Starkey Hearing Technologies announced the launch this week of a new line of hearing aids, which the company says is based on “research in virtual reality, advanced neuroscience, and audiology and signal processing”. The new hearing aid lines include: Muse iQ, SoundLens Synergy iQ, and Halo iQ.
Alongside the hearing aids, the company also released a new TruLink Remote.
“As part of our commitment to lead the world in hearing innovation, we are excited to share the results of our collaboration with the world’s top researchers in today’s most advanced technologies. By working closely with leading researchers in the fields of neuroscience, virtual reality, and audiology and signal processing to integrate advancements into our award-winning products, we can now provide patients with new levels of presence, clarity and personalization and other benefits previously unattainable with traditional hearing devices.”
–Brandon Sawalich, Starkey Hearing Technologies President
Hearing Aid Features Inspired by VR Research
Based on Starkey’s Synergy platform and the Acuity OS 2 operating system, the new iQ technology line includes several new features. According to Starkey, the most notable new features include:
- Acuity Immersion – Designed to leverage microphone placement to aid with high-frequency information for improved sound quality and sense of spatial awareness. Uses natural cues needed for spatial awareness and shifts them to provide the wearer with speech amplification, as well as a sense of presence and connection to their environment.
- Acuity Immersion Directionality – Designed to restore front-to-back cues for a more natural listening experience.
- Speech Indicators for memory – Provide descriptive names for programs rather than numeric indicators.
- Smart VC – Allows for an increase in gain in all channels not already at maximum
“The iQ line represents a brand-new dimension in hearing technology research and innovation,” said Starkey’s new CTO and Executive Vice President of Engineering, Achin Bhowmik.
Starkey’s new iQ family of instruments
SoundLens Synergy iQ, Muse iQ and CROS
The SoundLens Synergy iQ is the company’s newest invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) hearing aid. The devices come in three technology levels: i2400/2400, 2000 and 1600. The i2400 model is wireless and compatible with the company’s wireless Surflink accessories.
Muse iQ hearing aids are available in a full line of behind-the-ear (BTE), receiver-in-canal (RIC), as well as custom styles. The new Muse iQ CROS and BiCROS systems allow individuals with single-sided deafness to transmit sound from their poor ear to their better ear.
For a rechargeable solution, Starkey offers the Muse iQ micro RIC 312t with optional rechargeable package.
Halo iQ and TruLink Remote
Starkey’s 2.4 GHz-enabled Halo iQ, allows for direct connectivity to an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, and “select Android devices”.
The company’s new wireless accessory for the Halo iQ, the TruLink Remote, is said to be compatible with Apple or Android, and also works without a smartphone.
Source: Starkey
But will a wearer with profound loss be able to hear any better in a typical restaurant environment than he hears now with Starkey’s top-of-the-line hearing aids?
I have the same question as Donald Sheff above. Will the IQ 2400 RIC provide better focus on the person speaking with me two feet from my face in a noisy restaurant? I have the Muse i2400 with Muse BICROS and it’s not great when multiple conversations are going on around me or in a restaurant. Great at picking up softer voices in relatively quiet meetings but I need help in noisy situations too.