Destiny Series  |  Articles & Reviews

  • White Papers:

    Learn about Starkey's newest technologies and the research behind them with Starkey's latest research and development white papers.

  • AFI White Paper

    Active Feedback Intercept

    Active Feedback Intercept (AFI) is a state-of-the-art feedback cancellation algorithm implemented in Starkey's Destiny line of products.

    Feedback cancellation (FBC) algorithms address several of the most important improvements sought by hearing aid users—better sound quality, less whistling and buzzing, more audibility for soft sounds, work better on the telephone, improved speech understanding in quiet, and better fit and comfort. ...more (PDF 10.6MB)

  • DSD White Paper

    Directional Speech Detector

    A directional microphone is the only demonstrable way to improve signal-to-noise ratio in a hearing instrument and thus also improve a wearer's ability to understand speech in a noisy environment. However, there has not been complete agreement about the best way to achieve directionality, nor about the optimal design of adaptive features to give the full benefit of digital processing to wearers of directional devices.

    This paper will discuss some background issues underlying directional instrument design and the data that guided the design of the Directional Speech Detector in Starkey's Destiny family of hearing instruments. ...more (PDF 1MB)

  • Articles:

    Read about Starkey products featured in premier hearing publications including The Hearing Journal and Hearing Review.

  • Hearing Journal Article

    Efficacy and effectiveness of a pattern-recognition algorithm. The Hearing Journal

    The MarkeTrak survey has shown that hearing aid users are least satisfied with their devices in noisy environments. While speech is arguably the single most important signal in a listener's environment, amplification designed to maximize speech intelligibility may be ineffective in certain noisy conditions, which may decrease user satisfaction in those environments. Although hearing aids can often be adjusted manually with the push of a button or turn of a wheel, many people are unable or reluctant to "fuss with their hearing aids." ...more (PDF 358KB)

  • Hearing Review Article

    Assessing the effectiveness of feedback cancellers in hearing aids. Hearing Review

    Audible feedback oscillation is among the most prominent problems with hearing aids. In some cases, the annoyance associated with feedback may be sufficient to negate the perceived benefits of amplification, resulting in non-use of the hearing aid.

    Acoustic feedback occurs when the output of the receiver leaks out of the ear canal and enters the microphone of the hearing aid. This acoustic leakage may be through a vent or slit leaks around the edges of the hearing aid. Together, these sources of leakage constitute the acoustic feedback path: Each time sound leaks out of the ear canal and enters the microphone, it is re-amplified along with all the other sounds entering the hearing aid. ...more (PDF 378KB)

  • Hearing Review Article

    A tale of two feedback cancellers. Hearing Review

    Audible feedback is among the most prominent problems with hearing aids. In some cases, the annoyance associated with feedback may be sufficient to negate the perceived benefits of amplification, resulting in non-use of hearing aids. The most obvious conclusion is that the whistling and buzzing associated with feedback must be minimized. ...more (PDF 290KB)


  • Hearing Review Article

    Large-scale beta clinical trial of a new hearing aid system. Hearing Review

    Evidence-based design is an essential component of technology that is aimed at enhancing audibility and improving communication for individuals with hearing impairment. Research conducted during product development enables safe and reliable technology, and also ensures that the product offers measurable advantage to the end user. Formalized rigorous testing prior to market release is essential for any manufacturer committed to a data-driven approach to product development. ...more (PDF 367KB)

  • Hearing Review Article

    The role of virtual reality in hearing instrument fittings. Hearing Review

    Virtual reality is becoming an actual reality in our everyday lives. Numerous industries expose us to virtual scenarios to showcase their products: our real estate agent helps us shop for a home by taking a virtual tour of properties on the Internet; our hair stylist helps us see a variety of hair styles on our own heads before committing to a style; car manufacturers like Volvo use virtual reality to demonstrate the safety of their cars by allowing passengers to experience crashes in the safety of a stationary vehicle. While it may not be as exciting as a new home or the thrill ride of a simulated crash, the potential of using virtual reality as part of the hearing aid fitting process has great appeal for hearing care professionals and their patients. ...more (PDF 197KB)