Dr. Shopovick reviews the Phonak Roger On 3, an assistive device for hearing aid users that reduces background noise and improves speaker clarity. It charges via a base that can connect to a wall outlet or computer. The Roger has three modes: table mode for capturing voices in group settings, clip mode for focusing on one person’s voice, and pointer mode to enhance a speaker’s voice by pointing the device. Each mode is suited to different listening environments like restaurants or video calls.
“Hey everyone! It’s Dr. Shopovick, and today we are going to be reviewing the new Phonak Roger On 3.
If you don’t know what a Roger is, it’s an assistive listening device that helps people who wear hearing aids by reducing background noise and minimizing the distance between the individual and the speaker they are trying to hear more clearly.
So, this is the Roger device, and it sits on this charging base, which is where you charge it. You can plug it into a wall outlet, or you can remove the cube and use the USB port to connect it to your laptop or computer. The nice thing about this is that if you’re on your computer for work or Zoom calls, you can actually use your Roger device to stream audio for those calls.
Now, we are going to take the Roger out of the charger and turn it on by flipping it to the side and pushing up the button. This is what you will see when you turn it on. The little bar on the screen shows your battery percentage—right now, it’s at 100%. Next, I’m going to show you the three modes you can use the Roger for.
The first mode is Table Mode. I’m going to place the Roger on the table, and you’ll see a little circle appear. The Roger knows what position it is in because of an internal mechanism that detects its placement. Table Mode is great for use in restaurants or group settings because it picks up everyone at the table while reducing background noise. This mode helps focus on the voices you want to hear rather than the surrounding noise.
The second mode is Clip Mode. Let’s say you’re at a restaurant having dinner one-on-one with your spouse, a friend, or a family member. You can hand them the Roger device and have them clip it to their shirt. I’ll show you—I’m clipping it to my shirt now. You can see a symbol of a person on the screen, which indicates that the hearing aids are only picking up my voice. This mode is perfect for noisy environments, as it helps you focus on an individual speaker’s voice instead of all the background noise. Now, I’ll remove it and adjust the camera back down.
The last mode is Pointer Mode. You’ll see a small arrow icon on the screen. This mode allows you to point the device at a person who is speaking, even if you’re standing or walking around. The Roger will directly pick up their voice, making it a useful function for various listening situations.
Now, let’s put the Roger back into the charger. Before we wrap up, I want to show you some accessories that come with it.
One of the included accessories is a TV cable that plugs into the back of the Roger. This feature turns the Roger into a TV streamer, which is great for people who have trouble hearing the television. The cable plugs into the back of the TV using an optical cable.
Other accessories include a protective travel case, which is great for keeping the Roger safe while traveling. Lastly, there is a lanyard included in the box. Instead of clipping the Roger to their shirt, a person can wear it as a necklace for better convenience.
And that pretty much sums up the Roger On 3!”