Extending from the body of the device is a microphone which tucks out of the way into the curl of the ear above the bowl (or concha). This unique positioning of the microphone increases the brilliance and clarity of speech, and shields the microphone from background noise and wind noise.

A Success with the Fans

Broom Reid & Harris recently attended some live demonstration of the be by ReSound in action.

"We were all given headphones which we're wirelessly linked to microphone which had been positioned in a replica ear. This enabled us to hear the sound from the be as if we were wearing it ourselves.

"Graham Roberts of ReSound then turned a fan onto full power and continued to speak. When he took the microphone out of its position in the curl of the ear and placed it as it would be on a conventional behind the ear hearing device, the speech was lost to the wind noise. When he placed it back into its correct position, the speech became immediately clearer and the wind noise faded into the background."

He then proceeded to demonstrate its effectiveness in background noise. By using the natural contours of the wearer's ear ReSound has succeeded in developing a more natural sound quality.

Changing Perceptions

The be's unique design has baffled people asked to identify it. Suggestions ranged from a lamp, to a microphone, to a gearstick! When ReSound revealed that it was actually a brand new type of hearing instrument, 91 per cent of those surveyed said that it completely changed their perception of what a hearing instrument should look like and how it should be worn.

The be by ReSound is suitable for a mild to moderate high frequency hearing loss. For more information or to arrange a 'test drive' for yourself, please contact Broom Reid & Harris.