Phonak Virto B-Titanium, reportedly “the world’s first” mainstream custom titanium hearing aid, is the winner of two international awards: the 2018 Red Dot Award for Product Design, and a Gold Stevie® Award for Best New Product or Service of the Year in the Health & Pharmaceutical industry, Phonak announced.
The device is powered by Phonak’s latest technology featuring AutoSense OS™, which is said to give users an “automatic and seamless” hearing experience—no matter what the hearing situation.
One of these wearers is William Goode, senior advancement officer for athletics at Ferris State University in Michigan. Goode had dealt with hearing loss in one ear for most of his life, yet never sought treatment. As a first-time hearing aid wearer, he wanted something ultra discreet yet durable enough to keep up with his active lifestyle.
William Goode, senior advancement officer for athletics at Ferris State University.
“My new titanium hearing aid has been a blessing,” said Goode. “At work I’m able to pick up on key conversations and information that allows me to develop, incorporate, and execute plans. Before, it was difficult to hear ideas, take suggestions, and process information quickly. Outside of work, in restaurants, the Virto B-Titanium has helped me focus on the people at the table and not background noise. It has changed the way I go about everyday life, giving me confidence at work, outside of work, and at home.”
The Virto B-Titanium is said to be “the smallest and most discreet” custom hearing aid Phonak has ever produced. Compared to traditional acrylic, titanium shells are reportedly half as thin, yet 15 times stronger. Thinner shells result in smaller devices. This means the hearing aid can be placed even deeper in the canal, resulting in a more discreet fit that delivers natural sound quality. Virto B-Titanium has also received an IP68 rating for resistance to both water and dust.
“Phonak is extremely proud of the amount of success and praise Virto B-Titanium has received, most recently with these two prestigious product awards,” said Thomas Lang, senior vice president of Phonak. “But there’s an even greater sense of pride when we hear the many stories about what the hearing aid is doing for people. And that can be summed up in three words: ‘it changes lives.’”
Virto B-Titanium will be honored at the International Business Awards gala on October 20, 2018 in London. It previously took honors for product excellence along with two other Phonak products at the Red Dot Awards gala on July 9 in Essen, Germany. The other two international Red Dot Awards winners included Phonak Audéo B-Direct, hearing aid using Bluetooth®* wireless technology, that directly connects to any cell phone** and TV; and EasyView Otoblock, a product for hearing care professionals that allows for deeper ear impressions.
* Bluetooth is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc.;
** with Bluetooth® 4.2 wireless technology and most older Bluetooth phones
Source: Phonak
Images: Phonak
The titanium does not come in useful colours. I find it very frustrating the door is the correct colour yeh there is a silver rim around the door defeating the purpose of keeping it discreet. Definitely needs more work very frustrating. Heari g aid technology is poor and over priced not difficult to win am aware in the climate we live in it os well and truely the time the industry had some.compliance in place regarding pricing and upped their game.