Widex Insider Information
Widex are a Danish hearing aid manufacturer and were originally a family business. In early 2019 they merged with another hearing aid manufacturer, Sivantos. The combined company is called WS Audiology but the identities of Widex and Sivantos will undoubtedly remain separate. Widex hearing aids have their own unique sound which is often described as much softer and more comfortable than other manufacturer's hearing aids. In the UK they own Bloom Hearing so don't be surprised if they recommend Widex or possibly now Sivantos hearing aids to you.
If you're struggling to understand the make and model names of Widex hearing aids then here's a simple guide to help:
Technology Levels - 440, 330, 220, 110
The higher the number, the higher the technology level and the higher the price.
The behind the ear models tend to come in 2 styles. The Passion is a tiny RIC and is probably the prettiest hearing aid ever made. The Fusion is a slightly larger (but still quite small) RIC but it has additional features that the Passion does not.
Who are Widex?
Established in Denmark in 1956, Widex stands for producing hearing instruments with the sound of the highest quality, focusing on more of what the wearer wants to hear. Their hearing aids make it easy to differentiate between conversation and background noise and is very effective when faced with wind and other background noises. Widex is one of the biggest producers of hearing aids, selling its hearing aids in over 100 countries across the world.
Widex has always been an industry leader in technology innovation. The company was created in Denmark in 1956 by Christian Topholm and Erik Westermann. The company was responsible for a number of firsts, including:
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The first digital in-the-ear hearing aid in 1995
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The smallest receiver-in-the-canal hearing aid in 2008
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The first hearing aid designed specifically for babies in 2010
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The first hearing aid that uses machine learning and artificial intelligence in 2018
Notable Features
Here are some of the standout features found in the latest Widex models:
The ‘Widex Sound’
Widex Sound picks up a broad range of sounds, so you can hear gentle sounds at the same time as the loud ones, without the loud sounds ever being too loud. Taking the idea of taking a picture using a camera, the Widex sound uses the widest possible 'lens' to take an accurate picture of the sound around you.
Machine Learning
Machine learning is a type of artificial intelligence in which algorithms learn from information and experience, recognize patterns and make improved choices by themselves based on feedback from their previous decisions. The latest Widex hearing aids use SoundSense Learn technology to help hearing aid users decide on the best sound settings for their particular environment.
Using a dedicated app, the user chooses from one of two sound profiles, then listens and compares the sound profiles and chooses their preference from each one. These choices are put into the system and added to a vast database of the preferences of Widex hearing aid users worldwide, where the process continues and new sound profiles are shown to other users. This helps Widex continually improve the sound experience based on millions of individual preferences of Widex users in similar sound environments across the globe.
Fluid Sound Analyser
With the Fluid Sound Analyser technology, Widex hearing aids automatically respond to distinct listening environments, and the system dynamically adjusts device settings to these distinct environments. This function, known as SoundClass Technology, reduces the need for extra specialised programs. It differentiates between speech and voice environments to allow automatic optimal settings for any setting.
Z-Power Rechargability
Widex’s Z-Power Rechargeable system is in its second generation. It has the largest energy capacity relative to all other 312 rechargeable batteries. and performs better than other rechargeable options in its class by more than 20%. The battery can be charged repeatedly without losing much of its capacity and has enough power for a full day’s use. Unlike lithium-ion devices, the battery is removable. This means they can be easily swapped with standard zinc-air batteries at any time, which is great for those times when mains charging is unavailable.
COM-DEX
This is one of Widex’s most popular accessories. It helps you connect your Widex hearing aid to your smartphone and other devices. You can easily stream high-quality sound from most mobile phones to your hearing aids hands-free. Usually worn conveniently around the neck, the COM-DEX connects directly to your hearing aids so that you can operate them remotely with the COM-DEX app: a simple-to-use and handy way to adjust volume, sound direction and program settings.
Notable models
Moment
Widex's latest hearing aid, launching in 2020, was the Widex Moment. The first hearing aid to not sound like a hearing aid by adapting the paradigm of the soundscape with this new Moment platform. Delivering the purest and most realistic sound ever experienced - eliminating the artificial 'tinny' sound that other devices have - so you will hear like you used to. Find out how this platform achieves a natural soundscape here. Alternatively, visit the Widex Moment 440 to discover the highest level of technology in this range here.
Evoke
A world first, the Evoke is the first real-time machine-learning hearing aid. It learns your listening preferences and provides a better sound the longer it is used. EVOKE learns from your preferences as well as the preferences other wearers worldwide. Widex utilizes this anonymous data to generate a continually improving hearing experience for all wearers. Get it today and enjoy better hearing every day thereafter!
Released in mid-2018, EVOKE also offers automatic sound processing, organic sound reproduction and performance in a multitude of challenging listening settings with the Sound Class technology. The premium styles also include ‘Made-for-iPhone’ direct connectivity to iPhones.
You can choose the sounds that you want to hear through an easy-to-use smartphone app, putting you in the driver's seat of your hearing experience. Evoke can also automatically adapt to your needs and the surroundings in real-time for those who prefer not to worry about changing settings.
Widex EVOKE audio device family is offered in four distinct technology levels and colours and offers various solutions to fit your lifestyle, level of hearing loss and budget.
Beyond
The Widex Beyond hearing aids are built on the UNIQUE platform and uses a 2,4 GHz Bluetooth interface for easy 'Made for iPhone' compatibility. This means you can play audio direct from phone calls, podcasts, music and streaming services all direct from your phone to your hearing aid. For streaming Apple phones, no extra components are needed. However, you will need an intermediate streaming device to stream from Android-based smartphones.
These hearing aids can be controlled by a smartphone using the Beyond app. A standout feature is 'geotagging' which means your favourite settings will automatically be loaded every time you enter a particular area. You can also find your hearing aids if you ever lose them using the location services on the app. The app also allows a hearing professional to make modifications to the settings of your hearing aid remotely, without you having to step foot inside a hearing practice.
The Evoke comes in 220, 330, or 440 performance levels, and they all include these features:
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Direct connection audio streaming with most modern Apple devices
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Improved directional noise reduction
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Instant settings changes when you enter certain areas
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Better speech understanding in noise using directional microphones
Those who need wind noise reduction will have to choose the 440 performance level to take advantage of that benefit.
Unique
Widex Unique is now several times superseded and was a model of hearing aids which feature the Sound Class Technology system, which separates listening environments into nine different sound classifications to better adapt to the sound environment of each individual user. It looks for particular elements in the sound environment and determines who are the most important speakers. The system targets audibility when there is an important speech signal. When no important speech is given, the system looks to provide a comfortable sound.
The Unique also includes a wind noise reduction technology that decreases wind noise, which makes speech easier to understand. To understand speech, a Noise Reduction system guarantees speech sounds are preserved while unwanted sounds are reduced.
