Capturing all of life’s most challenging soundscapes with Binaural VoiceStream Technology ®

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A voice can be deeply moving, conveying thoughts, emotions and feelings. Every spoken word consists of sounds and tones which creates understanding and enables us to build and maintain relationships.

For over 60 years, Phonak has been leading the charge to empower voices by developing significant innovations in hearing aid technology.

It is through the mastery of acoustics, audiology and hearing aid technology, that every voice can be heard.

Giving every voice its rightful place drives us every day to push the limits of technology. Yet, we can only do this by closely collaborating with hearing care professionals. By listening closely to you, we have gained invaluable knowledge of the needs of the hearing-impaired, thanks to your deep understanding of their needs. This is our purpose. And your voice is our guiding principle.

There is power in the voice

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Innovation • With the introduction of the Phonak Quest platform we maximize the capabilities of our leading chip technology and are introducing powerful new features based on our unique Binaural VoiceStream Technology ®. This allows clients the ability to hear and understand in even more challenging listening situations.

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It has always been our mission to improve the understanding of speech in challenging listening environments. With each new platform we have provided solutions that have helped to eliminate more and more challenges.

The biggest leap forward came with the introduction of Phonak Binaural VoiceStream Technology ® four years ago.

Our unique ability to stream, in real-time, bi-directionally, the full audio bandwidth has led to hallmark features like StereoZoom and ZoomControl. With Phonak Quest we are making another leap forward.

Our expertise in binaural technology sits at the heart of Phonak Quest.

Capturing all of life’s most challenging soundscapes with Binaural VoiceStream Technology ®

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With StereoZoom, auto ZoomControl, DuoPhone and Phonak CROS, we introduced hearing aid wearers to the exceptional benefits of Binaural VoiceStream Technology ®.

We use Binaural VoiceStream Technology ® to focus on a single voice in a cacophony of sound. This means more signal, less noise and better understanding in more listening situations. In fact, we know that client satisfaction with hearing aids is directly related to the number of listening environments in which it assists*.

Now, with Phonak Quest, we open new doors to the soundscapes of life by pushing the limits of Binaural VoiceStream Technology ® even further. This is the new standard to which any other hearing aid should be measured.

Introducing Speech in Wind and auto StereoZoom: two new features, two more challenging sound environments conquered.

* MarkeTrak VIII – Satisfaction Study; S Kochkin, January 2010

Binaural VoiceStream Technology ® – The heart of Phonak Quest

Understanding everywhere:

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We all know that wind is the nemesis of hearing aids. So far the attempts to combat the effect of wind on hearing aids have focused on improved comfort only. With Quest, we wanted more – improvements in speech intelligibility as well as comfort. The biggest source of disturbance is wind entering the microphone ports. The wind’s turbulence varies according to head orientation, and even a gentle breeze can pose a challenge.

With Phonak Quest we introduce Speech in Wind. First, it detects the wind noise in both hearing aids. Then, through sophisticated binaural processing the results are compared in real-time. The aid with the better speech

signal is identified and the good signal is streamed to the other side.

By leaving frequencies above 1500 Hz untouched, Speech in Wind ensures the intelligibility of speech and comfort, while maintaining spatial cues needed for localization.

Binaural VoiceStream Technology ® does the heavy lifting to make voices clearer while improving comfort. The resulting increase in speech intelligibility has been measured to be as high as 40 %*.

* Phonak Hearing Center Research

Speech in Wind – The conversation must go on! Even on a windy day!

Speech in Wind detects and reduces wind noise and streams speech to the side most affected by the wind, making voices clearer while improving comfort.

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Noise is the foe of speech intelligibility. The best way to combat noise is to ensure that it doesn’t enter the hearing aid in the first place. For this reason traditional directional microphones have been successful. They help narrow the focus of amplification excluding noise from the sides and back from entering. When the noise levels are very high and noise comes also from the front a narrower focus is necessary.

By using our unique Binaural VoiceStream Technology ®, StereoZoom is the only technology capable of narrowing the focus sufficiently by using a binaural network of four microphones. This leads to a significant 3 dB improvement

signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) which translates to an improvement in speech intelligibility of up to 45 %*.

With Phonak Quest, we have aimed to better our own innovation by integrating StereoZoom into the sophisticated SoundFlow automatic. This means that the need for the client to make manual adjustments is eliminated. The hearing aid automatically focuses on the voice they want to hear, allowing them to effortlessly interact in the most cluttered of soundscapes.

* Phonak Hearing Center Research

auto StereoZoom – Capturing a single voice in a noisy crowd. Automatically.

auto StereoZoom zooms in on a single voice in a noisy environment, improving speech intelligibility for effortless hearing.

Exciting new products designed to match life’s individual soundscapes

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It is a well-known fact that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Client needs and desires vary depending on their individual life-style, preferences, degree of hearing loss, models and budget.

Regardless of which model you choose Phonak Quest performance allows access to more of life’s soundscapes.

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Capturing voices, captivating looks

By listening closely to you and using our own experience we have taken a fresh look at our BTE portfolio and embarked on a complete redesign of the range.

We are proud to introduce the fruits of our labor – the brand new Phonak Bolero Q portfolio – designed to make a breathtaking first impression that lasts.

The Bolero Q range offers a choice of four models addressing a wide range of cosmetic and audiological needs. From the outset all models are available in three levels of performance.

Ensuring that the design lives up to the promise of the technology, the Bolero Q family sports the highest quality finish and overall reliability. All models are nano coated with the latest in plasma coating technology to ensure uninterrupted and pleasurable use in humid conditions.

With the Bolero Q-M13 model we are pleased to offer water and dust resistance at an unprecedented level of IP67, even with the design-integrated FM receiver attached.

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The new Phonak color palette reflects and enhances the overall appeal of the hearing aids. It radiates sophistication and style.

We are proud to introduce eight new hair and skin tones. This wide range of colors will enable you to fulfill individual wishes for discretion.

We also cater to the most style conscious of clients by introducing two new fashion colors. Other people want to stand out a bit more, for them we have a choice of playful color options to ensure we have something to please everyone.

The new Phonak color palette radiates sophistication and style

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Fashion

Fun

Traditional

Hair & Skin

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1

P1

P2

P3 P4 P5 P6

37 38 13 Q1

P9

P8

P7

Purple transparent

Pure transparent

Blue transparent

Petrol

Ruby

Beige

Sand Beige

Amber Beige

Sandalwood

Chestnut

Champagne

Silver Gray

Graphite Gray

Velvet Black

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We are excited to bring the Phonak Virto Q custom product portfolio to you. We are committed to ensuring that the innovation and design enhancements are brought to you with the best levels of custom product service.

The Virto Q portfolio offers the highest flexibility with a wide range of options – from the tiniest Phonak product all the way to the most powerful full-concha.

You will also be pleased to know that the popular nano, Invisible-In-Canal ( IIC ), is now available in two versions for an even higher fit rate. On top of that, it also comes with its own all new MiniControl to allow clients even more access to an expanding range of soundscapes.

All Virto Q models are available in three performance levels.

Invisibility to explore life's rich soundscapes with confidence

Phonak Virto Q-nano Phonak Virto Q-10 Phonak Virto Q-312 Phonak Virto Q-13

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Your clients are appreciating the ever increasing choice and freedom of wireless technology with every device they own. Why shouldn’t they expect the same from their hearing aids ? We have designed the AccessLine range to meet the expectations of the most discerning clients.

You have told us that small details make a big difference in the way clients enjoy their hearing aids. The new Phonak RemoteMic makes that difference. In combination with the Phonak ComPilot it takes the strain out of conversations in noisy places by streaming voices, up to 20 meters away, directly into the hearing aids.

The wide range of products in Phonak AccessLine include a selection of remote controls, streaming devices and unique Dynamic FM products. We are confident that our expanded product range will address every conceivable client need.

Capturing the voice at the source

High frequency audibility

SoundRecover

Restaurant

auto StereoZoom, SoundRelax, Phonak RemoteMic

Telephone calls

DuoPhone

Cell Phones

DuoPhone, Phonak ComPilot

In-car

auto ZoomControl

Conversation in large groups

Dynamic FM

Conversation in small groups

UltraZoom

Outdoors

Water and dust resistant IP67

Concert/Movie

Music program – automatic or manual

Listening to Music

Music program – automatic or manual

Television

Phonak TVLink S

One-on-one conversation

auto Acclimatization, WhistleBlock, WindBlock

Outdoors

Speech in Wind

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Hearing aid user satisfaction is directly related to the hearing aids’ ability to deliver on their expectation. The unique technology in the Phonak Quest products and accessories offers the broadest range of features to deliver satisfaction in virtually every soundscape.

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Hearing aid users satisfaction is directly related to the hearing aids’ ability to deliver on their expectation. The unique technology in the Phonak Quest products and accessories offers the broadest range of features to deliver satisfaction in virtually every soundscape.

((page 24))

New chapter

Capturing the nuances of life’s more subtle soundscapes

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The unique Binaural VoiceStream Technology ® ensures that optimal intelligibility in virtually all challenging listening conditions is met. However, for complete customer satisfaction every need must be addressed. Phonak Quest now delivers on every wish – from the fundamental need for understanding with comfort, understanding everything and all the way to understanding everywhere.

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First time hearing aid users often do not immediately accept the audiologically optimal level of amplification. New users prefer a softer sound. However, we also know that for best intelligibility more gain is key. To avoid compromising performance in the long term we have developed a smart new solution. Introducing auto Acclimatization.

It intelligently increases the amplification level to help new users adjust gradually until a pre-determined target is reached. Thanks to auto Acclimatization every new user will enjoy a pleasant first impression with their product while making sure their satisfaction remains high.

Understanding with comfort – The right amplification level at the right time. Automatically.

Understanding with comfort:

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When we introduced SoundRecover, it triggered a paradigm shift in the approach to amplification of high frequency sounds for all degrees of hearing loss.

Phonak uses extended bandwidth to take advantage of natural sound amplification to the physical limits of the receiver and sound delivery system. Beyond that, we add the unique to Phonak non-linear frequency compression algorithm, SoundRecover. It gently compresses and shifts high frequencies, ensuring that the full spectrum of sounds is audible with an optimal sound quality.

We are delighted to say that the efficacy of SoundRecover has been thoroughly validated*. The benefits of the feature have been tested for practically all levels of hearing loss, audiometric configuration, ages and listening conditions. Based on this evidence we can state that for the majority of users, in most situations, SoundRecover provides significant added benefits without any perceptual drawbacks.

* www.phonakpro.com/evidence

Understanding everything – Never miss out on the details of life’s soundscapes

Understanding everything:

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At the heart of Phonak Quest is the Binaural VoiceStream Technology ®. Unique features based on this technology are now available in three performance levels. In addition a range of comfort and audibility features result in a best in class offering.

Phonak Bolero Q and Phonak Virto Q are available in three performance levels: 90 ( Premium ), 70 ( Advanced ) and 50 ( Standard ).

Three performance levels, each offering Binaural VoiceStream Technology ® and best in class performance

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* Binaural VoiceStream Technology ®

Speech in Wind *

auto StereoZoom *

auto ZoomControl *

FlexControl

EchoBlock

StereoZoom *

ZoomControl *

FlexVolume

SoundRelax

WindBlock

Real Ear Sound

User Preference Learning

DuoPhone *

SoundRecover

auto Acclimatization

SoundFlow Premium

UltraZoom Premium

WhistleBlock

NoiseBlock Premium

QuickSync

User Preference Tuning

20 channels

Feat

ures

90 – Premium

70 – Advanced

50 – Standard

StereoZoom *

ZoomControl *

FlexVolume

SoundRelax

WindBlock

Real Ear Sound

User Preference Learning

DuoPhone *

SoundRecover

auto Acclimatization

SoundFlow Advanced

UltraZoom Advanced

WhistleBlock

NoiseBlock Advanced

QuickSync

User Preference Tuning

16 channels

DuoPhone *

SoundRecover

auto Acclimatization

SoundFlow Standard

UltraZoom Standard

WhistleBlock

NoiseBlock Standard

QuickSync

User Preference Tuning

12 channels

Trust the power of proven performance

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Our comprehensive knowledge and strong audiological foundation drives our passion to excel. We challenge ourselves every day to exceed our own stringent measures of excellence and constantly validate the performance of our products – not just in our own research centers, but also in collaboration with internationally renowned universities and independent research facilities.

Evidence highlights

StereoZoom – subjects showed more than 6 dB signal-to-noise ratio improvement with StereoZoom (compared to omnidirectional). With some subjects showing more than 11 dB SNR improvement.22

StereoZoom – even when fit openly, every study participant showed improvement in speech understanding, by up to 3 dB SNR, using the StereoZoom program compared to state-of-the-art directional microphones.20

auto ZoomControl – subjects achieved 80 % speech intelligibility with auto ZoomControl in a diffuse noise situation, even at -10 dB SNR.23

auto ZoomControl – 83 % of subjects preferred auto ZoomControl over the automatic SoundFlow program in real-life car listening situations.19

DuoPhone – average improvement of over 10 % using DuoPhone compared to using a dedicated monaural telephone program.24

DuoPhone – average benefit of DuoPhone of 3.1 dB SNR improvement compared to a monaural telephone program.21

SoundRecover – scores in a double-blind study were significantly higher with SoundRecover, for the consonant and plural recognition tests, for adults and children.5

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The evidence in detail

Peer reviewed

1. Glista D, Scollie S, Sulkers J Perceptual Acclimatization Post Nonlinear Frequency Compression Hearing Aid Fitting in Older Children. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2012

May 21. [Epub ahead of print] • 2 . Wolfe J, John A, Schafer E, Nyffeler M, Boretzki M, Caraway T, Hudson M. Long-term effects of non-linear frequency compression

for children with moderate hearing loss. Int J Audiol. 2011 Jun;50(6): 396-404 • 3 . Wolfe J, John A, Schafer E, Nyffeler M, Boretzki M, Caraway T. Evaluation of

nonlinear frequency compression for school-age children with moderate to moderately severe hearing loss. J Am Acad Audiol. 2010 Nov-Dec; 21(10): 618-28 •

4 . Bohnert A, Nyffeler M, Keilmann A. Advantages of a non-linear frequency compression algorithm in noise. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2010 Jul;267(7): 1045-53 •

5 . Glista D, Scollie S, Bagatto M, Seewald R, Parsa V, Johnson A. Evaluation of nonlinear frequency compression: clinical outcomes. Int J Audiol. 2009;48(9): 632-44 •

6 . Simpson A. Frequency-lowering devices for managing high-frequency hearing loss: a review. Trends Amplif. 2009;13: 87-106. • 7 . Stelmachowicz, P., Pittman, A.,

Hoover, B., Lewis, D. (2002). Aided perception of the /s/ and /z/ by hearing-impaired children. Ear and Hearing, 23 (4), 316-324

Non-peer reviewed

8. McDermott HJ. A technical comparison of digital frequency-lowering algorithms available in two current hearing aids. PLoS One. 2011; 6(7): e22358 • 9. Timmer B.

2010: Neue Ansätze bei direktionalen multi-mikrofonsystemen.Hörakustik 11/2010: 12-16. • 10. Nyffeler M. 2010: Geschaffen für erstklassigen Hörgenuss,tatsächlich

binaural. AudioInfos 10: 78-82 • 11. Wolfe, J., Caraway, T., John, A., Schafer, E. C., & Nyffeler, M. (2009). Study suggests that non-linear frequency compression helps

children with moderate loss. The Hearing Journal, 62 (9), 32-37. • 12. Alexander JM. Candidacy, selection, and verification of SoundRecover options. Paper presented

at: The 3rd Phonak Virtual Audiology Conference; May 2009. • 13. Glista D, Scollie S, Polonenko M, Sulkers J. A comparison of performance in children with nonlinear

frequency compression systems. Hearing Review. 2009;16(12): 20-24. • 14. Nyffeler M., Dechant S. 2009: Field Study on user control of directional focus. Benefits

on hearing the facets of a full life. Hearing Review 16 (1): 24-28 • 15. Nyffeler M. 2009: Software seeks to provide seamless adaption to changing soundscapes. The

Hearing Journal 62 (10): 42-45 • 16.Nyffeler M., Hessefort K. 2009: Die Verbesserte Wahrnehmung von Klang und Lautheit. AudioInfos 94 (3): 1-6 • 17. Nyffeler, M.

(2008) Study finds that non-linear frequency compression boosts speech intelligibility, The Hearing Journal, 61 (12) • 18. Scollie, S., Glista, D., Bagatto, M., & Seewald,

R. (2007, December). Multichannel nonlinear frequency compression: A new technology for children with hearing loss. Paper presented at the A Sound Foundation

Through Early Amplification, Chicago, IL.

Phonak Research

19. auto ZoomControl Objective and subjective benefits with auto ZoomControl. Phonak Field Study News, January 2011. • 20. StereoZoom Improved speech

understanding even with open fittings. Phonak Field Study News, April 2011 • 21. DuoPhone Easier telephone conversations with both ears. Phonak Field Study News,

February 2010 • 22. StereoZoom Improvements with directional microphones. Phonak Field Study News, September 2010 • 23. auto ZoomControl, Automatic change

of focus to speech signals of interest. Phonak Field Study News, September 2010 • 24. DuoPhone Improving speech understanding on the telephone. Phonak Field

Study News, August 2009

www.phonakpro.com/evidence

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Partnership • Phonak is able to offer innovative solutions based on our strong partnership with you. We are sure that you and your clients will be pleased with the results.

We are eager to continue the dialogue so that we can stay on the path to achieve our common goal of providing ever better hearing solutions.

Let your voice be heard. We would love to hear from you: voices@phonak.com

We are sensitive to the needs of everyone who depends on our knowledge, ideas and care. And by creatively challenging the limits of technology, we develop innovations that help people hear, understand and experience more of life’s rich soundscapes.

Interact freely. Communicate with confidence. Live without limit. Life is on.

www.phonakpro.com

Life is on

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