Roger Select review
'beam me in Scotty!'
It's the assistive listening device that uses multi-beam!
Phonak, the makers of the Roger Pen, have always been busy in the world of assistive listening devices. Their latest invention, the Roger Select boasts MultiBeam technology. It's an innovative feature that selects the person who is talking and switches automatically from one to another. The MultiBeam is also controllable manually.
The marketing text for the Roger Select says:-
'It's a versatile microphone ideal for stationary situations where background noise is present. When placed on a table, it discreetly and automatically selects the person who is talking and seamlessly switches from one talker to another. When multiple conversations take place, the listener can manually select the conversations they wish to hear. It can also transmit the sound of multimedia devices, e.g. T.V. and has wideband Bluetooth for phone calls.'
What follows is a comprehensive review of the Roger Select. Please note, everyone's listening experience can differ. I wear one Cochlear Implant processor. (the Cochlear Nucleus 6 Processor.) I'm writing from my personal listening experience.
Buying the Roger Select
The Roger Select requires an extra purchase of:-
(a) A Mylink receiver: This is a receiver attached to a neck loop. Roger MyLink is a universal neck loop receiver compatible with any hearing aid or cochlear implant with a T-coil.
or
(b) A Roger X receiver: This is a chip that fits into your processor. (Check with the supplier that you have the correct receiver before buying.) For almost every hearing instrument and Cochlear Implant sound processor, there is a compatible Roger receiver.
I chose to get the Roger X receiver which is compatible with my Cochlear Nucleus Six Processor. I find this receiver to be more direct and efficient as opposed to a neck loop. Usage is simple as you turn your processor on and pairing is then almost instant with the Roger Select.
The Roger X Receiver for the Cochlear Nucleus Six Processor.
Youtube instructions on how to connect to Roger Receivers are at:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdbLQ0ZlRtA&list=PLya8vOHQyOR-Vq7cOLP18Dhr6VbR6sKwC&index=2
Cost
The approximate price of a Roger Select (which includes a docking station) is USD 710. A Mylink receiver will set you back approximately USD 179.99. A Roger X receiver will cost roughly USD 440. It's a lot of money, so the question is, does the technology live up to the cost?
Battery Life
The battery life of the Roger Select (after a full charge) boasts an impressive eight hours. But, this seems inaccurate as I will engage in group conversations using the device and the battery life is significantly less.
How long does it take to charge the Roger Select to full capacity?
An empty battery will reach its full charge within two hours.
Distance
Typically, you can be up to 10 meters / 30 feet away from the Roger Select. In the line of sight, which means you can see the Roger Select, you can even be up to 20 meters / 60 feet away.
Watching television using the Roger Select and its docking station
As mentioned earlier, the docking station comes together with the Roger Select. I like the docking station idea for use with the television. It makes the television experience both accessible and user-friendly. There are two ports to the docking station. One port is for USB charging.
The Roger Select placed in it’s docking station.
So, I dock the Roger Select, and I don't have to worry about the battery running out. The other port is for audio purposes. I connect an audio lead from the television to the docking station. With the Roger Select docked and charging, I turn on my processor. I turn on the TV and the sound streams to my ear. It's a quick and efficient process. The sound quality from my television to the Roger Select is excellent. So, when I listen to Youtube music, for example, it sounds crystal clear.
Youtube instructions on watching television with the Roger Select are at- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJZo9FRlDZ0
Design and Robustness
I do like the design of the Roger Select. It's discreet and modern. I'm not entirely convinced about its overall robustness. It's very light and small. I accidentally dropped it on the floor from a short height, and it was perfectly fine.
But, my daypack tends to get packed to the brim for working purposes, so I'm conscious when packing the Roger Select that it's placed in my old glasses case so that it doesn't get crushed. The Roger Select comes with a cloth pouch which protects it from scratches. But, I feel that for such a high priced product that Phonak could provide a hard shell, waterproof type case.
Listening to music
As I travel a lot, I like to listen to music from an iPod. I use a short micro-USB audio cable to connect my multimedia device direct to my Roger Pen. I tend to walk a lot and sometimes run with my daypack. The Roger Pen boasts a vast range, and it's robust, so if it's knocked slightly, the music will continue playing.
This hustle and bustle experience is almost impossible when using the Roger Select. After plugging in the audio cable, tap the centre of the device and activate the microphone. The problem is that when on the move, there is no way to lock the audio setting. It then alternates between audio and microphone settings.
Should you set the Roger Select up at home and listen to music, it sounds excellent, and the sound quality is slightly crisper and more precise than the Roger Pen.
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Review continued…
Using the Roger Select with the phone
The Roger Select allows you to connect to Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and smartphones to make and receive phone calls. I found the pairing with my mobile phone to be a simple process. I'm not a regular mobile phone user but, the sound quality, for me, was excellent and I could hear my friend's voice.
Youtube instructions on pairing Bluetooth with the Roger Select are at:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO0tsByMOrA
Secondly, make or receive phone calls with your Roger Select and mobile phone. Youtube instructions on how to do this are at:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZBbvix0n_s
Skype calls
These are an essential part of my work. For the past year, I have used the Cochlear Mini-Mic 2 for this purpose, and it's worked very well for me. Sound quality has been crisp and clear.
I tested the Roger Select with personal Skype calls, and I found it to be just as effective. Sound quality is excellent.
The Lanyard
The Lanyard is a corded neck strap. It's incredibly useful to have and comes free with any new Roger Select purchased. It's approximately 48cm in length and ensures hands-free use of the Roger Select transmitter. It's designed for the speaker to wear in the centre of their chest.
For best results, the Roger Select is worn in the middle of the chest, approx. 20 cm/8 inches from the mouth.
When a speaker wears the Roger Select, the top microphone mode indicator light will light up.
Phonak Roger Select with Lanyard.
The Clip
It comes free with any new Roger Select purchased. The speaker attaches the magnetic clip to their shirt lapel so that the Roger Select picks up their voice at a closer level.
For best results, the Roger Select is worn in the middle of the chest, approx. 20 cm/8 inches from the mouth.
When a speaker wears the Roger Select, the top microphone mode indicator light will light up.
The Phonak Roger Select Clip.
The Roger Select settings for meetings and group purposes
The complete user guide for the Roger Select is downloadable at:-
I recommend that the Roger Select placement is on a table at meetings. Phonak say that alternatively, you can place the microphone in the palm of your hand but I find this uncomfortable and inconsistent in terms of listening correctly with the device.
Once the power is turned on, the Roger Select goes into automatic mode, and an all-around microphone is activated. When someone speaks, the Roger Select will focus its receiver to the speaker and reduce the background noise. MultiBeam technology is in full force here.
If two or more people are speaking at the same time, the user taps a segment to focus on a specific person. Tap additional segments to add other people. Tapping an activated segment again will deactivate the selected direction. To hear the whole group again, tap the centre touch key.
Environment settings and communication
Here are some examples of using Roger Select in different environments.
The success rating mark shows how effectively the Roger Select cuts out background noise.
I will update location examples further at regular intervals.
Location one: Coffee Shop, Local Business and Social meeting, Danang, Vietnam
Noise rating: Quiet to Medium
Setting: Automatic.
Method: Placement of the Roger Select in the centre of the table.
Number of people in the group, including myself: 4
Success rating: Marks out of 10 = 8
Using the Roger Select for a local business and social meeting.
It was the first time I used the Roger Select, and it was a learning curve for me. In the group situation of four people, the device excelled. I could hear everyone. It was impressive as there was music in the background, and there were other groups of people chatting away. I felt relieved that I didn’t have to continually move the Roger Select around the table for each speaker. It meant that I could relax more.
The group conversation then split. So, as I was talking to the person opposite me, I could hear the other two people talking to one another. At this point, I should have maximised the multi-beam technology and changed the settings manually. I should have tapped a segment on the Roger Select to focus on the speaker opposite me. As I didn’t do this, it meant that the background noise that I heard from the other two speakers was evident, and my listening experience decreased.
Location two: Coffee Shop, Danang Book Club meeting, Vietnam
Noise rating: Quiet
Setting: Automatic
Method: Placement of the Roger Select in the centre of the table
Number of people in the group, including myself: 8
Success rating: Marks out of 10 = 8
Using the Roger Select at the Danang, Vietnam Book Club
In a big group of nine, I didn’t expect the Roger Select to excel. In previous meetings of the Book Club, I used the Roger Pen, and I moved this around the table a lot. But, this time, I left the Roger Select in the middle of the table, and it was just brilliant. As our surroundings were so quiet, it seemed to perform incredibly well. I felt more involved in discussions than previously. Also, once again, I felt more relaxed.
Location three: Danang Beach stroll, Vietnam
Noise rating: Quiet and a little windy
Setting: Automatic
Method: My friend wore the Roger Select using the magnetic clip
Number of people in the group, including myself: 2
Success rating: Marks out of 10 = 10
My friend and I went for a walk on the beach. I was able to hear and follow the conversation without lipreading. It was a very relaxing experience.
Location four: Coffee Shop, Danang Book Club meeting, Vietnam
Noise rating: Noisy (a lot of background noise and a baby crying in the background)
Setting: Automatic
Method: Placement of the Roger Select in the centre of the table
Number of people in the group, including myself: 13
Success rating: Marks out of 10 = 8
Using the Roger Select at the Danang, Vietnam Book Club
I arrived at this meeting slightly late, so I wasn't able to get the best seat. I sat at the end of the table. I left the Roger Select with the main book club speaker who was in the centre of the group, 'Chris'. There were reduced acoustics in this environment. My friend who sat beside me commented that she couldn't hear Chris. I, however, could listen to him and the people sitting near him. I had to concentrate very hard to understand the conversations but, once again, the Roger Select performed admirably.
Location five: Danang Digital Nomad Club Social
Noise rating: Very noisy
Setting: Variable
Method: I moved the Roger Select according to the speaker.
Number of people in the group, including myself: 6
Number of people in the room, including myself 36
Success rating: Marks out of 10 = 6
This environment meant that my conversations took place in a group of six people. There were five other groups, in the room, consisting of six people each. The room itself was very echoey. We were all sat around a big table. I had to keep moving the Roger Select around the table to each speaker. But, I struggled to understand the conversation. I started to use the multi-beam technology manual mode to try and zoom in on a speakers' voice. It helped a little. I then placed the Roger Select in my hand so that I could ensure it was a little higher and nearer the speakers' voice. Once again, there was a slight improvement. Unfortunately, I did not find the Roger Select to be particularly helpful in an environment like this.
Conclusion
The Roger Select is a newer device than the Roger Pen. It, therefore, boasts more modern features, notably multi-beam mode. The sound quality seems to be crisper and more precise, overall, in comparison.
I find the Roger Select to be very user-friendly and accessible. The Roger X receiver helps in this respect. It means that I turn my processor on and pairing with the Roger Select is almost instant.
It's very user-friendly and efficient. If there is a change in your listening environment, then you want to be able to make quick changes to your device settings. It's easy to do. The device is also very compact and unobtrusive.
The docking station and connection to my television is a brilliant idea. I like the flexibility and ease of use that the docking station provides. The sound quality from my T.V. using this method is excellent. The Roger Select also performed exceptionally well when I used it for my Skype calls and a mobile phone conversation.
As demonstrated in Locations 1-4, if you put the Roger Select in the right environment using the automatic settings, it's hugely advantageous. I've always had problems communicating in groups and meetings. I've joked that I should have a drone carrying my Roger Pen around the room so that I can hear speakers from a distance. The Roger Select, for me, is the solution to this problem.
Real-time moving experiences are not suited to the Roger Select. For example, if you are listening to music with it while on the move it is not recommended. In group meetings and group social situations, I prefer to place the Roger Select on a table. If a table is unavailable, I will put it in the palm of my hand. I don't like to do this. I want the device to be unobtrusive, and I'm not able to relax so much as my hand starts to get tired.
I have yet to see the benefits of the Roger Select's multi-beam manual mode. When I change the settings to zoom in on the speaker's voice, I will still pick up a lot of background noise. I will continue to experiment with this setting. As outlined in Location 5, the Danang Digital Nomad Club, it was clear that the Roger Select needed to be nearer the speaker's voice for me to hear them. Placement of the Roger Select on the table was not enough. Using the multi-beam manual settings didn't make a difference. A handheld device such as the Roger Pen is more effective in this kind of environment.
To conclude, I am recommending the Roger Select particularly for office-based environments where meetings, coffee shop gatherings and pub lunches are frequent. Importantly, ensure that your environment has a flat surface or table to place the Roger Select on. It’s also an ideal device for home use in terms of listening to T.V, making phone calls and using Skype. I am also recommending it for one to one conversations when the speaker can either wear the magnetic clip or Lanyard.
I am excited by this technology. It's a massive game-changer in the assistive technology listening market. I only wish that the device was available 20 years ago at the onset of my career. Attending work meetings is, for the first time in my life, enjoyable as I am engaging effectively in real-time conversations.
I wouldn't consider the Roger Select as a handheld device. It's not easy to listen to music when you're on the move with it. Also, placing it in the palm of your hand in a social gathering is not ideal. The Roger Pen is more suitable for handheld use. You can read our review of the Roger Pen at:-
https://www.cochlearimplantlife.com/home/2019/4/4/roger-pen-review
Should you wish to purchase a Roger Select new, you can connect with a Phonak hearing specialist using this link.
Can I get the Roger Select free?
If employed in the U.S. (The United States) or the U.K. (United Kingdom), then it's likely that you would be able to get the Roger Select without paying a penny.
Phonak have produced a useful template for U.S. applicants, as a starting point, if your application is for U.S. funding. You can access this at:-
https://us.morethanahearingaid.com/2018/04/19/can-you-get-phonak-roger-free/
In the U.K., you can apply for funding through the U.K. Access to Work Scheme and can check your eligibility for the scheme using this factsheet:-
If you're eligible, then consider presenting this letter to your employer or a job interview if you think you can get help from the Access to Work scheme.
For those of you who do not work, if you cannot afford to buy the Roger Select new, then consider purchasing second-hand. Sometimes eBay will list the devices and receivers at discounted prices.
Don't underestimate the usefulness of assistive technology in the workplace!
Check out the statistics below from a Better Hearing Institute U.S. study:-
Yearly aggregate loss in income due to underemployment resulting from untreated hearing loss: $176 billion
Hearing assistive help shown to reduce the risk of income loss by 90-100% for those with milder hearing loss, and 65-77% for moderate to severe hearing loss
With hearing assistance, individuals exhibit improved job performance, increased earning potential, enhanced communication skills, improved professional and interpersonal relationships and less depression
The final verdict
The Roger Select has enhanced my listening experience tenfold. It's a groundbreaking piece of technology and an essential purchase for office-based environments where meetings, coffee shop gatherings and pub lunches are frequent, and a table is present!
It’s an ideal device for home use in terms of listening to T.V, making phone calls and using Skype. It's also beneficial for one to one conversations when the speaker can either wear the magnetic clip or Lanyard.
-End-
If you like this article, you might like our Roger Pen Review.
If you like this article, you might like... The Cochlear Implant Animator. A fascinating interview with Animator and Director, Eric Giessmann, who talks about his path to success, losing his hearing and what inspired him to create the ‘Ciborg/Cochlear Implant animation.'
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