Phonak Audeo Infinio 50 Hearing Aids

Meet The Brand New Infinio 50 Hearing Aids

Phonak is entering the world of AI with the launch of its new platform, Infinio with two new chipsets, ERA and DEEPSONIC. However, only one device in the new platform has that AI functionality. Phonak says Infinio is a significant leap forward in hearing aid technology designed to provide unparalleled speech understanding in all listening environments with exceptional sound quality, enhanced connectivity, and new avenues for personalized user experiences. They also say that their AI will deliver a 10 dB SNR boost, something that is unheard of. Unfortunately, their new Audeo Sphere Infinio is not available on the 50 level of technology. 

Two New Chipsets & First Time Ever Rechargeable In The Ear (ITE) Aid

The overall Infinio range is powered by two new chipsets, one called ERA and the other DEEPSONIC. Every device in the Infinio range has the ERA chip on board, but only the Audeo Sphere Infinio has the additional DEEPSONIC chip. As we go to print, the Infinio platform consists of two Receiver In Canal devices, a CRoS (Contralateral Routing of Signal) device and three custom hearing aids. For the first time, Phonak has introduced a rechargeable custom hearing aid on a platform. Those devices are the rechargeable Audéo Sphere RIC (AI onboard), Audéo Infinio R, CROS Infinio, a full range of Virto rechargeable in-the-ear (ITE) devices, and battery-powered non-wireless completely-in-canal (CIC) and titanium invisible-in-canal (IIC) aids. 

ERA Chip

The ERA is their brand-new management chip that oversees most functions, such as hearing in speech and noise, Bluetooth connectivity, noise reduction, and feedback control. Because it is ubiquitous across the range, we should look at it first. The ERA chip Phonak says the new ERA chipset supports the products' performance's four key pillars: sound quality, connectivity, reliability, and personalization. With this new chip, they have also introduced a brand new fitting prescription and a new hearing aid management system, APD 3.0 and AutoSense 6.0 respectively.  

DEEPSONIC Chip

The second chip, DEEPSONIC, is a unique feature of the Audéo Sphere device. This chip is responsible for real-time AI processing, instantly separating speech from background noise. The Era chip manages all functions, and the DEEPSONIC chip adds an extra layer of speech-background noise separation. Phonak claims that this combination results in the Sphere Infinio having an outstanding 10 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) benefit. This should significantly enhance speech understanding in complex sound situations. What's particularly interesting about this claim is that the level of SNR benefit is typically unachievable in real-world hearing aids without using an accessory like a remote microphone.

They say that DEEPSONIC offers:

• Spheric Speech Clarity: Clear speech from any direction instantly.
• Speech from Noise Separation: Advanced AI separates speech from unwanted noise.
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) Improvement: Achieves an unparalleled SNR improvement of 10dB for better speech understanding in noisy environments, superior to competitor devices by up to 3.7 dB.
• Compared to the two leading competitors, users are two to three times more likely to understand speech from any direction.

Real-time AI sound processing with DEEPSONIC chip

Phonak says that their proprietary DEEPSONIC chip is the first of its kind, providing real-time AI processing to instantly separate speech from background noise. Unlike existing technologies, DEEPSONIC offers dynamic, real-time adjustments, allowing users to engage in conversations from any direction. The chip’s AI architecture includes: Deep Neural Network (DNN): 4.5 million neural connections trained with over 22 million sound samples. Unprecedented Processing Power: with 21 times more memory and 4 times more power efficiency, this chip is 53 times more powerful than existing chips and is capable of performing 7,700 million operations per second.

New Chargers

There are Charger Case Go chargers for the Audeo Sphere Infinio and the Audeo Infinio R. The Charger Case Go can charge your hearing aids three times without plugging in. If you are an active, on-the-go type, the Charger Case Go is definitely a worthwhile investment. There is also a standard charger for the Audeo Infinio R and the Virto R.

Multi-functional and Feature Rich Hearing Aids

These hearing devices are hugely multifunctional and feature-rich. The Infinio 50 has the standard performance features from Phonak. 

• Motion Hearing: Motion sensors help the hearing aids understand if you are in motion. If you are in motion and having a conversation with someone, the aids understand that and change how they work to help you hear better.
• New Management System: Phonak have updated their management system to AutoSense 6.0. They say it will provide even better clarity in the situations you find yourself in.
• Stereo Bluetooth streaming: Stereo streaming from any Bluetooth-enabled device, that means iPhone, iPad, laptops, computers, Macs, Android phones, Windows phones, hell, any Bluetooth-enabled phone.
• Real Hands-free calling in stereo: Like the Audeo B-direct, the Infinio offers true hands-free calling from Bluetooth-enabled phones and VOIP services like Skype, except, to both hearing aids.
• TV Streaming:  Infinio can stream directly from Bluetooth-enabled TVs and the Phonak TV Connector accessory.
• Rechargeability: They say Infinio rechargeables will deliver a full day of hearing aid use from a single charge.
• Remote adjustments:  Infinio hearing aids can be adjusted remotely by your hearing expert.
• New App: Brand new app to give you more control.
• RogerDirect: Users will be able to stream from Roger devices directly to their hearing aids.

The Infinio 50 Hearing Aid Models

As I said earlier, two Receiver In Canal devices, a CRoS (Contralateral Routing of Signal) device and three custom hearing aids. Below you can see the Virto custom line-up. They are from left to right, the Virto Rechargeable, the Virto CIC and the Titanium. Unfortunately, the Titanium device is only available on the 90 and 70 levels of technology:

Virto Rechargeable: 

Phonak’s first-ever rechargeable In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aid is designed to support directional microphones to deliver exceptional sound quality and industry-leading connectivity. The device is a Bluetooth-enabled hearing aid that shares the same benefits as the wider Infinio rechargeable range, including connection to any mobile phone and access to the outstanding RogerDirect system from Phonak.

• Custom Product
• Mild to severe hearing loss
• Rechargeable Device
• Bluetooth Enabled
• Directional Microphones
• Connection to any Bluetooth Enabled Mobile Phone
• Compatible with RogerDirect

Virto CIC 10:

The Virto Infinio NW O range is a very discreet Completely In Canal device. It is a non-wireless device and will have no connectivity

• Custom Product
• Mild to severe hearing loss
• Battery: 10 zinc air
• Non-Wireless
• Omni-Directional

Phonak Infinio 50 Hearing Aid Features and Programmes

Phonak Infinio 50 hearing aids recognise and automatically adapt to more of your listening situations than ever before. The range will run on their new improved AutoSense OS 5.0. At this level of technology, the management system has five automatic programmes that seamlessly blend together to give you the best hearing possible. You also get four extra manual programs to work with for maximum fine-tuning for different situations.

New AutoSense 6.0 Management System

The new hearing aids have an upgraded central management system called AutoSense to 6.0. AutoSense manages all of the other features, deciding what needs to change to ensure you hear your best as the sound around you does. Phonak has continually upgraded its management system as advances in chipsets and both Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in audiology increase.

Made For Any Phone!

Infinio will allow users to experience stereo streaming audio from any Bluetooth-enabled device. That includes most mobile phones available, computers, and even some modern TVs. The new ERA chip offers an even more powerful transmission, which will ensure a more stable connection and better audio streaming. Infinio offers an active connection to two Bluetooth-enabled devices, which means you can use two phones, your business one and your private one, without the hassle of disconnecting and reconnecting. In fact, you can use any two devices, like a phone and a tablet or a phone and your computer, and simply switch between them without hassle.

Motion Sensor Hearing

The new Infinio range offers motion sensors onboard the rechargeable hearing aids. These sensors help the hearing aids understand if you are in motion. If you are in motion and having a conversation with someone, the aids understand that and change how they work to help you hear them better. Again, this is only available on the rechargeable versions.

Remote Fine Tuning

The remote fine-tuning system is excellent. A video calling system gives the same feeling of face-to-face interaction, just in a different way. While the remote support may not be for everyone, I think it will be welcomed by people who see it as a real alternative to in-clinic appointments.

RogerDirect

Phonak's Roger system is the Gold Standard in FM assistive devices for people with hearing loss. All Infinio hearing aids will be enabled for the RogerDirect™ system. This allows Roger microphone equipment to stream directly to Infinio hearing aids without having to attach an external receiver.

Stereo Bluetooth streaming

Infinio will directly stream stereo audio from any device capable of streaming audio via Bluetooth. This includes almost any device you can think of. You can connect it directly to your Android phone, your MacBook or Windows laptop, or any Bluetooth-enabled television. That is pretty amazing—it is a direct connection without any streamer. The quality of streaming audio is excellent; the audio is full and clear. Music is warm and full, and phone calls are clear.

True Hands-Free Calling

The Infinio delivers true hands-free calling in stereo. You will hear your phone calls in both ears, giving you a better chance of understanding what is being said. Hands-free means you don't need to touch your phone, which can be up to thirty feet away. You simply hit the button on your hearing aid to answer the call.  

Versatile TV Streaming

While the Infinio hearing aids will connect directly to Bluetooth-enabled TVs, Phonak's TV Streamer is a better bet. It allows low-energy streaming, offering great audio and reduced battery usage.