Providing the best hearing aids and hearing care in Scotland
The Hearing Aid Centre Ltd
Audiology House, Oakwood Park, Livingston, UK, EH54 8AW
On this page you can find reference to, and explanation of, older and discontinued hearing aid ranges from Bernafon. Most of these devices are no longer available. You can take a look at modern Bernafon hearing aids here.
Want to Experience the latest Bernafon hearing aids? Call 01506 420519 or click to book your consultation online
Bernafon uses a system called DECS as the core of all of its strategy to help people hear better. Many of the hearing aid brands now use sound classification for specific sound situations. Those sound situations are the basis for what their hearing aids do in each sound situation. Bernafon does not believe that simple classification of several sound situations is enough because the world is not made up of a few sound situations. So the DECS™ system does not use hard classification boundaries. It works in frequently changing listening environments, resulting in dynamic and seamless amplification for the user at all times. In essence, that means that the Bernafon system looks at the world as it is and then makes constant changes to how the hearing aids work to deliver the best hearing ability.
Continuous Environment Detection
It is as it sounds, the system analyzes the sound environment continuously, Bernafon says it does so with high-speed and precision.
Dynamic Noise Management™
or DNM™ effectively removes noise without adversely affecting speech. The system continuously endeavours to reduce noise while ensuring the speech signal is untouched.
Dynamic Amplification Control™
or DAC™ continuously measures the speech to noise ratios and directs the information to Dynamic Speech Processing™. In essence, the system carefully and continuously analyses the speech in noise signal and passes that info onto the speech processor.
Dynamic Speech Processing™
or DSP™ accurately amplifies the signal based on level and the dynamic environment information received from DAC™. In essence, the system always tries to ensure the speech signal is clear.
Bernafon last hearing aid range was called the Viron, they said in the original press release "Bernafon Viron is the industry’s first True Environment Processing™ hearing aids. The Viron chip platform delivers super-fast sound detection and processing so that users can receive more precise information about their environment in real time. Viron also includes a newly patented feedback cancellation system and is available in a brand-new rechargeable style." The chipset is super fast and it ensures that the Bernafon DECS strategy works in real time. They say that this delivers an outstanding sound quality.
The Viron range was available in four hearing aid types, three Receiver In The Ear models and a Behind The Ear device. For the first time, Bernafon will offer a lithium-ion powered rechargeable device in the Viron line-up.
Viron’s super-fast and powerful chip includes smart dual-radio wireless technology with 2.4 GHz direct-to-hearing-aid and NFMI ear-to-ear technology. Clients can enjoy direct-to-ear streaming without the need for an intermediate device when using an iPhone and can enjoy seamless communication between the two hearing instruments.
The Viron range is a Made For iPhone hearing aid range.
The hearing aids will be initially available in the top three levels of Bernafon technology, the 9, the 7 and the 5. The range will cover hearing losses from mild to severe to profound as does their existing Zerena range.
Bernafon Viron Rechargeable hearing aid
The Viron rechargeable hearing aid uses the new lithium-ion battery pack designed by Demant. It offers a full day's use with a simple three hour charge. The charger is a table charger type device.
Binaural ( 2 ) Hearing Aids are available at what I consider is the best price in Scotland. Please contact me for details.
True environment processing has fascinated me since they first mentioned in their press release, they say in the blurb "Viron is the industry’s first True Environment Processing™ hearing aid that lets users immerse themselves in the sound environment making every situation sound more natural and real for them. Thanks to the powerful chip which detects and processes sound in real time, Viron leaves environment classification rules, restrictions, and artificial sound behind."
But what exactly does that mean? From what I can make out, they are referring to instantaneous processing of sound which is facilitated by their super fast new processor and the DECS system that they use. They say that the new chipset provides the ability to detect the sound environment with 32,000 data points a second and adjust the amplification 20,000 times a second.
Bernafon is also famous for not using any classification rules, they treat the world of sound as constantly adaptive and therefore defying rules of classification. They believe that hearing aids should just adjust automatically to changing sound situations. This means that the sound processing is not slowed down by and sound classification manager. This all adds up to super fast processing.
They say "We call this an innovation because it is the most powerful and effective feedback cancelling system ever from Bernafon. Dynamic Feedback Canceller™ in DECS™ eliminates feedback signals within milliseconds, so that feedback does not become an issue for users."
The new feedback system analyzes the input signal up to 126,000 times per second which allows it to recognise and eliminate feedback within milliseconds. It is the fastest feedback system that Bernafon have ever had and they say it makes feedback a thing of the past. The benefits it should deliver will be:
The Viron miniRITE hearing aid model is a very discrete wireless slimline 'Mini-Receiver-In-Ear (miniRITE)' hearing aid using a 312 battery. Powerful fully featured and offering amazing discretion.
The Viron 9 miniRITE price is £1700.00
wireless slimline Rechargeable 'Mini-Receiver-In-Ear (miniRITE)' hearing aid using a new lithium-ion rechargeable battery which offers 16 hours of use with five hours of streaming. The battery pack is easily replaceable in the clinic. The device also has a telecoil.
The Viron 9 miniRITE-R price is £1700.00
The sleek and discreet wireless MiniRITE-T features a telecoil and double pushbutton for easy volume and program control. It is powered by a 312 battery
The Viron 9 miniRITE-T price is £1700.00
The powerful and compact BTE 105 fits hearing losses up to 105 dB SPL to benefit people with severe-to-profound hearing loss. The plus power solution features a telecoil, a tactile double pushbutton for easy volume and program control and a two-colour LED indicator to monitor hearing aid status for both users and caregivers.
The Viron 9 BTE 105 price is £1700.00
The Viron miniRITE hearing aid model is a very discrete wireless slimline 'Mini-Receiver-In-Ear (miniRITE)' hearing aid using a 312 battery. Powerful fully featured and offering amazing discretion.
The Viron 7 miniRITE price is £1400.00
wireless slimline Rechargeable 'Mini-Receiver-In-Ear (miniRITE)' hearing aid using a new lithium-ion rechargeable battery which offers 16 hours of use with five hours of streaming. The battery pack is easily replaceable in the clinic. The device also has a telecoil.
The Viron 7 miniRITE-R price is £1400.00
The sleek and discreet wireless MiniRITE-T features a telecoil and double pushbutton for easy volume and program control. It is powered by a 312 battery
The Viron 7 miniRITE-T price is £1400.00
The powerful and compact BTE 105 fits hearing losses up to 105 dB SPL to benefit people with severe-to-profound hearing loss. The plus power solution features a telecoil, a tactile double pushbutton for easy volume and program control and a two-colour LED indicator to monitor hearing aid status for both users and caregivers.
The Viron 7 BTE 105 price is £1400.00
The Viron miniRITE hearing aid model is a very discrete wireless slimline 'Mini-Receiver-In-Ear (miniRITE)' hearing aid using a 312 battery. Powerful fully featured and offering amazing discretion.
The Viron 5 miniRITE price is £1200.00
wireless slimline Rechargeable 'Mini-Receiver-In-Ear (miniRITE)' hearing aid using a new lithium-ion rechargeable battery which offers 16 hours of use with five hours of streaming. The battery pack is easily replaceable in the clinic. The device also has a telecoil.
The Viron 5 miniRITE-R price is £1200.00
The sleek and discreet wireless MiniRITE-T features a telecoil and double pushbutton for easy volume and program control. It is powered by a 312 battery
The Viron 5 miniRITE-T price is £1200.00
The powerful and compact BTE 105 fits hearing losses up to 105 dB SPL to benefit people with severe-to-profound hearing loss. The plus power solution features a telecoil, a tactile double pushbutton for easy volume and program control and a two-colour LED indicator to monitor hearing aid status for both users and caregivers.
The Viron 5 BTE 105 price is £1200.00
The Zerena range has been replaced by the Viron range, however, there are no Viron custom hearing aids available at this stage. So if you are looking for a Bernafon In The Ear hearing aid, well then you will need to look to the Zerena. The range is available in three levels of technology, the 9, the 7 and the 5. It is packed with fantastic Bernafon technology and can be expected to deliver high-quality hearing in even the most complex sound environments.
Bernafon say that in real life, the sound environment is active and constantly changing. Our surroundings can change between calm and quiet to excited and loud quickly. Because of this, they think that they should not label the listening situation due to the possibilities of unexpected changes. An active and constantly changing real-life sound scene is their definition of a “dynamic environment”. They believe that offering a dynamic hearing aid is the answer to the question. To do that, they include features that:
The Zerena customs are as follows:
They say "The IIC is the smallest custom hearing instrument available. It is designed to fit entirely into the ear canal and is therefore in most cases invisible. It is suitable for users with mild to profound hearing losses.." The IIC will definitely not be Made For iPhone and in fact may not be wireless at all. Bernafon has taken the new hardware advances jointly made with Bernafon in the design of the device and they say it will be the smallest IIC they have ever produced. They believe that it should physically fit 8 out of every 10 people. The devices appear to be powered with a size 10 battery.
They say "The CIC custom hearing instrument is designed to fit almost entirely inside the ear canal and is therefore barely visible. It is suitable for users with mild to profound hearing losses.." Again, the CIC devices will not be MFI enabled, however, I would expect them to be wireless enabled. That should mean that they will be compatible with Bernafon's own wireless hearing aid accessories. The devices appear to be powered with a size 10 battery. Looking at the faceplate of the CICs, they could be a twin mic hearing aid, which may mean directional microphone features and functionality.
They say "The ITC custom hearing instrument is designed to fit in the lower third of the external ear and is ideal for users with limited dexterity. It is suitable for users with mild to profound hearing losses." I have confirmed that this will be the smallest custom Made For iPhone hearing aid in the range. This is an excellent hearing aid, it will be Made For iPhone and have access to their SoundClip-A, while being pretty discreet.
They say "The ITE HS is the largest and most powerful of all custom hearing instruments. It is designed to fit half the external ear and is ideal for users with limited dexterity and reduced vision. It is suitable for users with mild to profound hearing losses." Half-shell devices offer the best of both worlds, a slightly easier to handle device that offers manual controls, while still being relatively discreet. The half-shell device will be MFI enabled and give you access to the SoundClip-A. I haven't heard yet whether they will be able to fit a telecoil in it though.
They say "The ITE FS is the largest and most powerful of all custom hearing instruments. It is designed to fit the entire external ear and is ideal for users with limited dexterity and reduced vision. It is suitable for users with mild to profound hearing losses." The full shell will be powered by a size 13 battery and it will have a telecoil on board. It is also MFI enabled and will connect to the SoundClip-A and Bernafon's other wireless accessories.
The Zerena range of hearing aids has been replaced by the brand new Viron range of devices. Unlike the Viron range, the Zerena range is a full range of devices with custom in the ear hearing aids. The Zerena is also available in five different technology levels as opposed to the Viron's three.
Zerena’s super-fast and powerful chip includes smart dual-radio wireless technology with 2.4 GHz direct-to-hearing-aid and NFMI ear-to-ear technology. Clients can enjoy direct-to-ear streaming without the need for an intermediate device when using an iPhone and can enjoy seamless communication between the two hearing instruments.
The Zerena range is a Made For iPhone hearing aid range, all of the devices with the exception of the IIC and the CIC will connect directly to Apple products.
Zerena offers a set of the very latest sophisticated features from Bernafon which provide seamless hearing. For example, their Dynamic Range Extender manages loud input sounds ensuring they are clear, undistorted but not overwhelming. Their Frequency Composition feature makes high-frequency sound information available to you even if you have no hearing in that area. Finally, the Adaptation Manager allows you to get accustomed to your new hearing aids at your own pace.
Bernafon provides the Zerena hearing aids in five levels of technology in the Zerena range which they call the 9, the 7, the 5, the 3 and finally the 1.
The Zerena 9 is the top level of technology in the Zerena range. It is packed with fantastic Bernafon technology and can be expected to deliver high-quality hearing in even the most complex sound environments. As we have said, the Zerena 9 range offers a full line-up of hearing aid models including in the ear hearing aids. Here is what you need to know about the top level of hearing aid technology from Bernafon.
Bernafon say that in real life, the sound environment is active and constantly changing. Our surroundings can change between calm and quiet to excited and loud quickly. Because of this, they think that they should not label the listening situation due to the possibilities of unexpected changes. An active and constantly changing real-life sound scene is their definition of a “dynamic environment”. They believe that offering a dynamic hearing aid is the answer to the question. To do that, they include features that:
The minRITE is a small receiver in the ear hearing aid that is suitable for hearing losses from the mild to severe. It can use four different speakers which means it is suitable for most hearing losses. As with the rest of the range, it has twin radios, one which is a Bluetooth radio and the other which is a proprietary Bernafon radio.
The Bluetooth radio makes these hearing aids Made For iPhone, the proprietary radio is used for communication between the hearing aids which ensures settings and features are co-ordinated and act in a more effective manner. The hearing aid works on a 312 battery and it comes with a programme button.
The minRITE rechargeable hearing aid is exactly the same as the miniRITE with the exception of rechargeability. It uses a ZPower silver Zinc rechargeable system which delivers a full day of use on an overnight charge. The ZPower system is such that if you forget to charge your hearing aids or if something happens, you can switch to normal hearing aid batteries without any issues.
The minRITE T is again small receiver in the ear hearing aid that is suitable for hearing losses from the mild to severe. It can also use four different speakers which means it is suitable for most hearing losses. This hearing aid has three radios, one which is a Bluetooth radio, the proprietary Bernafon radio and a Tele-coil. The Bluetooth radio makes these hearing aids Made For iPhone, the proprietary radio is used for communication between the hearing aids which ensures settings and features are co-ordinated and act in a more effective manner and the Tele-coil receives broadcasts from a loop system (very handy). The hearing aid works on a 312 battery and it comes with a multi-functional button that also acts as a volume control.
The BTE 105 is a traditional behind the ear hearing aid that is suitable for hearing losses from the mild to severe. It can be used with a slim tube or a traditional tube and mould. This hearing aid has three radios, one which is a Bluetooth radio, the proprietary Bernafon radio and a Tele-coil. The Bluetooth radio makes these hearing aids Made For iPhone, the proprietary radio is used for communication between the hearing aids which ensures settings and features are co-ordinated and act in a more effective manner and the Tele-coil receives broadcasts from a loop system (very handy). The hearing aid works on a 13 battery and it comes with a multi-functional button that also acts as a volume control.
They say "The IIC is the smallest custom hearing instrument available. It is designed to fit entirely into the ear canal and is therefore in most cases invisible. It is suitable for users with mild to profound hearing losses.." The IIC will definitely not be Made For iPhone and in fact may not be wireless at all. Bernafon has taken the new hardware advances jointly made with Bernafon in the design of the device and they say it will be the smallest IIC they have ever produced. They believe that it should physically fit 8 out of every 10 people. The devices appear to be powered with a size 10 battery.
They say "The CIC custom hearing instrument is designed to fit almost entirely inside the ear canal and is therefore barely visible. It is suitable for users with mild to profound hearing losses.." Again, the CIC devices will not be MFI enabled, however, I would expect them to be wireless enabled. That should mean that they will be compatible with Bernafon's own wireless hearing aid accessories. The devices appear to be powered with a size 10 battery. Looking at the faceplate of the CICs, they could be a twin mic hearing aid, which may mean directional microphone features and functionality.
They say "The ITC custom hearing instrument is designed to fit in the lower third of the external ear and is ideal for users with limited dexterity. It is suitable for users with mild to profound hearing losses." I have confirmed that this will be the smallest custom Made For iPhone hearing aid in the range. This is an excellent hearing aid, it will be Made For iPhone and have access to their SoundClip-A, while being pretty discreet.
They say "The ITE HS is the largest and most powerful of all custom hearing instruments. It is designed to fit half the external ear and is ideal for users with limited dexterity and reduced vision. It is suitable for users with mild to profound hearing losses." Half-shell devices offer the best of both worlds, a slightly easier to handle device that offers manual controls, while still being relatively discreet. The half-shell device will be MFI enabled and give you access to the SoundClip-A. I haven't heard yet whether they will be able to fit a telecoil in it though.
They say "The ITE FS is the largest and most powerful of all custom hearing instruments. It is designed to fit the entire external ear and is ideal for users with limited dexterity and reduced vision. It is suitable for users with mild to profound hearing losses." The full shell will be powered by a size 13 battery and it will have a telecoil on board. It is also MFI enabled and will connect to the SoundClip-A and Bernafon's other wireless accessories.
The Zerena 7 hearing device technology sits just under the Zerena 9 range. While it is not quite as good as the Zerena 9, Bernafon has still packed it with high technology hearing aid features. You can expect the Zerena 7 range to deliver high-quality hearing in complex sound environments.
The Zerena 7 ’s super-fast and powerful chip includes the new smart dual-radio wireless technology with 2.4 GHz direct-to-hearing-aid and NFMI ear-to-ear technology. That means that just like the Zerena 9 you can enjoy direct audio streaming from your iPhone straight to your ears. It also provides seamless communication between the two hearing instruments which is used to give you the best sound possible in every situation.
Bernafon believes that in real life, the sound environment is active and constantly changing. Our surroundings constantly change between calm and quiet to excited and loud very quickly. They believe that offering a dynamic and automatic hearing aid is the answer to the question. The Zerena 7 digital hearing aids include features that:
Zerena 7 achieves this with new technology that they call Dynamic Environment Control System™ or DECS™. DECS is the core Bernafon’s strategy to help you hear better. It works in changing listening environments, resulting in dynamic and seamless amplification for you at all times. Bernafon hearing systems look at the world as it is and then make constant changes to how the hearing aids work to deliver the best hearing ability.
The Zerena 7 range of digital hearing aids still offers a number of premium Bernafon features. However, they have been reduced in comparison to the to the premium Zerena 9 range. Here are the important differences between them.
The Dynamic Environment Control System™ (DECS™), (the brain of the hearing aids) in the Zerena 7 features the Silver version of this technology, which includes one Dynamic Directionality setting and four Dynamic Noise Reduction settings. This is reduced from the Zerena 9, which features 2 Dynamic Directionality settings and the same four Dynamic Noise Reduction settings.
The Dynamic Amplification Control System which is a part of the DECS™ system offers four Speech in Noise management settings in comparison to the Zerena 9’s six settings. It also offers two Comfort in Noise settings compared to four on the Zerena 9.
The Dynamic Range Extender which allows loud sounds to be heard clearly (could matter for concerts or live music) is not present in the Zerena 7.
The Transient Noise Reduction feature which handles sudden impact sounds has three options in the Zerena 7, in comparison to four in the Zerena 9.
The Zerena 7 range offers an 8 kHz Frequency Bandwidth which is wide but is reduced from the 10 kHz bandwidth of the Zerena 9.
The Zerena 7 range provides 14 Fitting Bands in comparison to 16 in the Zerena 9. Which means that the 7 can be customised quite well to your hearing loss but not quite as well as the 9.
The True Directionality feature which mimics the way we hear sound naturally is only present in the Zerena 9 range.
The Zerena 7 implements amplification and tinnitus relief together in one solution. It offers various tinnitus relief sounds as part of different sound therapies.
The Zerena 7 range is available in a full range of hearing aid types, two Receiver In The Ear (RITE) models, one of which has a rechargeable option. A Behind The Ear (BTE) Model and finally five custom or In The Ear models (ITE). All of the hearing aids in the range except the two smallest, the Completely In Canal (CIC) and the Invisible In Canal (IIC or Invisible hearing aid) are direct connection Bluetooth enabled hearing aids. The new invisible hearing aid from is the smallest IIC they have ever made and they say it will fit up to 80% of ears.
The minRITE is a small receiver in the ear hearing aid that is suitable for hearing losses from the mild to severe. It can use four different speakers which means it is suitable for most hearing losses. As with the rest of the range, it has twin radios, one which is a Bluetooth radio and the other which is a proprietary Bernafon radio.
The Bluetooth radio makes these hearing aids Made For iPhone, the proprietary radio is used for communication between the hearing aids which ensures settings and features are co-ordinated and act in a more effective manner. The hearing aid works on a 312 battery and it comes with a programme button.
The minRITE rechargeable hearing aid is exactly the same as the miniRITE with the exception of rechargeability. It uses a ZPower silver Zinc rechargeable system which delivers a full day of use on an overnight charge. The ZPower system is such that if you forget to charge your hearing aids or if something happens, you can switch to normal hearing aid batteries without any issues.
The minRITE T is again small receiver in the ear hearing aid that is suitable for hearing losses from the mild to severe. It can also use four different speakers which means it is suitable for most hearing losses. This hearing aid has three radios, one which is a Bluetooth radio, the proprietary Bernafon radio and a Tele-coil. The Bluetooth radio makes these hearing aids Made For iPhone, the proprietary radio is used for communication between the hearing aids which ensures settings and features are co-ordinated and act in a more effective manner and the Tele-coil receives broadcasts from a loop system (very handy). The hearing aid works on a 312 battery and it comes with a multi-functional button that also acts as a volume control.
The BTE 105 is a traditional behind the ear hearing aid that is suitable for hearing losses from the mild to severe. It can be used with a slim tube or a traditional tube and mould. This hearing aid has three radios, one which is a Bluetooth radio, the proprietary Bernafon radio and a Tele-coil. The Bluetooth radio makes these hearing aids Made For iPhone, the proprietary radio is used for communication between the hearing aids which ensures settings and features are co-ordinated and act in a more effective manner and the Tele-coil receives broadcasts from a loop system (very handy). The hearing aid works on a 13 battery and it comes with a multi-functional button that also acts as a volume control.
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