ReSound announced the launch of the new Face Mask Program at the European Union of Hearing Aid Acousticians’ Digital EUHA Congress 2020. This new hearing aid functionality “makes it easier for people who wear hearing aids to communicate with people wearing face masks,” which is a new reality for many. High frequencies can become attenuated when wearing a mask, thereby making consonants sound muffled. In turn, people with difficulties hearing are no longer able to rely on lipreading, which accounts for 30% of any person’s speech recognition.1
According to ReSound, hearing care professionals can now adjust hearing aid settings to compensate for the sound distortions caused by face masks. The new settings can be installed “remotely and conveniently via the ReSound Assist Live— a cloud-based tele-audiology service that provides support to people from the safety and comfort of home.” This technology has proven important during COVID-19.
Related article: NAL Update: Impact of Face Masks and Face Shields on Communication
People with hearing loss can take advantage of the new Face Mask Program with the recently launched ReSound ONETM. Based on ReSound’s Organic Hearing philosophy, this new hearing aid technology “lets people hear in the most natural way by featuring a new Microphone & Receiver-In-Ear (M&RIE) design.” It places a microphone inside the ear canal, “enabling people to use the unique shape of their outer ear to collect sound as nature intended.”
Laurel Christensen, Chief Audiology Officer, ReSound, explains: “ReSound wants to help every single individual take care of their hearing, no matter the situation. By doing so, we’re also keen to help the industry respond to the needs of users in the most difficult times of this pandemic.”
Learn more about all the latest ReSound news with a virtual tour of the ReSound booth at the Digital EUHA Congress 2020. Register here for access.
Visit the ReSound Newsroom and read more about how ReSound Assist Live helps hearing care professionals continuously care for people with hearing loss.
Reference
- Boothroyd A, Hnath-Chisolm T, Hanin L, Kishon-Rabin L. Voice fundamental frequency as an auditory supplement to the speechreading of sentences. Ear and Hearing. 1988. 306-312.
Source: ReSound
Image: ReSound
