CENTRA Active: A new receiver-in-canal solution designed to ...

I
Introduction
II
A style and
substance
solution
2
Introduction
One major advancement in hearing instrument technology
over the years has been observed in the introduction
of new algorithms in the digital signal
processing. Notable examples of this from Siemens
are e2e wireless technology (Powers & Burton
2005), SoundSmoothing (Keidser et al. 2007,
Chalupper & Powers 2007) and the Learning Volume
Control (“DataLearning”) (Dillon et al. 2006, Chalupper
& Powers 2006). Research has shown that these
advancements enhance patient benefit.
In addition to innovations in signal processing, there
is a need for advancements that will increase patient
acceptance of hearing instruments. Consumer surveys
(Kochkin 2002), indicate that many hearing aid
users desire hearing instruments which are discrete,
easy to use, comfortable to wear and provide overall
listening comfort. It is therefore important, that advancements
in signal processing be combined with
other innovations – for example in style and ease of
use – to accommodate the other desired attributes
of hearing instruments and ultimately lead to increased
use and benefit.
A style and substance solution
A new hearing instrument from Siemens, CENTRA
Active, combines the advanced and clinically proven
signal processing strategies of the CENTRA hearing
instrument family with new design and handling
features to enhance cosmetics, usability and patient
wearing comfort. CENTRA Active includes the following
digital signal processing features from the successful
CENTRA product family:
• SoundSmoothing
• Learning Volume Control (“DataLearning”)
• e2e wireless
• Automatic, multichannel adaptive directional
microphone
• Speech and noise management with Wiener Filter
and modulation-based digital noise reduction
• Adaptive high-speed feedback cancellation system
• Data logging
• ePocket option
• 16-channel compression system
CENTRA Active also employs other new unique features
designed to enhance user acceptance. In recent
years, the behind-the-ear (BTE) open canal (OC)
hearing instrument has enjoyed increased popularity.
As reviewed by Mueller (Mueller 2006), there
are many advantages to OC fittings, and patient surveys
have shown that these instruments provide improved
benefit and satisfaction (Gnewikow and Moss
2006; Taylor 2006). One advantage of the OC fitting
is in regard to cosmetics – an important concern for
most consumers. With receiver-in-canal BTEs, the
BTE itself can be relatively small since the receiver,
one of the largest components, is placed outside the
instrument’s housing into the ear canal. This of
course makes the hearing instrument less visible and
more cosmetically appealing. The thin wire used to
transfer the signal to the receiver in the ear canal is
also thinner and less conspicuous than typical earmold
tubing.
When receivers are placed in the ear canal, as in custom
instruments and the RIC design, it is critical that
an effective and efficient wax protection device is
used (Branda & Chalupper 2007). Such a device,
referred to as “C-Guard,” is a standard feature for all
CENTRA Active products. C-Guard is one of the three
unique components of CENTRA Active’s AquaProtect
(Siemens 2007) feature. In combination with a
unique GORE exchangeable microphone cover and
nanocoating, AquaProtect shields CENTRA Active
from perspiration, water and dirt. This provides additional
wearing comfort and reliability when used
outside, or for participating in sports or other activities
where there is a high moisture level surrounding
the hearing instrument.
CENTRA Active also includes a rechargeable feature.
CENTRA Active’s charger option provides additional
handling comfort and ease of use as there is no need
to change batteries.
These innovations unite the style and substance required
for a modern hearing instrument that meets
the requirements for today’s active wearers.
CENTRA Active combines the clinically proven signal
processing strategies of CENTRA with new design
and handling features.