Hearing Aid - Widex Unique 440

Unique 440 Hearing Aids

The Unique 440 is the top of the range hearing devices in Widex's new "Unique" range. We have been impressed with the results that we have seen with this hearing aid so far. We have been fitting it since late October and our customers have nothing but praise for the hearing devices.

As you would expect, Widex have produced an excellent range of hearing aids, with a number of features not available in any other hearing aid. Widex hearing aids are already known for  their own unique sound, now combined with some ground breaking features we think that they can justify calling the product "Unique"

Unique 440 Hearing Aid Types & Sizes

There are three sizes of behind the ear model and three in the ear models available. The Passion is the slim, attractive behind the ear receiver-in-canal model and is suitable for most hearing losses. It has no manual controls so can only be adjusted by remote control or app. The Fusion is the larger, more powerful behind the ear model which also features 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 IIC or invisible-in-the-canal. Being so small, some features had to be cut from this model, mainly anything requiring wireless communication which this aid cannot fit in.

• 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

• U platform
• Unique Sound Class Technology – 9 interear sound classes
• Unique Variable Speech Compression
• Unique True-Input Technology
• 15 Channels
• Multi-directional Active Interear Feedback Cancelling
• 5 Programs
• Unique Preference control
• Unique Wind Noise Attenuation
• Digital Pinna
• TruSound Softener
• Unique Real time Interear Speech Enhancer
• Noise Reduction
• Unique Soft Level Noise Reduction
• 15 channel HD Locator
• Unique High Frequency Boost
• Telephone flexibility including Phone +
• Interear Zen
• Unique Audibility Extender
• Wireless connectivity: TV Dex, Phone Dex, Uni-Dex, FM-Dex, RC-Dex, Call-Dex, and Com-Dex.

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. 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.

The preservation of these natural differences helps to provide you with a much better spatial awareness of 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.

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.

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 1800 848 888 or book your free consultation online now

 

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Connectivity

DEX ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES

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 there is the new COM-DEX accessory, which is a bluetooth enabled pendant you hang around your neck. This will pair with your bluetooth enabled phone so that you can stream audio to your hearing aids from your phone, via the COM-DEX.

If you have a smart phone, you can also download an app (Apple or Android) which lets you use your smart phone to remotely control your hearing aids. Also available are the usual range of extra DEX accessories for TV or audio equipment streaming.

 

Widex Call Dex

The CALL-Dex is the newest member of the DEX™ assistive listening device family from Widex. The devices are designed to allow you take advantage of a whole new world of sounds. They make communication between your hearing aids and your remote control, television, mobile or landline phone hassle free and simple. Most modern hearing aids connect easily to your mobile phone, most manufacturers use the bluetooth connection but some use their own proprietary connection. No matter which they use, most of them up to recently have had an intermediate device to allow the connection. 

Widex have now introduced something even better, small and discreet, they call it the CALL-DEX. The CALL-DEX is an really small device for streaming conversations directly from your mobile phone to your hearing aids. It is exceptionally discreet and it simply inserts into the jack plug of your phone. You can then just use your mobile phone normally.

There is no neck loop needed and it works straight out of the box, no need for any set up. The CALL-DEX lets you stream from your phone for up to 80 hours, it is also compatible with most mobile phones. The CALL-DEX doesn’t require set-up by your hearing professional. It’s small and discreet, so most people won’t even notice that you’re using it.  And it works with phones from Apple, LG, Sony, HTC, Samsung, Nokia and more.

CALL-DEX works with Widex DREAM and with all forthcoming models of Widex hearing aids. It requires no neck loop: just plug it into your mobile phone and start talking! 

80 hours Battery Life

You can chat for up to 80 hours using CALL-DEX ’s single size 10 battery. If you use the phone for conversations for more than 3 hours every day, Widex recommend that you should change the battery in the CALL-DEX once a week. If you use it less than 3 hours a day, they recommend changing the battery once every second week.That is a lot of battery life from a size 10 battery. 

Widex UNI-DEX

The UNI-DEX is a neck-worn plug and play solution that again is for easy mobile phone use. The device streams audio directly to your Widex hearing aids. Its not just for mobiles though, but any device with a mini-jack output.Its long battery life means that UNI-DEX can stream audio for up to 40 hours. It also takes only an hour to fully recharge again. Enjoy talking hands-free on your mobile phone or stream audio from your favourite device like an iPod, iPad etc.

The UNI-DEX is easy to use. 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 start listening. The streaming starts automatically, you can use the built-in microphone in UNI-DEX when using a cell phone or talking via Skype or Facetime. The built-in microphone allows you to use UNI-DEX to talk hands-free while driving as well.

 

 

Widex T-DEX

For Non Wireless Hearing Aids

The T-DEX is a hands-free, wireless neck loop for use with all hearing aids with a telecoil. It lets you easily connect with Bluetooth mobile phones. The T-DEX comes with a built-in rechargeable battery, as well as a charging cord. Because it amplifies the sound from the mobile phone, the T-DEX is perfect in situations where there is a lot of background noise. And its hands-free operation means that it is easy to talk on the phone while driving for example.

Simply place the T-DEX around the neck and activate it when the phone rings. The sound is transmitted wirelessly to the hearing aids so you can hear and converse directly. Calls can be easily answered and ended by means of a single push button.

M-DEX

The M-DEX is a small accessory designed to be used with any Bluetooth enabled mobile phone. It will stream the conversation into your hearing aids which means you can hear the conversation clearly in both ears. This device also has several other useful functions including a feature known as Room Off. This feature lets you actively block out the sounds around you so that all you hear is the signal that is being streamed into the hearing aids. This allows you to fully concentrate on the conversation without the distraction of any unwanted background noise. The M-DEX can also be used in FreeFocus mode which lets you choose the direction that the microphone will focus on so you can hear from the selected direction. The M-DEX also has built in Telecoil so you can connect your Widex hearing aids to the loop system. Finally, this device can also be used as a handy remote control to adjust the volume or program settings on your hearing aids.

RC-DEX

The Widex RC-DEX is a simple, easy to use remote control for your hearing aids. It has three simple push button controls that allow you to adjust the basic features of your hearing aids such as program choice and volume level. The user also has the option of either verbal or tone alerts that let you know when features have been selected or changed. A clear LED indicator lets you know when the device is in use. This is a small and attractive device that can be easily stored.

 
 

Phone-DEX

The Widex Phone-DEX is an ideal solution for anyone who finds phone conversations difficult. No additional accessories are required, you simply pair this device to your hearing aids and the other person’s voice will be transmitted straight into both hearing aids. Because this device works exactly like a normal landline phone, it can be used by everyone else in the house without having to change any settings. The handset itself has a connection range from the base unit of up to 300 metres and the facility to store up to 20 phone numbers. It also has a connection range with the hearing aids of up to 30 cm so the phone does not have to be pressed completely to the ear. Once this device has been charged it can give you up to 8 hours of talk time and up to 80 hours of standby time. Unlike many phone accessories, the Phone-DEX does not require an extra device to be worn around the neck to relay the signal adding extra convenience.

 
 
 

TV-DEX

The TV-DEX is, as the name suggests, an accessory to connect your hearing aids to your television. Without the need for any additional streaming devices, this will stream the sound directly into your hearing aids. This gives you a clear and natural sound with no delays, echoes or distortion. This device is especially useful if you argue with other people over the volume of the television. The easy push button controls allow you to adjust the volume just for you while others listen at their own level. Like the M-DEX, the TV-DEX gives you access to the Room Off function so you can block out the unwanted background noise and enjoy listening comfort. Once charged, the TV-DEX can give the user up to 10 hours of completely uninterrupted TV streaming.