An L-shaped hearing aid for improved performance, comfort

Courtesy of WSAudiology

An L-shaped design that places the microphones at an improved angle to enhance speech directionality and better align with the wearer’s listening focus sets Widex’s new SmartRIC hearing aid apart.

The microphone placement allows patients to experience the voices and sounds they want to hear. The SmartRIC hearing aid also applies directionality and noise reduction in specific noisy situations where patients need support; for example, the newly designed microphone inlets reduce wind and touch noise.

SmartRIC is also Widex’s longest-lasting rechargeable RIC hearing aid, providing up to 37 hours on a single charge.

Martyn Beedham, design director at WSAudiology, Widex’s Parent Company, shares insight into the design and functionality behind the Widex SmartRIC hearing aid.

Today’s Medical Developments (TMD): How did the concept of an L-shaped design come about for the Widex SmartRIC hearing aid?

Martyn Beedham (MB): We’re continually looking for ways to do things better. We conduct design studies on a regular basis, talking to customers and end users, looking into new hearing aid designs and ideas. For the SmartRIC, we decided not to be bound by the classic limitations that standard form factors of receiver-in-the-canal (RICs) and behind-the-ear (BTEs) hearing aids conform to and to directly challenge these norms.

We found a way to combine the excellent audiology of Widex with a new power delivery system to make the truly unique and iconic L-shaped device. This is a classic story of form follows function. This new shape is driven by placing the microphones more horizontally,  enabling improved hearing performance while the slimmer battery ensures better comfort behind the ear.

This was achieved through creating and refining multiple design iterations and testing these different concept ideas with customers and end users in our major markets across the world.

In parallel, wearing comfort tests conducted across WSA locations in Europe and Asia ensured we could achieve a comfortable fit and a pleasing look on the ear even while glasses were being worn.

The result is the slimmest and best-performing RIC in our portfolio today that feels great on the ear and looks stunningly sleek and absolutely unique.

TMD: How does this L-shaped design improve hearing aid functionality?

MB: By placing the SmartRIC higher up on the ear, the angle between the two microphones becomes closer to horizontal. This enables the directional microphone to align with what users are focusing on, resulting in an improved signal-to-noise ratio in noisy environments. This enhancement is designed to help users engage in social situations and live their lives more fully.

TMD: What are the various manufacturing processes used for producing the outer shell of the hearing aid, the internal components, etc.?

MB: The manufacturing process remains consistent across different hearing aid form factors. The new SmartRIC portable charger, however, stands out with its features; it can store up to five full hearing aid charges and also boasts a sleek design element. Two LEDs discreetly sit behind an unobtrusive panel, enhancing the device’s clean and premium aesthetics. These LEDs serve as indicators, keeping you informed about the status of your hearing aid charge. The Widex SmartRIC also comes with a IP68 rating, which means that they can withstand dust, dirt, and sand and being submerged in water to a maximum depth of 1.5m for 30 minutes.

TMD: What are the materials used in the components that make up the SmartRIC hearing aid?

MB: We use injection molding plastic and lacquers for the color range.

TMD: Regarding design of the microphone inlets, what changes were made that reduce wind and touch noise?

MB: Our microphone covers have been redesigned to be more protective against wind and touch noise. The microphone inlets have been moved to the side and they don’t protrude in any way. This means they don’t face wind coming from the front or back.

TMD: Are these inner ear or behind-the-ear hearing aids, and does that make a difference in the design and functionality to achieve this enhanced speech directionality?

MB: It’s a RIC hearing aid, so it’s neither an in-the-ear (ITE) or BTE hearing aid, although the body of the hearing aid is behind the ear. Each hearing aid form factor has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, a two-microphone ITE hearing aid would offer very good directionality, as it still harnesses the acoustic effect of the natural outer ear anatomy. But you would have a reduced battery life and may have to compromise on other conveniences, such as connectivity. In the RIC and BTE hearing aid categories, the SmartRIC’s design allows for improved directionality and enhanced speech intelligibility because the microphones are placed at a more horizontal angle.