Widex Unique 440, What You Can Expect

Unique 440 Hearing Aids

Widex launched their latest top of the range hearing aids, the Unique 440 last year. We have been using them for a while here and we are extremely impressed with the results that we have seen. The customers that we have fitted with the devices are coming up to the four month mark wearing them. The feedback from them has been outstanding from the start, but as we begin to see them for follow ups they are giving us a deeper understanding of what the hearing aids are capable of. 

Fantastic in The Outdoors

Many have made a point of telling us just how good they are in the outdoors. The new wind noise reduction feature really seems to be excellent. Some of our customers have used them on the golf course and have been amazed at the difference. Normally there would be times that they felt like taking their hearing aids out because of the wind noise, however, with the Unique 440 they never felt like they were near that stage at any time. 

Amazing in noise

Another thing that our customers have remarked upon is how well they do in noise. They felt that the hearing aids worked exceptionally well in noise and they had much less effort in listening. So let's look at the hearing aids, what's inside, what types are available and what they can do for you. 

Unique 440 Hearing Aid Types & Sizes

There are three sizes of behind the ear model and three in the ear models available in the range. The Passion is a tiny behind the ear, receiver-in-canal model and is suitable for most hearing losses. While it is a multi programme hearing aid, it has no manual controls and so can only be adjusted by remote control or app. The Fusion is a larger, more powerful behind the ear receiver-in-canal model which has a push button for program changing. The Fashion is the largest of the over the ear models and is mainly for people who want or need a full earmold.

Of the three in the ear models, one is the standard sized in-the-ear, one is the CIC or completely-in-the-canal. The smallest is the CIC-M which is Widex's equivalent of an hidden hearing aid or invisible-in-the-canal. This last model is not wireless as the communication hardware cannot fit in. We realise that many people really like the discretion of hidden hearing aids, but we would really advise our customers to go for the slightly larger device with wireless communication facilities. The wireless communication just adds so much to your overall hearing experience. 

• WIDEX UNIQUE 440 CIC-M : non-wireless micro ’completely-in-canal’ (Size 10 battery)
• WIDEX UNIQUE 440 CIC: wireless ’completely-in-canal’ with telecoil (Size 10 battery)
• WIDEX UNIQUE 440 XP: wireless ’in-the-ear’ with telecoil (Size 312)
• WIDEX UNIQUE 440 PASSION: wireless mini ’receiver-in-ear’ (Size 10 battery)
• WIDEX UNIQUE 440 FUSION: wireless ’receiver-in-ear’ with push button and telecoil (Size 312 battery)
• WIDEX UNIQUE 440 FASHION: wireless slimline power ’sound-tube BTE’ or ‘standard BTE’ with volume control and telecoil (Size 312)

Main features

Sound Processing

The Unique 440 uses Widex's new U-platform chip which processes sounds across 15 channels. 15 channels is typical of all Widex top of the range aids. What is different for Widex though is the use of "Sound Class Technology", the hearing aid classifies what kind of sound environment you are currently in out of a choice of nine possible environments that are programmed in. It then adjusts the sound accordingly to maximise your ability to hear speech sounds clearly in each situation. The 440 has the most channels in the range and also has a "High Frequency Boost" feature that isn't available in the lower models to give additional clarity when needed.

InterEar (IE) technology

IE technology allows both hearing aids to act as one system through the instantaneous wireless exchange of information. Widex uses this technology in order that the hearing aids can act as a true pair.  The two hearing aids can synchronise their noise reduction, compression, and directionality settings, which allows them to not only enhance their effectiveness, but to also deliver a more natural hearing experience to you. Widex have been using this strategy for a couple of generations and it is responsible for their now famous natural sound. 

The preservation of these natural differences helps to provide you with a much better spatial awareness of sound. Customers have always commented on how hearing aids at the 440 level have delivered an unmatched sense of natural sound. The IE technology also ensures the synchronization of volume adjustments and program changes between the two aids. In the 440 it can even be used to sound an alarm when the wireless connection is lost between the two hearing aids (Partner Monitor).

Sound Class Technology

The aids can automatically detect and adapt in 9 different listening environments and focus on the most dominant speech signal detected in the environment. 

Phone+

This feature is actually only available on a stand alone phone program, the signal from the hearing aid you are using close to the phone is streamed to both hearing aids to help you hear better. Anyone who uses this is always impressed with the clarity and ease of hearing when using phones. 

Wind noise attenuation

Widex claims that it's new wind noise attenuation feature is an industry leading wind noise reduction feature. Widex don't make claims very lightly, so we would be of the opinion that if they say it, it is true. The Unique 440 can attenuate more wind noise than any other hearing aid out there, no matter the direction the wind is coming from, even from directly ahead. However this new feature is only available on the 440 models. Our customers seem to really agree that this is an outstanding feature delivering on the promises. 

Background noise reduction

All manufacturers have good background noise reduction features as standard these days. However, Widex have introduced a new feature that has extra emphasis on reducing softer, low level background noise that may be annoying. Widex have always put great emphasis on soft sound inputs because they believe that soft sounds in speech are very important for understanding. However, there are soft input sounds that you just don't want to or need to hear, like a computer fan or the noise of a fridge. 

Wider dynamic range of hearing

Widex have also introduced a wider dynamic range of hearing to the Unique so you can hear more than ever. What this means is that most hearing aids take a range of sounds from quiet to loud and compress them into what hearing you have remaining to provide you with the full range of sounds for you to hear. They often ignore the very softest sounds and don't process louder sounds very well. What the Widex Unique hearing aids are doing is extending that range slightly so that very very quiet sounds (5dB) that aren't picked up by normal hearing aids will now be processed enabling you to hear the low sounds that most hearing aids ignore.

Tinnitus management

Nearly all modern Widex aids have the option to use Zen tones, Zen is a proprietary feature belonged to Widex that will help to reduce the effects of tinnitus. For tinnitus sufferers these predictable yet non-repetitive sounds are used in combination with counselling and relaxation techniques to deliver tinnitus relief as a part of a tinnitus management programme.

Want to Experience the latest Widex hearing aids? Call us on 01224 637255 or book your free consultation online now

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DEX ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES

Dex devices are accessory devices for Widex wireless hearing aids. They enable easy, secure and completely stable connection between your hearing aids and anyone of several types of audio sources. They are worth thinking about because they can make your life so much easier. With the DEX™ assistive listening devices from Widex it becomes easy for you to communicate with your:

• Phone
• TV
• Remote Control
• Other external audio devices

COM-DEX

For communicating with other bluetooth enabled devices Widex have just introduced the new COM-DEX accessory. It is a bluetooth enabled pendant type device that you hang around your neck. It is small, light and unobtrusive. The device will pair to your phone so that you can stream audio direct to your hearing aids via the COM-DEX.

That means that you can hear your calls handsfree with ease and complete clarity. You can also stream music from your phone or audio books if you are inclined. You can also download an app for your smartphone (Apple or Android) which lets you use your phone to remotely control the hearing aids. Devices and apps like this can make your life so much easier. Some people are a little unsure about it, lacking confidence, but it is really simple and intuitive to use. 

The UNI-DEX

The all new UNI-DEX is extremely easy to use and is suitable for any phone or music player with a mini jack (all of them really). Simply plug the mini-jack cable into your mobile phone or audio device, hang the UNI-DEX around your neck, and you are ready to go. It will stream audio direct to your hearing aids. 

 

The M-DEX

M-DEX offers wireless connectivity between hearing aids and any bluetooth enabled mobile phone, practically turning the hearing aids into wireless headsets. It is also a comprehensive remote control and even has a tele coil function on board allowing you to use hearing loops even if your hearing aid doesn't have the facility. 

 

 

The TV-DEX

With the TV-DEX you can enjoy distortion-free wireless transmission of TV sound directly to your hearing aid. It is easy to set up and it can be connected to two seperate sound sources. You can then easily switch between them. 

 

 

The RC-DEX

The RC-DEX is designed for basic wireless remote control of the hearing aids. It is small and discrete allowing you to easily change volume settings and programmes. It takes a disc battery that will last for over a year. 

 

The T-DEX

T-DEX gives you easy connection with mobile phones for any hearing aid with a telecoil feature. It transmits the audio from your connected phone via a radio transmission that can be ppicked up by the telecoil on your hearing aids.

 

 

The PHONE-DEX

PHONE-DEX is a cordless phone that streams sound directly into Widex wireless hearing aids. The PHONE-DEX is easy to use, you simply pick it up and use it as normal. Once it is within a foot of your hearing aids, it senses them and begins to transmit the audio directly to them. We never tire of demonstrating the Phone Dex, the look of surprise on someone's face when they can hear the caller while we are holding the phone near to them is priceless. The device can be used as a regular phone as well so everyone in the house can use it for incoming and outgoing calls. If you have a set of Widex wireless hearing aids, you should get one of these phones, they are exceptional.