Smarter sound solutions GN ReSound

smartEr sounD solutions

GN ReSound is a global leader in the development of ‘smart’ hearing aids that enhance the lives of those suffering from hearing loss. Since its inception, ReSound has been responsible for a string of ground breaking solutions including its 2.4GHz-hearing technology, rechargeable systems and unified headsets. Philip Yorke reports.

ReSound is part of the global GN ReSound Group, one of the world’s biggest providers of hearing-aid devices and diagnostic instrumentation products. Established in Denmark in 1943, ReSound has been committed to audio innovation from the outset, which has resulted in many audiology firsts. These include its ‘wide dynamic range compression system’ (WDRC) and digital feedback suppression, (DFS) which was the first system to eliminate howling and sound distortion in headsets. Furthermore, the company developed the world’s first open-standard digital-chip to enhance programming flexibility.

Headquartered in Ballerup, Denmark, GN ReSound is present in more than 60 countries worldwide and continues to draw on its broad range of R&D facilities and centres of excellence located around the globe. Today the GN ReSound Group has more than 5,500 employees and its parent company, GN Store Nord, is listed on the Nasdaq Copenhagen Stock Exchange.

Smarter Hearing alliance

Recently GN Hearing A/S, the medical device division of the GN Group, and Cochlear Limited of Australia, the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, have signed a landmark agreement to significantly expand their Smart Hearing Alliance collaboration. This Smart Hearing Alliance was first established in 2015 in order to develop the most integrated and best-in-class hearing solutions. This special collaboration gives hearing aid and implant recipients access to the latest advances in connectivity and wireless technology. This new technology allows bimodal recipients to achieve seamless connectivity between a Cochlear implant in one ear, and a GN hearing aid the other.

The strengthening of this alliance involves joint research projects, extended sharing of new technology and greater commercial collaboration between the two. The vision for this new collaboration includes a focus on fast-moving connectivity and wireless technology, which in turn will help leverage research and investment in the development of both firmwear and software technologies.

GN Hearing CFO Marcus Desimoni and Cochlear CEO & President Dig Howitt welcomed the signing of the new agreement.

Desimoni said, “This strengthened alliance is an important step forward for millions of people with disabling hearing loss, by making available the most advanced technology more accessible and simplifying the experience with more integrated solutions.

This strategic partnership is a very smart and cost-effective way to expand the R&D capacity of both companies in order to reach our goals”.

Howitt commented, “At Cochlearm we’re driven to develop hearing solutions that empower people to connect with others and live a full life. By expanding our collaboration with GN Hearing, we’re able to bring the latest connectivity and wireless technology to our implant recipients more quickly. We are also able to give bimodal recipients unparalelled performance and a seamless experience with both devices”.

One of the many positive outcomes of the increased level of collaboration is that the two companies are the first to bring to market smart iPhone bimodal solutions that synchronise streaming to both ears from a compatible iPhone. IPad or iPod touch. The all new Nucleus® 7 Bimodal solution is delivered by using a Cochlear Nucleus 7 Sound Processor in one ear, a compatible ReSound hearing aid in the other ear and a paired iPhone or iPod touch to control functionality for both hearing devices.

The new Smart Hearing Alliance will be able to deliver bimodal solutions connecting Cochlear Nucleus implants, Cochlear Baha bone conduction implants, wireless accessories, and ReSound hearing aids. ReSound offers Tinnitus relief

Better by design

The world’s first Premium-Plus hearing aid, ReSound LINX Quattro™ from GN Hearing, has won the coveted, Good Design Award 20128, which is organised by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion. With the winning of this prestigious international award, ReSound hope that more people will benefit from its richer sound quality, unrivalled streaming, anytime personalisation and unique support, as well as its intuitive rechargeability.

ReSound’s LINX Quattro tackles all the well-known challenges for impaired hearing in new and profoundly life-enhancing ways, making the hearing aid easier and more intuitive to use. The new options remove the pain of fiddling with small batteries and enabling the users to not only adjust their hearing aids through their smartphones, but also to contact their hearing care professional directly through the app, and to get adjustments to their hearing aids remotely.

Not only did this new design bring the concept of smart hearing to the next level, but it has helped users to solve their core hearing challenges with ease. In addition, ReSound has created an exceptional streaming experience and made it possible to experience more sounds than ever before, thus helping users to regain confidence and support in their wish to live a ‘normal life’.

The idea of helping people to focus on something other than the pain or discomfort caused by the condition of Tinnitus, is the basic concept behind a new app made by GN ReSound. The free app is called ‘ReSound Relief’ and offers a unique combination of audio therapy and relaxation exercises. The product allows the user to combine a variety of familiar sounds such as birdsong or babbling brooks with music and other therapeutic natural sounds. The ability to combine sounds, offers an almost endless variety of possibilities for the Tinnitus sufferer. The unique sound-mixing feature allows users to mix five different sounds which can be individually adjusted to the desired volume of each sound.

Eva Jensen from Denmark has suffered from Tinnitus for many years and she described her experience with ReSound’s Relief app: “It’s really great to be able to use this app when my Tinnitus is driving me crazy. If you are strongly affected by Tinnitus, then I would definitely recommend this app. There are so many possibilities with the creation of your own soundscapes. There is no doubt that I’m going to keep it on my phone, so I can get help whenever my Tinnitus is really bothering me”.

For further details of GN ReSound’s latest innovative products and solutions visit: www.resound.com