motion detect hearing aid

Phonak has a new hearing aid that is able to adjust sound input based on your motion! When you are walking, your hearing needs are not the same as when you are sitting in a chair talking to a friend. Speech sound while walking the dog with someone or hiking on a trail present unique challenges, which are now finally addressed. It is all based on your motion read by a chip in the hearing aid that is able to change the noise cancellation and the microphone settings in the hearing aids without any assistance from the person wearing the hearing aid. It is all automatically changed.

Traditional Hearing Instruments

Hearing aids are designed to pick up sound with a microphone. The microphone converts the sound waves into electrical signals. The microphone may have the ability to switch between directional or omnidirectional function, depending on the needs of the wearer. In some situations, the microphones may switch to directional to help reduce background noise. In other environments, it is important to hear sound from all directions, so the microphone switches to omnidirectional. A hearing aid with the ability to automatically switch back and forth between directional and omnidirectional microphone pick up is important to create the most natural sound.

The electrical signal is then sent to an amplifier, also called a processor, or the computer, of the hearing aid. The job of the amplifier is to change the electrical signal from the microphone and convert it into digital sounds. This is the part of the hearing aid that the audiologist programs to respond to particular pitches and situations based on the results from hearing evaluation. After the adjustments to the sound have been completed, the amplifier converts the sound back to an analog signal.

The receiver of the hearing aid takes the sound from the processor and enhances the sound to meet the hearing loss of the wearer of the aids. Receivers are made to provide mild, moderate, power or extra power to the listener, depending on the hearing loss. The receiver converts the analog signal back into sound waves that the hearing aid wearer hears. All of these components complete this process in a fraction of a second!

The New Paradise Motion Detect Hearing Aid

Now, let’s imagine you are sitting and talking to some friends over lunch. You are able to look at the person you want to hear. You will typically look left or right as each person speaks to you. You are focused only on the voices and not the surrounding sounds. Ideally, your brain will help to focus your attention on the desired voice and ignore the competitive sound in the environment. Directional microphones are used in this scenario. The microphones facing behind you are turned off or turned down and the forward-facing microphones are picking up the speech. It is important to remember that you will have the least amount of auditory distraction if you sit with your back to the room noise. You don’t want to face your friends with loud noise going on behind them, because that noise will sneak into your hearing aids.

However, if you go on a walk or hike with your friends, it is more difficult to look at the person talking. They might be off to your side or behind you. If you are walking on the side of a road and a car passes while you are listening to your friend, it would be difficult to hear. This new hearing aid feature in the Phonak Paradise hearing aid employs a unique algorithm when motion is detected. It changes the microphone focus and deactivates the spatial noise cancellation. A study in August 2020 demonstrated improved sound quality, speech understanding and environmental awareness of sound when out walking while wearing the Phonak Paradise model hearing aids. I find this feature amazing and the fact that this all happens automatically is a winner! No need to push a button or change a setting in the hearing aid app in your phone.

The hearing aid industry is changing to meet the needs of more people than ever before. The special features are just part of the advantages. Battery life, water resistant hearing aids and programming to the specific desires of an individual are now at our fingertips. Be mindful of offers that seem too good to be true, your hearing is your connection to the people you love and it is important that you explore the best fit for your lifestyle. QCBN

By Karon Lynn, Au.D.

Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit TrinityHearing.net.

Karon Lynn, Au.D., is a doctor of audiology with 30 years of experience working with hearing impaired individuals. Dr. Lynn may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@trinityhearing.net.