Phonak Introduce Brand New Invisible Hearing Aid

Phonak

Virto B-Titanium Invisible Hearing Aids

Phonak have just released the Virto B-Titanium, it is available in the US right now and will soon be on general release in the UK. The device itself is quite groundbreaking for a number of reasons, it is the first hearing aid device to use medical grade titanium to form the custom shell. While this alone is innovative, it is also the most discreet custom hearing aid that Phonak have ever offered. They have used the properties of the metal to ensure that they can offer the most discreet custom hearing aids to more people than ever. 

A Titanium Custom Shell

As you may be able to guess from the name the Virto B-Titanium uses titanium for the shell instead of the usual hard acrylic. This is the first time that titanium has been used in the manufacture of a custom hearing aid. It is harder and more robust than the traditional acrylic shell. 

Super discreet

As I said Virto B-Titanium is the smallest Phonak in-the-ear hearing aid ever! It is for all intent and purpose an invisible hearing aid device. The reason is simple:

Half as Thin

Using titanium allows for a custom shell that’s half as thin as traditional acrylic shells. They have combined this with new purpose built components that will allow the devices to be even smaller.

This will result in a deep, comfortable fit. Phonak say that the overall size is reduced significantly, thus increasing invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) fit rate by 64%. That simply means that more people than ever will be physically suitable for their latest invisible hearing aid. So if you haven't been suitable for an invisble hearing aid in the past, you may well be suitable now. 

Three Levels of Receiver

The device is available with three levels of receiver which allows it to cover even more hearing losses than ever before. Because of the design, it also allows for bigger vents in the hearing aids which means less occlussion problems for people with good low frequency hearing.

Fully automatic

Virto B-Titanium features AutoSense OS™. It adapts to every sound environment automatically for excellent hearing performance everywhere. There will be no need to manually adjust the hearing aids. Although, they can come with an optional push button for just that. 

Technology Levels

The Virto B-Titanium will only be available in the 90 and the 70 levels of technology. It will not be available at the 50 or 30 level.  

As with all invisible in canal devices, the deep position in the ear canal will allow the hearing aid to use the natural shape of the ear to funnel sound to the microphone. This strategy has always proved to deliver excellent directional hearing.

Who will the Virto Belong-Titanium be suitable for?

Invisible hearing aids up to now have had limited use cases, the size and shape of the canal has always been an issue. Phonak say that their new designs and materials will in fact make the hearing aids suitable for more people than ever before. While it is obvious that will most definitely be the case, there will still be some limitations on ability to fit. I would imagine if the bends in the ear canal are too tight, it will preclude this device from being suitable.

Other contra indications are the same as every other invisible hearing aid such as excessive waxy ear canals, history of mid ear infections or perforated eardrums. If you face these issues, this will not be the product for you. In these cases other discreet hearing aids may be more advisable to consider.