Remote Hearing Care Systems, What do You Need to Know?

Updated December 28, 2018
Published December 28, 2018

I was asked a question on Twitter recently about remote hearing care and the differences between the systems that are now available. So I thought it was worthwhile sitting down and writing about it. Signia was the first company to introduce the concept, but the offering was quite limited. Resound quickly followed with the introduction of their system. It wasn't limited in any way, but it wasn't a live system. Since then Signia has introduced a live system with video calling that allows full fine-tuning. Both Oticon and just recently Phonak has also gone down this route. Let's talk about the different systems. 

Resound Remote Care

I will talk about Resound first because their system is unique. The Resound remote care system is available with the LiNX 3D, The Enzo 3D and the new LiNX Quattro ranges. It works via your Apple or Android Smartphone through the accompanying app. In order for the system to work, the aids have to be initially programmed for you in the office. Your professional will set you up on the Resound system and once that is done, you can request changes to your aids through the apps. 

You simply send your professional a message with as much details about your problems and where you are having them as possible. Your professional can then push out changes to your hearing aids through an update that is sent to your app.

You then apply the changes and try them out. If you like them, you simply keep them. However, if you don't like them, you can roll them back to what you had before. With some smart organising, you can do this in the environment that you are having the problem with. It should allow you to know instantly if the issue has been solved. The system is easy to use and while there is no video calling, you can give live feedback messages through the app.

Phonak Remote Care

The Phonak remote care system is only available with the new Marvel hearing aids and the Audeo B-Direct. The new Phonak system works via your Apple or Android Smartphone and again it is app based. To get the best from your hearing aids they first need to be programmed on a face to face basis. The feature which is available through the new Phonak app allows hearing aid wearers to communicate with hearing care professionals by smartphone audio and video. It also allows professionals to adjust their hearing aids in real time anywhere.

The new myPhonak smartphone app is used to enable the system. It utilizes Microsoft’s Azure cloud-based technology platform to manage audio, video and digital communications. The Azure platform is pretty robust and it offers the stability needed for the numerous data exchanges going on. 

The system is pretty cool, it offers video calling which enables the user and their hearing care professional to see and hear each other while the hearing care professional makes simultaneous real-time updates to the hearing aid programs.

It opens up a lot of opportunities for change and benefit to hearing aid users and professionals alike. It means that you could potentially have your hearing aids adjusted while sitting in a restaurant, or cafe, or just on the couch at home. The system offers:

• Full fine-tuning capabilities. The audiologist can make nearly all the same changes remotely as in the clinic.
• Real-time adjustments. The audiologist makes the tweak and the patient instantly hears the difference—enabling efficient fine-tuning in a variety of listening settings.
• Video chat. Face-to-face interaction between professional and patient results in much better communication. At the same time, the audiologist controls the hearing aid adjustments from the desktop computer.

Oticon Remote Care

This is a recent introduction by Oticon and it is available only through an Apple phone app. The Oticon remote care app is only available with the Opn and Siya ranges of hearing aids. Your hearing aids will first need to be programmed on a face to face basis in-clinic. The feature which is available through the new Oticon remote care app allows hearing aid wearers to communicate with hearing care professionals by smartphone audio and video. It also allows professionals to adjust their hearing aids in real time anywhere. Unfortunately, as I said, it is only available to people with iPhones. 

The system offers strong benefit to hearing aid users and professionals alike. It means that you could potentially have your hearing aids adjusted anywhere. The system offers:

• Full fine-tuning capabilities. The audiologist can make nearly all the same changes remotely as in the clinic.
• Real-time adjustments. The audiologist makes the tweak and the patient instantly hears the difference—enabling efficient fine-tuning in a variety of listening settings.
• Video chat. Face-to-face interaction between professional and patient results in much better communication. At the same time, the audiologist controls the hearing aid adjustments from the desktop computer.

Signia Remote Care

Signia was the very first to introduce remote care and they have consistently built upon that foundation. Their new system, Telecare 3.0 is available with their new Nx range of hearing aids. Your hearing aids will first need to be programmed on a face to face basis in-clinic. The feature which is available through the Signia myHearing app allows hearing aid wearers to communicate with hearing care professionals by smartphone audio and video. It also allows professionals to adjust their hearing aids in real time anywhere.   

• Full fine-tuning capabilities. The audiologist can make nearly all the same changes remotely as in the clinic.
• Real-time adjustments. The audiologist makes the tweak and the patient instantly hears the difference—enabling efficient fine-tuning in a variety of listening settings.
• Video chat. Face-to-face interaction between professional and patient results in much better communication. At the same time, the audiologist controls the hearing aid adjustments from the desktop computer.

Telehealth in the Audiology setting is becoming more prevalent and all of the hearing aid brands are gearing up for it. While most of the brands now offer it, as you can see some offer it in different ways. Again, your decision to buy a particular hearing aid shouldn't focus on just one feature, you should take a more holistic view about what you need. Sometimes, you will need to make compromises. Like us on Facebook by clicking below to keep up with our latest articles.