This Week in Hearing This Week in Hearing

This week, Shari Eberts welcomes Dr. Michelle Wiebke, the Lyric Audiology and Education Manager at Phonak. Dr. Wiebke discusses the recent FDA approval that allows experienced Lyric users in the U.S. to self-replace their devices, a significant development aimed at enhancing accessibility and reducing the need for frequent in-office visits.

This new clearance empowers certified Lyric providers to offer the self-replacement option to their patients, which promises greater convenience and autonomy for users.

Dr. Wiebke elaborates on how this change will impact users' lives, emphasizing the benefits of Lyric's discreet and continuous-wear design. The conversation also covers the fitting process, maintenance, and typical user experience, highlighting the ease of use and minimal upkeep required for Lyric hearing aids. Shari and Dr. Wiebke explore the advancements in hearing aid technology and Phonak's ongoing commitment to improving hearing health through innovation and user-centered solutions.



Learn more about Phonak's Lyric device here: https://www.phonak.com/en-us/hearing-devices/hearing-aids/lyric

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Join us for an insightful discussion on how cutting-edge connectivity is revolutionizing hearing care through Bluetooth® LE Audio and Auracast™. Originally presented by Andrew Bellavia at the 2024 Australian College of Audiology conference on May 9th, this session delves into the transformative impact of these technologies on everyday listening experiences, enabling people to hear their best in various situations.

The conversation highlights the significant advantages of LE Audio and Auracast over current systems, emphasizing the benefits for both hearing care professionals and their patients. By addressing the shortcomings of Bluetooth Classic and showcasing the value of a standardized system, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the future of hearing technology.

The discussion also covers the broader implications of Auracast's deployment beyond traditional assistive listening systems, illustrating how it can enhance accessibility for people with hearing loss and others.


For the full experience, we highly recommend watching the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/u14yWwwcSWQ


Resources:



The Australian College of Audiology: https://www.acaud.com.au/

Summary of hearing recall study: https://agemed.org/e-journal/age-management-medicine-news-march-2020-3/

Full recall study (paywall): https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-44485-001

Phonak study on acceptable streaming delay: https://www.phonakpro.com/content/dam/phonakpro/gc_hq/en/resources/evidence/field_studies/documents/fsn_2010_September_TVLink.pdf

Intel innovation summit - hearing device connectivity with AI features: https://youtu.be/iuU2YJohuZE?t=3445

Bluetooth SIG and GN Resound live Auracast interviews at EUHA 2023: https://youtu.be/ZxPUEe8MenU?si=bjit4jHENmsSGE5u

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**The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. The Auracast™ word mark and logos are trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc

Host Andrew Bellavia explores crucial aspects of hearing health policy and coverage with guest Bridget Dobyan, Executive Director of the Hearing Industries Association. The discussion begins with an introduction and a policy discussion on the Medicare Audiologist Access Improvement Act (MAAIA). The focus then shifts to the current state of Medicare coverage for hearing aids and the gaps in accessibility, especially within Medicare Advantage plans.

Bridget highlights ongoing legislative efforts, such as Ally's Act, which aims to ensure private insurance coverage for bone anchored auditory implants and services. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) decision on hearing screenings by doctors is also examined, with an emphasis on the need for more research to develop effective hearing screeners.

They also discuss the future of MarkeTrak, an ongoing and essential market research tool for the hearing industry, and the significant role of the Hearing Industries Association (HIA) in education and advocacy. The episode concludes with insights into the Hear Well campaign, aiming to raise awareness and promote hearing health across the community, and the collaborative efforts needed to bring about positive change in hearing health.


Resources:


ADA statement on MAAIA legislation:

Ear Community, the group behind the Ally's Act bill:

USPSTF recommendation on hearing screening in older adults referenced in discussion

HIA's comments on the draft USPSTF recommendation

Andy's PSA video for HIA's Hear Well campaign



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Dr. Marshall Chasin, Director of Auditory Research at the Musicians' Clinics of Canada, explores innovative topics around music and hearing aids. In this session, originally part of the 2024 Future of Hearing Healthcare Conference, Dr. Chasin examines aspects we may not have considered yet for optimizing hearing aids for musical inputs.

Dr. Chasin provides practical tips such as disabling advanced noise management features on hearing aids for music programs, using more linear settings for compressed streamed audio, and allowing user control over equalization settings. He also introduces novel concepts like potential frequency raising algorithms to help cochlear implant users better perceive low frequencies.


For the full experience, we highly recommend watching the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WngFgaHr3dE

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest episodes each week, and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter):


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Dr. Kevin Zhan, Assistant Professor of Otology & Neurotology and Medical Director of the Northwestern Medicine Cochlear Implant program, explores the critical issue of cochlear implant underutilization in the United States.



In this session, originally part of the 2024 Future of Hearing Healthcare Conference, Dr. Zhan delves into the current literature, highlighting the major public health implications of underutilization, and discusses the relationship between audiology services and cochlear implant usage across the country.



For the full experience, we highly recommend watching the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FKrhHewj4LI

This week Gael Hannan sits down with Claudia Marseille, the author of the new memoir "But You Look So Normal: Lost and Found in the Hearing World." Claudia shares her journey of growing up with severe hearing loss, being diagnosed at the age of 4, and overcoming numerous challenges with determination and technology.

She talks about the inspiration behind her memoir's title, reflecting on the frequent comments she received about her normal appearance despite her hearing loss. Claudia discusses the profound impact of hearing loss on her relationships, her struggle with loneliness, and how her support network, including her brother and close friends, played a crucial role in her life.

Gael and Claudia explore various aspects of living with hearing loss, from childhood experiences to adult life, including the challenges in professional settings before the Americans with Disabilities Act. Claudia also shares her artistic journey, highlighting how her hearing loss influenced her transition to visual arts and writing.


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