Using Bluetooth Connectivity to Enhance Hearing Aid Benefit

Carol Meyers, Au.D. and Gabrielle Filips, Au.D. Siemens Hearing Instruments

Bluetooth What is Bluetooth? What are the benefits & limitations? How does Siemens Hearing use this technology? The Tek experience - listen for yourself!

Bluetooth Bluetooth is an industrial specification for wireless personal area networks (PANs). Technology first introduced in Sweden in the 1990s The Bluetooth name originally came from the Danish Viking and King, Harald Bltand whose name translates to Bluetooth in English. He is known for uniting Denmark & Norway Bluetooth provides a way to connect and exchange information between devices such as mobile phones, laptops, personal computers, printers, digital cameras & video game consoles over a secure, globally unlicensed short-range radio frequency ~ 30 feet for class 2 devices

The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Siemens AG is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners. 3

Bluetooth Bluetooth is a standard and communications protocol primarily designed for low power consumption, with a short range based on low cost transceiver microchips in each device Bluetooth is radio-based (digital FM) using the 2.4 GHz radio spectrum Pairing of communicating Bluetooth devices is always required & the transmission is secure due to encryption. A Personal Area Network (PAN) is created with the pairing Bluetooth devices use a radio communications system, so they do not have to be in line of sight of each other

Bluetooth benefits Benefits Wireless Eliminates wires/connection cables Easy to set up and improves safety and look of setup Turns hearing instruments into a wireless hands-free headset Low interference Doesnt need to be line of sight (like infrared technology) Inexpensive technology Less than $5 for the chip

Bluetooth limitations Limitations Power consumption

Considered low for some applications but in hearing aid industry considered to be high Draws approximately 8 mA from a 1.8 volt power source* Hearing instrument example: Super Power BTE draws approximately 2 mA from a 1.3 volt power source (675 battery)

Size of components
BlueCore 7 chip approximately 4 x 4 mm; similar in size to typical hearing instrument chip* Antenna is required to pick up signal Size of antenna dictates efficiency Typical size may be 12.8 x 3.6 x 3.3 mm (.51 inch x .15 inch x .13 inch)

*J. Yanz and D. Preves, The Hearing Journal, 2007

Bluetooth limitations

Limitations High transmission delay > 100 ms (typically ~200 ms) Degraded lip synchrony if audio paired to visual stimulus (non-issue with cell phones)

Limited audio signal bandwidth: 7.5 K Hz

*J. Yanz and D. Preves, The Hearing Journal, 2007

Bluetooth limitations with hearing aids & Siemens Solutions Limited audio signal bandwidth: 7.5 KHz SoundBrilliance in high tech hearing instruments extend bandwidth to 12 KHz High transmission delay: >100 ms (typically ~200ms) degraded lip synchrony (TV) degraded sound quality for open fittings Tek Transmitter with proprietary Bluetooth implementation using much shorter delays already paired with Tek Connect High power consumption and large size of components Bluetooth implemented in remote control (Tek Connect) e2e wireless 2.0 for transmission from Tek Connect to hearing instrument (magnetic transmission)

Tek Wireless Enhancement System

Programming with CONNEXX 6.4

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Life fitting range for mild to moderate hearing loss

Life output/gain 124/40 dB SPL

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Siemens Life 700

16 channel DSP e2e wireless 2.0 Multichannel AGC-I & Multichannel AGC-O Environmental Classification System Speech & Noise Management System: 16 channels, 7 steps + OFF SoundSmoothing (3 settings + off) Multichannel adaptive directional microphone system
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Siemens Life 700

TruEar SoundBrilliance FeedbackBlocker SoundLearning ProPocket, ePen & Tek compatible Moisture resistant technology
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Lets start programming the hearing instruments and the Tek Connect with CONNEXX 6.4

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Tek Wireless Enhancement System

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Tek Wireless Enhancement System Tek now comes in new, smaller packaging Compatible with all e2e wireless 2.0 products: 701, 501 & 301 700, 500 & 300 Car charging adapter for Tek is an optional accessory

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Tek Wireless Enhancement

Tek Connect & Tek Transmitter are pre-paired and share the same serial # Serial #s are located on the back of the Tek Transmitter & inside the battery compartment of the Tek Connect

Tek Connect

Tek Transmitter

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Tek + e2e wireless 2.0 e2e wireless 2.0 Short range magnetic transmission system New technology for optimum stereo sound Operates at 3.28 MHz, in accordance with the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) which recommends 3.155 MHz to 3.400 MHz operating range for low power wireless hearing instruments
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Tek Wireless Enhancement Tek Connect Display

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Tek Wireless Enhancement Tek Connect Display Direct access to programs (P1P5)

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Tek Wireless Enhancement Tek Connect Display Direct access to programs (P1P5) Volume + / -

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Tek Wireless Enhancement Tek Connect Display Direct access to programs (P1P5) Volume + / Accept / End phone calls On / Off Tek Connect

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Tek Wireless Enhancement Tek Connect Display Direct access to programs (P1P5) Volume + / Accept/ End phone calls On / Off Tek Connect Microphone for phone application
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Tek Wireless Enhancement Tek Connect

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Tek Wireless Enhancement Tek Connect Lock switch: Locks the Tek Connect

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Tek Wireless Enhancement Tek Connect Lock switch: Locks the Tek Connect Instrument power: Power down/Readout

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Tek Wireless Enhancement Tek Connect Lock switch: Locks the Tek Connect Instrument power: Power down/Readout Treble/Bass* control: Change tone

*Bass for Nitro SP BTEs

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Tek Wireless Enhancement Tek Connect Lock switch: Locks the Tek Connect Instrument power: Power down/Readout Treble/Bass* control: Change tone Audio input: 2.5 mm stereo connector

*Bass for Nitro SP BTEs

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Tek Wireless Enhancement Tek Connect Lock switch: Locks the Tek Connect Instrument power: Power down/Readout Treble/Bass* control: Change tone Audio input: 2.5mm stereo connector Mini USB connector:
connects to charger or to program the Tek Connect

*Bass for Nitro SP BTEs

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Tek Wireless Enhancement Tek Transmitter

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Tek Wireless Enhancement Tek Transmitter Audio Input: 2.5 mm stereo connector

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Tek Wireless Enhancement Tek Transmitter Audio Input: 2.5 mm stereo connector Power-in

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Tek Wireless Enhancement Tek Transmitter Audio Input: 2.5 mm stereo connector Power-in Master volume

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Tek Wireless Enhancement Tek Transmitter Audio Input: 2.5 mm stereo connector Power-in Master volume

On / Off switch

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Tek Wireless Enhancement Tek Transmitter Audio Input: 2.5 mm stereo connector Power-in Master volume

On / Off switch LED shows status:

Blinking: Looking for Tek Connect Constant: Established connection with Tek Connect
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Tek Wireless Enhancement

link to your TV

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Tek Wireless Enhancement System Link to your TV (DVD, PC, Stereo)

e2e wireless 2.0

Wired connection between the computer and Tek Transmitter Turn on the Tek Transmitter Switch to audio program i.e. P3 The audio signal of the video is transmitted in stereo to the hearing instruments Tek Transmitter uses a unique Bluetooth protocol to ensure insignificant delay of the audio signal, unlike competitive devices
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Linking Tek to TV, DVD, PC, stereo

30 ft 30 ft 3 ft 3 ft

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The Tek experience listen for yourself with the Siemens Life 700s

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Listening demo Power hearing instruments on Start listening in P1 Tek Transmitter is connected to computer via cable Turn Tek Transmitter ON
Blue light on Tek Transmitter is blinking

Press P3 to access Tek program

Note blue light changes from blinking to solid

Start video on computer and enjoy the Tek experience

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Lets explore other listening possibilities

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Tek Wireless Enhancement

link to your MP3

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Tek Wireless Enhancement Link to your world

e2e wireless 2.0

Connect your external devices directly to Tek Connect via a cable (e.g. MP3 player) Select your audio program i.e. P3 Enjoy the sound in stereo A connected external device (e.g. MP3 player) has a higher priority than a device transmitting via the Tek Transmitter. An incoming phone call has the highest priority
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Tek Wireless Enhancement

link to your phone

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Tek Wireless Enhancement System

e2e wireless 2.0

Link to your Bluetooth phone

Phone rings & ring tone is generated in both instruments Accept phone call by pressing green button on Tek Connect Wearers voice is transmitted via Tek Connect to the phone The incoming call is transmitted via Tek Connect to both instruments End the phone call automatically, or by pressing red button

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How to pair Tek Connect to Bluetooth enabled phone

Press the green phone button of the Tek Connect for approximately 7 seconds. The Tek Connect will display the pairing information as shown. Place Bluetooth enabled phone in discovery mode of Bluetooth enabled phone as indicated in phone manual. When the Bluetooth enabled phone detects Tek Connect, the phone will display the name Tek Connect. Select Tek Connect as the device to be paired with the phone and enter the Pin Code 0000 if asked. The The Tek Connect and the Bluetooth enabled phone are now paired.
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Tek Wireless Enhancement System Phone Adapter brings Bluetooth functionality to standard landline phones

The package contains:

Power supply set Telephone cable (RJ11), standard telephone plug Multi language user guide (26 languages)

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How to connect Phone Adapter

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How to pair Tek Connect to Phone Adapter

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How to use Tek Connect with land line phone

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Proven Benefits of Tek + Bluetooth Phone

6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Tek Only Tek + Mic

Source: Ricketts & Picou, 2008
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Binaural Benefit/ dB SNR

Proven Benefits of Tek + Bluetooth Phone

Bluetooth functionality in hearing aids Study shows that binaural wireless phone transmission improves signal-to-noise ratio by up to 5.7 dB over monaural transmission. 1 dB SNR = ~8 -10% intelligibility for some listening situations This translates to significantly better speech understanding on the phone a use case for which many hearing instrument wearers are seeking improvement.

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Tek Wireless Enhancement System Best wireless option for your patients!
Easy-to-use plug and play solution Automatic operation Tek Transmitter comes pre-paired with Tek Connect All-in-one remote/receiver not only functions as remote, but wirelessly streams Bluetooth signals in stereo Offers wearers the automatic ability to learn gain, frequency & intensity preferences in every listening program! No lanyard required & twice the streaming distance of competitors Compatible with custom CICs!
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Additional Tek information on public website

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Additional Tek information on Siemens website

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Tek video series

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Thank You!

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