On October 21-23 2009, GN ReSound presented its new technology “Surround sound by ReSound” used to power the new product families ReSound Live and dot2 by ReSound which were launched at the 54th European Congress of Hearing Aid Acousticians (EUHA) in Nuremberg
At EUHA, GN presented the power behind the new product families dot2 by ReSound and ReSound Live “Surround sound by ReSound”. Vice President of ReSound Audiology John A. Nelson, Ph.D., explained the new technology “surround sound by ReSound” like this: “The core of surround sound by ReSound is a surround sound processor which creates a truly rich and full listening experience that represents a vast improvement on existing directionality modes. This is directionality that people will actually want to use.”
Often directionality technology is great in theory, but reality is very different with end users typically experiencing loss of localization and poor sound quality.
Dr Nelson continued: “Our new “Surround sound by ReSound” processing platform changes that once and for all, delivering optimal speech understanding without sacrificing sound quality and comfort.”
GN ReSound CEO Mike van der Wallen said: “It’s safe to say that this is our biggest launch ever, with a full portfolio of products to suit any budget and any degree of hearing loss. But most importantly, we think the “Surround sound by ReSound” technology in both ReSound Live and dot2 by ReSound can make a real, lasting difference in the lives of people with a hearing impairment.”
Thumbs up to Technology
Hearing instrument users have already given the new technology the thumbs-up. In a new study of user preferences, surround sound processing significantly outperformed both omni-directionality and traditional directionality with low-frequency equalization. 70% of all users preferred “Surround sound by ReSound” over traditional directionality with low-frequency equalization.*
“As these results show, surround sound processing is a real leap forward, both for the industry, and most importantly, for our customers,” concluded Dr Nelson.
Technology behind new Flagship Products
“Surround sound by ReSound” powers the two major new flagship products. Both are available in three price-points and a comprehensive array of attractive housings:
ReSound Live – The most advanced ReSound hearing instrument to date
ReSound Live™ provides a greater sense of awareness – of ‘being there’. With its full, rich sound, improved localisation and enhanced speech understanding in noise, ReSound Live™ delivers a surround sound experience that puts the customers back in the picture. ReSound Live™ is yet another example of the ReSound design excellence with the addition of three new very discreet and comfortable form factors, among them a new fully featured RIE solution. It is available in three price points, making this the most comprehensive product family to date from ReSound, and providing the dispensers with the necessary flexibility to meet any needs or preferences the end users may have.
dot2 by ReSound – An industry-changing micro-BTE, now with added bite
dot2 by ReSound is a tiny hearing device. Its sleek design keeps it hidden behind the user’s ear, completely unnoticed. Weighing slightly less than a paper clip, it’s so lightweight that the wearer won’t feel it. But with a seriously powerful punch, dot2 by ReSound improves the user’s hearing. dot2 by ReSound is the ultimate combination of form and function, pairing natural sound quality with near-invisible design. On top of this, dot2 by ReSound® is equipped with a surround sound processor that creates a full rich sound quality without distortion, feedback and wind noise and enhances the wearer’s ability to identify where sounds are coming from.
2,400 Visitors Daily at EUHA
Headquartered in Germany, the European Union of Hearing Aid Acousticians is in charge of organizing the annual EUHA congress. This year’s congress was a three-day event with about 2,400 visitors per day, approximately 60 exhibitors, and over 50 journalists covering the event. Next year’s congress will be held in Hanover.
*The study was a double blind study evaluating the sound quality of directional processing schemes conducted at the Audiology Department of Lessius University College in Antwerp, Belgium.
At the ReSound stand, Mikkel Danvold, GN’s Head of Investor Relations, also had a talk with some of the analysts that follow the GN share. In the background is the room where the “Surround sound by ReSound” was demonstrated.