New Oticon Sirius Platform, with one new model (Oticon Intent miniRITE)

[pvc]

Oticon New Sirius Platform, One new model (Oticon Intent miniRITE). Updated the DIY School Hearing Aids PDF file (Big-5 Platforms Chips) to reflect the changes. Note that Bernafon and Philips/Costco will also be updated with new models in the near future.

• We present the world's first sensors that measure user intent. They do this by detecting your head and body movements and adjusting the support you get as your listening needs change. Even in challenging listening situations, you will get the individually adapted support you need to be able to hear speech clearly and take part in life
• New Lithium-ion charger technology - has contacts - this is not inductive charging
• New miniFit Detect speakers - these are not miniFit speakers - has a chip inside to communicate with the fitting software
• Next-generation Bluetooth® LE Audio

I like this description of the new → 4D Sensor technology by HoH-member @Volusiano

Images:


Images of (charging-contacts) and new (miniFit Detect speakers) linked to images posted by HoH-Community member @fireinzell

Oticon Global says;

• Improved rechargeability; Oticon Intent is the fastest charging Oticon hearing aid ever. In fact, it comes with a 33% reduction in charging time compared to Oticon Real™. The size 13 lithium-ion battery gives users more power between charges and provides faster and more stable charging. When fully charged it offers 20 hours of use, while a speedy 15-minute charge delivers users 4 hours of battery life, or 8 hours of power in just a 30-minute charge*. Our new desk charger is designed from the ground up to fit seamlessly into each user’s life. It’s highly stable, making it easy to use every day, while being both discreet and pleasing to the eye. What’s more, colour coding ensures easy and intuitive placement of hearing aids. *Expected use time for rechargeable battery depends on use pattern, active feature set, hearing loss, sound environment, battery age and use of wireless accessories.
• The world’s first self-calibrating speaker; Oticon Intent comes with the world’s first self-calibrating speaker, making speaker inaccuracy a thing of the past. MiniFit Detect delivers gain accuracy within 1dB, providing up to 57% more precise gain compared to previous speaker units by Oticon, and makes it even easier and more efficient for hearing care professionals to fit Oticon Intent. The new miniFit Detect speaker units with fitting levels 60 and 100 offer more headroom due to a higher Maximum Power Output, giving you more options and flexibility when it comes to meeting a user’s fitting needs. The miniFit Detect power levels 60, 85, and 100 are available with domes as well as custom-made MicroShell Detect moulds, while the miniFit Detect 105 comes with a custom-made MicroShell.
• Next-generation Bluetooth® LE Audio; With Bluetooth LE Audio, Oticon Intent is a future-proof hearing aid, ready for future communication technologies, such as Auracast™. Users with smart devices that can handle LE Audio can directly stream audio content and make hands-free calls – including Android™ phones with OS 14 and newer updates, tablets, and PCs.

Here's a clip below of the updated Big-5 Platforms Chips Note that the release date is not highlighted in Red meaning that RED = new chip/processor Also Note this forum post copy of DIY School will become obsolete while DIY School itself will be updated. Also, you can click the light-blue-colored links below which will take you to forum discussion topics where you will find more discussion and information about the specific hearing aid model.

William DeMant/Oticon, Bernafon, Philips, Sonic

2024-Q1	Sirius	2024-Q1 Intent miniRITE; new Lithium-ion charger technology - has contacts - is not inductive charging, new miniFit Detect speakers - not miniFit speakers
2020-Q4	Polaris	2023-Q1 Real miniRITE R, miniRITE T, miniBTE R, miniBTE T 2022-Q3 Own IIC, CIC, ITC, ITE-HS, ITE-FS 2022-Q2 Zircon miniRITE R, miniRITE T, miniBTE R, miniBTE T 2022-Q2 More miniBTE R, miniBTE T 2020-Q4 More miniRITE R, miniRITE T
2019-Q1	Velox S *	2020-Q2 Ruby, miniRITE, miniRITE T, miniRITE R, BTE, BTE Power Plus 2019-Q2 Xceed, Xceed Play 2019-Q1 Opn S, Opn-Play
2016-Q2	Velox *	2018-Q4 Siya 2017-Q2 Opn ZPower Rechargeable miniRITE 2016-Q2 Opn
2015-Q1	Inium Sense	Alta2, Nera2, Ria2, Dynamo
2013-Q?	Inium	Alta, Nera, Ria
2010-Q1	RISE2	Agil, Acto
2007-Q2	RISE	Vigo, Epoq

*=Firmware Update requires Hi Pro

 

[pvc]

Prior to this Oticon Sirius platform I had thought that wireless inductive charging was the better technology. HMm; I guess not? Oticon has switched to charging with direct (+/-) contacts. Likely for for faster charging?

Also prior to this Oticon Sirius platform I had thought that the reason for a cover atop their portable charger may be designed to retain heat and therefore assist in keeping the hearing aids dry/moisture-free. Nope. Their new charger is open without a door on the top (see next post). My new opinion is that hearing aid dryers are a relic of the past, when hearing aids were sensitive to moisture.

 

[pvc]

Here's a picture of the new charger; and a claim (though with asterisk for the 15-minute claim);
"Get power for a full day's use after one hour of charging, or up to four hours of use after just 15 minutes* of charging."

 

[pvc]

Link to the → Product Information file (in German language) showing four Oticon Intent models (Intent 1, Intent 2, Intent 3, Intent 4).

Intent can stream from the current/already-available TV Adapter 3.0:

Streaming from a TV via TV Adapter 3.0 TV Adapter 3.0 allows users of Oticon Intent to wirelessly stream audio from their TV or home entertainment system directly to their hearing aids. Users can choose the preferred sound level – at the same time as the TV sound remain at a comfortable level for others – and enjoy a good listening experience without disturbance of noise from the surroundings. There are several different ways to connect the TV Adapter 3.0 to TV and other sound sources. TV Adapter 3.0 can simultaneously stream to as many Oticon hearing aids, there is a need for. Oticon Intent users can connect up to four TV adapters and use the Oticon Companion app to select which device they want to stream audio from.​

 

[pvc]

I'm not sure yet about how (or even IF) to use the newfangled → Fitting and counselling with ACT/Audible Contrast Threshold
Groan; Whitepaper reading required

Pfft: ACT is as clear as mud; ETA/Edit to add; If you leave it set to "Default" you are missing out on help with speech-in-noise!

• The ACT test was introduced into the greater field of Audiology in October 2023. Therefore, it can be expected that it will take some time before this new diagnostic test is cemented as a standard clinical tool. Compatible equipment, clinical confidence, and a change in both mindset and behaviour are required for the ACT test to become mainstream.
• Nevertheless, it is now our clinical recommendation to use your client’s ACT value when fitting Oticon hearing aids, given the extensive research effort that has shown the justification for its use, as well as its clinical and practical applicability.

But when/if we begin to use ACT for enhancing speech-in-noise settings; these four Intent models have different levels of compensation for someone having difficulties with speech in noise;

 

[pvc]

From Whitepaper → Expanding personalized fitting opportunities with Oticon Intent

Adding more fitting room with higher MPO
Maximum Power Output (MPO) refers to the highest output level a hearing aid can deliver and is important because some patients require a high level of gain.
However, amplification near or above MPO causes distortion in the signal. To account for this possibility, it is desirable to have a large amount of headroom in the hearing aid. One way to achieve this is by using a larger speaker unit, i.e., a higher power fitting level. However, a large speaker unit may not fit all ears. It is clinically impactful to have a solution for this, and with the introduction of MoreSound Amplifier 3.0 we now also offer increased MPO for miniFit Detect speaker units fitting level 60 and 100 (see Figure 3). With a higher MPO in, especially, fitting level 60, we allow for a more comfortable fit of users with smaller ears that need more gain than the previous speaker units could provide. Increased headroom can also have a positive impact on sound quality when listening to music in the MyMusic program, which accounts for the recommendation of higher MPO in music programs, as described in Greasley, Crook, & Beeston (2019). Overall, the higher MPO in the miniFit Detect speaker units means more precision, more fitting confidence, and an improved overall listening experience for the user.

 

[pvc]

From Whitepaper → Expanding personalized fitting opportunities with Oticon Intent
Below are some benefits of the new miniFit Detect speakers. I personally suffered from improperly fit hearing aids because the audiologist selected the wrong power for the receivers/speakers and also selected the wrong vent size. It took several visits to convince the audiologist that I needed to (re-RX/re-Prescribe/re-Calculate) the settings.

Five new information parameters for reassurance and confidence The connector of the miniFit Detect speaker unit now contains a memory chip loaded with details about the speaker unit when Oticon Intent is connected to Genie 2: serial number, right/left, fitting power level, and wire length. Furthermore, a status indicator enables you to see if the speaker unit corresponds to the selected one in Genie 2, or if it is missing, faulty, or incompatible. This provides a clear benefit in terms of clinical efficiency. Some hearing care professionals may also worry that they, or a colleague, didn’t add the right speaker unit on a client’s hearing aids. This doesn’t have be a worry anymore, as the LED in Oticon Intent will flash orange if there’s a mismatch between the attached miniFit Detect and what’s set in Genie 2.

New retention wire: Due to the different shapes of each client’s individual ear canal, some will experience movement of the speaker unit while speaking, eating, or yawning. Having to push the speaker unit in place can be a daily annoyance to many and a sign of poor retention of the speaker unit. With miniFit Detect, a new wire bend design is introduced that is optimised for the natural shape of the ear canal and ear opening. The bend is designed with comfort, retention, and deep placement in mind. It’s notably different from previous Oticon speaker units.

 

[pvc]

From Whitepaper → Expanding personalized fitting opportunities with Oticon Intent
There is more information available via the above link. though, my main takeaway is that it tunes your streaming Bass better, and automatically, based on your vent size.
Giving bass back; Most people know the thrill of good bass, especially when listening to music. Music has even been shown to play a part in our feelings of identity and belonging, which are essential to our well-being (Laukka, 2006). More bass is not necessarily associated specifically with speech. However, applying the right amount of low frequency gain for speech is equally important as for music. Moore & Tan (2003) describe how different frequency cutoffs in hearing aids can impact the perceived naturalness of music and speech signals. They find that a low frequency cutoff between 55-123 Hz is desirable (Moore & Tan, 2003), suggesting that adding more bass to the hearing aid processing is beneficial.

With the upgraded Power Bass, more amplification of low frequencies is applied when streaming, without compromising the advantages of open fittings, providing a richer sound. The feature has three customizable settings (Low, Medium, and High) and is automatically prescribed based on the vent size (see Table 1 for default settings based on acoustics).

 

[pvc]

It's not "only" the Oticon Intent new models that will be introduced. It is also the "sister" companies (Bernafon and Philips) that will release new models. Also, it's not "only" the "sister" companies that will release new models. It's also the ReBranded outlets that will release new models. Though, I suspect that the premium features will be reserved for the Oticon brand. The other models (especially ReBranded models) will be somewhat defeatured, and maybe locked too.

Source → Bluetooth® LE Audio Certification (use the > expansion arrows to see full list of models)

• Oticon Intent miniRITE, Intent 1 - Intent 2 - Intent 3 - Intent 4

"sister" companies;

• Bernafon Encanta MNR/miniRITE, Encanta 400 - Encanta 300 - Encanta 200 - Encanta 100
• Philips HearLink 50 MNR/miniRITE, HearLink 9050 - HearLink 7050 - HearLink 5050 - HearLink 3050 - Hearlink 50

ReBranded outlets:

• AGXO B miniRITE, B500 - B400 - B300 - B200
• Amplifon ampli-energy 5D R, ampli-energy 5 5D - ampli-energy 4 5D - ampli-energy 3 5D - ampli-energy 2 5D - ampli-energy 5D
• Audika B miniRITE, B500 - B400 - B300 - B200
• HHM B miniRITE, B500 - B400 - B300 - B200
• Multisound B miniRITE, B500 - B400 - B300 - B200
• KINDsevan miniRITE R, KINDsevan 5 - KINDsevan 4 - KINDsevan 3 - KINDsevan
• SoniTon Personal Plus R, Personal 1.5 - Personal 2.5 - Personal 3.5 - Personal 4.5 - Personal.5
• Vio T 6 Li, T44 - T34 - T24 - T14 - Td4
• Bernafon A1 MNR/miniRITE, Maico A1 MNR/miniRITE, A1.100 - A1.80 - A1.60 - A1.40
• Multisound A1 MNR/miniRITE, A1.100 - A1.80 - A1.60 - A1.40
• SoniTon A1 MNR/miniRITE, A1.100 - A1.80 - A1.60 - A1.40 - A1
• Sonic A1 MNR/miniRITE, A1.100 - A1.80 - A1.60 - A1.40
• SBO A1 MNR/miniRITE, A1.100 - A1.80 - A1.60 - A1.40

 

[pvc]

Someone asked "Do you have any concern being one of the first to try them? I tried the Phonak P90R immediately after they came out and definitely had to flush out a few bugs and wait for the s...l...o...w firmware updates."

HMm; No I don't have any concerns. I keep track of Platforms (and also mark new Chips/processors with a Red-Colored release Date) in a DIY School Hearing Aids PDF file named (Big-5 Platforms Chips-平台 芯片). As you can see in the case of Oticon, the Polaris Platform with new Chip/Processor began in 2020-Q4 so Oticon has been working with this chip/processor/hardware for three years. So the new Oticon releases in the past three years were for the most part, software releases.

Note that some release dates highlighted in Red meaning that RED = new chip/processor Also Note this forum post copy of DIY School will become obsolete while DIY School itself will be updated. Also, you can click the light-blue-colored links below which will take you to forum discussion topics where you will find more discussion and information about the specific hearing aid model.
William DeMant/Oticon, Bernafon, Philips, Sonic

2024-Q1	Sirius	2024-Q1 Intent miniRITE; new Lithium-ion charger technology - has contacts - is not inductive charging, new miniFit Detect speakers - not miniFit speakers
2020-Q4	Polaris	2023-Q1 Real miniRITE R, miniRITE T, miniBTE R, miniBTE T 2022-Q3 Own IIC, CIC, ITC, ITE-HS, ITE-FS 2022-Q2 Zircon miniRITE R, miniRITE T, miniBTE R, miniBTE T 2022-Q2 More miniBTE R, miniBTE T 2020-Q4 More miniRITE R, miniRITE T
2019-Q1	Velox S *	2020-Q2 Ruby, miniRITE, miniRITE T, miniRITE R, BTE, BTE Power Plus 2019-Q2 Xceed, Xceed Play 2019-Q1 Opn S, Opn-Play
2016-Q2	Velox *	2018-Q4 Siya 2017-Q2 Opn ZPower Rechargeable miniRITE 2016-Q2 Opn
2015-Q1	Inium Sense	Alta2, Nera2, Ria2, Dynamo
2013-Q?	Inium	Alta, Nera, Ria
2010-Q1	RISE2	Agil, Acto
2007-Q2	RISE	Vigo, Epoq

*=Firmware Update requires Hi Pro

Compared to Phonak's release of the Paradise platform in 2020-Q3 the new software for the Paradise chip/processor/hardware may have needed some time to work out the bugs because the hardware and software were both new.

Sonova/Phonak, Unitron, Hansaton

2022-Q3	Lumity/PRISM Autosense 5	2024-Q1 Audéo 312, Sky M, Naida Sp, Sky SP-disposable batteries 2022-Q3 Lumity Audéo L, SmartSpeech Technology Audéo Lumity Life-model has inductive charging
2020-Q3	Paradise/PRISM Autosense 4	2022-Q2 Audéo Fit, Phonak Slim 2021-Q3 Audéo Life Paradise, ActiveVent Receiver 2021-Q1 Naída Paradise, Brio5 2020-Q3 Audéo P, Bolero P, Virto P, Naída-P, Kirkland Signature 10
2018-Q4	Marvel/PRISM Autosense 3	2020-Q1 Naída Marvel 2018-Q4 Audéo M, Bolero M, Virto M, Naída-M, Sky M, Kirkland Signature 9, Brio4
2014-Q4	Venture Autosense	2017-Q3 Audéo B-Direct* is new SWORD wireless radio; Everything else is Venture; Audéo B*, Bolero B*, Virto B*, CROS B*, Brio3* 2016-Q2 Audéo B-R Rechargable. 2014-Q4 Audéo V, Bolero V, Virto V, Naída V, Sky V, CROS II, Brio2
2012-Q3	Quest	Audéo Q, Bolero Q, Baseo Q, Virto Q, Tao Q, Naída Q, Sky Q , Brio
2008	Spice/Spice+	Audéo S YES, Audéo S SMART, Audéo S MINI, Audéo S III, Audéo S IX, Naída III, Naída V, Naída IX, Ambra, Solana, Cassia, Dalia

 

[pvc]

Also, I like that Oticon also seems to be tidying up a few things such as the miniFit Detect speakers communicating with the fitting software and producing a notification if a different speaker power level is selected in the fitting software.

 

[e1405]

Here's a picture of the new charger; and a claim (though with asterisk for the 15-minute claim);
"Get power for a full day's use after one hour of charging, or up to four hours of use after just 15 minutes* of charging."

View attachment 450

that's very similar to the wall charger that came with my More. The one in the previous picture costs extra $$$ and has a battery that offers up to 3 chargers. Thanks for the posts!

 

[pvc]

The one in the previous picture costs extra $$$ and has a battery that offers up to 3 chargers.

Hi @e1405
We have few details about the new battery. But it is larger, size 13. So I believe it will have a higher (mAh - milliampere-hours) / (more power in its gas tank (so to speak). MeThinks that Oticon needed or wanted more power for the new Intent model and therefore the new battery and new charger were "required". Oticon does not mention whether the charger itself will have a battery, for storing extra power in the charger for multiple charge cycles??

Tip: Temporary work-around while newest information is not yet available from the USA Oticon website; Go to Oticon's Copenhagen Website, professional section (hopefully using the Google Chrome built-in "Translate" feature to translate to English) and click "Read more about Oticon Intent". Here's a → Link. But you will need to accomplish the language translation on your own. Note that Google Chrome's offer to Translate the website for you (located on upper right corner of your browser window) is only available on the original/primary instance of your browser window and not available on a new tab. So there's that. Here's an example of the Chrome browser Translate offer;



On the Copenhagen Website there are some expansions handles (+) you can click, for example clicking Improved rechargeability (+) results in extra information as shown in the image below;

 

[e1405]

Hi @e1405
We have few details about the new battery. But it is larger, size 13. So I believe it will have a higher (mAh - milliampere-hours) / (more power in its gas tank (so to speak). MeThinks that Oticon needed or wanted more power for the new Intent model and therefore the new battery and new charger were "required". Oticon does not mention whether the charger itself will have a battery, for storing extra power in the charger for multiple charge cycles??

Tip: Temporary work-around while newest information is not yet available from the USA Oticon website; Go to Oticon's Copenhagen Website, professional section (hopefully using the Google Chrome built-in "Translate" feature to translate to English) and click "Read more about Oticon Intent". Here's a → Link. But you will need to accomplish the language translation on your own. Note that Google Chrome's offer to Translate the website for you (located on upper right corner of your browser window) is only available on the original/primary instance of your browser window and not available on a new tab. So there's that. Here's an example of the Chrome browser Translate offer;

View attachment 456

On the Copenhagen Website there are some expansions handles (+) you can click, for example clicking Improved rechargeability (+) results in extra information as shown in the image below;
View attachment 455

Hi @pvc!
Edge does translations too . I usually use chrome to translate when I am using a Mac.
I see your point about the battery. Indeed, the extra information about rechargeability only mentions the desk charger. No mention to disposable batteries, nor to a portable charger... If that is true, I don't know where Oticon is getting their feedback from

 

[pvc]

Interesting article from Seminars in Hearing → Motion Sensors in Automatic Steering of Hearing Aids
Two quotes below from the above linked Seminars in Hearing article;

• The use of motion sensors, in particular accelerometers, in hearing aids is a relatively new technological feature
• integration of motion sensors in the hearing aid itself was realized in 2019

HMm; I wonder if the accelerometer was included in Oticon's Polaris platform release of More back in 2020-Q4 which is one year later that the 2019 news about accelerometers. Or was it added now for this new Sirius Platform, with new model (Oticon Intent miniRITE)?

An accelerometer image from the above linked Seminars in Hearing article;
A contemporary accelerometer compared in size to a standard 10A-size hearing aid battery:

Another quote highlighting the complexity;

• Hearing aids have traditionally relied on acoustic sensors to identify the user's listening needs in a given listening environment. However, as indicated, reliance solely on the acoustic soundscape is insufficient for addressing all of the user's listening needs. Given the example of a restaurant situation with background noise composed of conversations, dishes, people moving, heating and air conditioning systems, and other unexpected sounds, different listening needs can be identified. One patron wearing hearing aids and sitting with a guest at a table has a primary need to hear and understand the conversation partner. A waiter wearing hearing aids walking in the same restaurant has completely different needs. For both users, the acoustic soundscape is virtually identical, but the additional factor of the user's motion is a critical difference for the hearing aids' performance goals. Extending beyond this example, multiple listening environments can be better defined by considering motion. With the introduction of movement as detected by the accelerometer, the hearing aid can provide a more appropriate configuration of noise processing settings in anticipation of the hearing aid user's primary listening needs.

 

[pvc]

The new charger does not have a battery inside, for storing extra power in the charger for multiple charge cycles.
How do I know. I read the → User Guide. It is written in German language but you can use a translator.
Have a look at the resultant compatibility for all → Oticon Chargers;
Here's a Clip;

 

[pvc]

HMm; I wonder if the accelerometer was included in Oticon's Polaris platform release of More back in 2020-Q4 which is one year later that the 2019 news about accelerometers. Or was it added now for this new Sirius Platform, with new model (Oticon Intent miniRITE)?

Yep, I do believe the accelerometer was already in-there since 2020-Q4.

System-on-Chip (SoC) Design is not a trivial → process. You don't just grab a soldering station and add an accelerometer to an already existing SoC;


Besides, when a manufacturer does have a brand new Soc Designed (like the Polaris Platform/More) 2020-Q4) they tend to brag about it as in this → Oticon More Product Brochure.

• 16x more capacity to execute advanced algorithms compared to Velox S platform
• Twice the computation capacity and speed compared to Velox S platform
• Intelligent use of industry-leading 64-channel processing
• 2x precision in 1.5-5kHz frequency bands Compared to Velox S platform
• On-board Deep Neural Network processing

 

[pvc]

Here's a link to a related topic on this subject of what is a "New" platform → When is a new hearing aid platform actually "New"

 

[Volusiano]

Yep, I do believe the accelerometer was already in-there since 2020-Q4.

System-on-Chip (SoC) Design is not a trivial → process. You don't just grab a soldering station and add an accelerometer to an already existing SoC;
View attachment 460

Besides, when a manufacturer does have a brand new Soc Designed (like the Polaris Platform/More) 2020-Q4) they tend to brag about it as in this → Oticon More Product Brochure.

But the Oticon Intent is on a new platform they call Sirius, no? It's not on the Polaris platform anymore that was used for the More and Real. It's probably also because this new Sirius platform is more power-hungry that they now have to resort to a bigger rechargeable battery size 13. So it's likely that the accelerometer was not added until the Sirius platform. And usually a new SOC is what spurred a new platform.

 

[pvc]

But the Oticon Intent is on a new platform they call Sirius, no? It's not on the Polaris platform anymore that was used for the More and Real

Yes it's a new Platform (Sirius). But they always say it's a new platform. Why? Because they don't want to say it's the same as the hearing aid you bought three years ago except we have made some software improvements.

It's probably also because this new Sirius platform is more power-hungry that they now have to resort to a bigger rechargeable battery size 13. So it's likely that the accelerometer was not added until the Sirius platform. And usually a new SOC is what spurred a new platform.

I admit that could be true. But it could also be true that Oticon realized that a size 312 Li-ion battery was a limitation to future development and it was time to switch to a design (size 13 battery) that provides more power.

Besides I couldn't find one peep about new hardware like the bragging below from 3-years ago (2020-Q4) when they announced the More platform.

when a manufacturer does have a brand new Soc Designed (like the Polaris Platform/More) 2020-Q4) they tend to brag about it as in this → Oticon More Product Brochure.

• 16x more capacity to execute advanced algorithms compared to Velox S platform
• Twice the computation capacity and speed compared to Velox S platform
• Intelligent use of industry-leading 64-channel processing
• 2x precision in 1.5-5kHz frequency bands Compared to Velox S platform
• On-board Deep Neural Network processing

In summary it is difficult to suss out when a new platform is in name-only versus when it has a new System-on-Chip (SoC) Design. But I still believe the new Platform (Sirius) is the same hardware as 2020-Q3 More.