SONIC EXPRESSfit Pro 2022.2 Software Instruction Manual
- June 4, 2024
- Sonic
Table of Contents
SONIC EXPRESSfit Pro 2022.2 Software
Introduction
These instructions for use are valid for Sonic EXPRESSfit Pro 2022.2. Sonic EXPRESSfit Pro 2022.2 is a fitting software used for Sonic Enchant and newer hearing aid families and models. A copy of this document is available on: https://www.sonici.com/professional-center/ professional-support/software-download A printed version can be obtained from your local distributor. If you have additional questions about the use of the fitting software, please contact your local distributor.
Note
For better readability, EXPRESSfit® Pro is written in the manual instead of
Sonic EXPRESSfit® Pro 2022.2.
Intended use
The fitting software is intended for the fitting and updating of hearing
solutions. The fitting software can facilitate access to real-ear measurement
equipment.
Indications for use
There are no indications for use (diagnoses) for the fitting software itself.
Intended user
The fitting software solution is intended to be used by Hearing Care
Professionals (HCP) who in this document are referred
to as, but are not limited to, Hearing Aid Professionals (HAP), audiologists,
ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctors, and Hearing Aid Dispensers (HAD).*
The user of the fitting software shall be a hearing care professional who is
appropriately trained, and has proven competency in professionally assessing
hearing, selecting, fitting and delivering hearing instruments and
rehabilitation care to persons with hearing loss. The training of the hearing
care professional is in accordance with their specific educational background
following national or regional regulations.
The job title may vary from country to country.
Use environment
Clinical setting.
Contraindications
No contraindications.
Clinical benefits
See clinical benefits of the hearing aid.
Intended use of Tinnitus SoundSupport
Tinnitus SoundSupport is a tool intended to generate sounds to provide
temporary relief for patients suffering from tinnitus as part of a tinnitus
management program.
The target population is the adult population (>18 years).
Tinnitus SoundSupport is targeted to licensed hearing
care professionals (audiologists, hearing aid specialists, or
otolaryngologists) who are familiar with the evaluation and treatment of
tinnitus and hearing loss. Fitting of Tinnitus SoundSupport must be done by a
hearing care professional participating in a tinnitus management program.
Installation
This USB flash media contains several different software modules:
- Sonic EXPRESSfit® Pro
- Sonic Firmware Updater
- Sonic Updater
- SoundStudio
Upgrading from older versions of EXPRESSfit® Pro
If you are running an older version of EXPRESSfit® Pro (2019.2 or earlier),
you must first update it to version 2020.1, and then you can install any newer
version.
Installation of the software will install EXPRESSfit® Pro. If you have it
already installed, it will automatically be updated.
Preparing your PC
Before starting the installation, please make sure that your PC hardware and
software meet the minimum specified system requirements and that your Windows
system is updated to the latest published service pack. Please also make sure
that you have administrator rights on the PC.
Some virus protection software may compromise the installation process and you
might have to deactivate your virus scanner to be able to run the
installation.
Installation
Insert the USB into a port. Please start your file explorer, click on the USB
flash media and start setup.exe. After starting the installer, please follow
the instructions on the screen.
System requirements
The following are the recommended minimum requirements to install and use
EXPRESSfit® Pro.
Note: Installation of software on computers that do not meet specific system requirements noted above may result in system failures.
Optional tools
- An Internet browser to access the website
- Adobe™ Acrobat Reader™ software
- It is recommended that you protect your system by installing virus protection software.
Getting started with Sonic
EXPRESSfit® Pro
To start a fitting session, enter or open an existing client in your office
system and start the fitting software.
In this chapter, the essential steps for fitting hearing instruments, in a
standard fitting flow are explained. Follow the steps in the order described.
Client Data
Client data, preferred language, fitting rationale, audiogram and REM data can
be entered here. Verify and update audiometric parameters to ensure correct
gain prescription. This is especially relevant for the fitting of hearing aids
for infants and young children.
To detect and connect to the hearing aids, click
In-situ Audiometry
The In-situ Audiometry tool lets you measure the client’s hearing using the
hearing aids as transducers. This means that the results will be specific for
the instrument and acoustic coupling.
Instrument Acoustics
Here you can select hearing aids for simulation or detect hearing aids. You
can also detect hearing aids in all screens via the detect button in the menu
bar.
CROS transmitter
If the CROS transmitter is selected for being fitted, the following important
notice shall be considered.
Important notice
The transmitter is intended for adults and children older than five years. The
use of a transmitter may have an impact on speech discrimination in complex
listening situations. Special caution is advised for children from five to
eight years of age. Children may be unable to manage interfering, non-speech
sound transmitted to their better ear by the device.
Acoustic dashboard
After the hearing aid is selected or connected, the “acoustic dashboard” is
shown. There you can enter the acoustic options.
The acoustic dashboard also shows updated information about the hearing aid
performance with the selected acoustic options. It can be opened from any
screen during the session to view or change the acoustic options. The graph
view in the dashboard can be configured in the preference menu.
Fit Instrument
This menu contains all the steps necessary for fitting the hearing aids to the
client’s hearing loss. You can adjust the gain, assign programs, and measure
feedback.
Adaptation allows you to increase gain in the hearing aids manually or
automatically over a specific time period, from 80 % to 100 % of the
prescribed gain.
The Tinnitus SoundSupport screen is available to set the Tinnitus SoundSupport
function for hearing instruments that include this feature.
Transfer Settings
This tool lets you transfer gain, MPO and Adaptation to a new selected hearing
aid in a fitting session. These settings are copied – as closely as possible,
given the limitations of the target hearing aid – and adjusted to the new
acoustic set-up. All other settings remain as prescribed for the target
hearing aid. This feature is not intended to replace a standard fitting.
Feature Selection
This menu offers screens to adjust the hearing aid’s general features and
program-specific features.
Finish Session
This menu is used to configure local controls and indicators
(beeps), and to save and quit your fitting session in the office system
database. It also allows you to save the data in the hearing aid.
A copy of the hearing aid settings is preserved at the beginning of the
fitting session. It will be saved back to the hearing aids if you decide to
end your fitting session without saving changes.
Connection status indicator
It informs you about the connection status of the hearing aids to the
programming device at any time during the fitting session. The indicator can
show the following connection states:
- Moving dashed lines indicate connection and pairing in progress.
- A solid green line indicates hearing aids are connected.
- Moving dashes in blue and red indicate data transfer in progress.
If the connection to the hearing aids is interrupted, a conflict dialog box will inform you. In this case, you can continue in simulation mode and connect the hearing aids later or try to re-connect to the hearing aids.
Sonic Firmware Updater
When you update hearing aids, make sure that your client is not wearing the
hearing aids while updating. Connect the hearing aids with a cable connection
or wirelessly. Do not disconnect the hearing aids while updating.
After the update, hearing aids will be returned to factory settings. Let the
hearing aids reconnect automatically (or do it manually) to restore user
settings before you give the hearing aids back to the client.
Provide your client with the latest version of the “Instructions for use”
booklet.
Sonic Updater
With the updater, you can download updates and new releases when they are available. It automatically opens and checks for new updates when you start Windows. You will be notified when a new update is available. The updater icon is shown under Hidden Icons in your Windows task bar. It allows you to set a number of preferences.
Remote Fitting
Remote Fitting enables you to communicate with the client and make real-time
adjustments to the client’s hearing aids remotely. Be aware that if you cannot
upload your changes remotely, a physical visit is necessary.
Remote Fitting can be used when a valid audiogram is on record, and it has not
changed. In extraordinary circumstances, you may not be able to perform a
hearing evaluation in person. If this occurs, it is recommended that you use
an approved remote diagnostic device. For further information, contact your
local distributor.
System requirements for the hearing care professional Please make sure that
your equipment complies with the following system requirements:
- Internet Explorer 11
- Internal webcam or external camera device
- Microphone and speakers or headset
- A Remote Fitting account. To sign up for an account, contact your local distributor.
- A stable Internet connection suitable for both sound and video streaming, with a recommended minimum speed of 1 Mbps (upload/download) (check with your Internet provider).
System requirements for the user
- Hearing aids paired to a user’s phone/tablet
- A compatible Apple iOS or Android phone/tablet (to check the compatibility, please check the Instructions for Use of the hearing aid of the user)
- A stable Internet connection suitable for both sound and video streaming with a recommended minimum speed of 1 Mbps (upload/download) (check with your Internet provider)
- An email account, or Apple, Google or Facebook credentials
Launch Remote Fitting
To use Remote Fitting, you must first create an account and then launch Remote
Fitting directly from within the fitting software.
Important Notice
The hearing care professional is responsible to obtain the license needed to
use Remote Fitting with users. SBO Hearing A/S does not assume any
responsibility.
Create account
To create an account, open the Remote Fitting invitation email sent by your
local distributor and follow the instructions.
To run Remote Fitting
Make sure that you have an account and you have enabled Remote Fitting. Start
Remote Fitting and sign in. Make sure you have entered the email address of
the user you want to connect to.
Note
It is only possible to start a visit when the user has started the visit first
and is waiting for the hearing care professional to join the session.
- To sign in and start a visit
- To establish communication with the user, start the session and detect the hearing aids. If the fitting software recognizes the hearing aids, you can see them.
- To perform a fitting, upload settings, and save
- Adjust the hearing aids as you normally would. Be aware that not all options are available during a Remote Fitting session.
- When you are finished changing the settings of the hearing aids, you must upload the new settings. To do this click the upload button. It is recommended to upload after
- every change made to the hearing instrument, to ensure the user receives the changes in real-time, and to act as a safeguard in the event of a sudden lost connection. To
- save and end the session go to Save and Quit.
- Clicking the End Session button ends the Remote Fitting session with the user.
In-situ audiogram
Remote Fitting allows for remote in-situ audiometry to be performed, in order
to fine-tune the gain of your client’s hearing
instruments.
Important notice
Do not use in-situ audiometry for diagnostic purposes.
In order to obtain accurate in-situ audiometry results:
- Ensure your client is in an environment with little or no noise, and understands that background noise may impact results
- To compensate for possible delays in connection, play tones for at least two seconds. Also, consider longer than normal pauses — preferably more than two seconds — between the tones presented to the client
- Ensure you mute / turn off your microphone to avoid any unwanted noise, as it could impact results
- Inform your client that the hearing aids must be worn as previously advised
Important notice
Before performing remote in-situ audiometry, inform the client that if the
internet connection is lost during the procedure, the client must remove and
restart the hearing instruments if they are muted or still playing sound.
Warnings
To avoid possible client injury or hearing aid failure, for your personal safety and to ensure correct usage, you should familiarize yourself fully with the following general warnings before using the fitting software. Contact your local distributor if you experience unexpected operations or serious incidents with the fitting software during use or because of its use. Serious incidents should also be reported to the national authorities.
General safety information
For safety reasons, it is important that you read the Intended Use of the
fitting software in the Introduction section of
this booklet. If you are fitting a hearing aid with Tinnitus SoundSupport,
please familiarize yourself with the risks related to the fitting level of the
Tinnitus SoundSupport feature, and the recommended wearing times.
The developed SPL in the ears of children can be substantially higher than in
average adults. RECD measured to correct target of fitted OSPL90 is
recommended.
Connection
Take care not to lose the wired or wireless connection to the hearing aid or
let communication errors interrupt the fitting flow.
Choking hazards
For safety reasons, caution must be taken when fitting children younger than
36 months. Children younger than 36 months must always use a tamper-resistant
battery drawer.
For safety reasons, always use earmolds when fitting children younger than 36
months.
Firmware
For safety reasons, always ensure that the client is not wearing the hearing
aid during a firmware update, as the updated hearing aid will be reset to
factory settings after the update.
Moreover, do not give the hearing aid to the client before restoring user
settings. Ensure that the serial number of
the connected hearing aid corresponds to the serial number registered in the
office automation system for the relevant client. Always note the firmware
version of the hearing aid before and after a firmware update.
Ensure that the firmware version of the programming device is compatible with
the firmware version of the fitting software. Avoid interruptions or
connection failure to the hearing aid or connectivity device during a firmware
update.
REM system
Pay attention to any error messages from the REM system caused by incorrect or
unintended data sent to the REM system.
Tinnitus
For safety reasons, always caution the client about limiting the use of the
Tinnitus SoundSupport feature to ensure safe listening levels.
Be aware of the high sound-pressure level generated by the Tinnitus
SoundSupport feature.
Note the recommended limits to the wearing time of the Tinnitus SoundSupport
feature as shown in the fitting software. In the print report and the
Instructions for Use for the hearing aid, always enter the maximum wearing
time per day. Tinnitus SoundSupport is not intended for clients below 18 years
of age.
Power instruments
Special care should be exercised in selecting, fitting and using a hearing aid
where maximum sound pressure capability exceeds 132 dB SPL (IEC 60318-4/IEC
711) as there may be risk of impairing the remaining hearing of the hearing
instrument user.
Transfer Settings
Your client must not wear the hearing aids while transferring settings.
In-situ Audiometry
In-situ Audiometry should not be used for diagnostic purposes. Make sure that
you add an audiogram in NOAH or Standalone before you conduct In-situ
Audiometry.
Remove any Real Ear Fit results before you conduct In-situ Audiometry. Make
sure you carry out In-situ Audiometry in a quiet area.
Disclaimer
The manufacturer does not assume any liability for compliance with local
requirements regarding fitting of hearing aids. It is entirely your
responsibility as the user of EXPRESSfit® Pro to ensure that you have the
required education and/or authorization for fitting hearing aids. The
manufacturer does not take responsibility for the consequences of using the
fitting software outside intended use or warnings.
This medical device complies with Medical Device Regulation (EU) 2017/745. The
Declaration of Conformity for Sonic can be found on
www.sonici.com/doc.
References
- HIMSA
- Home
- Hearing Aids by Sonic Innovations | Everyday Sounds Better
- Declarations of Conformity
- Professional Center | Sonic
- Support for Fast and Easy Fittings | Sonic