Streamer-iCom-Tek Comparison ??s

[Squeezer53]

Hi,

I am new to the forum but have been lurking for a while.

I will be testing & getting HAs soon & been trying to research some of the tech info on the newer breeds of HAs w/ Bluetooth Connectivity accessories... so , some questions and a request to correct me if the info I post is not right. It is way too hard to get full specs on this stuff! Even finding out how big they are.

The 3 HA accessories I found are Streamer (Oticon), iCom (Phonak) & Tek (Siemens) & each of these have company specific HAs that they will work with. EpoqXW, Excelia, Pure (and others within the lines)
Each of these HAs also communicate with each other in a binaural fitting w/o the accessory (e2e for example)

For the hearing Aids:
What is the aid to aid communication technology?
Magnetic Field like in T-Coil?
FM?
Do they all use the same methods?

I saw in a thread "Siemens Pure - Another Bluetooth Aid?"
I do not believe the Tek is compatible with the Centra or other e2e (version 1.0) devices. The original e2e protocol only transferred info at 0.2Kbit/s. e2e 2.0 (Pure) transfers at 164kBit/s. In comparison Epoq transfers @ 120Kbit/s and Exelia at 300kBit/s.

Are these the transfer rates Aid to Aid & not the accessory to HA?

On the Accessories:
Streamer
Can recieve via 2.5 Jack (wired) or Bluetooth (2.0 for mono & A2DP for Stero)
Transmits to the Aids via a Loop (Magnetic?) but would deliver the same signal to both aids (mono not stereo).
Can change HA volume, HA Programs, Recieve & End calls via the Streamer.

iCom
Can't find much info
Recieves the same way as streamer (I think)
Uses a Neck Loop Too (magnetic? or FM?)
Claims to deliver Stero sound to the Aids
There are no controls on the iCom? Does not serve as a remote for the HAs? (need iPilot for that?)
Are they actually being shipped in the US?

Tek (Siemens)
Recieves via Bluetooth or wired jack.
Requires an added Proprietary Tranmitter to recieve Stero? Not A2DP?
NO Neck Loop (transmitting to HAs via Magnetic? FM? Bluetooth?)
Has HA controls Volume, Program, Recieve & End Calls, Plus Adjust Treble.

More info on size, reliability, scalability or price would be appreciated as would general opinions on the HAs that work with them.

Thanks.

[hearnow]

Hi Squeezer53,

It looks like you've done your home work well. There is not much info available on the Siemens Tek yet, but the streamer and iCom are well documented.

Here is a breakdown as I remember it (Please feel free to correct me):

Streamer:
For: Epoq range
Transmission frequency: 3.84MHz
Transmission speed (aid to aid and streamer to aid): 120KBit/s
Audio quality: Mono (binaurally streamed)
Connection type: Digitally encoded induction
Buttons: one for audio, one for mobile (3.2Khz freq range), Volume + Program switch, pairing, hold switch.
Talk time: +_4 hrs (actual)
Standby time (BT on): 70Hrs
Inputs: 2.5mm Stereo input, Mini USB (charging)
Microphone for mobile phone: Omni Directional
TV via Bluetooth without delay: No (Oticon is releasing Solution soon)


iCom:
For: Exelia and Naida Range
Transmission frequency: 10.6MHz
Transmission speed (aid to aid and iCom to aid): 300KBit/s
Audio quality: Full Stereo on audio, mono (binaurally streamed) for cellphone
Connection type: Digitally encoded induction
Buttons: Single large button for mobile - talk , end call as well as music (automatically selects with phone taking priority), pairing button on back
Talk time: 8Hrs (per phonak rep)
Standby time (BT on): ?
Inputs: 3,5mm (2.5 ?) stereo jack, mini USB (charging), EuroPlug for FM receiver
Microphone for mobile phone: Directional microphone
TV via Bluetooth without delay: YES

Tek:
For: Pure
Transmission frequency: 3.28MHz
Transmission speed (aid to aid and Tek to aid): 164KBit/s
Audio quality: Stereo ?
Connection type: ?
Buttons: Programs 1- 5, Volume, Talk, end call
Talk time: ?
[I]Standby time (BT on):[I]?
Inputs: 2.5 Stereo Jack, mini USB?
Microphone for mobile phone: ?
TV via Bluetooth without delay: Proprietary transmitter

[Squeezer53]

Hearnow,

Thank you so much for the quick response.

Transmission Freq (Hz) is = to the transmission band like with a radio station?
Does the actual freqency used have an effect on transmission speed?

The transmission speed (kB/sec) would effect response times on aid to aid functions and lag times also input/output with the cell phone & "streamed" Audio?

Response time would also be a function of the Chipset used (much like bus architecture on a computer) True?

I still do not understand how the devices can deliver stereo to the HAs if they are transmitting to both aids on the same frequency with a single neck loop "antennae". Wouldn't the Left & Right Aids have to be picking up on unique signals (or bands within the signal tranmitted) in order to get true stereo?

On the iCom, that large square I see in the pictures is the Button?? Not a display screen?

Tek has a mic & the treble control button (per thier website). Do not know if the mic is directional or not.

Re: the Streamer, if Oticon updates software or firmware to allow non-delay streaming audio, will only the streamer have to be updated or would the aids & the streamer require return for updates.

Why can't they do this stuff like software? ie. Download fixes & drivers????
Hook up my aids to the comuter & check for updates.

[adgraham]

It appears on paper that the iCom/excelia package is king. However, there hasn't been any reports of actual usage of the iCom on here unless I'm missing something. I'm waiting to hear reports before I decide anything. The same would be true with the siemens package.

[joesc]

I've heard from my Audi that Phonak told them the ICom won't be available until June at the earliest. So we won't have actual test results until it comes out.

[xbulder]

I have seen Oticon TV solution

I have to say, Im not so please

As it was a senheiser ALD with an audio cable to the streamer

so basically you need to have the streamer and another stuff hanging there

TO MUCH CABLES !

[Rogue NineCH]

I have seen Oticon TV solution

I have to say, Im not so please

As it was a senheiser ALD with an audio cable to the streamer

so basically you need to have the streamer and another stuff hanging there

TO MUCH CABLES !

Oh they have to come up with a better solution than that! Nobody's going to want to buy that option.

[firemate]

Tek is providing stereo quality and sound transmission from TV without sound delay, i.e. in sync with TV picture. It has just been launched and it looks to be the new benchmark in bluetooth streaming.