Roger reminder and Radio Aid Routine Maintenance
To ensure consistent daily use
A heritage of innovation
•  1996 MicroLink - the first miniaturized ear-level FM receiver
•  2000 MLx - the first universal ear-level FM receiver
•  2003 Multifrequency FM - the first frequency-flexible FM system
•  2008 Dynamic FM - the first adaptive FM system
2013
2
We bring you
The Challenges
•  People with a hearing loss face challenges in noisy
environments such as classrooms The work place and the
home environment
•  Extensive studies have shown that hearing instruments alone
are often not enough and that intelligent solutions are called for
•  This typically meant using FM
Phonak Moving Forward
•  Advances in technology brings opportunities to develop new
ways of working with the hearing impaired world
•  Phonak have always pushed the boundaries of technology and
Roger takes us all forward to meet these needs Worldwide for
now and the future
•  The new global standard has arrived
4
5
What is Roger?
Roger is the new simple to use adaptive digital
standard which provides unrivalled SNR in noise
and over distance.
6
Why Roger?
Definition of ROGER
—used especially in radio and signaling to
indicate that a message has been received
and understood
7
What did it stand for?
• Received Order Given, Expect Results
8
Who is Roger for
•  Anyone who struggles to hear in poor acoustic environments
•  This is anyone with a hearing loss regardless of aids, implants BAHA
Where should it be used.
•  Pre school
•  Education
•  At home
•  At work
•  Socialising
How many of these are used outside
the school classroom?
What is Roger?
•  Roger is a new digital wireless technology standard
•  Allows for low delay and reliable long-range broadcast towards miniature, low-power
receivers
•  Operates on 2.4 GHz band (ISM), with intelligent adaptive protocols
•  Audio bandwidth up to 7300 Hz
•  Privacy is guaranteed
9
Wireless characteristics
•  Audio signals are sampled, digitized and packaged in very short (160 μs) digital bursts of
codes (packets) and broadcast several times, each at different channels between 2.4000
and 2.4835 GHz
•  The 2.4 GHz ISM (Industry, Science and Medical) band is globally license free
•  Frequency hopping between channels, in combination with repeated broadcast, avoids
interference issues
•  The frequency hopping is adaptive, both receivers and transmitters are sniffing
continuously to find free channels and to avoid occupied channels
•  End-to-end audio delay is well below 25 ms, and Roger systems are secure
10
What does Roger bring?
1.  Maximum performance
2.  Zero hassle
3.  Full compatibility
11
Speech understanding at 5.5 m in various noise levels
• Study by Dr. Linda Thibodeau
% Correct
54 %
improvement
35 %
improvement
N = 11
Noise Level (dB(A))
One-click connection of receivers
Easy to use
•  Connecting microphones and receivers is easy
•  Simply position the Roger inspiro close to a receiver and push the Connect button
Connected
Connect
10cm / 4 inches
•  No need to repeat this after switch off and switch on – the connection remains
•  Connect also synchronizes Dynamic FM and Classic FM receivers if the inspiro is set to
‘Roger + FM’. There is no ‘Sync’ button anymore
13
Goodbye frequency management •  With Roger there is:
–  No
need to allocate channels
–  No need to manage channels to avoid interference
–  No need to remember any channels
•  Roger needs no fitting software
•  So FM SuccessWare is no longer used
•  Students can freely travel abroad with their Roger devices, as
Roger is a globally license-free standard
14
Roger inspiro - educational transmitter
Roger inspiro is a wireless teacher
microphone for regular and special
schools
Roger inspiro is the core component
of any Roger system for education
Roger inspiro is capable of
transmitting speech simultaneously to
Roger, FM and soundfield listeners
15
Roger X universal receiver
Roger X is the world’s smallest
universal receiver at 0,83 cm3
Compatible with BTEs, CIs,
Baha’s, Streamers
Roger X works fully
automatically, no buttons, no
programmer
Special settings available for
CIs via Roger inspiro
Operating Range 20m / 66ft
Power consumption
Active mode:
3.2 mA
16
Full compatibility
Compatible with:
•  hearing instruments
•  cochlear implants
•  Bahas
Via:
•  Design-integrated receivers
•  Universal ear level or inductive neck-loop
receivers
•  Streamer receivers
17
Radio aids – What to look for?
1.  Overview
2.  Hearing Aid Checks
3.  Transmitter Checks
4.  Receiver Checks
5.  Audio Shoe Checks
1. Overview
•  Maintenance:- Roger combined with the latest paediatric aids will give your
child every opportunity to make full advantage of every educational
opportunity. However like all electronic devices they need to maintained on
a regular basis to ensure that they are operating at their full potential.
•  Aid Functionality: It is also important to ensure that the hearing aid is also
functioning optimally as The Roger System cannot function if the hearing
instrument is not working optimally.
•  Basic Checks: Modern hearing aids and Roger are highly sophisticated,
however there are still basic checks that can be performed, without the
need for specialist equipment or knowledge. Enclosed are basic routines
that can be performed on a regular basis to ensure that all the equipment is
operating as it should be.
•  Preparation: The first check is to ensure that the aid or implant is set to The
Roger or FM program. This may seem unnecessary but it is a common
fault.
2. Hearing aid Checks Batteries
•  If you have any suspected issue the first option is to change the
battery.
•  The battery has to work hard to power Roger and the hearing aid and
this will cure most issues.
•  A battery tester is not a reliable checking device as the battery will not
be used in a real life scenario, powering the aid and the receiver. It
could be that it is good in the tester but may not work in the aid.
•  It may also be that the aid will work but there is not sufficient power to
drive the receiver. This is common and can lead to confusion with
suspicion, mistakenly falling on the Roger or FM system.
Hearing aid checks Moulds
•  If the mould is damaged battery consumption may be excessive as
the aid fights to control feedback.
•  Visually inspect the ear mould and tubing for blockages or any signs
of hardness or damage.
•  Cup your hand over the hearing aid whilst still in the child's ear. If you
hear a whistle then the mould should be investigated further.
Hearing Aid microphone checks
•  Front line care service and maintenance of the aids
•  Many modern aids have covers to protect the microphones and to
reduce wind noise.
•  These can become blocked and may reduce the function of the aid.
There are no rules as to when they need to be changed. This may be
In different intervals depending on the child's life style. However a
visual inspection is simple and should be implemented at least once
per week. They should be clean and a light grey colour as shown.
Microphone Wind and Weather Protectors
»  Clean
good
condition
»  Damaged
condition
poor
Hearing aid contacts: Cleanliness & Corrosion
•  The commonest cause of intermittency of any device is corrosion or
damaged contacts on the aid. This can cause intermittent FM /
Roger signal or excessive battery consumption or general poor
signal.
•  This is often mistaken for damaged audio shoes or malfunctioning
radio aids so it is strongly advisable to make this a priority.
•  They should be cleaned at least once per week with a soft alcohol
swab, to prevent corrosion build up. You should avoid any sharp or
hard tools as, this may damage them.
•  Once these contacts are damaged the aid will need to be replaced.
Aid Gold Contacts
»  Clean
good
condition
»  Damaged
condition
poor
3. Transmitter Checks
•  inspiro checks itself on start up so, will usually identify if there is an
issue.
•  The best way to test transmitter is at distance. If you cannot get a
colleague to help, plug an audio source into the transmitter and check
the signal quality with a checker or via an aid and receiver you know
works.
•  The battery should last about 12 hours – check charging routines.
•  The microphone can only be tested via replacement with a spare,
speech or via a test box.
Advanced Transmitter Testing
•  If you are using a test box please ensure you use verification mode
and the environment is as quiet as possible. Modern aids and Roger
are very sensitive and it is easy to correct for apparent set up issues
that have been mistakenly caused by noise in the environment.
•  Please also note that for test box verification microphone position is
highly sensitive. Don't correct for this with out ensuring consistency
first
•  Reference use the main Phonak website www.phonak.com
•  http://www.phonakpro.com/content/dam/phonak/gc_hq/b2b/en/
products/roger/inspiro/_downloads/Roger%20POP%20%20inspiro.pdf
4. Receiver Checks
•  Receivers are also susceptible to corrosion in extreme
conditions and over long time periods so a visual
inspection and monthly cleaning with a soft alcohol wipe
is recommended.
•  Check With Roger inspiro or Monitor with FM inspiro is
also a useful function to detect receiver damage.
»  Damaged
condition
poor
Implants
•  Implants can also suffer form the same issue such as dirty contacts.
•  It is important o ensure that all electrical contacts are clean and free
from damage.
•  This also includes connections to the batteries and the receivers.
5. Audio Shoe Checks
•  Audio shoes after contacts are probably the
biggest source of problems.
•  They are constantly being removed and can
become damaged.
•  It is difficult to predict how long they will last. It
really depends upon how well they are looked
after.
•  The only real maintenance that can be done is
occasional cleaning of the contacts.
•  If you suspect they are faulty exchange for a
new set.
•  Please ensure you destroy any suspect shoes as they
have a habit of returning causing further issues
Ensure clean
and free form
damage
Audio Shoes Physical & Mechanical Checks
•  Please also monitor the mechanical fit of the
shoe.
•  Check for loose fitting or damage.
Hearing Aid related issues
•  Remember also the aid case wears over time.
•  You will notice this if you are having to replace
shoes over a short period.
•  The only solution to this is to replace the aid.
Very isolated cases
32
Summary Testing considerations
Aids
•  Use new batteries
•  Listen to the aids
•  Run through test box
•  Multiple programs
•  Condition of contacts
•  Hooks
•  Moulds
•  Filters
Radio Aid
•  Check battery condition
•  Check shoes
•  Monitor/Check
•  Frequency matched/Connected
•  Muted
•  Check Microphone condition
•  Swop Receivers
•  Swop shoes
•  Listening check. Primary function
•  Use TEST KIT or another child as
tester or use their aids
Phonak aids in Test Boxes
What Test Box are you
using?
What software does your
test box have?
What stimulus are you
using?
1. Obtain the baseline printout as soon as you can
2. Important to compare like for like
Verification with Test Boxes
Hearing Aids
1. Aid is on the correct Roger/FM program
2. Verification mode on transmitters. – to put in non adaptive Omni directional mode
3. 65dB transparency - compare curves
4. 80dB optional. Care must be taken as due to WDRC 10dB advantage is not always
achievable.
5. Distortion. Is not measurable on a modern digital aid so should be listened for
Implants
1. Due too the nature of implants verification is not recommended by implant manufactures
and ourselves.
2. The radio aid system should be checked in isolation prior further testing
3. However functionality of the receiver can be checked by using by the listening ear
phones
35
July 2014
Roger Focus
Checking in order of priority
37
Q&A’s
Typical questions are:How long do you think a shoe will last?
Can we mix technology? FM and Roger
How do I connect to Audio Media?
Can we connect to Hall PA systems?
Do I need to Synchronise or Connect every day?
What is Team teaching?
What frequencies are the best?
How do I connect to Soundfield?
Do they work with all Cochlear Implants?
What adapters are required?
What shoes go with what aid?
Why is Direct Input different from Loop systems ?
Can we get coloured shoes?
Etc
We try to make it as simple as we can
But we still need to switch on and check
38
July 2014
Roger Focus
Listen to the child – he/she is always right
Lets hear for ourselves
As the internet is unavailable for me to link into you are listening to this now and
in the groups afterwards
http://www.phonakpro.com/uk/b2b/en/products/roger/portfolios.html
THANK YOU