Explorer New Hearing Instrument from Siemens

Small children have limited powers of expression for helping with adjusting the hearing device to suit them. In addition, their perception of sound is different from that of a teenager, for example. Because the ear is growing, the otoplastic – in other words, the part of the hearing device that sits inside the opening of the ear – has to be easy for the acoustician to change. Overall, children’s hearing devices must be extremely robust, and the older children become, the more important optical and technological criteria are. At the same time, hearing and understanding are very important for children’s development. Siemens has now succeeded in developing the new “Explorer” children’s hearing aid, which for the first time fulfils the needs of children’s different developmental phases in a single device. Not only does “Explorer” sit comfortably behind the child’s ear, it also has a particularly high output volume (up to 85 dB). At the same time, the frequency range has been expanded because clinical trials have shown that this improves the ability of hearing-impaired children to understand the spoken word and enables them to learn to speak more easily. For school use, the “Explorer” can be connected to a radio adapter that transmits the voice of a microphone-wearing teacher straight into the hearing device…

From baby to teenager: Siemens presents the first paediatric hearing instrument that grows with the child

Siemens has developed a children’s hearing device which, thanks to its special design and extensive technical features, can be used throughout several childhood developmental phases. The device, called “Explorer”, meets the very specific requirements of a fitting for infants and preschoolers alike. It can withstand the demands of the school day, its appearance can be changed to suit children’s ever-changing tastes and, thanks to Bluetooth, it even satisfies the technological needs of teenagers.

Siemens Explorer

Fitting hearing-impaired children with hearing aids is one of the most difficult audiological challenges. Small children have limited powers of expression for helping with adjusting the hearing device to suit them. In addition, their perception of sound is different from that of a teenager, for example. Because the ear is growing, the otoplastic – in other words, the part of the hearing device that sits inside the opening of the ear – has to be easy for the acoustician to change. Overall, children’s hearing devices must be extremely robust, and the older children become, the more important optical and technological criteria are. At the same time, hearing and understanding are very important for children’s development.

Drawing on the latest international studies in paediatric audiology, Siemens has now succeeded in developing the new “Explorer” children’s hearing aid, which for the first time fulfils the needs of children’s different developmental phases in a single device.

It all starts with the housing. Thanks to its water-repelling nano-coating, dirt and grease have great difficulty taking hold. The corners are rounded so that they can even withstand babies’ early chewing. The special mechanism on the battery compartment means that children cannot open it but adults can do so effortlessly. The same is true of the ear hook, which the acoustician can change quickly and easily but which would be difficult for children to detach. The controls are all very stable but children themselves can only adjust them once they reach school age. And the device is so robust that even if it is dropped no damage can be caused.

The housing accommodates an array of important design features, many patented by Siemens. Not only does “Explorer” sit comfortably behind the child’s ear, it also has a particularly high output volume (up to 85 dB). At the same time, the frequency range has been expanded because clinical trials have shown that this improves the ability of hearing-impaired children to understand the spoken word and enables them to learn to speak more easily. For school use, the “Explorer” can be connected to a radio adapter that transmits the voice of a microphone-wearing teacher straight into the hearing device.

In addition, the automatic situation recognition, the speech-oriented sound management, the directional microphone system, the feedback blocker and the numerous features specifically designed for children’s needs ensure that even severely hearing-impaired children can live a normal life and join in all activities.

To increase acceptance among older children and teenagers, the “Explorer” is
not only available in 16 different housing colours. It also comes with a booklet of 40 different stickers that children can use to personalise their hearing device.

As a special technological highlight, the “Explorer” is also equipped with the Tek-Connect technology developed by Siemens. This connects it wirelessly by Bluetooth to landline telephones and mobile phones, for example. This is particularly important for teenagers, who can at last make telephone calls, just as easily as non-hearing-impaired people their own age. When, for example, the mobile phone rings, the hearing device signals this automatically. The teenager can then accept the call using a remote control without having to hold the mobile phone up to his or her ear. The ‘Tek-Set’ transmits sound coming from the computer, MP3 player, home stereo system or TV set straight to the hearing device. With binaural fittings, this means that the “Explorer” hearing device turns into stereo earphones.

“Explorer” hearing devices from Siemens are available right now. To ensure an optimal fit for children of different ages, Siemens has also developed the “ClinicalFit” module for hearing aid acousticians.

Moreover, Siemens Audiology has been involved with schools for many years now, providing young people with information on the subjects of ‘Hearing’ and ‘Hearing impairment’. A specially developed, award-winning media pack in German and English is available free of charge to schools and teachers worldwide.

The Siemens Healthcare

Sector is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first integrated healthcare company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care – from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. Additionally, Siemens Healthcare is the global market leader in innovative hearing instruments. The company employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of €9.85 billion, orders of €10.27 billion, and group profit of €1.32 billion.

Siemens Explorer

A durable and safe hearing instrument

Rounded Pushbutton Cover with LED (1)
The rounded push button cover was especially designed for babies and toddlers to avoid the push button cover from being bitten or broken off when they start to discover their hearing aid. The integrated LED enables parents and teachers to easily check on hearing aid functionality.

Baby-safe Battery Door Lock (2)
The new baby-safe battery door lock is resistant to a tensile strength of more than 20 N, corresponding to about 2 kg of weight pulling at the battery compartment.
The door lock can be opened by parents or caregivers using a small screwdriver.

Volume Control with power-off functionality (3)
The programmable volume control can be disabled for the use in small children. It is clearly marked with numbers from 1 to 4 with end-stop as well as a power-off functionality when it is completely switched down.

Child-safe Earhooks (4)
Earhooks are available in child and adult size, both made of Terlux™ material which enables an easy screw-on as well as a difficult screw-off together with a good durability. This avoids a wearing-out or breaking of the screw-on connection and also avoids swallowing small parts, as children like to play and experience everything with all of their senses.

More information about Explorer, Hearing Instrument from Siemens

can be found at Siemens website