Oticon Rolls Out Next-Generation Opn Hearing Aids

Oticon has launched its latest product upgrade in the U.S., the Opn S hearing aid, with improved "360-degree" sound processing, a sound booster, and a rechargeable option. At the same time, it is delivering its premium-product performance to children with the launch of its new Opn Play hearing aids.

Oticon has said the Opn S is designed to reach its long-term goal of enabling people with hearing loss to understand speech, even in noisy environments, "on par with people with normal hearing." The brand's corporate parent, Demant A/S, said in its annual report that the new Opn S platform delivers a 15% improvement in speech understanding, a 10% reduction in listening effort and a 10% increase in memory recall over similar tests on its original Opn hearing aids.

Based on the company's new Velox S technology platform, Opn S features an "OpenSound Booster" setting that lets users trigger additional reductions in unwanted noise using the Oticon ON smartphone app. And by rapidly monitoring and adjusting to acoustic changes in the environment in real time, the technology delivers what Oticon describes as a 360-degree sound experience.

A Rechargeable Solution

Opn S miniRITE R style also features a lithium-ion rechargeable battery that provides a full day of power. For users who need a quick boost of power, it charges 50 percent in one hour and 25 percent in only thirty minutes. At full charge, Opn S users have a whole day of power.

Oticon Opn S is available in four styles tailored to meet all hearing needs and lifestyles: miniRITE, miniRITE R, the lithium-ion rechargeable battery solution, miniRITE T with a telecoil, and BTE Plus Power (PP) for those with severe to profound hearing loss.

Premium hearing aid performance for kids

In addition to providing new and improved Opn capabilities for adult users, Oticon is delivering all its top performance benefits to pediatric users. The new Opn Play hearing aids eliminate feedback, deliver better sound processing and provide multiple connectivity options to improve kids' experience in school and at play.

Based on Oticon's next-generation Velox S sound processing platform, the Opn Play hearing aids deliver the capabilities of the Opn S hearing aids to children of all ages, from infants to teens.

Keeping children connected to the world

Oticon Opn Play is internet-enabled and connects with smartphones, tablets, and other electronics. A Bluetooth receiver in Opn Play enables the hearing aids to seamlessly connect with Oticon ConnectClip, a small wireless microphone that can be worn by a parent, teacher or other speaker.

When distance or background noise becomes an issue, ConnectClip can help a child hear what a speaker is saying by delivering the speaker’s voice directly through the Opn Play hearing aids. Bluetooth connectivity also lets parents, teachers, and other caregivers adjust children’s hearing aid volume and program or check the battery status from a smartphone through the Oticon ON app.

In addition, there is optional compatibility with Oticon’s Amigo FM system, which is designed for the classroom. The system transmits the teacher’s voice via an FM microphone directly to a clip-on receiver on the child’s Opn Play instrument, significantly improving the child’s ability to hear and focus on lessons.

Range of colors and styles

Oticon Opn Play comes in 12 colors and four styles that are suited to a range of needs and preferences: miniRITE, miniRITE R come with the Opn S rechargeable battery system; miniRITE T features a with a telecoil; and BTE PP (Plus Power) is a versatile and robust hearing for a full range of hearing loss.

The rechargeable lithium-ion solution, part of the Opn Play miniRITE R, eliminates the hassle of handling and replacing batteries. The battery can be charged for a full day's use in three hours and, and when in a time crunch, a 30-minute charge provides six hours of power—ideal for a child’s after school activity or sporting event.