The HarmonyTM behind-the-ear (BTE) sound processor uses sophisticated technology to help you - or your child - hear your best at work, at school, or at play. When you hear the world’s full spectrum of sound, you have the opportunity to enjoy stronger connections with loved ones, make faster progress in language development, and offer greater contributions in the workplace.
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"With the Harmony processor you can just put it on and you don’t have to worry about it for the rest of the day. The functionality is great. The Harmony has programming flexibility that the other implants don’t have.”
— Danielle Paquin, implanted at age 20, bilaterally implanted at age 26
The World of Sound in Details
AB’s superior cochlear implant technology has been developed to help you and your child hear well in every setting - from the quietest listening environment to the most challenging situation.
- HiRes Fidelity 120TM *: Designed to deliver five times more spectral resolution (120 spectral bands) than competing sound processors, so you hear more details in speech, music, and more.
- AutoSoundTM: Adapts dynamically and continuously to every environment, automatically adjusting volume levels to optimize hearing, so you can concentrate on listening instead of making adjustments to your sound processor.
- Wide IDR (Input Dynamic Range): Designed to enable you or your child to better hear soft speech, speech in noise, and the details of music.
- ClearVoiceTM *: Automatically analyzes and adapts to every listening situation you or your child encounters, then separates speech from surrounding noise for improved understanding and ease of listening.
* Not approved for pediatric patients in the United States.
Harmony Processor Features
Harmony, AB’s most sophisticated sound processor, uses cutting-edge technology designed to deliver the best hearing experience possible for you or your child.
T-Mic Microphone for More Natural Hearing
AB’s Harmony processor features the patented T-MicTM Microphone, which places the microphone at the opening of the ear canal for more natural hearing. The T-Mic helps you or your child to hear better in noisy settings, use phones like everyone else, and enjoy wireless connectivity to popular consumer battery powered electronics devices.
Easy Connectivity
AB offers the only system with simple, quick connectivity. All Harmony earhooks are available in standard and small sizes to comfortably fit your or your child’s ear.
- T-Mic - The naturally placed T-Mic Microphone is the most ideal option for everyday listening situations. There are no cumbersome cables or wires that get in the way.
- iConnect - The iConnectTM provides a cable-free connection to the most commonly used FM systems in schools, such as Phonak Dynamic FM.
- Direct Connect - The plug-and-play Direct ConnectTM accessory connects directly to battery-powered electronic devices, including MP3 players, FM systems, and other audio devices via a 3.5-mm stereo jack and audio cable.
- Standard Earhook - The standard earhook is available to hold the processor on your ear if you utilize the built-in microphone on the Harmony processor.
- Built-in T-Coil - The T-Coil is a built-in feature of Harmony that may be programmed to provide easy wireless connectivity to inductive-loop systems and compatible telephones.
Flexible Wearing Options
The Harmony sound processor offers a variety of convenient and comfortable wearing options for everyone, including active children and adults on the go.
All-on-the-Ear
- Comfortable behind-the-ear (BTE) wearing option
All-on-the-Ear with the SnuggieTM
- Comfortable and secure ear-level wearing option ideal for active children.
All-on-the-Ear with the Bionic Buddy Critter Clip
- A fun retention tool to add security when the processor is worn on the ear.
Some-on-the-Ear
Harmony with PowerCelTM Adapter
- Wear the sound processor on-the-ear and the battery completely off-the-ear. This bilateral-ready option is also capable of powering two Harmony processors from a single battery for added comfort and convenience.
Nothing-on-the-Ear (NOTETM) with Kinder ClipTM
- Completely off the ear option with a specially designed clip, ideal for little ones
Harmony Diagnostics
The Harmony processor’s built-in diagnostic system sets it apart from other sound processors. The light indicator makes it easy to determine whether your Harmony is functioning properly. A green light indicates that it is processing sound and is working correctly. An amber light indicates battery status.
The portable and convenient Listening CheckTM allows parents and teachers to verify that the Harmony microphone, T-Mic, or even an FM receiver is working properly when children are unable to provide this feedback themselves.
Together, these diagnostic tools help ensure you and your child are hearing all of life’s details every moment of every day.
User-Friendly Controls
The Harmony processor’s programmable volume wheel provides visual markings for parents and teachers. Programs are easily changed using a three-position program switch, which makes Harmony the superior choice for children and adults.
Convenient Power Options
The Harmony processor’s cost-effective rechargeable batteries slide on quickly, making them easy for parents and active adults to operate. Long-lasting, environmentally friendly power options for the Harmony sound processor include the PowerCel Slim and PowerCel Plus batteries.
Ideal for small ears and active lifestyles, the Off-the-ear PowerCel Adapter allows the battery to be worn completely off the ear.
Water Resistance - Guaranteed
The Harmony sound processor is designed with advanced two-fold water protection so that you don’t have to worry around water!
- Harmony’s outer case is designed to shed moisture and resist water penetration.
- A special coating applied to the internal electronics provides an additional waterproof barrier.
We’re so confident this protection will keep these delicate electronics safe in real-world operating conditions that we back Harmony with a three-year warranty.
Sleek Headpiece Design
The Harmony processor’s sleek headpiece is small, discreet and easy to conceal. Its ultra-light weight offers comfort, convenience and retention. Multiple interchangeable snap-on accent caps help receipients personalize their Harmony to fit their individual style.
Harmony Accessories
Harmony processor accessories are designed to optimize performance and wearing comfort. With thousands of customization options to choose from, you or your child can match your Harmony to your mood or your wardrobe!
- Choose from thousands of Skinit® designs to make a fashion statement.
- Use caps and covers to make your processor blend with your hair or skin tone, match your outfit, or express your personal style.
- The Kinder ClipTM gives adults and children the option of wearing their Harmony completely off-the-ear.
- AB’s SnuggieTM provides a secure fit of the processor to the ear for active children.
- Additional accessories for your convenience, include wallets and travel cases.
Contact AB for additional accessories.
Harmony Technical Specifications
Sound Processing
BTE Microphone: Frequency Range 150Hz–8000Hz
Audio Sound Capture: 16 bit, 96 dB
Input Dynamic Range: 20 dB–80 dB programmable (60 dB default)
Effective Audio Sampling Rate: 17.4 kHz
Sensitivity: +/- 10 dB
Stimulation Rate: 136 pps–83,000 pps
Spectral Bands: 1–120 bands
Supported Strategies (CII & HiRes 90K implants):
HiRes-S with Fidelity 120TM, HiRes-P with Fidelity 120, HiRes-S, HiRes-P, CIS, MPS
Supported Strategies (Clarion 1.0 & 1.2 implants): CIS, MPS, SAS
Telemetry: Continuous bidirectional
Processor
Processor Colors: Beige, Silver, and Dark Sienna
Program Switch: Three program positions
Volume Dial: +/- 100% electrical dynamic range
T-Coil: Electronically integrated
Status LED:
Three colors - green, orange, red (Total of eight status indications, Battery status, Microphone status, and Error status categories)
Auxiliary Input: Auria T-MicTM Microphone, Direct Connect™, and iConnect™ Earhooks
Operating Temperature Range: 0° to 45°C/32° to 113°F (non-condensing)
Storage Temperature Range: -20° to 55°C/-4° to 131°F
Power Operating Time
(Operating times apply to CII or HiRes 90K implants)
PowerCel Slim: Average 14, range 8–19 hours (Power economy mode)
PowerCel Plus: Average 24, range 14–41 hours (Power economy mode)
Power Operating Time
(Operating times apply to Clarion 1.0 or 1.2 implants)
PowerCel Plus: Average 6, range 4–8 hours (CIS/MPS)
PowerCel Plus: Average 5, range 4–7 hours (SAS)
Implant Compatibility
ICS: HiRes 90K™, CII Bionic EarTM Clarion 1.2, Clarion 1.0
Warranty
Processor and Headpiece: 3-year manufacturer warranty
Hear Your Best in Real-World Settings
Just as athletes train hard to achieve their best time on race day, AB works hard to deliver performance to help you or your child enjoy the best possible hearing experience. Independent studies1–4 conducted by leading research scientists show that you or your child may hear you best with AB in:
- Quiet environments, like libraries
- Noisy settings, like restaurants
- Private conversations, like when speech is as soft as a whisper
- Group gatherings, like classrooms
Hear Your Best while Listening to Music
Whether you’re singing your baby to sleep or listening to a chart-topping single, music is an integral part of experiencing the richness of life. A multicenter study5,6 sponsored by AB proves that AB recipients have the opportunity to hear and enjoy music better than ever before.
Helping Children Succeed
Children begin learning to speak from the day they’re born. By age 3, they need to hear approximately 30,000 words a day to develop the language skills necessary to succeed in school.7
Without a cochlear implant, “the language gap” between children born deaf or with a hearing loss and their normal-hearing peers can continue to widen as they mature. This gap may be significantly narrowed or even closed entirely by choosing one or two bionic ears for your child.
Hear Your Best for Speech Development
Harmony’s sophisticated technology gives children the opportunity to hear their best and benefit from learning alongside their peers in a mainstream school setting. An independent study shows that during the initial six months of implant use, children with AB devices outperform children with competitive devices in developing listening and speaking abilities.8
Helping Little Ears Hear Big
The Harmony processor and accessories are designed to help children hear their best at school, on the playground, and even during rigorous sports activities.
- Flexible wearing options that adapt to your child’s needs from infancy to adulthood
- Advanced water protection that’s guaranteed
- Fully programmable childproof controls that are easy to see and use
- Environmentally friendly, “green” battery options that are easy to change, rechargeable, cost effective, and available in two sizes
- Accessories like the Kinder Clip and Snuggie that are designed to allow more freedom of movement
- FM compatibility for easy use in classrooms
Plus, AB cochlear implant systems feature a fully upgradeable design so that your child can take advantage of sound processing and product innovations - without the need for additional surgery!
References
1.
Spahr A, Dorman MF, Loiselle LH. 2007. Performance of Patients Using Different Cochlear Implant Systems: Effects of Input Dynamic Range. Ear and Hearing. 28:260 - 275.
2.
Haumann S, Buchner A, Lenarz Th. Does the Input Dynamic Range of Cochlear Implant Processors Influence Speech Perception in Adverse Listening Situations? Oral Presentation at the 10th International Conference on Cochlear Implant and Other Implantable Auditory Technologies, San Diego, CA, April 10 - 12, 2008.
3.
Gifford R. Speech Perception in a Realistic Background Noise: Effectiveness of preprocessing Strategies and External Options for Improving the Signal-to-Noise Ratio. Oral Presentation at the 10th International Conference on Cochlear Implant and Other Implantable Auditory Technologies, San Diego, CA, April 10 - 12, 2008.
4.
Wolfe J, Mears A. Effect of Input Dynamic Range on Speech Recognition and Music Enjoyment. Poster Presentation at the 10th International Conference on Cochlear Implant and Other Implantable Auditory Technologies, San Diego, CA, April 10 - 12, 2008.
5.
Quick A, Koch DB, Osberger MJ. HiResolution with Fidelity 120 Sound Processing: Listening Benefits in CII and HiRes 90K Implant Users. Poster Presentation at the Conference on Implantable Auditory Prostheses, July 15 - 20, 2007, Lake Tahoe, CA.
6.
Mirza S, Douglas SA, Lindsey P, Hildreth T, Hawthorne M. 2003. Appreciation of Music in Adult Patients with Cochlear Implants. Cochlear Implants International. 4(2): 85 - 95.
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