy using the new Direct Link function in the OtiSet fitting software. When activated, this link enables dispensers to adjust both programs simultaneously. If individual fine-tuning is necessary, a single click of the mouse is all that is required to deactivate the Direct Link function. DigiFocus II Direct can be fitted via OtiSet or by using the hand-held programmer, EasyFit 2.
Direct user control
To cater to the specific needs and preferences of hearing impaired individuals, DigiFocus II Direct offers its users the freedom to activate the Directional program only in situations where it is really needed. This enables users to choose to focus on speech whenever background noise threatens to become a barrier to better communication.
Digifocus II Direct's new Environmental Protection System works by shielding the microphone functionality from moisture, dirt and dust as well as wind noise. In the Compact version of DigiFocus II Direct an aerodynamic hood covers the rear microphone. In the ITE model, to be released at the end of this year, the microphone is completely covered by a specially designed protection grid.
DigiFocus II Direct completes the DigiFocus II family of products, which have been designed to satisfy the full range of needs and expectations of people with hearing loss.
Established in 1904, Oticon is one of the world's most experienced hearing aid manufacturers. A pioneer in digital technology, the company introduced the first ear-level fully digital hearing instrument in 1996. Oticon, Inc. is committed to improving the quality of life for those with hearing loss, through research, technological advancement and a focus on patient requirements.
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Oticon's DigiFocus II Direct Sets New Standard in Improved Speech Understanding
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