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miniReceiver2.0
AudiologicalAdvanIagebyDesign
Thomas Lotter, Ph. D.
Abstract:
This paper describes how the design of the new miniReceiver 2.0
supports the audiological performance of Pure and Ace micon in
terms of audibility, sound quality and fitting range.


miniReceiver 2.0 - Audioogica Advantage by Design
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Copyright Siemens AC 2012. A rights reserved.

. Concept of miniReceiver 2.0

The miniReceiver 2.0 generation is used in tandem with Siemens newest receiver-in-the-
canal products, Ace micon and Pure micon. The miniReceiver 2.0 introduces a novel con-
nection system between the receiver unit and the hearing instrument while maintaining the
proven concept of ultra-small metal receivers in the ear canal.

The mechanical design of the connector features various robustness and usability benefits
Firstly, a seal is integrated into the connection preventing perspiration or water from enter-
ing the hearing instrument. Secondly, the complete connector is color coded for a clearly
visible left/right indication. Finally, the multi-polar plug allows for the automatic detection of
left / right and the power class to eliminate the risk of accidentally mixing receivers during
the fitting process or while wearing.

However most importantly, miniReceiver 2.0 also features an upgrade of the audiological
performance of the hearing instrument in terms of sound quality, audibility or audiological
fitting range. n general two conflicting requirements have to be taken into account in the
design of the connector system between the external units and the hearing instrument.
- Size and position of the connector should enable a discreet appearance espe-
cially when looked at from the front.
- The microphone position should be on top of the ear. A microphone position be-
hind the ear means that the sound is attenuated by the ear shadow, localization
is skewed and directionality is reduced.

Most commercially available RC hearing instruments feature a connector at the front of
the instrument on top of the ear. Consequently, the microphones are either placed further
behind the ear which compromises on audiological performance, or the microphones are
placed on top of the connector which compromises discreetness.

n the miniReceiver 2.0 the connector is moved away from the front of the instrument to-
wards the middle (Figure 1). By doing so, the front microphone can be positioned at the
front end of the instrument improving audiological performance without compromising dis-
creetness.



miniReceiver 2.0 - Audioogica Advantage by Design
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Copyright Siemens AC 2012. A rights reserved.


Figure 1: Position of RC connector and front microphone in Pure micon



ll. Direclivily and Localizalion

The design of the miniReceiver 2.0 described above not only improves the cosmetic
appearance of the hearing instrument, it also enhances the directional properties of the
hearing instrument in two ways.

1. Microphone Distance:
The miniReceiver 2.0 system allows us to increase the distance between the microphones
on the Pure micon and Ace micon. This is advantageous because in a TwinMic directional
microphone system, the greater the distance between the two microphones the better di-
rectivity can be realized.

2. Microphone Orientation:
Positioning the front microphone at the front of the instrument also sets the orientation of
the directional microphone to be almost horizontal when worn (Figure 2). This allows the
directivity to be focused directly at the communication partner.



miniReceiver 2.0 - Audioogica Advantage by Design
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Copyright Siemens AC 2012. A rights reserved.


Figure 2: The position of the Pure micon front and rear microphones on the KEMAR


The miniReceiver 2.0 system facilitates the optimal positioning of the two microphone
ports. This allows the 48-channel adaptive TwinMic system featured in the new Pure
micon and Ace micon hearing instruments to be as effective as possible.

Directivity for Precise Localization:
The pinna has natural directional properties, which allows us to localize sounds from
the front and back. When a hearing instrument wearer relies upon a hearing instrument
positioned behind the ear this natural directivity is reduced.
n the Pure and Ace instruments this loss of directivity is limited due to the optimal mi-
crophone position on the front of the instrument housing. This means that only minor
signal processing effort is necessary to restore front/back localization using the TruEar
feature.

lll. Sound Qualily

Feedback Resistance:
Modern hearing systems feature very effective signal processing methods to avoid
acoustic feedback and enable increased amplification in more open fittings before feed-
back occurs.

Microphone location influences the maximum gain before feedback occurs. This is be-
cause when the microphones are located behind the ear, signals from the front are at-
tenuated by the pinna before arriving at the microphone. n order to apply the desired
insertion gain, the hearing instrument first needs to compensate for this effect of the
microphone location (MLE, microphone location effect). n other words, having a micro-
phone which is positioned behind the pinna requires additional gain which does not
contribute to amplification, but only increases the likelihood of feedback. Having the
front microphone positioned at the front end of the hearing instrument almost eliminates
this unnecessary gain and contributes to a more stable fitting.





miniReceiver 2.0 - Audioogica Advantage by Design
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Copyright Siemens AC 2012. A rights reserved.
Noise floor:
The use of directivity is accompanied by an increased noise floor. When front and rear
microphone signals are combined as a directional microphone an amplitude loss at low
frequencies is produced. As this needs to be compensated by applying an amplifying
low pass filter, the noise floor is increased at low frequencies.
The larger the microphone distance, the lower the self-induced noise floor associated
with the use of the directional microphone system. The miniReceiver 2.0 design thus
also reduces the self-induced noise of the directional microphone, which is particularly
important for hearing losses with normal hearing ability at low frequencies.

lv. Fil Pale and Filling Pange

Different receiver power levels ensure sufficient amplification and flexibility to fit all
kinds of hearing losses and ear canal sizes.
Thanks to the metal housing concept, the miniReceiver 2.0 can be realized in very
small sizes, which enables a higher fit rate for more wearers than before.

Receiver
Type
S M P HP
Size of
Cross Section

3.1mm x 2.3mm

3.5mm x 3mm

4.7mm x 3.6mm

custom
Maximum
2cc gain
(on Pure micon)

45 dB

60 dB

70 dB

75 dB

Table 1: Technical Performance and Size of miniReceiver 2.0

By reducing the need to compensate for the microphone location effect, miniReceiver
2.0 also contributes to an enhanced audiological fitting range, especially if significant
high frequency gain is required.
For many hearing systems the maximum insertion gain often decreases above 4kHz
and the hearing aid amplification above 4KHz can limit the overall fitting range. This is
particularly the case for fitting rules, which prescribe high amplification above 4kHz for
the benefit of an optimum audibility, e.g. NAL-NL2.
Figure 5 shows an example of fitting Pure 7mi M for a ski-slope hearing loss with NAL-
NL2.


miniReceiver 2.0 - Audioogica Advantage by Design
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Copyright Siemens AC 2012. A rights reserved.


Figure 3: Maximum simulated nsertion gain (NAL-NL2 fitting, double
dome, ski-slope hearing loss)

Between 750Hz and 8kHz the maximum insertion gain remains almost constant.

n short, the miniReceiver 2.0 design enables a microphone position at the front of the
hearing instrument without compromising on discretion.
This enables the Pure and Ace micon to provide higher directivity, it increases the re-
sistance against feedback and raises the audiological fitting range.

1/13 SHI/13893B-13