HAUPPAUGE, NEW YORK — Widex today launched the Widex SmartRIC, a breakthrough hearing aid that introduces new angles of natural hearing through an innovative L-shaped design that improves microphone angles to enhance directionality and speech targeting.
According to Widex Vice President of Marketing Alan Raffauf, the new SmartRIC reflects Widex’ commitment to audiological excellence. By placing the microphones at an improved angle, the device lets patients experience the voices and sounds they want to hear, helping them enjoy more of the world around them.
“Elevated on the ear and engineered with improved microphone angles, Widex SmartRIC directs focus where it is needed most – honing in on what truly matters in any sound environment. By rethinking the way sound is captured in a hearing aid, we’re helping patients enjoy a more engaged life, a life where they feel more connected to natural sound in any situation.”
By positioning the SmartRIC higher on the ear, the angle between the device’s two microphones becomes closer to horizontal. This adjustment allows the directional microphone to better align with the wearer’s focus, resulting in an improved signal-to-noise ratio, particularly in noisy environments. This feature aims to support individuals in various social situations, enabling them to lead more fulfilling lives.
Moreover, while Widex generally prioritizes natural sound over heavily processed audio, it does incorporate directionality and noise reduction in specific noisy scenarios to assist patients as needed. The optimized microphone angles of the SmartRIC further enhance the effectiveness of these features in challenging listening environments.
Furthermore, in addition to the L-shaped angle, Widex has implemented several other design refinements to create a sleek and discreet device. This ensures that wearers can enjoy the convenience of their hearing aids without the need for constant adjustment while on the move.
Widex SmartRIC features newly designed microphone inlets that effectively reduce wind and touch noise to make these otherwise challenging situations more comfortable and natural. Plus, SmartRIC is the company’s longest-lasting rechargeable RIC hearing aid, providing up to 37 hours on a single charge.
Patients on the move will benefit from the included fast-charging case — Widex’ first-ever portable charging solution. The sleek, compact case can fully charge the hearing aids in four hours, or add eight hours of continuous use through a 30-minute fast charge.
The case offers five full charges and fits right into a pocket or small bag, empowering patients with hassle-free charging, mobility, and peace of mind.
The Widex SmartRIC incorporates the PureSound™ with ZeroDelay™ technology platform, known for setting industry benchmarks in natural hearing. This platform ensures swift sound processing, minimizing the artificial, tinny sound often present in other hearing aids. By doing so, it aims to offer patients a more authentic and lifelike listening experience. Research indicates that minimizing delay leads to a stronger brain signal.
Available this month in five premium color options, the SmartRIC presents hearing care professionals and their patients with a compelling new device designed to deliver a highly natural sound experience.
About Widex
At Widex we believe in a world where there are no barriers to communication; a world where people interact freely, effortlessly, and confidently. With sixty years’ experience developing state-of-the-art technology, we provide hearing solutions that are easy to use, seamlessly integrated in daily life and enable people to hear naturally. As one of the world’s leading hearing aid producers, our products are sold in more than one hundred countries, and we employ 4,000 people worldwide.
Source: Widex
