New Phonak Products, New Features, and New Evidence
AudiologyOnline: What’s new from Phonak?
Dr. Brandy Pouliot: I’m really excited to introduce quite a number of new innovations this fall. There are not only new products, new features, and new evidence, but these solutions come with new fitting workflows to improve efficiencies and patient ease-of-use.
First, we’re releasing two RICs on the new Infinio Ultra platform: Audéo Infinio (Ultra) Sphere™ and Infinio Ultra R!
Audéo Infinio (Ultra) Sphere is clear with new Spheric Speech Clarity 2.0. Spheric Speech Clarity 2.0 extracts, enhances, and integrates speech in real-time for unmatched hearing from any direction, in any situation. Infinio (Ultra) Sphere is now 30% more efficient, which means your patients can be in the moment for even longer.
Both Infinio Ultra R and Infinio (Ultra) Sphere are adaptive with new AutoSense OS 7.0, ensuring that your patient has the best sound for them, no matter the situation. AutoSense OS 7.0 has been trained with 18 times more sound environments and is 24% more precise in its classification for personalized, blended programs.
Infinio Ultra R and Infinio (Ultra) Sphere are connected. Always universal with connectivity that works no matter the device, now with new one-step pairing and the ability to disable hands-free calling (for those that work in secure areas). For those that see their patients via Remote Support, you can now complete a feedback test.
Infinio Ultra R and Infinio (Ultra) Sphere are easy. Phonak does the work so you don’t have to. To improve your clinical workflow we have a new feedback and real-ear test that can be completed in under 13 seconds, a 40% faster binaural firmware update and are introducing the new EasyGuard dome. EasyGuard addresses a high-priority issue of wax with its patented design of a sound-transmitting sealed membrane. EasyGuard only requires your patients to wipe with a dry cloth and reduces patient service appointments by up to 38%!
AudiologyOnline: You mentioned new evidence?
Dr. Brandy Pouliot: Yes! There is new evidence for AutoSense OS 7.0 showing that it is more accurate at classifying speech in noise and music than AutoSense OS 6.0. New evidence continues to support better speech understanding, reduced listening effort and less fatigue with Spheric Speech Clarity, and a new EasyGuard study follows patients through a four-month field trial of the new dome.
AudiologyOnline: What is all of this evidence saying?
Dr. Brandy Pouliot: This evidence is showing that the new products and features introduced this fall with Infinio Ultra are providing end-users with benefits that allow them to automatically interact with their world and their digital ecosystem for longer periods of time and with reduced fatigue.
AudiologyOnline: That is a lot of innovation just 15 months after you launched the Infinio platform. Can any existing Infinio users get any of these new features?
Dr. Brandy Pouliot: YES! Any existing Infinio R or Infinio Sphere wearers can upgrade via Target to Infinio Ultra. You will have the option to upgrade after you download Target 11.1.
AudiologyOnline: Wow! This is awesome news! Any other updates?
Dr. Brandy Pouliot: YES! Infinio Ultra R and Sphere are available in Sandalwood (P3) and Velvet Black (P8) as well as the standard colors.
AudiologyOnline: How can I get more information and order?
Dr. Brandy Pouliot: Visit our website Phonak.com for more information, evidence, and login to the Phonak Store and Phonak Learning. As always, reach out to your local Phonak representative.
Brandy Pouliot, AuD
Brandy Pouliot, AuD, is the Director of Audiology and Education for Sonova, US. She earned her Doctor of Audiology degree from Nova Southeastern University and practiced privately until she joined Phonak in 2012 as a Lyric Clinical Trainer. Brandy has presented informative sessions regarding Sonova products, thought leadership topics such as eAudiology, Family Centered Care, cognition, social-emotional and physical well-being, and led experiential trainings locally and globally. Dr. Pouliot is passionate about supporting audiologists and patients live a life without limitations.