Top 25 News Stories in Hearing Healthcare for 2016
Did you miss anything in the whirlwind of 2016? Here is a quick round-up of some of the top news stories in the hearing healthcare field for 2016.
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Author: Karl
iHear Medical to Provide Hearing Aids to Ameritas Insurance Plans
iHear Medical has announced a partnership with the insurance company Ameritas, an insurance provider for more than 6.4 million people nationwide including one of the largest dental networks. iHEAR’s devices are offered at $299 before reimbursement, and are said to combine high quality sound and online self-programming, are backed by a 45-day satisfaction guarantee, and offer remote programming and support by licensed hearing professionals.
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FDA Eliminates ‘Physician Waiver’ System in Hearing Aid Dispensing
The FDA issued a press release and guidance document explaining that it does not intend to enforce the requirement that individuals 18 and older receive a medical evaluation or sign a waiver prior to purchasing most hearing aids. The action addresses one of the key controversial points brought up in the recent NAS and PCAST sets of recommendations for improving accessibility to hearing aids. The FDA also announced its commitment to consider creating an OTC hearing aid category.
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AuDacity 2016 Convention “Dares to Succeed” in Era of Disruptive Change
The ADA’s AuDacity 2016 Convention focused on the disruptive changes occurring in hearing healthcare and how audiologists can use the forces of “creative disruption” to their advantage and the benefit of their patients.
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Webinar: Five Things Your Patients Should Know BEFORE Their Visit
In this half-hour webinar, courtesy of CareCredit, Brad Dodson shows how to address the underlying causes of patients’ emotions like anxiety, confusion, fear, and skepticism, and diffuse their reservations before seeing them at the initial hearing consultation.
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ADA Files Lawsuit to Block IHS Tinnitus Care Provider Certificate
The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) has filed a lawsuit against the International Hearing Society (IHS) seeking an injunction against the IHS “Tinnitus Care Provider Certificate.”
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EUHA 2016 Brings New Technology and Excitement for the Future of Hearing Care
Approximately 8,000 acousticians and industry experts attended EUHA 2016 in Hannover, Germany. Hot topics at this year’s event included rechargeable hearing aids, new wireless connectivity and app options, remote programming, and tinnitus remediation.
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Counterpoint: OTC Hearing Aids: Facts, Figments, and the Unfounded Fear Frenzy
Brian Taylor and ADA Executive Director Stephanie Czuhajewski provide a counterpoint to a recent Hearing Review editorial by ASHA President Jaynee Handelsman that cautioned against over-the-counter (OTC) hearing devices.
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Hearing Aid Unit Sales Remain Strong in Q3 2016
Hearing aid sales in the US increased by 8.8% in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the same period last year, and have increased by 9.6% overall through September.
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Tribute: Earl Harford, PhD, Educator and Innovator in Audiology
Earl Harford, PhD, a renowned educator, clinician, and innovator in the field of audiology and hearing healthcare, died on September 24, 2016 at his home in Tucson, Ariz. He was 86. A true pioneer in audiology, Dr Harford’s efforts helped shape the profession for the past 65 years.
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Oticon Names Gary Rosenblum as New President
Oticon has appointed Gary Rosenblum as its new president, succeeding Peer Lauritsen who is retiring after more than 40 years of service to the company. Rosenblum comes from Johnson & Johnson, where he managed the J&J portfolio of Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals, and Consumer Products for leading hospital systems across the West Coast.
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Letter: On ‘PSAPS vs Hearing Aids’ and the MDHearingAid Analog Device
Sreekant Cherukuri, MD, founder of the low-cost MDHearingAid, takes issue with some of the methods and conclusions found in the July 2016 Hearing Review article, “PSAPs vs Hearing Aids: An Electroacoustic Analysis of Performance and Fitting Capabilities.”
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Four Defendants in Starkey Fraud Case Plead Not Guilty
Four of the five prominent hearing industry executives, accused in a recent indictment of defrauding Starkey Hearing Technologies and the company’s owner William (Bill) Austin, have pleaded not guilty. A trial has been tentatively set for December 19, 2016, but may be delayed into 2017.
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GN Otometrics to be Sold to Natus Medical
GN Hearing is selling GN Otometrics to Natus Medical for $145 million. The combination of Natus and Otometrics creates a global leader in hearing assessment, hearing screening, and balance assessment, says Natus President and CEO Jim Hawkins.
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Five Indicted for $20 Million Fraud Against Starkey
Five prominent hearing industry executives have been indicted for conspiring to steal more than $20 million from Starkey Hearing Technologies, including former Starkey executives Jerry Ruzicka, Scott Nelson, and Larry Miller, as well as former Sonion President Jeff Taylor and Micro-Tech Founder Larry Hagen.
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