A. NOAHlink is designed to replace the current interface, HI-PRO, for programming advanced hearing instruments.

NOAHlink is designed for both today’s and tomorrow’s hearing instruments, providing faster data communication and greater throughput between NOAH 3 and the hearing instrument.

A. The major difference is mobility. With HI-PRO, you must use cables to connect to an electrical outlet, the computer and the patient. All these cables reduce patient and dispenser mobility and make remote site fittings cumbersome. NOAHlink has no power cable; it is powered by rechargeable or Alkaline batteries, allowing easy portability. NOAHlink’s wireless Bluetooth connection allows your patient to be up to 16 feet (meters) from the computer during the fitting with no “line-of-sight” requirements. And NOAHlink fits in the palm of your hand, making it easy to take on home visits.

A. NOAHlink is 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. For an up-to-date list of modules that are certified for NOAHlink, visit our NOAHlink certified modules page under the Products menu.

A.

In order to use NOAHlink, your computer must have a Bluetooth interface.

HIMSA supplies an Ezurio Bluetooth device with NOAHlink, and recommends this device for use with NOAHlink.

NOAHlink can run on any PC which meets the NOAH System 3 minimum requirements.

A.

In order to use NOAHlink, your computer must have a Bluetooth interface.

Ezurio Bluetooth device included with NOAHlink

HIMSA supplies an Ezurio Bluetooth device with NOAHlink, and recommends this device for use with NOAHlink.  All HIMSA release testing and HIMSA certification testing procedures are performed using the Ezurio Bluetooth device.

Other Bluetooth devices

HIMSA does not test NOAHlink with other Bluetooth devices. However, in principle, NOAHlink should also communicate satisfactorily with other Bluetooth devices which use the Widcomm/Broadcom and Microsoft Bluethooth stack, such as Belkin and IOGear devices. Although HIMSA does not officially support these alternative devices reports from the field appear to indicate satisfactory performance.  If an installation has problems with inconsistent communication (e.g. connection to a hearing instrument is lost during a fine tuning) HIMSA recommends switching to the provided Ezurio Bluetooth device.

Built-in Bluetooth

Built-in Bluetooth is also an option on many new laptop computers. HIMSA’s compatibility claim and support stance is the same as “Other Bluetooth devices”.  If you have a computer with built-in Bluetooth your best chance for success is to install NOAHLink version 1.55 or newer as the installation process is more suited for built in Bluetooth.
 

A. Since NOAHlink and HI-PRO use different types of connectors, there should be no problem in using both interfaces on the same computer. It is up to your NOAH 3 module to decide which interface to use for each hearing instrument.

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

A. Bluetooth communication is designed for optimal flexibility without interference. For example, NOAHlink can communicate through a double-walled sound booth, yet it will not interfere with other equipment in your shop, such as security systems, fire alarms or other NOAHlink interfaces. In addition, there is no evidence that the Bluetooth signal used by NOAHlink is in any way harmful to you, your patients or to unborn children.

A. The currently available FM Assistive Listening Device (ALD) systems operate in either the 72.1 - 75.9 MHz or 216-217 MHz band. Since Bluetooth operates in the 2400 - 2483.5 MHz band, HIMSA does not anticipate any interference issues with personal or wide area ALD’s.

A. HIMSA has commissioned Delta to make a report concerning NOAHlink and customers with Pacemakers. To summarize, the findings are that “there will be a considerable safe margin between the flux transmitted from NOAHlink and to the recommended safety level.” To read the full report, click on the Delta Report link under Related Links.