SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY – More than 600 hearing care professionals from across the United States attended the OticonNext Conference held February 23-25 in Orlando, Florida, while an additional 2,000 professionals registered for the virtual conference streamed on February 28.
The knowledge-sharing events introduced Oticon Intent™, the world’s first hearing aid featuring user-intent sensors that allow it to recognize when the user’s listening needs change and seamlessly adapt its sound processing accordingly.
During the conference, Oticon President Gary Rosenblum explored the new hearing technology in the context of the latest research, consumer trends, and behaviors. Seminars and workshops led by expert speakers and Oticon staff provided attendees with strategies, tools, and tactics to help patients engage in life like never before.
A New Standard for Hearing-in-Noise Assessment
Head of Audiology Virginia Ramachandran, AuD, PhD, discussed how Oticon’s BrainHearing™ philosophy powers the development of life-changing technology like Oticon Intent and advances in audiology with new tools such as the Audible Contrast Threshold (ACT™) test.
The quick, straightforward ACT test allows hearing care professionals to accurately quantify a person’s real-world ability to hear in noise in approximately two minutes using one standardized test. ACT results can be automatically imported into the Oticon Genie 2 fitting software, enabling professionals to objectively calculate and customize noise-management features.
“ACT opens a new way of thinking about hearing aid fitting. Where the audiogram measures the quantity of hearing, ACT measures the quality of hearing in noise. This allows more targeted counseling, expectation setting, and a new, more personalized standard of care.”
–Virginia Ramachandran, AuD, PhD
Evidence-based Research, Practical Skills, Practice Support
James Michael Harte, Senior Director of the Eriksholm Research Centre, shared insights into Oticon’s BrainHearing approach and Eriksholm’s commitment to audiological discoveries that improve lives. Vice President of Marketing Jacob Torpe Winter provided an overview of Oticon’s product portfolio and its unique features, benefits, and value. Additional sessions focused on support at the practice level, covering knowledge, skills, and business strategies for driving patient and practice success.
The conference concluded with a keynote presentation by Eric Saperston, an author, filmmaker, team-building expert, and leadership coach, who offered insight and inspiration designed to help attendees elevate their professional and personal journeys.
Highlights were captured as “Otibytes” – short 5-6 minute videos covering topics like BrainHearing, Oticon Intent, pediatrics, the Eriksholm Research Center, counseling techniques, and ACT testing. These videos were available during the virtual stream.
Learn more about Oticon Intent and the ACT test at www.oticon.com/intent-technology. For more information on Oticon’s professional development and business support services, visit https://www.oticon.com/professionals/partnership.
Source: Oticon Inc
