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My review of Phonak Roger technology

review of the Phonak Roger Select
As a hearing aid wearer, I’ve been using Phonak Roger microphones for a while now. These unique microphones use advanced hearing loss technology to help me hear better in noisy situations, connect to my media and facilitate my work environment. 

I’ve been using Phonak Roger microphones for a while, but recently just started using the newest product, the Phonak Roger Select microphone. With this new device, my Roger microphone experience has changed. With this, I’m providing my personal review of Phonak Roger microphones, to help you understand how it can benefit others with hearing loss, like myself.

What is Phonak Roger?

Phonak Roger Microphones are external microphones that connect wirelessly to hearing aids to allow the user to better hear in various situations. Because the microphone in a hearing aid sits behind or in the ear (depending on the hearing aid model) most of the sounds that get transmitted to the brain are ones that can be picked up easily by the ear. However, for people with hearing loss, it can still be challenging to hear with hearing aids alone. In fact, 31 percent of hearing aid wearers report they still have challenges hearing in noisy situations, according to research in the American Journal of Audiology. Research shows that devices such as the Roger Pen, Roger Table Mic, Roger Select, and the Roger Touchscreen Mic, allow hearing aid users to hear 10 times better with Roger technology in noise and over distance than people with normal hearing.

Phonak Roger devices come in a variety of microphone designs. The Roger Pen is shaped like a pen and useful for directional voice conversations. The Roger Select is useful for conversations around the dinner table, as it sits on a table and picks up voices in the circle. Lastly, the Roger Touchscreen Mic is useful in classroom settings, as a teacher can wear it around their neck, allowing her voice to stream directly to a student’s hearing aids.

You can learn more about Phonak Roger microphones and hearing accessories, here.

Phonak Roger Select Review

I’ve recently just tested the new Phonak Roger Select microphone with the new iN technology. The Roger Select is a round microphone that fits in the palm of your hand. It has microphones around the device, so when it is placed in the center of a table, it can automatically select the person who is talking and stream their voice to the hearing aid user. It also automatically and seamlessly switches from one talker to another.

By utilizing multiple microphones in six directions, speech is covered in 360°. In a study done by Phonak, users reported hearing understanding group conversation in background noise nearly 61 percent better than with hearing aids alone.

Here are three of my favorite features of my new Roger Select microphone:

Phonak Roger Select IN

1) Roger connects straight to my hearing aids

The newest Roger microphones are compatible with the Phonak Marvel hearing aids. Thanks to RogerDirect technology, they connect to my hearing aids without an external receiver! My hearing care provider handled the installation, so all I had to do was connect them.

The technology has revolutionized my day-to-day; it’s comfortable and easy to use. My hearing aids are lighter and sleeker because I no longer need an external receiver to connect them to the microphones

2) I can hear others in social situations better than before

I use my Roger when I’m at the table with my family. When someone at the other end of the table talks, it feels like they are sitting right next to me. I can hear them perfectly! It’s magic, their voice comes straight through my hearing aids. I feel less excluded and I can truly participate in every conversation.

When I’m out at a restaurant with my friends, these accessories are extremely beneficial. If I am out with friends, it is usually in a noisy environment, which is not ideal for hearing and participating in conversations. The Roger microphones reduce background noise so I can focus on the conversation happening around me. It’s so useful and it sounds as though my friends are sitting beside me. It’s much less tiring and it allows me to really make the most of our time together. 

3) Roger make work meetings easier

At work meetings, I use the Roger Select. It gives me the energy I need to do my best throughout the day. I don’t get so tired and I can concentrate more on the content of the meetings. Throughout the day I feel more relaxed and I can express myself with more ease.

I don’t just use these products in group meetings. I also find them useful when I’m in a one-on-one meeting or chatting with a colleague. It’s nice to be able to hear the other person’s voice clearly. It’s invaluable for me and I cannot imagine living my life without the help of my Roger.

Author Details
Deaf from birth, Sophie Vouzelaud champions the rights of disabled people and seeks to change attitudes toward those with disabilities. First runner-up in the 2007 Miss France pageant, Sophie is now a model and works alongside Phonak to help people with hearing loss.