Comprehensive Report: Hearing Aid and Cochlear Implant Technologies

This report provides an overview of hearing aid and cochlear implant technologies, detailing various manufacturers and their respective devices. It examines companies such as Oticon, Widex, Phonak, Starkey, GNResound, Unitron, Advanced Bionics, Med-El, and Cochlear (Americas), highlighting their product lines and key features. The report covers different types of hearing aids, including those designed for various degrees of hearing loss and different placement options. Additionally, it discusses cochlear implant systems, detailing their components and functionalities. The report references multiple sources to support its claims and provide a thorough understanding of the current landscape of hearing assistance devices.

Running head: HEARING AID AND COCHLEAR IMPLANT PROJECT
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References
phonak ltd. "the phonak ." phonal life is on (2017): 12. articles.
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Oticon
Oticon claims to be among the world largest hearing aid manufacturing company. It
is the first manufacturing aid company to come up with internet hearing aid known as the
Oticon Open. Oticon is also among the few companies that use the open sound approach in
the designing of their devices in a way of managing speech and noise sources. Some of the
products designed include; Open designed to reduce noise, Alta2 has the ability to configure
sounds, Nera2 and Ria2 for clients who are less active. (Sandström 160)
Widex
It is the world sixth hearing aid manufacturer. The company has developed a variety
of digital hearing aid and some of the brands include; Fusion, which is the receiver in the ear,
Passion it is the mini, XP, designed for inside the ear and the invisible in the canal known as
Micro CIC.
Phonak
Designs their products in a way it can compress adjustable voices and shift
frequencies. Among some of the features, it contains is that can be connected to cell phones
directly. Devices are categorized into families and they include; Phonak SkyB, meant mostly
for young clients, Naida B and Vitus meant for mild to profound losses. (phonak ltd 12)
Starkey
Claims to have started as a wireless technology company but through innovation, it
advanced to creating of invisible hearing aid devices. Some of the devices it offers include;

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Muse IQ, the latest technology that allows the client to sense immersion and feel connected,
Halo IQ, a hearing aid smartphone with advanced noise reduction, Muse, and sound lens,
offers unique sounds and made to the comfort of the client since it is invisible.
GNResound
They manufacture the devices coating them with a polymer to prevent distortion from
humidity and dust. GNResound have advanced their products to a 3D Remote microphone is
among the devices offered designed for sound directing and localization.
Unitron
The manufacturer designs different products into according their placement by the
client such as the shape of the ear of the client. The devices are grouped into families and
they include; Stride made up of three behind the ear aids with different level of power, Max
consists of two traditional behind the ear module specifically designed for clients with the
profound hearing loss, Moxi, contains four recur I the canal devices.
Advanced Bionics
It is the only United States manufacturer of cochlear Impaired. It claims to be
manufacture devices that connect the patient to most of the electronics such as Bluetooth,
mobile phone, and computers. Some of the product it offers includes; wireless products such
as Phonak TV, AB My pilot and phones TV links that direct sound processor.
Med-El
It is the leading provider of implantation worldwide. It claims to develop the first
microelectronic implantation. Med-El offers the following product system; a sound bridge for

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mixed hearing loss, Synchrony EAS for partially deaf clients and bone bridge for clients who
suffer from conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss or one side deafness.
Cochlear (Americas)
It is a cochlear implantation based in America (Mulwafu 914) Claims to use the
cochlear nucleus implant system by offering two components which are; a sound processor of
the ear and behind the ear. It also offers the following products and services; implantation of
the cochlear that involves nucleus implantation and sound processor, hybrid hearing, bone
condition implantation and wireless accessories such as phone clips, TV streamers, and
microphones. (Schmitt 9)

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Works Cited
Mulwafu, W., Strachan, D. R., Bartlett, R., & Caron, C. Cochlear implantation in America:
report of the first four cases. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 131(10), 914-
918. (2017)
phonak ltd. "the phonak ." phonal life is on (2017): 12. articles.
Sandström, C. G. The non-disruptive emergence of an ecosystem for 3D Printing—Insights
from the hearing aid industry's transition 1989–2008. Technological Forecasting and
Social Change, 102, 160-168. (2016)
Schmitt, N. U.S. Patent No. 9,445,754. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
(2016)

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