Oticon, Inc announced the expansion of the Oticon More family with two new Polaris miniBTE solutions that give VA audiologists “the ability to bring the superior sound quality of Oticon More to even more veterans.” Available through the Veterans Affairs Administration (VA), Department of Defense (DOD), and other federal agencies, the miniBTEs offer the option of rechargeable or non-rechargeable styles. In addition to current direct streaming audio from smartphones, Oticon More now uses the latest advancement in Made for iPhone (MFi) connectivity for hearing aids to allow veterans to speak hands-free through the microphone in their hearing aids, according to the company’s announcement.
“The Polaris platform is the backbone of Oticon More, offering more speed, precision, and capacity to help even more veterans enjoy a life full of sound,” said Mike Marcinek, vice president, general manager, Oticon Government Services. “We continue our commitment to BrainHearing by expanding the potential of Polaris to a broader portfolio of Oticon More solutions, all designed to provide access to the full sound scene to allow the brain to work in a more natural way.”
The new Oticon Polaris miniBTEs are perfect for veterans who need a small BTE, with rechargeable and non-rechargeable options. The miniBTE R uses reliable lithium-ion batteries for a full day of battery life*, including streaming, after just 3.5 hours of charging with the standard desktop charger or the optional portable SmartCharger, Oticon says. The miniBTE T uses disposable zinc air batteries and comes with an LED-light for easy handling. Both new miniBTE styles feature a telecoil and a double push-button.
The Oticon More family offers a “wide range of connectivity options to support high-quality listening in everyday situations.” Oticon More is Made for iPhone and compatible with select Android devices for direct streaming**. With select iPhone or iPad devices+, veterans can now use their Oticon More hearing aids to make or receive hands-free phone or video calls. For existing Oticon More hearing aids, the 2-way hands-free communication is available via a firmware update made by the hearing care professional.
Previous studies have proven how Oticon More provides clearer information to the brain – delivering 30% more sound and increasing speech understanding by another 15%.*** The most recent evidence used an advanced pupillometry test methodology and more complex tasks to show Oticon More reduces sustained listening effort by 30%.****
For additional information about the expanded Oticon More family and accessories available through the Veterans Affairs Administration, visit{ https://www.oticon.com/solutions/for-veterans.
* Lithium-ion performance varies depending on hearing loss, lifestyle, and streaming behavior.
** Android devices need to support ASHA to allow direct connectivity to Oticon More. Please visit: Oticon.com/support/compatibility for more information.
***Man BKL, Garnæs MF, Løve S. Oticon More competitive benchmark Part 2—Clinical Evidence. 2021.
****Murmu Nielsen, R. & Ng, E. 2021. Reducing sustained listening effort: Oticon More new evidence. Oticon whitepaper.
+Hands-free communication is available with iPhone 11 or later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation and 4th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation and 2nd generation), iPad Air (4th generation), and iPad mini (6th generation), with software updates iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 or later.
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Source: Oticon
Image: Oticon
