Phonak Launches Audéo Lumity for Better Speech Understanding in Noise

Stäfa, Switzerland – Phonak, a leading global provider of life-changing hearing solutions, has launched today the Lumity platform, featuring the company’s proprietary SmartSpeech™ Technology for improved speech understanding in noise.^1-4 Lumity, which follows only 2 years after the release of Phonak’s highly successful Paradise platform, provides 16% better speech understanding from the front compared to fixed directional systems and an average of 15% better speech intelligibility from the back and sides compared to conventional acoustic coupling.

Lumity also includes universal Bluetooth^® connectivity and the sound quality expected from an industry leader.

HearingTracker Audiologist Matthew Allsop provides a quick review of Phonak Lumity features in this short video. This video is not part of Phonak's official communication. Closed captions are available on this video. If you are using a mobile phone, please enable captions clicking on the gear icon.

“Despite many significant advancements in hearing aid functionality and ease of use, hearing care professionals and their clients continue to ask for ways to enhance what is the most basic but still the most important purpose of a hearing aid: better speech understanding,” said Phonak Director of Global Audiology Angela Pelosi. “With Lumity, we’re delivering on that front with technology that offers our best performance in speech understanding, even in loud noise environments. This platform proudly builds on Phonak’s heritage of more than 75 years dedicated to creating innovative hearing solutions that impact the lives of millions of people.”

Special Features of Lumity Technology

Phonak SmartSpeech Technology focuses on improved speech understanding and reduced listening effort,^1-3 particularly in challenging environments. Wearers will be able to fully immerse themselves in conversations and enjoy easier hearing in many situations—in quiet or even in environments with background noise like restaurants.

StereoZoom 2.0 and SpeechSensor are designed to deliver a new dimension in directional microphone technology with improved speech detection and speech understanding. Until now, directional microphone technology has been one-dimensional with sharp focus on a single or main source of sound.

• StereoZoom 2.0 provides a smoother, gradual, and continuously adaptive focus on a conversation partner while simultaneously maintaining a balance of environmental awareness, says Phonak. Clinical evidence shows that it enables better speech understanding from the front by 16% in a noisy environment⁴ compared to fixed directional.
• SpeechSensor provides 360-degree speech detection with an average of 15% better speech understanding from the side and behind compared to conventional acoustic coupling, according to the company.

In addition to this SmartSpeech Technology, Lumity also offers:

• ActiveVent receiver provides an average of 10% better speech understanding in noise compared to conventional acoustic coupling and natural sound in everyday listening situations,²  while AutoSense OS 5.0 allows the hearing aids to automatically adjust to surrounding sounds.

• Roger On is designed to help hearing aid wearers better understand speech in challenging situations, such as background noise and over distance. MultiBeam Technology in Roger On has been shown to increase speech understanding up to 61% in a group conversation in 75 dBA of noise, compared to hearing aids alone.³

• Audéo Life™ waterproof model. Phonak Audéo Lumity is also available as Phonak Audéo Life™, designed to help people get immersed in their experiences with a hearing aid that is waterproof (up to 19.7 in) and tested beyond IP68 rating for not only fresh water, but also salt or pool water and sweat. HearingTracker recently reviewed Audéo Life in a recent article and video.
• Lumity pairs with the myPhonak app, which has been designed to empower users with the ability to make adjustments and create customized programs. The app also allows the user to track personal health data, including step count, wearing time, activity levels, distance walked and ran, and optional goal setting. This further strengthens the meaningful connection across hearing healthcare, well-being and technology. In addition, myPhonak app allows the users to connect directly with a hearing care professional who can remotely assist in personalizing their hearing experience.
• Phonak made-for-all connectivity supports up to 8 pairings and 2 active connections, allowing the wearer to easily switch between streamed audio from one device to another and to make true hands-free calls.

“We strive to provide hearing care professionals and their clients with the best possible outcomes,” said Vice-President of Phonak Marketing Jon Billings. “Daily use of hearing aids has become the norm for a growing number of people around the world who are living with hearing loss, so we focus on making the experience as seamless and effective as possible, with optimal ease of use and peace of mind. With Lumity, we’re excited to further the ability that our hearing aids provide in helping people to fully immerse in conversations in any environment.”