GN ReSound LiNX2 9 £1,695

The LiNX2 is the ultimate range from GN ReSound and has 3 technology levels (9, 7, and 5). It supersedes the LiNX range in becoming the world’s smartest ’Made for iPhone (MFI)’ hearing aid and incorporates the very latest version of GN ReSound’s SmartRange dual-core processing chip (Coyote 4.5). One processor is dedicated to wireless functionality and the other to sound processing. The benefits of this are twice the processing power than all previous processing chips manufactured by GN ReSound and quicker computing of digital algorithms without additional battery consumption. In addition, the LiNX2 is available in all the styles listed below with some custom models also containing Made for iPhone (MFI) functionality:

GN ReSound Linx2 & Apple Watch

The LiNX2 9 has 17 overlapping channels which mimics how the human ear naturally hears. The LiNX2 7 has 14 and the LiNX2 5 has only 12 channels. The main feature that sets the LiNX2 apart from the other models is Binaural Directionality II with Spatial Sense. This gives the user vivid spatial awareness with exceptional sound quality, and as background noise levels rise, the aids will zoom in on sounds you are interested in without losing the sense of what's going on around you. The LiNX2 also has the strongest noise reduction, expansion and wind noise reduction for listening comfort.

Binaural Environmental Optimiser II is unique to the LiNX2 9 and LiNX2 7 and enables the two hearing aids to act as one system to analyse and classify 7 different listening environments (Environmental Classifier) before automatically adjusting the sound level and amount of noise reduction applied according to the environment the listener is in. This promotes better hearing through listening comfort and works better in the LiNX 9 than the LiNX 7 due to the stronger reduction in Noise Tracker II and the Spatial Sense feature. The LiNX 5 does not have an Environmental Optimiser.

 

The sound level and amount of noise reduction applied automatically per environment can be adjusted and personalised. This is assisted by Datalogging which keeps track of any manual volume changes made by the wearer in each of the 7 environments. 

 

The 2.4GHz wireless communication between the hearing aids in all LiNX2 models supports the synchronization of volume adjustments and program changes made on one hearing aid to both hearing aids. It also allows for a feature called ‘Comfort Phone’. This is when the ‘telephone ear’ hearing aid automatically changes to a dedicated phone program whilst the ‘non-telephone ear’ hearing aid reduces in volume slightly to help you concentrate better whilst still being aware of your environment.

 

In addition, this technology supports Synchronized Acceptance Manager which gradually, through coordination between hearing aids, increases the sound level over a specified period of time to allow new users of hearing aids the opportunity to adjust and adapt to amplification.

 

The LiNX 2 range includes ’Sound Shaper’ which is a frequency compression algorithm designed to help people with severely/profoundly affected high frequencies. It is accomplished by squashing high tone sounds into a lower tone range where the listener’s hearing loss is less affected. Importantly, Sound Shaper improves the audibility of speech cues that would otherwise have been lost, whilst maintaining the best sound quality possible.

 

The sound quality of music can sometimes be distorted by feedback algorithms. The LiNX 2 range now incorporates DFS Ultra II with Music Mode so patients can now enjoy extra comfort, better audibility and all the subtle nuances of rich sound, even in the most challenging situations. Music Mode gives the hearing aid user a clearer, richer, distortion-free music experience.

 

Tinnitus Sound Generator and Nature Sounds is built into all three models of LiNX 2 and helps break the “cycle” and provides relief by diverting attention away from tinnitus with a wide range of soothing background sounds; including six installed soothing ‘water-inspired’ nature sounds such as ‘Shoreline’ and ‘Beach Surf’ or their preferred sound streamed directly to their hearing aids. The ReSound Smart and ReSound Relief apps provide even more options for managing tinnitus.

 

The LiNX2 range is compatible with GN ReSound’s unique 2.4 GHz wireless accessories such as the Unite Mini Microphone, Unite TV Streamer 2, Unite Phone Clip+ and Unite Remote Control 2.

 

Imagine stereo sound, corrected to accommodate your hearing loss, streamed directly from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch devices. You can make phone and video calls, or work-out to your favorite songs - all without worrying about wires or something hanging around your neck. The first Made for iPhone hearing aid, ReSound LiNX opened the door to direct connectivity with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices, making hearing aids work like Bluetooth-enabled headphones. ReSound LiNX2 takes this technology to the next level. Now Made for iPhone functionality is available across the ReSound LiNX2 family.

 

A simple ’triple-click’ of the iPhone or iPad’s home button is all it takes to convert the device into a remote microphone and stream sounds directly into the LiNX2 9 - just like the Unite Mini Microphone. Furthermore, listeners can download the ’ReSound Smart App’ onto their iPhone and iPad via the Apple App Store, and now also onto their Samsung Galaxy S5 & 6 via Google Play, enabling them to alter the volume, adjust treble and bass, check battery status, add favourite programs, find misplaced hearing aids and control the pitch and modulation of the tinnitus masker noise. In addition, when using the LiNX2 9 with the ReSound Smart App listeners can activate ’Sound Enhancer’ to manually adjust the width of the directional beam on the hearing aid to hear speech clearer (Speech Focus), increase the noise reduction level in loud environments to provide comfort and reduce listening effort (Comfort in noise), and reduce wind noise (Comfort in Wind).

 

Benefits over LiNX2 7:

17 WARP channels instead of 14

Strong Noise Reduction, Strong Expansion & Strong Wind Noise Reduction

Binaural Directionality II with Spatial Sense

Binaural Environmental Optimiser II

AutoScope Adaptive Directionality

Sound Enhancer via ReSound Smart App

 

Benefits over previous LiNX 9:

Latest version of dual-core SmartRange processing chip (Coyote 4.5)

Available in full range of styles including custom in-the-ears

MFI functionality available in custom hearing aid styles

Binaural Directionality II with Spatial Sense

Tinnitus Sound Generator with Nature Sounds

Direct connectivity with Samsung Galaxy S5 & 6

Sound Enhancer via ReSound Smart App