FEATURES FAQ
Find answers to questions about our products, fitting, services and more by browsing the categories below. If you can't find an answer to your question, our friendly staff will be happy to help you.
CAN AUDIBILITY EXTENDER BE USED FOR STREAMING TO DEX (E.G., TV-DEX, M-DEX, ETC)?
This is possible in the DREAM family by ensuring that the the Audibility Extender feature is turned on in the Master program.
IS A TELECOIL PROGRAM NEEDED FOR PHONE+?
No, a telecoil program is not required. Phone+ utilizes the WidexLink wireless connection to transmit the phone signal from one hearing aid to the other, resulting in binaural hearing on the telephone. Phone+ is only available in wireless models (330 or 440) that have ear-level program buttons. (9, FA, FS, VS, VSD).
HOW DO I ACCESS PHONE+ FROM RC-DEX OR M-DEX?
Phone+ can not be accessed from the RC-Dex or M-Dex. Phone+ can only be accessed by a long press of the program button on the hearing aid. Use another long press on the same program button to exit the program.
HOW DO I DESIGNATE WHICH SIDE IS THE PHONE EAR IN PHONE+?
The client designates the phone ear by a long press of the program button on the side they wish to to hold the phone to; this activates Phone+. For example, if they wish the right side to be the phone ear, the user needs to press and hold the program button on the right hearing aid until they hear a tone. The phone is then held up to the right ear and the signal will be transmitted to the left side so the call will be heard binaurally. Press and hold the program button again to exit Phone+.
CAN ZEN BE USED ON SOMEONE WITH NORMAL HEARING?
Yes, a tinnitus-sufferer with normal hearing may benefit from binaural devices with Zen.
HOW CAN ZEN NOISE BE SET FOR NORMAL HEARING?
Fit with an open tip but choose a non-open identity in Compass (flex). This will ensure Zen noise’s low frequency spectrum will be produced. 1. Set the hearing loss to 5dB flat. This will bring the microphone squelch down in level. 2. Set the Zen noise intensity level as high as possible. The Zen noise is added as an input sound to the compressor and the rest of the hearing aid. If it is loud, it will be above the microphone level, and be treated as a standard soft sound in the compressor. 3. In the Zen program settings deactivate the microphone by removing the check mark next to ‘Microphone’. 4. Set the IGsoft gain as low as possible, as close to 0 for all frequencies. This provides a linear gain as the normal gain is also close to 0. This will bring the microphone squelch below the hearing threshold. 5. Provide the user with a remote control to make it possible to adjust the noise level to preference by changing the volume.
HOW DO I FIT ZEN FOR A CLIENT WITH UNILATERAL TINNITUS?
Even when unilateral tinnitus is reported, a binaural Zen fitting is recommended. While tinnitus is an auditory perception that maybe localized to the right ear, left ear, both ears or middle of the head, the generators of tinnitus lie centrally in the brain. Monaural fittings may be ineffective as it may draw attention to tinnitus in the non-fitted ear. Monaural fitting is only appropriate when one ear has no useable hearing.
MY CLIENT REPORTS THE ZEN NOISE TO BE INTERMITTENT/PULSATING
The risk with Zen noise is that the compressors in the hearing aid can affect Zen noise as it is a soft input at the same time as the compressors are trying to use microphone squelch (expansion) to reduce circuit noise levels. This can result in reports of Zen noise pulsing or Zen noise being intermittent. The Zen tones do not have this issue due to the natural pauses between the music.
HOW LONG SHOULD IT TAKE FOR ZEN TO WORK?
Habituation is a process that takes time. There is no set timeline, however, regularly scheduled follow-up appointments are recommended (eg., 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and so on). Focus on the evidence of progress towards goals by periodically repeating subjective scales and keep follow-up appointments positive.
HOW LOUD ARE THE ZEN TONES?
The volume of Zen depends upon the client’s hearing loss. Zen tones are presented as soft input approximately 10-12 dB SL.
