{"id":13892,"date":"2023-09-30T14:50:37","date_gmt":"2023-09-30T14:50:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ziphearing.com\/blog\/?p=13892"},"modified":"2024-10-02T20:08:09","modified_gmt":"2024-10-02T20:08:09","slug":"hearing-health-news-september-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ziphearing.com\/blog\/hearing-health-news-september-23\/","title":{"rendered":"Hearing Health News – September ’23"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Oticon updates Companion app, discontinues On app<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On September 15th, all users of Oticon\u2019s On app received an in-app notification regarding the upcoming discontinuation of the Oticon On app for all Apple and Android users by the end of October \u201823.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new update for Oticon\u2019s Companion app<\/a> has been recently released for Android\u2122 and Apple\u00ae devices, and Oticon is encouraging everyone to update to this version to ensure optimal compatibility and performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The easiest way to get the Companion app is to visit the App<\/a> or Play<\/a> store, and type in \u201cOticon Companion.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upon installing the new app, Oticon recommends deleting the On app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have received some complaints from users of the new app, with regards to some connectivity issues, inaccurate battery level reporting, and a less-than-ideal user experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oticon technical support and is aware of some of these issues and are making improvements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should you need assistance, Oticon\u2019s technical support team can be reached at 855-400-9766, but beware of long hold times lately due to this update. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite increased accessibility, OTC hearing aids face low consumer adoption<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nearly a year ago,the FDA approved over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, which was intended to make hearing loss treatment more accessible and affordable for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, a recent survey<\/a> conducted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has shown that OTC hearing aids have not gained widespread adoption. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the survey, only 2% of American adults aged 40 and older with hearing difficulties have purchased OTC hearing aids, and just 4% expressed an intention to buy them within the next year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the primary reasons for this limited adoption is the cost, with OTC hearing aids often retailing between $800 and $2,000, far exceeding the $200 that survey respondents were willing to pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And cost is just one issue\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The survey indicates that a lack of awareness about these devices and their suitability for early-stage hearing loss may be contributing to their limited adoption. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, there is a need for more education about the potential risks associated with untreated hearing loss, which has broader implications for overall health, including cognitive decline and increased risk of falls and depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While OTC hearing aids are a step toward improving accessibility, addressing issues such as cost, stigma, and the need for insurance coverage will be essential to further expand access to hearing healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At ZipHearing, we are confident that the adoption rate of OTC hearing aids will increase significantly beyond the current 2% in the coming years, given that we are still in the initial phases of OTC hearing aid availability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signia announces new IX \u2018Integrated Xperience\u2019 hearing aids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this month, Signia announced <\/a>the upcoming October 3rd launch its latest platform, called \u2018Integrated Xperience\u2019 or \u2018IX\u2019 for short. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This new platform will have two new hearing aids, a receiver-in-canal model called Pure Charge&Go IX<\/a>, and an instant-fit completely-in-canal model called Silk Charge&Go IX<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both of those models are upgrades (newer versions), of the existing Pure Charge&Go Ax<\/a>, and Silk X<\/a> hearing aids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Shown above, the Silk Charge&Go IX is the industry’s first prescription completely-in-canal style rechargeable hearing aid.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

According to Signia, IX hearing aids use a new RealTime Conversation Enhancement technology designed to enhance the experience of group conversations in noisy environments, by analyzing, augmenting<\/strong>, and adapting <\/strong>to conversations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n