Noah Provides Better Support for Cochlear Implant Sound Processor Selection and Programming

Jul 9, 2019 last updated Aug 14, 2019 

With the release of Noah 4.12, HIMSA is pleased to announce better support for hearing care businesses that work with patients who utilize Cochlear Implants.  Noah 4 is technically able to store just about any kind of data so it has always been possible to store this type of data.  With Noah 4.12, HIMSA has provided the following enhancements to provide better support:

Four New Data Types

HIMSA has enabled 4 new data types.  Data types (e.g. Audiograms, Real Ear Measurement, Hearing Instrument selection) are used as a way to indicate what type of data is contained within a Noah action.

Data

Data Type Code

HIMSA data standard

Data

Data Type Code

HIMSA data standard

Cochlear Sound Processor Selection Left

264

Yes

Cochlear Sound Processor Selection Right

265

Yes

Cochlear Sound Processor Programming Left

266

No

Cochlear Sound Processor Programming Right

267

No

With these new data types it is now possible for a Noah compatible application to save Noah actions and have them be specifically labeled in the Noah session browser. 

New Data Standard - Cochlear Implant Sound Processor Selection

HIMSA has also released a simple data standard so that companies saving sound processor data may store the model name and serial number (if available).  If this format is used, then Noah and other compatible applications will have the ability to make use of this data.

Q: Is HIMSA attempting to standardize any data beyond a mode and serial number of a cochlear sound processor?

A: No.  The scope of the data standard is very simple at this time.  If the industry finds that there is a need or desire to exchange CI data between different Noah compatible applications then HIMSA will be happy to form a committee of interest companies to discuss an update to the data standard.

Please click here for more data standard information

Updated Devices User Interface - Future

In the future, Noah 4 will be updated to include sound processor selections to be listed in the devices section of the Noah user interface.  It will be possible for a hearing aid to be listed for the left while having a sound processor for the right.  Sound Processor selections will only be shown IF the data standard (above) is used.