A. NOAH System 3 is a relatively inexpensive software package which provides a common database for all your clients’ hearing-related information, including demographic information, measurement data, fitting data and journal entries. In other words, you can use NOAH System 3 to perform all your hearing care related tasks.

However, if you need software that can use your database information to perform common office functions, such as scheduling and billing, you may consider purchasing a NOAH 3 certified office system from a HIMSA member company. These office systems usually offer expanded features for integrating most office tasks.

For more information, choose NOAH 3 office systems under the Products menu.

A. NOAH System 3 is a 32-bit application. This means that NOAH 3 supports a wide range of improvements not possible with NOAH 2. For a list of improvements included in NOAH System 3, refer to the information sheet entitled 10 Reasons to Upgrade. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in order to view this document.

A. NOAH 3 licenses are sold solely through our local distributors, and these distributors determine the price for the local market. For a list of distributors in your country, click on Where to Purchase under the Products menu.

A. NOAH 3 can be purchased in three network versions, enabling the software to be used by more than one user at a time:

• 1 - 2 users
• 3 - 6 users
• 7+ users

Important: A NOAH System license permits you to copy the software onto a specified number of computers owned by the same end user at a single location, where "location" is defined as a unique mailing address. The maximum number of concurrent users of the software may not exceed the number of users specified by the software license purchased. If you wish to run the software on computers at more than one location, you must purchase a separate software license for each location.

A. Refer to the End User Checklist link in the right-hand column of this page.

A. Nearly all HIMSA member companies that manufacturer hearing instruments have already made NOAH 3-certified version of their fitting software. These modules are built on the same 32-bit technology as NOAH System, offering greater functionality and performance.

For an up-to-date list of modules that are certified for NOAH 3, visit the NOAH 3 certified modules page.

A. Click on the End User Checklist link in the right-hand column for more information.

A. Yes. To use NOAH for programming hearing instruments, you will need a programming interface to relay signals from a PC to a hearing instrument. There are two interfaces available, NOAHlink and HI-PRO.

NOAHlink is a next generation wireless programming interface that uses Bluetooth technology. NOAHlink is supported by most hearing instrument manufacturers. For more information on NOAHlink, visit the NOAHlink section under Product information.

HI-PRO is an established hardware interface that works with nearly all hearing instruments. HI-PRO is a "universal programmer" supported and sold by several manufacturers. HI-PRO is manufacturered by GN Otometrics, and HIMSA has no involvement with the development, production or sale of HI-PRO.

A. Yes. In order to program a manufacturer's hearing instrument using NOAH System, you will need to install NOAH fitting software supplied by the manufacturer.

In order to store data from audiological equipment, you will need to install a NOAH driver or software module from the manufacturer of the audiological equipment.

For more information, see the NOAH Modules section under Product information.

In order to view the NOAH Online Help System and NOAH documentation, you will need Internet Explorer and Adobe Acrobat installed on your PC. HIMSA provides Internet Explorer and Acrobat Reader on the NOAH System 3 CD in the US English versions only. If you require other country/language versions, you can download these software packages from the Internet free of charge.

A. If you have already installed a network at your office, you can most likely install NOAH System 3 on it without any major difficulties. Visit our NOAH 3 Knowledgebase under the Support section for more information on network requirements.

It may be necessary to switch your network to TCP/IP protocol. However, this protocol switch can be made through changes to software settings as described in the instructions, and will not require the purchase of additional hardware.

In addition, it may be necessary to change the IP address for each computer on your network. This change will affect network cards only, and will not affect AOL or other Internet accounts.

A. HIMSA has worked hard to ensure that the upgrade from NOAH 2.0 to NOAH System 3 will be as easy as possible. For example, a copy of all the client data stored in your NOAH 2.0 database can be converted to NOAH 3 format and directly imported into the NOAH System 3 database. For more information on upgrading to NOAH, read the NOAH 3 End User Checklist. (You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in order to view this document.)

A. The company from which you purchased NOAH is your primary NOAH support contact. If appropriate, they will refer you to another company to resolve the problem.

A. Many people have asked us what the name NOAH means. Is it an acronym?

The short answer is no. The name NOAH is a simple metaphor which refers to the biblical story of NOAH and his ark. HIMSA's NOAH brings together the members of the hearing care industry with a single data standard, just as NOAH brought the animals together on his ark.
It was not the original intention that the letters in NOAH had another meaning. And although we have had contests over the years on what the letters might stand for, none of the suggestions have quite met our requirements.

If you have a suggestion, feel free to send it in. It might be exactly what we are looking for!