Technical Details
Technical features will vary by model and hearing aid type. Call 1-800-432-7669 or contact a HearingPlanet professional hearing consultant for the most up to date information.
Key Features
Noise Management
Strategies for Managing Unwanted Noise
While subtle sounds within conversations are wanted, background noise is not. Varicom employs a variety of tactics to keep unwanted noise at bay. This multi-faceted approach ensures Varicom products are comfortable and easy to wear in a wide variety of situations.
Adaptive Noise Reduction
Soft noises – like the whirring of a fan – are kept under control with Varicom’s Soft Noise Management. Louder noises are controlled without sacrificing speech clarity by only applying Adaptive Noise Reduction at frequencies where speech is not present. When turbulent noise – like wind – is detected, the system applies the maximum amount of attenuation at all frequencies, providing instant relief.
Adaptive Directionality
Varicom also provides directional technologies to address sounds coming from the sides and behind the listener. Adaptive Directionality analyzes the incoming signal to determine the loudest sound within each of four frequency regions. Upon identifying the source within each region, it applies the best polar response or responses to improve the signal-to-noise ratio.
Directional Focus
Adaptive manipulation of gain based on the location of noise. Sound “in focus” (front) receive the most gain. Sound “out of focus” (sides and rear) are gradually attenuated. Functions independently in 24 compression channels.
Environment Based Programming
Eight preset scenarios optimize fitting parameters for specific listening situations. Simply select the environments your patient encounters most often and listening programs are automatically constructed to provide the best listening experience.
Dual Acting Feedback Cancellation
The Adaptive Feedback Canceller maintains stable system gain by constantly monitoring and adjusting for subtle changes in the feedback path.
Situational Feedback Control quickly eliminates feedback introduced by sudden changes in the environment. If the change is determined to be feedback, the gain is adjusted independently in each of the 24 compression channels until feedback is no longer present.
Sonic Sound
Sonic Sound™ is unique, patented advanced digital signal processing (DSP) that preserves the natural
sound quality provided by the human cochlea. By employing a nonlinear strategy that separates the
input signal into 24 independent compression channels, Sonic Sound™ delivers an optimal listening
and communication experience.
Speech Variable Processing
Preserving the smallest details of speech
Speech is a complex and dynamic system with patterns and sounds that vary all the time--components may be quick or slow and have different levels of energy as vocal inflections rise and fall. Our ears translate these things naturally, but a hearing device requires sophisticated technology to process them. To preserve the fine details we appreciate in speech, an instrument's processing strategy must compute tremendous amounts of data--and do it instantaneously.
Enter Speech Variable Processing, a super-computer in hearing aid form. This system is specifically designed to preserve the nuances of speech, making conversations clear and natural in a variety of listening situations.
Hands Free Operation
In a Variety of Listening Environments
The soundscape around every patient is constantly changing—so Varicom's Multi-Environment system is built to seamlessly adapt. By examining various characteristics of the incoming signal, the Multi- Environment system determines the best combination of features and amplification that will be of benefit in that specific environment, and then automatically adjusts accordingly.
In Varicom9, this system is further enhanced with the Environmental Classification feature. A patient's pair of binaural devices work together to determine their optimal settings. Using a 360° analysis of the auditory scene, the devices sense their surroundings individually, then adjust in unison to select the ideal setting for that environment.
Or Optimized for a Specific Situation
Sometimes patients struggle with a particular listening environment. With the Environment Optimizer feature found exclusively in Varicom9, these situations can be specifically addressed without sacrificing overall hands-free performance.
The Environment Optimizer allows you to identify one of the Multi-Environment settings (Quiet, Noise, Speech in Quiet, or Speech in Noise), and then optimize the performance characteristics for that specific environment.
Binaural Coordination
Two Varicom Devices
double the performance, double the convenience
All Varicom products include binaural device communication that allows the hearing instrument in one ear to coordinate with the instrument in the other, giving your patient the processing power of two hearing aids.
The Oasis Fitting System
Lifestyle Profile
Counseling patients about their specific hearing needs is easier than ever with the Lifestyle Profile found in the Oasis Fitting Software. Discuss with your patient his or her top five hearing needs, then Oasis determines the best program configuration and settings to best meet their specific situation.
Data Logging
Counseling patients about their specific hearing needs is easier than ever with the Lifestyle Profile found in the Oasis Fitting Software. Discuss with your patient his or her top five hearing needs, then Oasis determines the best program configuration and settings to best meet their specific situation.
Data Learning
Varicom9 products take data logging a step further. The data learning feature analyzes the patient's volume control preference over time and in each listening program, then automatically adjusts the start-up amplification levels accordingly. The result: fewer, faster follow-up appointments.
Auto-Morphic Switching
Continuously morphs between omni and directional responses, providing smooth transitions. Adapts based on SNR, level of the noise, and level of wind. Functions independently in four frequency regions.
Focused Null Steering
Focused Null Steering morphs among polar patterns providing smooth transitions. Adapts based on the angle of the loudest input. Functions independently in four frequency regions.
FLEXIFocus
Advanced form of DIRECTIONALfocus™. Attenuation of “out of focus” sounds adapts based on the SNR, the level of the noise, and the level of wind. Functions independently in four frequency regions.
iNR
iNR™ uses both the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the input level of the noise to calculate the optimal
level of noise reduction. In addition, iNR™ examines the frequency content of the input and applies
varying degrees of reduction based on the hearing loss in specified regions.
Auto Telephone
Products with the Auto Telephone feature sense the proximity of a telephone and automatically switch to the telephone program. When the phone is moved away from the ear, Velocity returns to the previous listening program.
Warranty
Up to 3 Years