The Rapid Advancement of Hearing Aid Technology | Phonak Marvel 2.0

The advancement of hearing aid technology is rapidly advancing.  Every time you think that hearing aid technology can't get better, engineers develop something new that make them....well....BETTER!

Now I'm a relatively young audiologist, so I can't imagine what audiologists 20-30 years my senior think about the capabilities of hearing aids now compared to when they first started in the industry.  It took centuries for us to go from a Hollowed-out Buffalo horn to a hearing aid that would fit behind the ear and do nothing other than make all sounds louder.  But since 1996, and the invention of digital hearing aids, we have seen increased capability of engineers to accelerate how quickly they can incorporate new and improved technology into hearing aids.

In 2014, we saw hearing aid that could connect directly to an iPhone to allow users to stream audio directly into their ears.  In 2018, Phonak finally developed a hearing aid that could connect to any Phone to stream audio into both of your ears, with the release of the Audeo Marvel line of devices.However, Phonak didn't stop there.  Less than 1 year later they are making their Marvel hearing aids even better with the release of Marvel 2.0.  You see, like I mentioned before, new hearing aids are being released all the time, but wouldn't it be great if the hearing aids you already owned could be improved without having to buy new devices?Well, that is exactly what Phonak is doing with their Marvel line of devices.

In August of 2019 Phonak is updating their MyPhonak App which will combine their remote app for program and volume changes and allow for much more user customization including frequency adjustments, noise reduction, and directionality.  With Marvel 2.0 you will also be able to connect 2 Bluetooth devices at the same time.  Phonak is also making Titanium custom earmolds for the Audeo Marvel devices instead of just acrylic for a very small earmold that is significantly smaller.  Roger Direct will also be made available.  

Since all Marvel hearing aids ever dispensed have the receivers inside of them already, all you need to do is have them installed.  This will allow you to use Roger Microphones directly with your Marvel devices.  Being able to use the Roger Pen, Roger Select, Roger Table Mic 2, and new Roger Partner Mic without a streaming device is a game changer.As promised, Phonak is completing the rollout of their Audeo Marvel devices with the Audeo M-RT.  The Rechargeable hearing aid with Telecoil.  A Telecoil will help you be able to hear significantly better in a public venue, like church or movie theater, if that venue has a Teleloop.  It can also help while using a landline telephone.

Phonak is also bringing Marvel technology into their Bolero and Sky (pediatric) line of devices.  Now individuals who can't use Receiver in Canal technology and children don't have to miss out on all the fun.  If I could go back in time and tell the original inventors all the things that you would be able to do with haring aid in the future, they probably would have laughed at me.  Then again, if I were to go back only 20 years, they probably would have laughed at me then too.