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Solus Fitting Software

Manual
Fitting Notification Text

This Beltone fitting software will apply recommended amplification settings based on
available audiometrical information. Settings will be specific to each fitting.
Manual modification of the fitting parameters will impact and change the amplification level
prescribed. This change will be audible to the patient when the instruments are connected.
Caution should be exercised with patients sensitive to sounds, for example suffering from
tinnitus or hyperacusis.
Welcome to SOLUS
SOLUS is Beltones’ second generation fitting software program. SOLUS was developed
with the goal of providing the easiest and most accurate software for fitting digital hearing Let’s Get Started:
instruments. At the NOAH Manufacturing screen…
SOLUS continues to use BAFA, Beltone’s proprietary fitting algorithm for setting target
gains and frequency response recommendations. Other target rules such as DSL I/O and
NAL R/P can also be selected. SOLUS provides you with a client-centered screen format
for tasks that include:
• Identifying initial environmental program settings and program order using the
simple questionnaire on the Patient Profile screen.
• Choosing appropriate products in the Selection Screen as well as consulting
on product line choices and cosmetic preferences.
• Adjusting frequency responses and features with the easy-to-use Fitting Screen.
• Finalizing the fitting on the End Session screen by:
- Obtaining a summary of Fitting
- Setting Volume Control range
- Setting beep volume levels Double-click Double-click
on this box to on this box to
open SOLUS open SelectaFit
This SOLUS Software Manual walks through the four screens of SOLUS and the tools
used for providing patient consultations and fittings.

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The four SOLUS screens

Screen 1 – Patient Profile screen Screen 2 – Selection screen

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Screen 3 – Fitting screen Screen 4 – End session screen

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SOLUS Screen Overview
The graphic user interface of SOLUS allows easy navigation throughout the program. It uses common Microsoft Windows elements
where accessing the screens, screen components and moving around is done by clicking and dragging the mouse pointer.
The four SOLUS screens have several common features as shown below.

Menu toolbar
SOLUS toolbar
• Save (to NOAH)
NOAH toolbar • Print
• Help
• Undo
• Redo
• What's connected?
• Hearing loss simulator*
Screen navigation tabs
• AVE. Setup*
• Benefit screens

Media Player AVE.™*

With SOLUS you have tools such as Gain Handler, Gain Explorer, target curves, gain adjustments for autofit and
the Media Player AVE.™ to playback sound files.
* Only available when selected during installation.
Screen Toolbars
Various toolbars are available on each of the SOLUS screens. The toolbars provide functions specific to the active screen.
Functions that are not available on a particular screen will be dimmed and not selectable. Explanations of the icons
can be found on page 19.

SOLUS toolbar

Hearing Loss Simulator AVE. Setup Program Hearing Instrument

3-graph display

Benefit screens

Read from NOAH Connect Read Hearing Instrument Auto relate Max Stable Gain

Media player
Cue/start sound anywhere within the sound
Category Search Speech files Sound info Loop with the left mouse click.

Sounds files Related sounds Stop Volume Displays total running


time of sound file
Interactive AVE. Play/Pause Sound
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Screen 1 – Patient Profile
The patient profile screen displays the SOLUS Patient Questionnaire.
• Present these questions to your patient. Each question has its own set of answers to choose from.
• The answers to these questions will be used by SOLUS to adjust instrument settings by modifying targets,
and recommending specific environmental programs, and their order. Adjustments and recommendations
can be viewed under Impact on Fitting.

Select this tab


to open the
Patient Profile
Questionnaire.

You also have the option to by-pass this screen and go directly to the other SOLUS screens to select the environmental programs and
their order manually. The default startup screen is the Patient Profile screen, but the default can be changed within Preferences.
Screen 2 – Selection screen
• Select the appropriate product line from the product line tab.
• Select the model that best fits your patient’s needs in the product selection box.
• Pre-connected instruments are recognized automatically by pressing the ” What’s connected” icon.

Product line
Click ”i” for additional
information, like data
sheet information.

Product fitting ranges

Click on the Click on the audio-


hearing instrument gram to display the
picture to view speech spectrum
the instrument overlay.
in-the-ear. Click on the magnifying
glass to enlarge audiogram
Click again to return
to the out-of ear
picture.

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Screen 3 – Fitting screen
Once the product is selected, it can be adjusted for the patient’s hearing loss on the SOLUS Fitting Screen. Use the Wizards and controls
for adjustments and fine-tuning. New instruments are automatically auto-fitted.
• SOLUS is a binaural program; adjustments are made to both instruments simultaneously.
• It is also possible to work in monaural mode by clicking on the Monaural Right/Left icons.

Gain Tool Features Tool Program tabs Max Stable Gain Monaural Right/left
Response curves (when available) Link/unlink
Gain handling • Time constants Use this icon to
• Noise reduction change between
• Silencer binaural and
• AFC monaural fitting
• Directionality
• ...
Target and
response curves

Journal Quick View


Use these icons for
Ave Wizard easy access to Journal
Mute data (not available for
Sound Matrix
Adjustments all products)

Journal
(Data logging)
Target curves • Maximum Stable Gain Display on/off toggle Increase/decrease Gain/MPO
• Use time
toggle on/off • Compression Ratio Display
• VC change
10 • Maximum Power Output Display
• ...
Max Stable Gain
To ensure a feedback-free fitting, SOLUS supports the Max Stable Gain function.
• If an appropriate hearing instrument is connected, SOLUS will ask to perform
an MSG calibration when activating the fitting screen.

• For ORIA to ignore the results of


Select YES to start the feedback calibration or NO to continue without. the MSG calibration, select
• In case the MSG calibration needs to be redone or executed later on, ”Fitting” in the menu toolbar and
click on the MSG icon in the SOLUS toolbar. ”MSG Limits” in the pull-down
menu.
By selecting ”MSG limit Left”
or ”MSG limit Right” the results
• To hide the MSG curve from the target response curve graphics, of the MSG calibration will be
click on the MSG icon in the screen. enabled (v) or disabled ( ).

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Changing Program Order & Virtual Programs
The Fitting Screen provides the option to create and save up to four separate programs.
Furthermore, a virtual temporary program area can be used to fine-tune programs by way of A/B comparison.

To change Program Order: (drag & drop) To add a program


1. Click on a Program tab to make it active. 1. Click on the empty program tab.
2. Position the mouse pointer over a program name until 2. Select the required program from the pull-down menu.
a hand icon appears. Left-click to change the hand into a “grip”.
3. Drag the program to the desired order until the vertical To remove a Program:
bar appears. Release click to position program in place. 1. Click on a Program tab to make it active.
2. Position the mouse pointer on the down arrow under
Using Virtual Programs for A/B comparison program name. Left-click to display program options.
SOLUS allows you to store programs temporarily in the Virtual 3. Choose Remove Program.
Program area. This area lets you try out modifications without Program area
permanently storing them.
1. Drag the program you wish to modify over to the Virtual program area
virtual program area.
2. Make modifications and compare the virtual program
to the current program with your patient.
3. To save the modified virtual program, drag and position
the program over the program being replaced.
4. Programs kept in the virtual program area are neither saved in Change program
the instrument, nor in NOAH.

To change a Program:
1. Click on a Program tab to make it active
2. Position the mouse pointer on the down arrow under
program name. Left-click to display program options. Use hand pointer to move
3. Select and click the desired program. program. Vertical bar indicates
12 program placement position
Notch Filter
Notch Filter Tab (ACCESS and ARCA)
Notch Filters allow you to cancel feedback peaks in a very precise way. It only affects the specific area at which the notch is placed.

Max Stable Gain

Results are shown as a dip


in the fitting/gain curves

Choose attenuation in
the 2 combo boxes

Set the Notch Filter frequency


by using the sliders

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Smart Gain & Learning Volume Control
Smart Gain Tab (Reach)
Smart gain sliders makes it possible for the hearing instrument too automatically adjusts the gain dependent on the acoustical environ-
ment that the patient is in.
Smart Gain sliders are initially set by the dispenser.

By activating the Learning Volume Control the patient is given the option of deciding what gain adjustments should be provided in vari-
ous acoustic environments. Activation of the Learning Volume Control is done under End Session. See picture in the bottom right corner.

Reset gain sliders to recommended values


based on audiogram or reset sliders to zero.

Environmental gain sliders

Active / Disable the


Learning Volume Control

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Tinnitus Breaker
Tinnitus Breaker Tab (Reach and Tinnitus Breaker devices)
The Tinnitus Breaker feature, available in Beltone Reach and Beltone Tinnitus Breaker devices, allows you to conduct active sound
therapy to patients that suffer from a tinnitus condition.

Click "?" to view a short explanation


for the Tinnitus Breaker screen

Results of the slider settings are


shown as a response output curve

Option of turning off the microphone


(sound input)

Set the amplitude by moving the


volume slider

Shape the bandwidth by positioning the


Low Cut and High Cut filters (sliders)

Choose Modulation Level and Modulation


Speed in the 2 combo boxes if desired

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Journal (DataLogging)
Journal Tab (not available for all instruments)
This tab presents actual hearing instrument usage. Information is presented in an analyzed format for setting optimized
adjustments at follow up visit. Many of the suggestions can be implemented with the click of a button. Changes are then directly
displayed in the fitting curves.

Choose view:
• Use Time per program
• Use Time per environment
• Use Time Speech Spotter*
• Use Time hours per use
• VC change per program
• VC change per environment
• VC change over time
• Learning VC*

Observations based on the logged data


• Changes of volume
• Use of programs
• Environments

Solutions
• Suggested solutions
• To apply the suggested solution
click on the Apply button

* Not available for all instruments


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Satisfy
Satisfy Tab (not available for all instruments)
Satisfy provides automatic incremental changes in amplification level to allow easier user acceptance.

Satisfy Settings Satisfy Expert

Start settings and


End settings

Estimated instrument
hours of use per day

Satisfy duration

Satisfy Slider • Use gain table to customize Satisfy end setting


• Indicates number of days since Satisfy was activated for input level and frequency
• Can be moved forward or backward if needed

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Screen 4 – End Session
Summary Tab VC Settings Tab
The summary Tab reviews the hearing aid settings for each This option is used to adjust the VC range for instruments
instrument and can be used to summarize the fitting together ordered with a volume control. The information can be used to
with the patient. discuss with your patient. Click on the adjustment bar and hold
• Click “Save” to save to NOAH and/or the instrument. the left mouse click down while moving the bar to the desired
setting.
Options Product Summary

VC Lock:
Click here to save Deactivates instru-
the settings ments VC function

VC range
Amount of
adjustment for
reserve gain
the hearing
instrument
VC range adjustment
You can save using one of the following: Radio buttons shows for the Tinnitus Breaker
whether the VC wheel/
• The Save box on any of the End Session screens
toggle is controlling the
• The Save option on the SOLUS toolbar on any SOLUS screen. hearing instrument or the
Tinnitus Breaker
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Screen 4 – End Session
Beeps Tab
Use this option to adjust the volume of the audible sound indicators according to the following procedure:

1. Click on the Low Battery radial button


2. Move the volume bar up and down and press the Play button to demonstrate the different possible beep
loudness levels*
3. Select the preferred beep loudness level for each available feature.
(N.B. default equal to "0", is based on patient's audiogram)

Select one
of these features: Set delayed start
Low battery •
VC •
Delayed activation •
P1/P2 change • Beep level adjustment
and adjust the
loudness as needed.

Play button

Mute Beep
*Demo possibilities depend on instrument model 19
Preferences
By selecting ”Edit” in the menu toolbar and ”Preferences”
in the pull-down menu. It’s possible to set your own
personal preferences in 4 areas:
• Defaults
• Programming Interface
• Multi Media
• Customized Fitting Rule
- As default increase/decrease gain by +6/-6

Preference tabs

Selectable defaults

For new settings to


take effect and be
saved as defaults
Solus must be exited
and re-opened

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Icons and Description
Click to obtain additional information.

Indicates a program can be moved.

Save icon.

Undo/redo – previous actions.

Read hearing instrument. When selected, displays settings currently stored in the instrument.

Program hearing instrument. When selected, saves current settings into the hearing instrument.

Auto-fit.

Auto-relate. Applies any changes made to program 1 to a single or all remaining programs.

Maximum Stable Gain.

Three-Graph Display monaural.

What’s connected.

Read from NOAH.

Hearing loss simulator.

Speaker setup.

Enlarge Audiogram

Benefit Screens
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Beltone SOLUS
Patient satisfaction is the
cornerstone of Beltone digital hearing
devices and SOLUS
fitting software. We’re working
to make your work just a little easier.

Worldwide Headquarters:
Beltone A/S
Lautrupbjerg 7
P.O. Box 130

16576200-GB-09.05 Rev.C
DK-2750 Ballerup
Denmark

Phone: +45 45 75 11 11
Fax: +45 45 75 11 19

www.beltone-hearing.com

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