Oticon, one of the advanced audiology and hearing aid technology manufacturers whose products we stock, has announced the launch of a new model, the Oticon OpnTM.
The device is a hearing aid that is full of ‘industry firsts’. It is the first that connects to and interacts with the internet; it also offers the first sound processing system that allows users to follow multiple conversations without using traditional directionality.
What does it all mean?
Internet connectivity means that the user can hook-up to other connected devices such as doorbells, smoke detectors and baby alarms, enabling better hearing for important alerts. This is done through the ‘If This Then That’ (IFTTT) platform. This lets people set up ‘recipes’ for triggering certain reactions when things happen.
An example of how this could be used by a hearing aid user would be when their doorbell is rung it triggers an automated audio message saying “There’s somebody at the door”. Or, when the Opn is turned on in the morning, a prompt is sent to turn on the lights or coffee machine.
As well as the greater connectivity to users’ surroundings, strides have been made to improve its core function as a listening device. The hearing aid provides the solution for handling noisy environments with a number of speakers – a problem that has been difficult to overcome. This was achieved by using precise sound analysis, performed over 100 times a second.
The developments show how far new technologies are taking hearing aids. The capabilities of those available in the modern day would have been unthinkable just a decade ago.
The Hearing Centre fit all the leading makes of hearing aids including Oticon, Siemens, Widex and many more. We’re very much looking forward to getting the Opn in stock for our clients.
As a fully independent practice with no affiliation to any one manufacturer, our audiologists are able to provide the correct hearing solution for each client’s unique hearing loss. So, once you have had your hearing test, one of our audiologists will advise you on which hearing aid is most suitable for you and find what you are comfortable with.
For more information about digital hearing aids or to book a consultation please contact The Hearing Centre on 0116 254 3909 or email info@hearingcentre.com.
