Can AutoScope work with Natural Directionality? How does adaptive directionality fit into these directional options?
The focus ear in Natural Directionality is always set to a fixed hypercardioid pattern, therefore, AutoScope and Natural Directionality cannot exist in the same program. However many customers have found value in giving patients a second “Noise” program for speech in extreme noise situations to provide a very concentrated focus of directionality. In these situations the majority of fitters have set up this second program with AutoScope.
How is Natural Directionality in Alera™ better than in the Live™ version?
There are no changes to Natural Directionality II from Live™ to Alera™.
Is synchronized omnidirectionality only in Natural Directionality II? Is it an issue for other directional options?
Synchronized omnidirectional processing is only available in Natural Directionality II. However, Natural Directionality is the only directional algorithm that requires this feature in order to provide patient benefit.
Is AutoScope always directional? Is there a way to have it set for Omni in quiet and then auto switch to AutoScope in noise?
Yes; set it to SoftSwitching. Then it will switch between omni and AutoScope in noise (or you can choose a fixed beamwidth for the adaptive directionality if that is preferred).
What is the difference between AutoScope and MultiScope?
MultiScope Adaptive Directionality was introduced in Azure™ and allowed for specification of how wide of beamwidth is preferred (narrow, medium or wide). With Alera™, AutoScope changes the beamwidth depending on the signal-to-noise ratio of the environment.
Why not use AutoScope all the time?
AutoScope is the default for any directional program except Natural Directionality II. Some patients might find that AutoScope reduces audibility for sounds coming from behind more than they would like and would do better either switching to an omni program or using Natural Directionality II. Regarding the beamwidth, in theory some patients might prefer a fixed wider or narrower beamwidth based on too much or too little audibility of what they want to hear, but our fitting experience has not suggested a particular scenario, hearing loss type or patient profile that would not be fine with the AutoScope.
How much directional benefit am I giving up by going with a remote mic CIC?
Compared to a regular CIC, there is no significant loss of the directional benefit that you get from the mic placement within the concha versus above/behind the ear.
For patients who do not use the memory button appropriately, what is the best directional option, especially if Natural Directionality II is not available?
Softswitching.