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Question: What is the difference between Over-the-Counter (OTC) and Custom Fitted Hearing Aid Amplification Devices?

Answer:

OTCs are personal sound amplification devices (PSAPs). FDA defines PSAPs as being wearable consumer electronic product intended for non-hearing impaired individuals to use to augment hearing in environments, such as recreational activities. PSAPs are not intended to compensate for ​hearing impairment ​and ​they ​ are ​one ​size ​fits all.

Custom Hearing aids on the other hand, are wearable devices designed for the purpose of aiding persons with impaired hearing. Hearing aids are considered Class 1 Medical Devices and are fitted by Audiologists or Hearing Healthcare Professionals. Hearing aids are measured to accommodate ​ individual ears, ​sizes ​ ​ and ​ ​ shapes.

Improving hearing and communication requires more than increasing overall volume, which is about all PSAPs can do. Louder does not mean clearer. Louder can be noisy and uncomfortable. Most OTCs are amplifiers that make everything equally loud, including the speech you want to hear ​and environmental noise ​ ​ you ​don’t. Hearing aids are custom and programmed specifically to the degree and configuration of your hearing loss, providing amplification to the deficit frequencies. Instead of just making everything louder, hearing aids can actually discern between noise and speech you want to hear. Hearing aids can automatically adjust, enhancing speech while suppressing background noises. Hearing aids can help you hear better in wind, reverberate rooms, crowds, and other challenging listening ​ ​ environments. ​ ​OTCs ​ simply ​cannot​ ​do​ this.

Consumers are cautioned that by skipping the audiologic evaluation and health-care professional, underlying hearing issues could be missed or untreated. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to increased stress, anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, fall risks, dementia, and ​ ​ diabetes.

If you or someone you love is having difficulty hearing, listening, or communicating, Dr. Tara Fuchs and Dr. Jane Brady invite you to contact them for a consultation. Their offices are in East Windsor ​ ​ 609-448-9730 ​ ​ and ​ ​ Pennington ​ ​ 609-303-0291.

Horizon Audiology cares deeply for the well-being of each of our patients and their families. We strive towards helping people improve their quality of life through improved hearing and balance testing, but also work to benefit the healthcare community as a whole in any way we can. This October, our office participated in two exciting events in New Jersey to fulfill this goal.

The first event, Hope is in the Bag, is a shopping and dining event throughout October which strives to improve the lives of women impacted by breast cancer. Sponsored by the Hopewell Business Association, Capital Health and Pennington Business and Professional Association, the event lasted throughout the first two weeks of October and gave local businesses, like ours, the opportunity to participate in raising funds and awareness to shop locally and make a difference in the lives of breast cancer fighters, survivors, and their loved ones. Dr. Brady shares her motivation for participating in Hope is in the Bag: “I lost my dear friend, who was like a sister, to Breast cancer. That’s who I participate in honor of. Her name is Gina Paradiso Casella”. Horizon Audiology is proud to be a member of the Pennington Business and Professional Association which values giving back to the community and making a positive difference, encouraging us to participate in events like Hope is in the Bag. We encourage readers and patients to continue shopping local and supporting survivors and fighters.

Horizon Audiology also had the opportunity to participate in the Hearing Loss Association of America’s 2016 Walk4Hearing, which took place on October 16 in Mercer County Park. The walk was a gathering of audiology and doctor’s offices and friends, family and supporters of the hearing impaired. It was an amazing testament to the support our patients have in the community. The walk benefitted HLAA in their attempt to help the hearing impaired advocate for better communication strategies, increase awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding hearing loss. Together, the teams were able to raise $71,872.44!

Thank you to our patients and community businesses who support Horizon Audiology’s efforts to make a positive difference in the community. As always, thank you for choosing Horizon Audiology!

Life is Calling, Horizon Helps You Answer.

East Windsor, NJ – 2/27/17 ─ Horizon Audiology is proud to announce that it now offers groundbreaking rechargeable hearing aid technology to the general public. The revolutionary Audéo B-R hearing aid features a built-in lithium-ion battery that provides 24 hours* of hearing with one simple charge. It is fully charged after only three hours and a 30-minute fast-charge  provides six hours of immediate hearing. This means today’s hearing aid wearers can now focus on enjoying life instead of worrying about the last time they changed batteries. Wearers will also enjoy the confidence in knowing that the Audéo B-R comes from Phonak, the global leader in hearing aids and wireless communications solutions.

The Audéo B-R eliminates the hassles associated with disposable batteries. Thanks to advances in smart charging technology, the lithium-ion batteries lasts for years. Compared to traditional hearing aids that use disposable batteries, two environmentally-friendly Phonak Audéo B-R devices replace up to 100 hearing aid batteries in a typical year.

“We are thrilled to be among the practices who can now offer this truly life-changing technology to the public,” said, Dr. Jane Brady, Audiologist of  Horizon Audiology  ”We know the vast majority of hearing aid wearers don’t want to fumble with tiny batteries every five to seven days. They’re tired of worrying about whether they put them in right, or when they last changed batteries. With Audéo B-R, Phonak has given us a next-generation solution that not only provides our patients with an effortless hearing experience, but also simplicity and peace of mind.”

For added convenience, Audéo B-R hearing aids come with several smart charging options. In addition to its elegant, yet protective home charging case, a mini charger is a compact solution that is perfect for travelers—or for placement at work in the event the wearer forgets to charge at home. An optional power pack easily attaches to the charger case and provides wireless power for seven full charges, ideal for short trips or when no power source is available.

The Phonak Audéo B-R hearing aid is now available at Horizon Audiology in East Windsor, NJ. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, visit www.horizonaudiology.com  or call Horizon at 609-448-9730. For general information about the revolutionary Audéo B-R solution, visit www.phonak.com.

* Expected results when fully charged, and up to 80 minutes wireless streaming time.