Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Telecommunications relay service wikipedia , lookup
Auditory system wikipedia , lookup
Sound localization wikipedia , lookup
Hearing loss wikipedia , lookup
Sound from ultrasound wikipedia , lookup
Lip reading wikipedia , lookup
Sensorineural hearing loss wikipedia , lookup
Noise-induced hearing loss wikipedia , lookup
Audiology and hearing health professionals in developed and developing countries wikipedia , lookup
COMFORT DIGISYSTEM Digital hearing products for educational environments Comfort Digisystem enables pupils with hearing loss to hear both the teacher and their classmates well – and to participate in all school activities. 2 Where a hearing aid reaches its limits, digital hearing products take over Being able to hear well at school is important both for learning and general social interaction. But for a pupil with a hearing aid or hearing implant (cochlear implant or bone-anchored hearing aid), the sound environment of a school is often an obstacle to participation. This is because the distances from the sound sources are generally significant, and a school environment has a lot of background noise. HEARING AID Digital sound processing that reduces background noise Comfort DigisystemTM is a range of wireless digital hearing products that enhance speech and reduce disturbing background noise before it reaches the hearing aid or hearing implant. The sound is digitally processed, making it easier to hear, understand and play a full part right from the very first preschool class assembly through to university examinations. COMFORT DIGISYSTEM NOISE SPEECH Comfort Digisystem supplements hearing aids and hearing implants in challenging sound environments. The system reduces disturbing background noise and enhances speech. 3 SNR is the key to high speech quality. And digital radio technology delivers optimum SNR. Learning requires a high SNR The stronger the signal in relation to the background noise, the higher the speech quality. The signal-tonoise ratio affects anyone’s ability to perceive speech and hold a conversation, but someone with hearing loss requires an SNR up to 15 dB better than that needed by a person with normal hearing in a similar situation.1 Children with hearing loss generally also need a further 5 dB improvement in SNR, as their linguistic abilities are still in the process of development.2 An effective way of improving SNR There are a number of ways in which SNR can be improved. So, for instance, binaural hearing aid adaptations improve SNR by around 3 dB.3 By reducing the distance from the sound source from four metres to one, there is an improvement in SNR of around 12 dB.4 But the easiest way to significantly improve SNR is to use digital hearing products to supplement hearing aids and hearing implants. Comfort Digisystem improves SNR by 23 dB An independent study 5 carried out by Lund University in Sweden has confirmed the unique capability of this digital technology to improve speech quality in environments where there is a lot of background noise. Improvement of signal-to-noise ratio in dB In any given hearing situation, our speech perception is affected by the relationship between the signal (speech) and the background noise (general noise, echo and other disturbing background noise). The signal/ background noise ratio or SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) is measured in decibels. 25 20 15 10 5 0 -10 0 10 15 Original signal-to-noise ratio in dB (ICRA-noise) •when SNR is -10 dB (i.e. speech is 10 dB weaker than the background noise), Comfort Digisystem improves SNR by 23 dB •w hen SNR is 0 (i.e. the speech and background noise levels are equal), Comfort Digisystem improves SNR by 17 dB. By way of comparison, a hearing aid with adaptive background noise reduction and directional microphones can improve SNR by 3 to 6 dB.6 Killion, M. (1997). The SIN report: Circuits haven’t solved the hearing-in-noise problem. The Hearing Journal, Vol. 50, No. 10, 29. John S. Bradley, Hiroshi Sato (2004). Speech intelligibility test results for grade 1, 3 and 6 children in real classrooms. National Research Council, Canada, Tohoku University, Japan. and 4 Arlinger, S. (1999). Störning av talkommunikation. Störande buller – Kunskapsöversikt för kriteriedokumentation, red. U Landström. Arbete och hälsa, rapport 1999:27, 28-43. 5 Sergey Smirnov (2011), PhD student, Department of Electrical and Information Technology, Lund University, Sweden. 6 Pumford JM, Seewald RC, Scollie SD, Jenstad LM (2000). Speech recognition with in-the-ear and behind-the-ear dual-microphone hearing instruments. 2000 Jan;11(1): 25-35. 1 2 3 4 The microphones are available in several versions, from a flexible teacher’s microphone to a user-friendly push-to-talk microphone. The choice of receiver is governed by user preference. So, for example, the receiver with a neck loop is often used by younger pupils, whereas the minireceiver is more common among older ones. 5 Comfort Digisystem is a complete system that utilises the full potential of digital technology. The flexible products allow the best possible sound reproduction at school. Comfort Audio’s patented technology for digital sound transmission is called SecureStream TechnologyTM (SST). The technology has been specially developed for hearing products and helps improve quality of life for those with hearing loss. SecureStream Technology has many advantages Digital radio technology has many advantages over FM technology: • no radio noise • large dynamic range (over 60 dB) • stable signal transmission • eavesdrop-secure signal transmission • linear sound reproduction up to 90 dB SPL • audio bandwidth optimised for speech quality An additional advantage is that SST completely eliminates the need for external antennas on the transmitter and receiver. Perfectly adequate range and stability can be achieved just by using small integrated antennas. Unlike other digital radio systems, SST involves no time delay. Powerful digital sound processing The conference microphones in Comfort Digisystem are provided with Perceptual Speech Enhancement (PSE). PSE consists of several functions that interact to bring meaningful parts of speech to the fore, at the same time as suppressing disturbing noise in the form of general noise, transient sound and echo. Without Comfort Digisystem With Comfort Digisystem Comfort Digisystem effectively improves the signal-to-noise ratio using digital sound processing and interference-free signal transmission. Experience the difference with your own ears at comfortaudio.com/ for-professional/sound-demo 6 For all levels of hearing loss Comfort Digisystem can be used for slight or moderate as well as severe hearing loss. The microphones are equipped with Automatic Gain Control (AGC), which maintains a comfortable sound level and reduces transient sound. The hearing products can also be used by pupils who find it hard to concentrate. Advanced channel management which is flexible as well Comfort Digisystem supports many different microphone solutions, making it the ideal solution for a school environment. One of the functions that contributes to this flexibility is Free Channel Request (FCR). FCR ensures that in a push-to-talk system only one microphone transmits at a time, irrespective of how many microphones the system contains. The microphones are also equipped with Free Frequency Check (FFC), a function that indicates accessible channels and uses the microphone display to show which frequencies are suitable. Compatibility Comfort Digisystem receivers can be used with: • hearing aids • cochlear implants • bone-anchored hearing aids •headphones •earphones •teleloops Microphones for all situations in school. Microphone DM05 Practical microphone for a teacher or lecturer. Microphone DM10 and DM20 Flexible microphones with many functions for both teachers and pupils. Microphone DM30 Conference Microphone DC10 and DC20 Receiver DH10 Receiver DT20 Push-to-talk microphone that can receive as well as transmit. Now with an improved neck loop. With digital sound processing and four microphone modes. Connected to a mobile phone via Bluetooth. Receivers that are compatible with all Comfort Digisystem microphones. Receiver DE10 A small receiver worn on the ear. Can be used on either the right or left ear. Used with a neck loop, headphones or earphones. The world’s most advanced digital mini-receiver. Powered by the hearing aid or hearing implant battery. Other equipment to complement the microphones and receivers in Comfort Digisystem. Access DA20 Diversity receiver that can handle all sound sources in a classroom. Access DA20 LS Diversity receiver with integrated loop amplifier. Sync DY10 Synchronises all Comfort Digisystem units used in the room. Speaker DS15 Speaker for temporary or permanent installation. Several connection options. Assortment may vary by country 7 Places the focus on the teacher and brings clarity to dialogue Being able to hear the teacher’s voice clearly and distinctly is just as important in preschool as it is at university level. Comfort Digisystem can be used in many situations throughout a person’s school and university career to eliminate background noise and solve the problems caused by long distances from the speaker. Several teacher microphones can be used simultaneously A microphone and receiver are all that is needed Good coverage in big rooms too Comfort Digisystem offers many options for optimising sound reproduction of what the teacher is saying. The teacher can, for instance, use a discreet microphone that picks up and digitises speech before it is transmitted to the pupil’s receiver. As the microphone is positioned near to the sound source, a pupil with hearing loss is spared background noise and disturbing hum. The microphone picks up what the teacher is saying and transmits it digitally to the pupil’s receiver. 8 In many contexts, a pupil with hearing loss has to be able to hear several teachers at the same time. Thanks to the digital technology, several teacher microphones can be used in the same room without interfering with each other. Long distances from lecturers are no problem: the microphone has a range of up to 30 metres. A practical solution outside school as well Comfort Digisystem can easily be taken with you and used during excursions and outdoor activities, for instance. The sound is picked up by several teacher microphones and digitally processed, before being sent to the receiver, in this case a Receiver DT20 minireceiver, which is connected to the hearing aid. 1 2 3 1 Pupils can use a receiver with a neck loop, a minireceiver or a receiver worn on the ear. 2 Microphone DM10 with Automatic Gain Control 3With Comfort Digisystem, the teacher’s spoken regulates the volume, ensuring the teacher’s message is communicated clearly and distinctly. speech output is conveyed at a comfortable The teacher in the illustration is using a boom level. microphone, connected to the Comfort Digisystem microphone in her pocket. 9 For increased participation and confidence when working with other pupils Comfort Digisystem helps pupils with hearing loss participate in group work and larger discussions. Hear your teacher and classmates as well The products are easy to use and are specially adapted for teaching situations. One example is the Microphone DM10 push-to-talk microphone which manages the conversational sequence so that only one pupil at a time can talk. The microphone is equipped with the unique Free Channel Request (FCR) function, which ensures that only one pupil microphone at a time transmits – irrespective of how many microphones there are in the classroom. The microphone the teacher users transmits the whole time. The push-to-talk microphones with FCR structure the conversation in the classroom and ensure that a pupil with hearing loss does not miss any of the conversation between the teacher and the pupil currently speaking. Flexible and user-friendly Comfort Digisystem Microphone DM10 delivers crystal clear sound in conversations, group work and lectures. It can also be connected to a DVD player, computer, smartboard or other external sound source. The sound from the push-to-talk microphone is first sent to the teacher’s microphone. It is then sent to the receiver worn by the pupil with hearing loss. Do you want to know more about how Comfort Digisystem can be used in the classroom? See the situation clips at comfortaudio.com/for-professionals/solutions/school/ 10 1 2 3 1 All participants in the conversation are easily heard, as the conference microphone automatically compensates for the distance between it and the sound source. 2 Comfort Digisystem transmits the sound to the girl’s minireceiver without any delay. It is crucial for pupils who lip read that the sound should be in sync with what they visually perceive. 3 The green LED on the receiver indicates that the unit is switched on. 11 Creates a better sound environment for everyone at school Comfort Audio’s product development is always undertaken on the basis of a fully integrated overall approach. Knowledge of the environments in which hearing products are used and an understanding of how the user thinks and behaves are vital to developing truly functional products. This philosophy has meant that the unique digital technology on which Comfort Digisystem is based has found a number of uses in schools – thereby benefitting pupils with normal hearing as well. Here are a few examples: •wireless aids for pupils with concentration problems which direct focus naturally onto the teacher and contribute to a calmer atmosphere in the classroom The sound from several teacher microphones and one push-to-talk microphone is transmitted to the Access DA20 diversity receiver. There the sound is mixed before being sent to the pupil’s receiver. External sound sources can also be connected. 12 •complete speaker systems for speech amplification, which enhance the sound environment for pupils with normal hearing and spare the teacher’s voice •flexible pupil microphones that can be connected directly to an external sound source, such as a DVD player, computer or TV Transmitter and receiver in a single unit Comfort Digisystem Microphone DM30 has been developed for special schools. It works both as a transmitter and as a receiver, making it suitable for environments where pupils and teachers alike have hearing loss. The versatile Conference Microphone DC20 automatically compensates for the distance to the sound source and processes the sound digitally, bringing meaningful parts of speech to the fore and suppressing disturbing noise. The microphone can also be used as a receiver for a lecturer microphone. 1 2 3 1 The teacher’s microphone mixes her speech with the sound coming from the pupils’ microphones. The pupils’ microphones are held in practical desk stands. 2 The microphone can easily be connected to an external sound source, such as a computer or a mobile, via Bluetooth. 3Comfort Audio’s products can easily be connected to an existing sound installation. 13 A knowledge advantage which creates new possibilities Working in partnership with Comfort Audio is rewarding. We give you new perspectives on school sound environments so that you can utilise the potential of the digital technology to the full. Through Comfort Academy and other training forums you will get access to practical information about the company’s products and systems. On our website and our extranet you will have access to an extensive selection of information and marketing materials. When it comes to installing the equipment and integrating it with existing systems, Comfort Audio’s technicians can assist with expert advice and documentation. 14 Support and good advice on product applications, options for trying them out and troubleshooting, are available to you online, by telephone or via Comfort Audio’s distributors. The hearing products are developed, tested and manufactured in Sweden by our own staff. Comfort Audio manages the entire process from initial idea to finished product, thereby guaranteeing the highest quality. In short: from Comfort Audio you can expect that little bit more. Contact Comfort Audio for a one-to-one meeting so that we can tell you more about our digital hearing products. 15 13ENG-1310 Since 1994, Swedish company Comfort Audio has developed and manufactured products for people with hearing loss. With leading technology and innovative solutions, we have a mission to make people with hearing loss feel comfortable interacting in all situations through all stages of life. We are dedicated, curious, highly technically motivated and are driven by passion and joy. This has made us one of the leading companies in hearing product technology. Our products have been developed for working life, school, public places and private life. The needs of the individual are always in focus and we have a genuine desire to improve the quality of life for people with a hearing loss. Comfort Audio AB | PO Box 154 | SE-301 05 Halmstad, Sweden | Tel. + 46 35-260 16 00 [email protected] | www.comfortaudio.com