Hearing News Watch

Featured image for “Federal Grand Jury Indicts Father and Son in $16 Million Dollar Hearing Aid Insurance Fraud Scheme”
Apr. 21, 2017

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Father and Son in $16 Million Dollar Hearing Aid Insurance Fraud Scheme

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DALLAS, TEXAS — A federal grand jury indicted a Texas father and son this week in what is being alleged as a $16.7 million dollar insurance scam targeting American Airlines workers. Licensed hearing aid dispensers, Terry Anderson, 66, and Rocky Anderson, 36, were each charged on 15 federal counts by the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas. According
Featured image for “AudiologyNOW and FTC Workshop Focus on Innovation & Competition”
Apr. 20, 2017

AudiologyNOW and FTC Workshop Focus on Innovation & Competition

Brian Taylor
As the month of April draws to a close, as large parts of the country continue to wait for the full bloom of spring, audiologists look back on two recently concluded events. Key topics at both events hold potentially monumental consequences, as government regulatory agencies wrestle with issues related to competition, innovation and consumer access. The American Academy of Audiology
Featured image for “Researchers Discover Molecular Mechanism for Stabilizing Inner Ear Hair Cells”
Apr. 19, 2017

Researchers Discover Molecular Mechanism for Stabilizing Inner Ear Hair Cells

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LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY — University of Kentucky (UK) researchers have discovered a molecular mechanism required for stabilizing stereocilia, the sensory “hair cells” housed within the inner ear. The discovery provides new insights into the workings of stereocilia and this new understanding could enhance further exploration of new therapies to treat or prevent damage to the fragile sensory cells. The research, “Mechanotransduction
Featured image for “Apple Reportedly Hired Secret Team of Experts to Develop Game-Changing Tech for Diabetes; Possibly for Use in AirPods”
Apr. 17, 2017

Apple Reportedly Hired Secret Team of Experts to Develop Game-Changing Tech for Diabetes; Possibly for Use in AirPods

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PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA — According to multiple reports this past week, Apple is said to have hired a “top secret” team of biomedical engineers to develop sensor technology that can non-invasively monitor blood sugar levels to manage diabetes. While the company wouldn’t be the first to attempt such a feat, the tech giant certainly has the resources to put towards
Featured image for “Biotech Startup, Frequency Therapeutics, Nets $32 Million Investment”
Apr. 12, 2017

Biotech Startup, Frequency Therapeutics, Nets $32 Million Investment

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WOBURN, MASSACHUSSETTS — Frequency Therapeutics, a biotech firm developing drugs to re-create sensory cells in the inner ear, announced that it had closed a $32 million Series A investment, led by CoBro Ventures. Other investors include Morningside Ventures, Emigrant Capital and Alexandria Real Estate Equities. Founded in 2015, Frequency’s approach is based on discoveries of MIT professor Bob Langer and
Featured image for “Children’s Hearing Aid Bill Overwhelmingly Passes Georgia House and Senate, Awaits Governor’s Signature”
Apr. 10, 2017

Children’s Hearing Aid Bill Overwhelmingly Passes Georgia House and Senate, Awaits Governor’s Signature

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA — A bill that would require insurance companies in the state of Georgia to cover hearing aids for children was approved late last month by the state Senate by a margin of 47-6. A prior version of the bill had already passed in the state House by 155-5. Now, the legislation heads to Governor Nathan Deal’s desk, where
Featured image for “New Method for Predicting Speech Intelligibility Holds Promise in Hearing Aid Design”
Apr. 06, 2017

New Method for Predicting Speech Intelligibility Holds Promise in Hearing Aid Design

Brian Taylor
Since at least 1950 when Fletcher and Galt published a scientific paper on the Articulation Index (AI), hearing care professionals have examined the relationship between frequency-specific audibility and speech intelligibility. As most know, the current standard for quantifying this relationship is the Speech Intelligibility Index or SII. Although the SII has been around for about 20 years, there are others
Featured image for “California Legislation Would Authorize Hearing Aid Dispensers to Conduct Cerumen Management and Tympanometry”
Apr. 04, 2017

California Legislation Would Authorize Hearing Aid Dispensers to Conduct Cerumen Management and Tympanometry

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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA — If a bill recently introduced into the California state senate by senator Cathleen Galgiani (District 05) becomes law, hearing aid dispensers in the state will be allowed to conduct cerumen management (earwax removal) and tympanometry. The bill, SB-198, is said to only authorize cerumen management for hearing aid dispensers under physician and/or surgeon supervision. Additionally, the bill
Featured image for “Ohio Bill, Already Passed in State Senate, Seeks Recognition of Deaf History Month”
Apr. 02, 2017

Ohio Bill, Already Passed in State Senate, Seeks Recognition of Deaf History Month

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COLUMBUS, OHIO – Deaf History Month, which is celebrated nationally from March 13 through April 15, could soon get formal recognition in the state of Ohio. Senate Bill 27, introduced by Senator Bill Beagle, has already received approval by the Ohio Senate and now moves to the House floor for a vote. Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community advocates hope that Ohio
Featured image for “Former Pfizer President of R&D Joins Biotech Startup, Frequency Therapeutics”
Mar. 31, 2017

Former Pfizer President of R&D Joins Biotech Startup, Frequency Therapeutics

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WOBURN, MASSACHUSSETTS — Frequency Therapeutics, a biotech firm developing drugs to re-create sensory cells in the inner ear, announced the appointment of John LaMattina, PhD, as a member of its Scientific Advisory Board and Senior Advisor to the CEO. According to the company’s press release, Dr. LaMattina is the former President of Pfizer Gobal Research and Development and Senior Vice