Author: Karl

Biosensors in Hearing Aids: Technology to Enable Daily Healthcare through Hearables

Biosensors in Hearing Aids: Technology to Enable Daily Healthcare through Hearables

Jan 10, 2019 | | 4 |

Biometric sensors will change what hearing aids and amplification devices do and how consumers think about them, says Kow Ping, founder and director of Well Being Digital (WBD101) which has developed a heart-rate and fitness sensor system. He provides his perspective on his industry’s race to appeal to consumers with normal-to-moderate hearing loss, and how amplification and biosensor devices will be merging.

Read More
Evidence that Hearing Aids Could Slow Cognitive Decline in Later Life

Evidence that Hearing Aids Could Slow Cognitive Decline in Later Life

Jan 9, 2019 | | 0 |

A recent study from the SENSE-Cog Project found a reduction in rate of cognitive decline following hearing aid use, suggesting that effective identification and treatment of age-related hearing impairment may have a significant impact on age-associated cognitive trajectories and possibly reduce the incidence of dementia. Researcher Piers Dawes and colleagues explain why this study is uniquely important to hearing healthcare.

Read More
Starkey Trial Ends in 7-Year Prison Term for Ruzicka; Other Ex-Execs Sentenced

Starkey Trial Ends in 7-Year Prison Term for Ruzicka; Other Ex-Execs Sentenced

Dec 23, 2018 | , | 0 |

Former Starkey President Jerry Ruzicka was sentenced to 7 years in prison, while Ruzicka’s friend and business associate, Jeff Taylor, former president of Sonion, received an 18-month sentence. Former Starkey CFO Scott Nelson was sentenced to 24 months in prison, while Jeff Longtain, former president of Starkey subsidiary Northland Hearing, was given one year of probation.

Read More
Starkey Releases World’s First Hearing Aid with Fall Detection and Alerts to Livio AI Users

Starkey Releases World’s First Hearing Aid with Fall Detection and Alerts to Livio AI Users

Dec 18, 2018 | , , , , , , , | 2 |

Starkey has released its new Fall Detection and Alert feature in Livio AI hearing aids to a limited number of hearing professionals, and plans to offer the feature to all dispensing professionals and their clients in late February. Using integrated sensors, the Fall Detection and Alert feature is designed to automatically detect falls and send messages to as many as three contacts.

Read More
Evaluating Select Personal Sound Amplifiers and a Consumer-Decision Model for OTC Amplification

Evaluating Select Personal Sound Amplifiers and a Consumer-Decision Model for OTC Amplification

Dec 12, 2018 | , , , , , , | 0 |

OTC hearing devices are coming, but how should they function and for whom should they be recommended? Drs Ron Leavitt, Ruth Bentler, and Carol Flexer present six case studies showing that people with true moderate hearing loss may not be well served by what has been characterized as a “consumer-decides” model of care.

Read More
Prosecutors Seek Lengthy Prison Terms for Ruzicka and Taylor for Defrauding Starkey

Prosecutors Seek Lengthy Prison Terms for Ruzicka and Taylor for Defrauding Starkey

Dec 12, 2018 | , | 0 |

Federal prosecutors have recommended prison terms of 15-20 years for former Starkey President Jerry Ruzicka and 7-9 years for former Sonion VP of Sales Jeff Taylor for their role in defrauding Starkey Laboratories of more than $20 million. Sentencing commences for Ruzicka and Taylor on Wednesday, December 19, and a day later for former Starkey CFO Scott Nelson and former Northland Hearing executive Jeff Longtain.

Read More
AG Bell Publishes FAQ Addressing Controversial LEAD-K Bill

AG Bell Publishes FAQ Addressing Controversial LEAD-K Bill

Dec 5, 2018 | , , , , , | 0 |

In late October, AG Bell and LEAD-K (Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids) leaders agreed on adaptations to the controversial model LEAD-K bill that the organizations say is designed to allow parents to continue to receive balanced and comprehensive information about language acquisition in and Spoken Language and American Sign Language (ASL) for their children. Last week, AG Bell released an FAQ document further clarifying its position.

Read More
FDA Announces Revamping of Product Approvals and 510(k) Program

FDA Announces Revamping of Product Approvals and 510(k) Program

Nov 28, 2018 | , , , , , , , , | 1 |

The FDA has announced it will be modernizing its 510(k) clearance pathway, which accounts for the majority of devices that the Agency reviews, in what it characterizes as a “generational change.” Specifically, the Agency says it will concentrate on more recent predicates and technological advances in its future decision-making process, and ramp up its post-market surveillance of products.

Read More
Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring: An Interview with Paul R. Kileny, PhD

Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring: An Interview with Paul R. Kileny, PhD

Nov 28, 2018 | , , , , | 1 |

Paul R. Kileny, PhD, professor of Otolaryngology and director of Audiology and Electrophysiology at the University of Michigan, talks with Douglas Beck, AuD, about the area of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, shares some “war stories” from the operating room, and provides information about his new book, “The Audiologist’s Handbook of Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring.”

Read More
Sensorion and Pasteur Institute to Collaborate on Gene Therapy Products

Sensorion and Pasteur Institute to Collaborate on Gene Therapy Products

Nov 28, 2018 | , | 0 |

Sensorion announced a letter of intent with Pasteur Institute in Paris to exclusively negotiate a framework agreement to obtain the exclusive licenses to develop and commercialize gene therapy product candidates for restoration, treatment, and prevention of hearing loss disorders. They will collaborate on several lead programs to correct monogenic forms of hereditary hearing loss including, among others, the Usher syndrome type 1 and otoferlin deficiency, according to the announcement.

Read More
CEDRA: A Consumer Questionnaire to Detect Disease Risk Before Hearing Aid Purchase

CEDRA: A Consumer Questionnaire to Detect Disease Risk Before Hearing Aid Purchase

Nov 20, 2018 | | 0 |

To maintain consumer safety while dispensing hearing aids and other amplification devices when licensed providers are not involved, a multidisciplinary research team developed the Consumer Ear Disease Risk Assessment (CEDRA) questionnaire, which is designed to identify the risk of diseases with ear and hearing symptoms. Noted researcher Donald Nielsen, PhD, explains its development and how the self-administered test can be used online for free.

Read More
✖