Specsavers

Spectral iQ

Spectral iQ is a frequency-lowering algorithm that is used to improve audibility of high frequency sounds while preserving sound quality, thereby improving speech understanding. The algorithm translates inaudible, high frequency, speech information to a lower frequency region where it will be audible. Spectral iQ is designed to benefit patients with steeply-sloping, moderate to severe, high frequency hearing loss. Spectral iQ can be enabled/disabled per memory and is only available for Advance 26, Advance 26 Micro, Advance 24, and Advance 25 products.

If a valid audiogram exists that meets the audiometric criteria for frequency-lowering and Best Fit All Memories is applied during an adult fitting, Spectral iQ is automatically enabled for all memories except Disabled, Music, and Streaming. If an adult has a valid audiogram but it doesn't meet the audiometric criteria, or if the patient is pediatric, Spectral iQ is automatically disabled for all memories. However, Spectral iQ can be enabled manually. If Spectral iQ, a green/yellow shaded region displays on all fitting graphs except Multiflex Tinnitus. The green shaded region represents the Source Region, which is the range where high frequency sounds are identified. The yellow shaded region represents the Target Region, which is the range the identified high frequency sounds are replicated.

If Spectral iQ is enabled by default, the Source and Target Regions, Spectral iQ Bandwidth, and Spectral iQ Gain settings are set based on the patient's hearing loss. Spectral iQ Bandwidth is a multi-parameter adjustment, affecting both the Source and Target Regions. Seven settings are available ranging from Minimum to Maximum. A more aggressive Spectral iQ Bandwidth can be achieved by moving the control toward Maximum. Spectral iQ Gain can be adjusted from 0 to 10 dB, in 1 dB increments.

For assistance with solving patient issues regarding Spectral iQ (e.g., /s/ sounds, lisping, etc.), see Expert Assistant.

  1. Connect and select the desired hearing aid(s) to adjust via Get Started.

  2. Click Quick Connect or Session Connect.

  3. Click Fitting from the Left Navigation Menu.

  4. Click Spectral iQ.

    Tip:  The bold green curve on the fitting graph represents the high frequency speech output. To display the high frequency speech input, which is represented in a thin green curve, click the checkbox Display High Frequency Speech Input.
     
    Note:  Regardless of the graphical view currently selected, Real Ear Response output and High Frequency Speech Input always displays on the fitting graph while on this screen.

  5. Click on the specific memory to adjust if applicable or click to adjust all memories simultaneously.

  6. Inspire automatically defaults to a binaural Select Binaural view if applicable. To adjust only the right or left hearing aid, click Select Right Only or Select Left Only.

  7. Click the On or Off radio button to enable or disable Spectral iQ.

    Note:  If a valid audiogram has not been entered for the patient, this field is disabled. If Off is selected, Spectral iQ Bandwidth and Gain fields are disabled.
     
    Note:  If viewing binaurally, both hearing aids will be enabled or disabled based on the selection. To enable or disable the right or left hearing aid only, click Select Right Only or Select Left Only and then click On or Off.

  8. Click on the radio button representing the desired Spectral iQ Bandwidth setting.

    Note:  The Source (green) and Target (yellow) Regions expand or contract based on the setting selected.

  9. Drag the slider bars Adjust gain all right Adjust gain all left to increase or decrease the Spectral iQ Gain per ear side or click the up or down arrow keys to increase or decrease binaurally.