New wireless remote microphone system helps children with hearing impairments in learning environments
Hearing aid provider Oticon has launched EduMic, a new wireless remote microphone system to support children with hearing loss in the classroom.
EduMic works together with Oticon paediatric hearing aids, Oticon Opn Play and Oticon Xceed Play, to optimise the signal-to-noise ratio and enable clear and stable access to the teacher’s voice.
Using OpenSound Navigator (OSN), the same innovative technology found in Oticon’s paediatric hearing aids, EduMic continuously monitors the environment to analyse, balance and remove unwanted noise, even between words. The wireless remote microphone system works with the 2.4 GHz wireless receiver system integrated into Oticon paediatric hearing aids so no additional components are needed.
EduMic can also be quickly and easily connected to existing classroom systems using a standard Europin connector or jack mode. The lightweight, easy-to-use device features a single rechargeable Li-ion battery with a 10-hour battery life.
“In 2019, two new Oticon paediatric hearing solutions, Opn Play and Xceed Play, empowered hearing care professionals with groundbreaking technology that gives children with hearing loss 360° access to sound in simple and complex listening environments,” said Thomas Behrens, Chief of Audiology at Oticon. “With EduMic, we further expand opportunities to enhance language development, learning and socializing for students with hearing loss by improving speech understanding in the noisy, reverberant environments that are typical of modern classrooms.”
User-friendly, EduMic is easy to pair and mute. The wireless remote microphone system only needs to be paired to the hearing instruments once. Educators can then communicate clearly and effectively with their students.
In addition, the 2.4 GHz technology within the system provides a stable signal and connects to an unlimited number of Oticon hearing aids. Even in a typical Wi-Fi-heavy classroom environment, the signal strength remains strong and stable when the teacher is speaking, says Oticon. Teachers can easily take EduMic with them when moving to another classroom.
EduMic also enables access to a variety of audio sources to ensure that students stay connected and engaged during class. Teachers can plug EduMic into a computer, smartboard or tablet using the 3.5 audio microphone jack connection. The audio jack also allows easy integration with existing sound field systems, accessing multiple audio sources and microphones simultaneously.
“EduMic is a flexible, discreet solution that is simple and intuitive to use,” added Thomas. “EduMic is designed to let teachers focus on what’s important – connecting with and teaching children, inside and outside the classroom.