Widex M-DEX

The Widex M-DEX offers wireless connectivity between hearing aids and a mobile phone, practically turning the hearing aids into wireless headsets.

The Bluetooth feature of your phone, iPad, or other electronic devices allows it to communicate with other devices. To connect the M-DEX to your phone, you need to pair it (which is simple to do). After the pairing process is completed, your phone will transmit the signal to the M-DEX, which will then send it to the hearing aids.

The M-DEX has the ability to do a number of things for you. You can adjust the volume up or down on each aid simultaneously or separately, change programs, and focus on where you want to hear the speech, among other things. The last part, the focusing in on speech, is what Widex calls "FreeFocus".

FreeFocus allows you to direct where you want to hear the most. Are you driving a car and want to hear the conversation in the back seat better? You can press the FreeFocus button (hopefully before you start driving!) and direct the hearing aids to pick up speech behind you more effectively, instead of in front or on either side. You can also adjust the volume in whatever direction you are focusing on. Probably focusing in front of you would be the most advantageous, especially in a noisy restaurant.

You can also connect your hearing aids to what is called a loop system. A loop system is where there is a wire installed around the perimeter of a room, concert hall, or other venue. There is an amplified system that is connected to the person speaking on stage or at a podium. The signal goes into that wire, which is also generating a magnetic field.

A hearing aid that has what is called a telecoil can access the signal in the wire and can hear the person speaking on stage directly into their ears from their hearing aids. More places, such as some theaters in New York, are installing loop systems for those who use hearing aids and have a telecoil. You might have read an article in the New York Times about loop systems and what they do.

Not all hearing aids, though, have a telecoil. This is especially true with the small RITE (Receiver-In-The-Ear) aids such as the Widex DREAM Passion. In these cases, when you use an M-DEX, you can access a special program designed to hook into loop systems. When you are on this particular program, which is called the "M-DEX T", the signal goes from the loop system to the M-DEX, and then to the aids. Some Widex RITE aids, such as the Fusion, have a telecoil already built into them. Most of the custom canal and In-the-Ear aids have them also.

Widex M-DEX Summary

The Widex M-DEX device is compatible with most cell phones; the M-DEX reproduces phone conversations directly in your hearing aid.

• Room Off: A unique feature of the M-DEX is what we call ‘Room Off’. This turns the hearing aids’ microphones off temporarily so you can only hear your cell phone - allowing you to concentrate on the conversation without being disturbed by surrounding sounds.
• Remote Control: The M-DEX can also be used as an advanced remote control for volume and program shift.
• FreeFocus: M-DEX can also be used in FreeFocus mode. FreeFocus lets you focus in selected directions, such as left, right and behind, without having to turn your head.

The Widex M-DEX device is compatible with DREAM and SUPER hearing aids.

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