Hearing News Watch

Featured image for “Best of 2016: Costco Quietly Launches Kirkland Hearing Aids — at Even Lower Price”
Dec. 20, 2016

Best of 2016: Costco Quietly Launches Kirkland Hearing Aids — at Even Lower Price

HHTM
In 2014, the top post at Hearing News Watch was on news that Phonak would begin distributing hearing aids at Costco. Since that article published in March of 2014, it has gone on to be one of the most viewed posts at HHTM of all time. So perhaps it isn’t surprising, two years later, that another Costco story has gone
Featured image for “ON Semiconductor Wireless Hearing Aid Processor Nabs CES 2017 Honor”
Dec. 16, 2016

ON Semiconductor Wireless Hearing Aid Processor Nabs CES 2017 Honor

HHTM
PHOENIX, ARIZONA — ON Semiconductor, a leading supplier of semiconductor-based solutions, announced this week that the company’s Ezairo 7150 SL audio processor was chosen by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) as a 2017 Consumer Electronic Show (CES) Innovation Award honoree. According to the company, the Ezairo 7150 SL is an open-programmable digital signal processing (DSP)-based hybrid, which enables wireless connectivity in hearing aids
Featured image for “Study Finds Auditory Deficit in People with Schizophrenia Linked to Brain Receptor”
Dec. 14, 2016

Study Finds Auditory Deficit in People with Schizophrenia Linked to Brain Receptor

HHTM
NEW YORK, NEW YORK — The inability to hear subtle changes in pitch, a common problem for people with schizophrenia, is due to dysfunctional N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) brain receptors, according to a study by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center. The study also found that this particular hearing issue can be improved by combining auditory training exercises with a drug that
Featured image for “Bose Conducts Limited Launch of New Wireless Amplified Earphones”
Dec. 11, 2016

Bose Conducts Limited Launch of New Wireless Amplified Earphones

Brian Taylor
Twenty-sixteen is shaping up to be a remarkable year in the evolution of wireless audio technology, sometimes called hearables.  Last January, Starkey Hearing Technology announced a strategic partnership with the hearable company, Bragi. During the year we saw a slew of wireless earphones enter the market, including one from Resound’s sister company, Jabra, the Here One from Doppler Labs and
Featured image for “ADA Supports OTC Hearing Aid Bill; AAA Applauds FDA Decision to Eliminate Waiver”
Dec. 09, 2016

ADA Supports OTC Hearing Aid Bill; AAA Applauds FDA Decision to Eliminate Waiver

HHTM
In a move that perhaps caught some in the audiology community by surprise, the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) announced its support of S.9, the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2016. In a statement released by ADA, it said that the organization “commends Senators Warren and Grassley for their foresight in introducing and advancing this legislation, which if enacted,
Featured image for “FDA Eliminates Hearing Aid Medical Clearance Regulation – Effective Immediately”
Dec. 07, 2016

FDA Eliminates Hearing Aid Medical Clearance Regulation – Effective Immediately

Brian Taylor
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today during the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine Dissemination Meeting, Hearing Health Care for Adults: Priorities for Improving Access and Affordability, Eric Mann, Chief, Ear, Nose and Throat Devices Branch of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it does not intend to enforce the requirement for adults to obtain a medical evaluation
Featured image for “HIA Makes Statement About New OTC Hearing Aid Legislation”
Dec. 07, 2016

HIA Makes Statement About New OTC Hearing Aid Legislation

Brian Taylor
While the Hearing Industries Association (HIA) of America agrees with the basic idea of increasing accessibility and affordability of hearing aids, in a December 3rd press release, they expressed concerns about the recently proposed Warren-Grassley legislation intended to create a new category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. The primary concerns expressed in the HIA statement pertain to requirements in the
Featured image for “Study: Sodium Thiosulfate Treatment Significantly Reduces Chemotherapy-Induced Hearing Loss in Children”
Dec. 05, 2016

Study: Sodium Thiosulfate Treatment Significantly Reduces Chemotherapy-Induced Hearing Loss in Children

HHTM
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — According to a new study, investigators at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and 37 other Children’s Oncology Group hospitals in the U.S. and Canada have found that sodium thiosulfate helps prevent cisplatin-induced hearing loss in children with cancer. Results of the randomized, controlled, phase 3 study, were published in this month’s online edition of Lancet Oncology.
Featured image for “Fall Risk Increases Above Age 40”
Nov. 30, 2016

Fall Risk Increases Above Age 40

Brian Taylor
Many audiologists who work with patients experiencing equilibrium problems are keenly aware of the relationship between aging and balance. This observation was recently confirmed in a study published online in Frontiers in Neurology. This study, conducted by researchers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, found vestibular thresholds begin to double every 10 years above the age of 40. Results of their
Featured image for “IHS Responds to Suspension of DOL Apprenticeship Program”
Nov. 28, 2016

IHS Responds to Suspension of DOL Apprenticeship Program

HHTM
Editor’s Note: Following the Hearing News Watch story last week, Department of Labor Withdraws Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Instrument Specialists, we received a number of comments. We wanted to share one of those comments today with our readers. The content of today’s post was received from Richard Giles, President-Elect of the International Hearing Society (IHS). According to Mr. Giles, the