Minneapolis, April 15, 2010 - Starkey Laboratories, Inc, one of the world's leading hearing technology companies, is excited to introduce S Series™ iQ, featuring Voice iQ, a new noise reduction and speech preservation system. Developed over three years at the Starkey Hearing Research Center in Berkeley, Calif., Voice iQ is noise reducing technology so fast and smart it reduces noise between syllables of speech - overcoming one of the most common complaints of hearing aid wearers.
"Voice iQ truly takes hearing aid technology to a new level," said Jerry Ruzicka, President of Starkey. "We have spent three years developing a way to address speech understanding in noise and S Series iQ does it better than any other technology out there. We are doing for the problem of hearing in noise what we have already done to eliminate feedback."
Voice iQ uses a two-part algorithm - dynamic voice identification paired with a spectral noise control that calculates appropriate gain on a per channel basis. The result is unprecedented sound quality, ease of listening and intelligibility of speech in noise. Coupled with InVision Directionality, which boasts the highest diffuse field DI scores and lowest operational noise floor available, Voice iQ is proven to preserve speech understanding in noise. The system classifies inputs every six milliseconds and adapts every 20 milliseconds, to diminish noise between syllables.
S Series iQ has also been proven to reduce listening effort. During clinical trials, experienced users found a significant improvement in their ability to communicate with greatly reduced cognitive fatigue compared to their own hearing aids.
S Series iQ is available in all hearing aid styles including the new mini featuring Sweep™ Technology. Sweep Technology gives patients the ability to change the volume and memory settings on their hearing aids with the simple sweep or touch of a finger. The device boasts 60dB of maximum gain making it the most powerful mini behind-the-ear (BTE) with a 312 battery. Inspired by the same award-winning language as our BTE and receiver-in-canal (RIC), mini can be fit with standard earmolds or open with thin tubing. In addition, as with all of Starkey's standard products, mini includes Advanced HydraShield®, a proprietary moisture and corrosion protection system, as well as T2 Remote, giving patients the ability to adjust hearing aid volume or memories with a touch-tone phone.
S Series iQ instruments include a number of industry-leading features, including:
- PureWave Feedback Eliminator, the best feedback canceller available, features up to 25dB of added stable gain and a faster response to more complex feedback.
- Sweep Technology on the BTE and mini offer patients a simple, smart way to change volume and settings on their hearing aids. Patients in clinical trials overwhelmingly preferred Sweep Technology to traditional controls.
- Drawing on information captured from fitting millions of ears, Starkey's Comfort Fit process guarantees a perfect custom hearing aid fit. The process combined with open vent options and industry-leading feedback cancellation delivers custom products that provide superior performance and comfort.
- T2 Remote allows patients to control their hearing aids using any cell or touch-tone phone, avoiding the need to carry additional hardware.
- Live Real Ear Measurement allows a hearing professional to see the hearing aid output in a patient's ear in real-ear SPL, allowing for the most precise fitting the first time.
- Starkey's S Series iQ line was designed for optimal patient acceptance, featuring the award-winning design language of the S Series RIC and BTE.
- S Series iQ offers the broadest RIC family available, with receivers ranging from 40 gain to the 71 gain Absolute Power (AP), making the discreet style, design and comfort of a RIC available for any hearing loss.
Practitioners can now provide the benefits of telehealth and elevate their interaction with patients through Starkey's On Demand options. T2 On Demand allows a hearing care professional to make common, standard adjustments to a patient's hearing aids over the phone. Using touch-tone (DTMF) response to unlock and adjust the aids remotely is convenient for the patient and allows the provider to have more control. In addition, Starkey continues to offer Audiology On Demand, immediate, real-time assistance during difficult fittings. Part of Starkey's Inspire® software, Audiology On Demand gives a provider instant access to a Starkey professional who can remotely connect to the fitting computer to provide suggestions and guidance - ultimately ensuring a successful fitting.
About Starkey®
Starkey Laboratories, Inc. is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minn. The company is recognized for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Founded in 1967, Starkey employs over 3,500 people, operates 22 facilities and conducts business in over 100 markets worldwide. For more information, visit www.starkeypro.com or the Starkey Web Channel on Audiology Online.
