Latest news with #audiology
WIRED
2 days ago
- WIRED
The Concha Sol Hearing Aids Deliver Solid Sound but Feel Dated
Concha Labs has been making over-the-counter hearing aids since 2017, marketing just one product—the Concha Sol. The hearing aids have a familiar design, a classic behind-the-ear configuration with a simple rocker control on the back of each. Concha particularly touts its customizability: The Sol come in your choice of four colors, and can be configured with lead wires in four different sizes, though it should be noted that many competing hearing aids have lead wires that can be adjusted on the fly and replaced with larger or smaller ones. At the time of your order, Concha works to convert the hearing aids to the size of your ears, skin tone, and the color of your hair (if you're lucky enough to have any left), maximizing the likelihood that they'll blend in and fit properly. I received the grey model with the longest available leads and measured the weight of these devices at 2.03 grams, which is very lightweight for behind-the-ear hearing aids. Replaceable Batteries The primary reason behind such a light weight is the Sol's biggest downside: replaceable batteries. That's a bit of a nonstarter in today's hearing aid world, and it's surprising that Concha Labs is still clinging to a fading power model that requires the user to fumble with sliding in a new pair of tiny batteries every 5 to 7 days. While replaceable batteries offer a far longer lifespan than even the best rechargeable cells (as well as the aforementioned lighter weight), they are still a hassle that few enjoy. (The last research I've seen, from 2021, showed that 70 percent of hearing aid users prefer rechargeable hearing systems.) Assuming you're OK with a replaceable battery system, the Concha Sol have a lot going for them. It starts with tuning. Concha does not use preset sound profiles like most OTC aids. Preset profiles are pretuned frequency waveforms based on thousands of historical hearing tests people have taken over the years. These audiograms are averaged, and a handful of representative audiograms are loaded onto the hardware. When you take an in-app hearing test, the app figures out which of these audiograms is closest to yours and loads the appropriate corrections into the hearing aid hardware. It's not perfect, but for most users it's good enough. Concha has a built-in hearing test in its app, but it's wholly unlike the typical hearing test, where you listen for pings at different frequencies and volumes until a full picture of your hearing loss develops. After some initial level-setting, Concha's system, called Soundscope, asks you to listen (with each ear) to paired, repeated snippets of speech, then identify whether sample A or sample B sounds best. It's like an eye exam, only for your ears.
WIRED
2 days ago
- Health
- WIRED
I Tried Hear.com's At-Home Test for New Prescription Hearing Aids. Here's How It Works
You no longer need to leave the house to be fitted with prescription hearing aids. All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Putting aside their exorbitant cost, the trouble with prescription hearing aids is the prescription. Find a doctor. Get an appointment. Sit in a waiting room. Suffer through an hour of testing before getting the hard sell on a pair of hearing aids. Why, the indignity of it all is even worse than going deaf. Telehealth offers a glimmer of a solution, but as everyone who's tried to show off a concerning mole to a doctor via a smartphone camera knows: Video technology can only get you so far. Audiological testing requires significant one-on-one interaction and plenty of technology to back that up. Every audiogram I've sat for has been inside a sophisticated, soundproof chamber. company that sells prescription hearing aids online and via traditional retail channels —has a workaround. It puts all the technology needed to perform a full-on hearing test in a box and mails it to you along with a set of prescription hearing aids, then walks you through the whole thing with an audiologist via a video call. I've taken virtual hearing test twice—this is what a tele-hearing exam looks like, should you decide to take one. It's All Online The process begins with a simple discussion. If you've never had hearing aids before, this is probably a good first step; veterans will likely skip it, especially if they know what model hearing aids they want (or how much they want to spend). A salesperson will discuss your personal impressions of your hearing loss, any hearing aid devices you have tried, prior audiological testing, and your budget (along with any insurance you have). From there, they will suggest the best hearing aids (from their product line) to meet your needs, though you can also advocate for a specific product if you've already identified one. Next, you'll set a time for your testing and hearing aid fitting, and a few days later, a box will arrive on your doorstep. Open it up, and the collection of hardware and the tangle of wires connecting it all may seem daunting, but rest assured, with even a modicum of technical knowledge, it all goes together quickly, and professionals can guide you through any confusion over the phone. Despite the significant amount of gear inside, the box is about as organized as it can get. On top, you'll find a Microsoft Surface tablet that has been stripped down to do just one thing: serve as the conduit for a video-based audiology session. After plugging the Surface into wall power, you'll find a USB breakout box to connect to the Surface's USB port. Assuming all the other devices are still properly plugged into that USB breakout box (which is far from assured; it's good to check everything is snug), you are effectively good to go. The Surface has no other functionality besides initiating the call with the audiology professional, and at the scheduled time you tap a button on the screen to get the session underway. After greeting you, the audiologist will guide you through a series of tests. First is a physical exam of your ears, which is made possible thanks to the included USB-powered otoscope, which you probably know better as the lighted tool with the black, conical tip a doctor uses to look into your ear canal. There's no doctor to guide the tool by hand, so the audiologist will tell you how to position it in each ear so they can get a good look at your eardrum. And yes, you, too, can see what the doctor sees right on the Surface's screen. Spoiler: There is more wax inside your ear canal than you think. Can You Hear Me Now? Assuming you have no physical damage that would preclude hearing aid use, it's on to the traditional hearing exams. This series of tests will consume the bulk of the appointment time, and most involve wearing a pair of oversize, noise-isolating headsets like professional musicians use. The tests were very familiar to me, starting with tones played at varying frequencies and volume levels in each ear, during which you tap the Surface screen whenever you hear something. The test is then repeated with a bone-conduction appliance that attaches to your forehead with a Velcro band for another look at the way you process sound. Lastly, a third test measures your ability to distinguish various consonant and vowel sounds— sh vs. ch , for example—which is performed by having you repeat the words you think you hear back to the audiologist multiple times. From all of this data, an audiogram is synthesized and presented on the screen of the Surface. Quality-wise, my audiogram was nearly identical to the last professional audiogram I received in 2023 in an office setting. audiogram was even more detailed, because it tested my hearing at nine different frequencies, one more than the in-person visit. After going over the audiogram with me to discuss the particulars of my hearing loss, audiologist moved on to the hearing aid fitting. You'll have purchased the hearing aids you're about to put on already and will find them in the box, inside a charger that notes they are fully charged and ready to use. If for some reason these aids aren't appropriate for the hearing loss measured in the testing, will recommend an alternative at that time, but most customers should have a set in hand that will meet their needs, based on the previous intake call. The aids are programmed remotely and wirelessly via another device connected to the USB breakout box, and I was directed to put the hearing aids on and then put them back in the charging case repeatedly so we could tweak the sound profile to my liking. Again, this is a standard process identical to how things would be done in a doctor's office. The doctor will then train a hearing aid novice on how to insert, charge, and clean the aids and go over any lingering paperwork that needs to be dealt with. sells its own hearing aids under the Horizon brand, which are private-labeled Signia hearing aids in the Signia IX series. There's not an easy way to see exactly which models offers on its website, but they range from the Horizon 1IX ($1,975) to the Horizon 7IX ($4,950), the latter of which is what I was sent to try. Monthly payment plans are available for everything, and all of its hearing aids come with a 45-day money-back guarantee. When the hour-long session is up, you'll be directed to keep all the testing hardware for a while until you are certain the aids work for you. A follow-up call a few weeks later will check on your progress (there's a learning curve with all hearing aids) and, once you're satisfied, you'll be instructed to return the testing equipment via a prepaid shipping label in the box. I'll need to continue testing for longer, but so far, the Horizon hearing aids work great. Even better is the way you go about getting them fitted.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
What's you REAL hearing age? Take this 30-second test to see
Life is full of loud noises - from rock concerts to crying babies and noisy football stadiums - so it's not surprising that our ears get weaker the older we get. But just how much should you be able to tune into at your age? Here, you can take a quick, 30-second test to find out. One of the most common types of hearing loss - presbycusis - happens as, while growing up, a person will gradually find it difficult to hear 'high-frequency' sounds, such as the voices of women and young children. According Decibel Hearing Services, this can happen for a number of reasons, including exposure to loudness, genetics and health issues. 'Many things affect our hearing as we age,' the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders also explained. 'For example, changes in the inner ear that can affect hearing are common. Age-related changes in the middle ear and complex changes along the nerve pathways from the ear to the brain can also affect hearing.' Humans can typically hear frequencies between 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz. But these upper limits start to dwindle with age, so the average adult is much more likely to be between 15,000–17,000 Hz. Most people will comfortable be able to hear 8,000 Hz. However, those who are aged over 50 may struggle with hearing above 12,000 Hz, while people over 40 will struggle with more than 15,000 Hz. When it gets to around 17,000 Hz - only teenagers can typically hear these frequencies. Eargym have devised a test to see what your 'hearing age' is - starting at low frequencies well into the 200s Hz and going up to 200,000 Hz. At 70, many will be able to hear around 9,000 Hz, with the limit going up to about 10,000 for those in their 60s. At 50, 12,000 Hz is the upper limit, while at 40, it becomes 14,000 Hz. At 30, people will hear into 15,000 Hz, while at 20 it's about 17,000 Hz. Once you get into the teens, people may hear well up until 20,000 Hz. At 50, 12,000 Hz is the upper limit, while at 40, it becomes 14,000 Hz. At 30, people will hear into 15,000 Hz, while at 20 it's about 17,000 Hz One of the most common types of hearing loss - presbycusis - happens as, while growing up, a person will gradually find it difficult to hear 'high-frequency' sounds, such as the voices of women and young children Speaking to MailOnline last year, Andy Shanks, hearing health expert and co-founder at eargym, said: 'The majority of us will experience some form of hearing loss in our lifetimes. 'But if we can spot the signs early and make some small changes, we can take steps to protect our hearing and prevent future avoidable hearing loss.' He suggests using games such as this 30 second test to check your hearing regularly and pick up on any abnormal changes. 'Safe listening practices, such as the use of ear defenders, gigplugs and noise-cancelling headphones, can also make a big difference when it comes to protecting our hearing health long in the future,' he added. 'Hearing loss is one of the biggest modifiable risk factors for dementia and is strongly associated with poor mental health and cognitive decline. 'So taking care of our hearing at all ages is essential to protect not only our ears but also our minds.' Around 12million people in the UK are affected by hearing loss. It is associated with social isolation and cognitive decline, and is one of the biggest modifiable risk factors when it comes to developing dementia. Speaking to MailOnline last year , Andy Shanks, hearing health expert and co-founder at eargym, said: 'The majority of us will experience some form of hearing loss in our lifetimes' WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS? Hearing loss is common, particularly when you get older. Hearing loss can affect a child's speech development and also their progress at school. It can be caused by something that can be easily treated or something more serious, so it is important to visit your GP. Common signs of hearing loss include: Difficulty hearing other people clearly and misunderstanding what they say, especially in noisy places Asking people to repeat themselves Listening to music or watching TV with the volume higher than other people need Difficulty hearing on the phone Finding it hard to keep up with a conversation Feeling tired or stressed from having to concentrate while listening Source: NHS Yet adults wait an average 8.9 years before seeking help. Research suggests hearing loss costs the UK economy £25bn a year in lost productivity and unemployment. Common signs you're suffering from hearing loss include asking people to repeat themselves, difficulty hearing on the phone and listening to music or the TV at a higher volume than other people need, the NHS warns. There are lots of possible causes of hearing loss, such as an ear infection, ear wax or age. But it could also be caused by a perforated eardrum, which causes a sudden hearing loss or Ménière's disease which can affect your balance and hearing. If you notice signs of hearing loss it is important not to self diagnose and visit your GP for a more thorough hearing test. It comes as in December, an American pharmacist has revealed 11 of the common medications that can trigger the uncomfortable sensation known as tinnitus. The condition, which affects more than 50 million people in the US, is a symptom of several medical conditions like ear injuries, earwax blockage or age-related hearing loss. Sometimes the noise is present in one or both ears and it is most commonly described as a ringing, but it can also present itself as a range of sounds including buzzing, roaring, and whistling. While there is no cure, pharmacist Ayesha Gulzar says there are things you can do to reduce its impact, starting with checking what medications you are taking. She explained: 'Certain medications cause tinnitus, which can be temporary or rarely permanent and depends on different factors. 'Common ototoxic drugs (drugs that can have toxic effects on the ears) include antibiotics, analgesics (pain relievers), blood pressure medications, anticonvulsants (anti-seizure drugs), and others.'
Associated Press
04-06-2025
- General
- Associated Press
From frustration to joy: What I learned about getting a hearing aid
NEW YORK (AP) — My first tip-off were the little things, the high-pitched little things: the doorbell and ringtones my kids could hear but I could not. Then it was the garbled-sounding conversations, and the accompanying annoyance of having to ask people to repeat themselves. Or worse, giving up and just playing along without being able to follow everything that was being said. Even then, I stalled for years before finally going through the process of getting a hearing aid. How do you even begin? Will it look clunky and make me feel like a dinosaur? And the cost! Getting a hearing test, and confirmation that I needed a hearing aid, was just the beginning. Finding an expertThe doctor handed me a list of places I could go to get fitted. I made some calls and narrowed it down to the places that took my insurance and my zero-interest health care credit card. The first couple places were demoralizing: I walked in, was told it'd be $7,000 for the 'best' option (they mysteriously didn't happen to have any other options handy), then marched right back out the door, utterly discouraged. I started asking friends and neighbors whether they wore a hearing aid, or knew anyone at all with a hearing aid, and could point me to a good audiologist. It took a lot of poking around, but I found one — and it made all the difference. The joy of reconnecting with the worldI've been wearing my hearing aids for several months now, and they are as easy as slipping on a pair of glasses, are almost invisible, have reconnected me with the world, and, as crazy as this may sound, they bring me joy. After talking with a few audiologists around the country, it turns out that my experience is pretty typical. 'There are a lot of people who stall before getting one,' says Meagan P. Bachmann, director of audiology at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, in North Carolina. 'Hearing is important because it connects us with people,' she says. 'Multiple studies show that not hearing can affect your ability to connect with others and participate in life, so you have to think of it in terms of overall health. Maybe you no longer go to family events, or you don't understand your doctor. People start to withdraw. A lot of people come in because it's gotten so bad that it is impacting their relationships.' Steps to takeTo speed up the process and make it less frustrating, here's what the pros recommend: 1. Get tested, take the results seriously, and know that many if not most hearing aids these days are small, nearly invisible, rechargeable, and pretty easy to wear and maintain. And believe it or not, hearing aids can be fun — these days, there are colors to choose from and ways to bejewel them. One company, Deafmetal, makes jazzy-looking 'safety rings' to help keep hearing aids in place. 2. Shop for an expert audiologist. Look for someone who takes your insurance or any sort of medical credit card you might have, or has a payment plan of some kind, if needed. This is a world at the awkward juncture of consumerism and medical care, but a good audiologist should come across as a medical provider, not a salesperson. And a good audiologist should take the time to work with you to find a hearing aid that meets your individual needs, and also fits your budget. A good place to start is often with your doctor; with the American Academy of Audiologists, which lists providers on its website; or by word of mouth. 'Although all hearing aids are amplifiers, not everybody needs the same thing,' says Bachmann. 'Fitting a hearing aid is an art. It changes the acoustics, and everyone is different. You want someone who listens to your lifestyle needs. Do you have a lot of difficulty with noise? Are you mostly in quiet situations? How much technology do you need, and what kind?' Greta Stamper, an audiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, agrees. 'Hearing loss is not a one-time thing. It's a chronic health condition. It should be a partnership between you and your audiologist,' she said. 'It's someone asking you what you're looking for and how it's going. You shouldn't feel pressured or pushed.' 3. A note on cost. Although hearing aids can be pricey, there are affordable options, and a good audiologist should be able to let you try out options at several price points. Insurance often covers much of the cost, and there are ways to pay for the remaining cost in installments. Also, avoidance has pretty high costs as well, audiologists say, and the longer the wait, the harder it may be to solve the problem with a hearing aid. Although there are cheaper hearing aids at big box stores, Bachmann warns that it's good to check with your audiologist before taking that route. 'Some of those hearing aids are locked, so that you're not allowed to have them programmed by an outside audiologist,' she says. Remember, says Stamper, that hearing aids are an investment, and usually last between five and six years. 4. Know your rights. 'We select what is the most likely to be successful, and if it doesn't work out you come back and do something else,' says Stamper. She said most states mandate a trial period. In some cases, hearing-aid companies also cover the cost of multiple visits to your audiologist while you are getting used to your new hearing aid and get training in how to use and maintain it. 5. Embrace the process, and expect it to take a little time and a few expert tweaks. Audiologists say your brain needs time to adjust to a hearing aid, and that hearing-aid settings should be adjusted little by little as your brain adapts to them. 'A big misconception is that you can just wear them a couple hours a day. Your brain does better with it if you use them most of the day. Your brain needs to adapt to hearing sounds it hasn't heard for a while, and it takes the brain awhile to relearn how to process all those sounds,' says Stamper. 6. Be realistic. 'Although hearing aids can be enormously beneficial, they may not give you back your normal hearing,' says Stamper. Depending on the situation, there might be limitations to what a hearing aid can do. 'It might just be lots of improvement in the key areas in which you're struggling,' said Stamper. Using hearing aids is a process, the audiologists say, and although it requires some patience, it can be well worth the journey. ___ For more AP Lifestyles stories, go to
Globe and Mail
02-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Canadian Academy of Audiology Releases Position Statement on Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids
TORONTO, June 2, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canadian Academy of Audiology (CAA) has released an updated position statement outlining its perspective on the use and regulation of Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids in Canada. This follows recent developments in the United States and Health Canada's licensing of the Apple AirPods Pro II as a Class II medical device for hearing support.
