Leading hearing aid manufacturer Oticon introduced a groundbreaking
hearing device designed to change forever the perception of hearing aids among
the 50-plus generation. Called Oticon Delta, the miniature hearing device with
its trendy triangular shape and stylish colours appears to have more in common
with tiny high-tech communication devices or cool fashion accessories than
traditional hearing aids.
Make no mistake, however, this New Age digital hearing device is fully loaded.
Oticon recognized that designing a hearing aid that appealed to Baby Boomers’
desire for attractive, high-tech solutions was only the first step in gaining
acceptance among adults beginning to experience hearing loss. In fact, the
trendy ear "accessory" houses state-of-the-art computer technology that is aimed
at boosting hearing clarity in difficult listening situations for a younger
generation of users.
"This is definitely not your grandfather’s hearing aid!" says Audiology Manager,
Ross Harwell of Oticon Canada. "For the first time we have a hearing device that
combines cutting edge hearing aid technology with contemporary design to attract
image-conscious, technology-savvy Baby Boomers. Delta is ideal for this active
generation who is experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss and need to boost
speech clarity in difficult listening situations."
Fashion meet technology
Fashion has never been associated with hearing aids before. Many people still
imagine "big beige bananas" behind the ear when thinking of hearing aids. This
is certainly not the case with Delta which comes in seventeen different brushed
metallic colour styles, ranging from "Cabernet Red" and "Artic Blue" to "Racing
Green" and "Wildlife", that give this sleek and sexy hearing device a new
attitude for a new generation of hearing aid users.
"For Delta, we wanted a design concept that would not relate to traditional
hearing aids – a unique ‘sensory-assistive device’ to contradict pre-conceived
notions of what it means to have a hearing aid. The resulting combination of
fashionable looks and unsurpassed technology makes Delta a triangular "star" on
the hearing aid horizon," noted Ross Harwell.
Hearing but not understanding
Every second person over the age of 50 experiences loss of speech clarity in
noisy listening situations. Experts explain that hearing is not the problem,
understanding is. As people age, degrees of clarity impairment occur naturally,
resulting in the loss of speech information in the high frequencies. This means
that consonants, like "s", "t" and "f" are suddenly more difficult to hear –
making understanding conversation difficult.
"Delta is a real ‘consonant booster’ that provides a communication edge in
situations where understanding can be a challenge such as at work, in social
gatherings or crowded restaurants," explains Ross Harwell, Audiology Manager of
Oticon Canada. "With Delta, people can easily stay active and in touch with
their surroundings without having to worry about missing something. They can put
Delta on when they need it and just forget about it."
Creating a new category
Delta’s innovative design has been made possible by placing its receiver into
the ear canal at the end of a thin, transparent sound wire. Not only does this
unique approach open the way to design breakthroughs not possible before but it
created a whole new category of hearing solutions called RITE (Receiver In The
Ear). Combining the best of two worlds, Delta merges the cosmetic advantages of
in-the-ear instruments with the technological possibilities of behind-the-ear
instruments.
But it is what’s inside that accounts for Delta’s superior performance. The
high-tech communication device incorporates an unparalleled battery of must-have
features to provide outstanding clear and comfortable sound quality. Delta’s
digital "brain", a miniature processor, is enabled by Artificial Intelligence
and makes millions of calculations per second to attenuate noise, accentuate
speech and thereby enhance the ability to communicate – even in challenging
situations, well-known to dynamic Baby Boomers.
Delta is the latest invention from Oticon, one of the most innovative hearing
aid manufacturers on the market. With over 100 years of experience, Oticon looks
back on a number of technological breakthroughs in hearing aid history that have
made a significant difference for people with hearing loss. Oticon is the only
manufacturer with its own research centre ensuring that the needs of hearing aid
users are always put first when developing new solutions.
Oticon Delta wins Red Dot Design Award 2006
Even before the new Delta instrument was officially introduced, it was able to
get its first award: the red dot award 2006! From over 2000 entries from 41
nations Delta received the red dot: "best of the best" for pioneering design in
the product design category.
For more Information on the reddot design award please visit: www.red-dot.de
For more information on Oticon Delta, please visit www.my-delta.com or contact
Ross Harwell, Audiology Manager, or Susan Lucas, Marketing Manager, Oticon
Canada.
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