Sonic announced the launch of the  new Trek BTE Super Power (SP) and Ultra Power (UP), the “most powerful hearing aids built on the SoundDNA platform.” Designed to address the greater auditory demands of users with severe-to-profound hearing loss, Trek is said to provide “natural sound while, at the same time, controlling environmental noise for greater comfort.” The new lineup reportedly features Sonic’s highest Peak Gain and Maximum Power Output in products to-date, and is available in two performance levels: 80-Advanced and 40-Basic. Trek is a Made for iPhone hearing aid, includes a telecoil, and is DAI/FM-compatible.
“With Trek, we offer people with severe-to-profound hearing loss our most versatile solution to meet their challenging needs—all while staying true to Sonic’s 4S Foundation of Sound that is natural, Speech understanding in noise, Simplicity in everything we do, and Style that stands out,” said Carolyn Valentine, Sonic vice president/general manager. “The powerful new hearing aids optimize volume and clarity with greater precision and offer the advanced connectivity, reliability, and style patients need to engage in more conversations, connections, and experiences.”

Versatile Technology Tailored for Power Users

Amplification with Speech Variable Processing (SVP) is said to make speech easier to understand in everyday situations, according to Sonic. SVP provides two selectable amplification strategies—Phoneme Focus and Envelope Focus—important for the individual needs of this population. SVP with SmartCompress in Trek 80 further processes the amplified signal to offer listener benefits such as more listening comfort in noise and improved ease of communication, the company says. Volume Control (VC) Step Size helps allow users to adjust sound levels in finer 1 dB increments.

Trek with Adaptive Feedback Canceller Pro (AFC Pro) offers feedback cancellation capabilities. AFC Pro uses two systems to control feedback in a variety of situations. The standard system continually operates in the background to quickly cancel feedback in static conditions. The second system is said to react to feedback-causing situations, to allow more stable gain in the fitting. This provides Trek with higher feedback margins in the fitting software and a reduced risk of feedback, according to Sonic’s announcement.

Speech in Noise (SPiN) Management, an advanced noise-reduction system in Trek, offers up to three adaptive features to improve speech understanding in noisy environments, where patients need help the most. SPiN Directionality, an adaptive directional microphone system, automatically activates in response to environmental noise to help improve the signal-to-noise ratio. SPiN Noise Reduction, a modulation-based algorithm, is said to reduce steady-state background noise, such as the drone of traffic, fans, busy restaurants, or parties. SPiN Engage, available in Trek 80, allows hearing professionals to personalize fittings according to how much noise patients are willing to accept in their individual listening environments.

Frequency Transfer shifts high-frequency input to frequencies with better hearing and includes several features within the fitting software to help patients who have severe-to-profound high-frequency hearing loss. Up to 10 destination ranges, 7 intensity settings, and high-frequency attenuation allow better optimization for the individual patient.

Additional SoundDNA Features

Extended Dynamic Range (EDR) in Trek 80 is said to “extend the dynamic range of sound up to 113 dB SPL, helping to ensure clarity as sounds grow in intensity,” in places such as movie theaters or auditoriums. For patients who may experience uneven noise from side to side, Binaural Noise Management, also in Trek 80, compares the sound levels at each ear and automatically reduces the loudest source of noise for a more balanced sound. Tinnitus SoundSupport is available in all technology levels for patients with hearing loss who also experience tinnitus.

Reliability and Standout Style

Trek helps provide protection from the elements, important to super power and ultra power users who rely on their hearing aids for audibility of speech. All Trek styles and performance levels have an IP68 rating, making them “dust-tight and protected against moisture*.”

There are two BTE models and up to six colors to choose from. A double push button allows patients to adjust volume with a short press and a single push button controls program changes. Multicolor LED light indicators on Trek help to show the hearing aid status, confirming volume adjustments, program changes, and more.

Wireless Options

All Trek devices include the Dual-Radio System for wireless transmissions with low battery drain. This functionality allows users to control a variety of wireless operations, via program button, smartphone, or other accessories from Sonic. Trek is compatible with all of Sonic’s existing 2.4 GHz Bluetooth Low Energy accessories.

For more information on the Trek Super Power 80|40 and Trek Ultra Power 80|40, visit: www.sonici.com.

*Not for swimming or showering.

Source: Sonic

Image: Sonic