Hearing Economics

Ears Gone Wild   With the proliferation of voice assistants talking to an even greater proliferation of IoT devices, not to mention everybody talking at once, it’s a jungle out there. Orion Labs, among others, considers the advantages of facilitated linking of user devices to other communication devices so wearers can figure out what’s up in group situations (#10402612).  In

by Amyn M Amlani, PhD In hearing healthcare, price continues to be a hot-button topic of discussion among consumers, providers, advocacy groups, legislators, professional organizations, and manufacturers of consumer electronic products and traditional hearing aids. The fundamental issue is that consumers and their supporters believe the costs associated with and the value received in treating impaired hearing are misaligned. This

by Amyn M Amlani, PhD The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 432 million adults, globally, exhibit “disabled” impaired hearing, where disabled is defined as audiometric thresholds greater than 40 dB in the better ear. An additional estimated 1.1 billion listeners worldwide—ranging in age between 12 and 35 years—are at-risk of demonstrating impaired hearing because of high-level exposure stemming from

Dick Tracy’s uber futuristic two-way wristwatch radio looks quaint today when one considers patent ideas like #D856328 .  Think of all the crimes Mr Tracy could solve as well as solutions for all that ails us if he’d been equipped with an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink-wristwatch-&-earbuds-included-device envisioned by that patent’s equally long title:  “Wearable artificial intelligence (AI) data processing, augmented reality, virtual reality,

Got Ear?   The pinna, concha and external meatus are wonderful things for hands-free carry, fitness, entertainment and environment awareness. The cochlea is a wonderous thing for hearing, no matter how you get to it. In distal order of anatomy:  Pinna as carrying case: consider patent #10382851 for an “Ear-wearable wireless communication flashlight,” when hearing is just not enough. (feature

by Kate Baldocchi, AuD & Amyn M. Amlani, PhD The hearing aid industry has experienced remarkable technological advancements in signal processing capabilities over the past two decades. During this same time, the profession of audiology has increased its efforts to act on the needs of consumers (e.g., patient-centered care), have systems in place (e.g., evidenced-based practice [EBP]), and follow them

This month’s patent crop once again drives home the impression that hearing aids are only one version of innovative tinkering around the ear. Consider GN Hearing’s interesting patent #10327071, intriguingly entitled “Head-wearable hearing device.” Consider that title: where else but the head would a hearing device go? And why device instead of hearing aid?    Words Matter   GN is

by David Maidment, PhD In August 2017, President Trump signed into law the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Reauthorization Act, which included the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Act. The primary intention of the Act is to improve accessibility and affordability to hearing healthcare in adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. The FDA has one more year (by August 2020)

Your Own Little Lab   Ear real estate continues to attract health technology innovations in search of a place to tuck in and work efficiently, uninterrupted. EarLens patents #10284964 & 10292601 are riding that trend with a customized ear canal hearable/wearable system that has a quiet little laboratory churning away in the background 24/7.  Equipped with biometric sensors and drug

Editor Note: In April 2019, Dave Smirga and Greg Frazier enlightened readers about the economic realities that independent practices face with the changing dynamics of the consumer and managing hearing aid wholesale costs. This month’s blog, Part 2, is the continuation of their blog, with an emphasis on offering a diversity of services coupled with business solutions that lend to