Soundwave Hearing announced the launch of its new smart hearing aid and mobile app. The Sontro Hearing Aids (Model AI) are wireless, self-programming hearing aids that have been developed to amplify sound for individuals 18 years or older with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing impairment.
The Sontro Hearing Aids connect via Bluetooth to the otoTune app, which administers “a clinically validated hearing test to identify the user’s hearing threshold and listening needs,” according to the company. Once the three-minute test is complete, users can adjust volume, frequency tones, and listening modes directly on the otoTune app.
Soundwave Hearing is looking to partner with audiology practices throughout the country. The Sontro Hearing Aid is marketed as a “starter” hearing aid that retails for $999.00 and has been specifically designed to capture Tested and Not Treated patients.
“We hope to help the audiology community provide high-quality hearing technology to as many people as possible,” said Anthony Florek, Co-founder and President of Soundwave Hearing. “This technology allows hearing aid practitioners to keep patients in their service population as their hearing loss progresses.”
Do you struggle retaining “Tested and Not Treated” (TNT) patients?
According to Soundwave, “Tested and Not Treated” (TNT) patients constitute “approximately 40% of the overall patient population, drain practice owners of valuable resources, and add considerable operational costs.”
- Sontro Hearing Aids help provide an opportunity to “engage and retain first-time hearing device users, which will increase top-line revenue and strengthen the long-term economic value of the practice.”
- Retaining a patient within the scope of the practice helps allow practitioners to continually service and monitor their hearing loss, the company says.
- When patients fall outside the parameters of mild-to-moderate hearing loss, practitioners can upgrade them to a hearing aid technology that better suits their needs.
“Hearing loss affects an estimated 30 million people in the United States and can have a significant impact on communication, social participation, and overall health and quality of life,” said Florek. “Despite the high prevalence and public health impact of hearing loss, only about one-fifth of people who could benefit from a hearing aid seek intervention.”
Sontro Hearing Aid and otoTune App specifications
The Sontro Hearing Aids signal processing includes 16-channel wide dynamic range compression, noise reduction and feedback cancellation, automatic mode selection, and adaptive directionality. They come with a 45-day Risk-Free guarantee, 1-year warranty, and customer support. Additionally, the hearing aids are eligible for FSA and HSA reimbursement.
The patented otoTune app tests both ears simultaneously using the Sontro Hearing Aids, delivering “clinically validated test results comparable to professionally administered audiograms.” The otoTune app functions with a user’s compatible mobile phone. It is available free for download on iOS (version 11.0 or higher) or Android (version 6.0 or higher) based systems.
Source: Soundwave Hearing
Image: Soundwave Hearing