September 2022 Newsletter
“This is like a Pocketalker on steroids!”
Alexander Goldin, CEO of Alango-BeHear, was recently interviewed by audiologist, author, and hearing health visionary Brian Taylor for “This Week in Hearing,” a podcast sponsored by Hearing Health Matters. The topic of the interview was “Disruptive OTC Amplification Technology.” During the interview, after he introduced himself with a dog anecdote, Dr. Goldin listed the benefits of BeHear SMARTO. Dr. Taylor could be heard exclaiming, “This completely blows any kind of Pocketalker out of the water!”
Watch the video recording and/or read the full interview transcript on this page.
ALSO IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
- Support for single-sided deafness (SSD) in BeHear ACCESS
- Customer pleased with hearing autonomy afforded by BeHear
- Alango-BeHear supports HLAA programs
One last thing before you dive into this newsletter. If you, or someone you know, is putting off getting hearing help because of stigma, think about this insight:
“I always say that hearing loss is so much more obvious than hearing aids.”
Rhee Rosenman-Nesson, Au.D., a doctor of audiology and founder of Hearing Doctors of New Jersey
Do you have something you’d like to share with us? We’d love to hear it.
The BeHear Team at Alango Technologies
Got Unilateral Hearing? Don’t Despair…
People with single-sided deafness (SSD) live in two worlds: the world of normal hearing, when sounds come from the healthy side, and the world of near-deafness, when sounds come from the impaired side.
Although people with SSD often do quite well without assistance in most quiet indoor situations, they may have difficulty when the sound of interest comes from the deaf side, especially in noisy circumstances. Our BeHear ACCESS can help. Click here to learn how.
A loyal customer weighs in on BeHear
Michel models his BeHear ACCESS, which he appreciates for its built-in telecoil receivers, for use in looped venues.
Michel sports his band new BeHear SMARTO, which provides even more amplification than the BeHear ACCESS.
Just last week we were lucky enough to meet one of our most veteran customers face-to-face. Michel Baudry was “in the neighborhood” so we invited him in for a chat. He agreed to take a few selfies and let us publish his comments. Michel was already using a BeHear ACCESS but decided he would like to have the new BeHear SMARTO as well. About the latter he said “I think everybody should have one…as a separate tool that can save your life if needed…it’s very flexible!”
Hearing Loss Association of America Events
We are always pleased when approached by the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) to support their efforts to educate communities about treatment of hearing loss.
FOR EXAMPLE:
September 16-18: BeHear contributed a SMARTO hearing amplifier to the silent auction held at the HLAA NYSA State Conference in Glen Falls.
HLAA of North Bay California is sponsoring two outreach events in October:
October 3: Spring Lake Village senior community in Santa Rosa. Communication tips and product demonstrations will be provided for the ~200 employees and residents.
October 23: Rotary International Polio Symposium. The event will include interactive experiences to empower attendees to serve as accessibility advocates for those challenged by Polio and other disabilities.
If you are active in HLAA and would like BeHear samples for your community, please contact us!
Alango Assistive Hearing Technology Wins OPPO Research Institute International Competition
Alango Technologies, a leading independent provider of DSP speech and audio enhancement software technologies for the communications industry, today announced that the company’s BeHear line of concept products placed among the top ten solutions deemed by the OPPO Research Institute Innovation Accelerator competition judges to promote a better and more inclusive future.
OPPO, a leading global smart device brand, sponsored the competition. A total of 536 entries were submitted by technology experts, entrepreneurs, and social science researchers from 39 countries and regions around the world. Over the three-month period proposals were judged by a committee from OPPO Research Institute and partners based on four criteria: Feasibility, Innovation & Originality, Social Value, and Long-term Potential. The ten winning teams will share the $460,000 prize fund and other resources provided by OPPO and its partners. To learn more about the OPPO Research Institute Innovation Accelerator and this year’s winning proposals, visit oppo.com/en/proposal.
The BeHear line of personal hearing amplifiers (www.alango-behear.com) represents a new concept of forward-thinking consumer electronics products that combine the features of advanced hearing aids, Bluetooth headsets, and TV listening systems. They are affordable, self-fitting, and lack the social stigma associated with medical hearing aids. BeHear products boost face-to-face conversations, improve the intelligibility of voice and video calls, increase the sound clarity of TV programs, and enrich the enjoyment of listening to music and nature sounds. Users can customize BeHear products either directly from the device, or via a smartphone app.
Alango licenses its technologies as an integrated software package to enable OEMs and ODMs to quickly include personalizable hearing enhancement functionality in their Bluetooth TWS, headphone, and hearing aid devices.
“Alango-BeHear is honored to have been recognized by OPPO and looks forward to using the program’s resources to expand access to hearing enhancement solutions, worldwide. Our vision is to use our technological know-how to improve the quality of life for those who need hearing help. Winning this competition will help advance that effort.”
Dr. Alexander Goldin, Founder and CEO of Alango Technologies
About Alango Technologies
Alango Technologies, Ltd. (www.alango.com) has been developing sound enhancement technologies since 2002, selling over 70 million software licenses that improve the audio experience in automotive, entertainment, and smart home applications around the world.
August 2022 Newsletter
The FDA OTC hearing aid guidelines and BeHear
Last October, as required by the Hearing Aid Act of 2017, the FDA finally published regulations for over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. After a comment period and subsequent changes, the guidelines are scheduled to go into effect in mid-October. They apply to hearing aids marketed directly to consumers with mild to moderate hearing loss over the age of 18 – a group that includes about 1 in 7 American adults. Although we have never advertised BeHear hearing amplifiers as hearing aids (as they are not medical devices), the new regulations are intended to encourage people to treat their hearing loss by removing barriers to purchasing solutions and lowering prices, which are also our goals! Read the second article below to learn where we stand on the new regulations.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
- BeHear wins top prize in international competition
- What the FDA guidelines mean for BeHear
- How to get great sound from a flat-screen TV
One last thing before you dive into this newsletter. The next time you disagree with someone about the TV volume you should know that hearing loss is a clarity issue, not a volume issue!
The BeHear Team at Alango Technologies
BeHear wins international competition
OPPO, a leading global smart device brand, has sponsored the first OPPO Research Institute Innovation Accelerator competition, which aims to promote a better and more inclusive future based on “virtuous innovation.” Announced on August 28, the winners were selected from a total of 536 entries submitted by technology experts, entrepreneurs, and social science researchers from 39 countries and regions around the world. The ten winning teams will share the $460,000 prize fund and other resources provided by OPPO and its partners. Alango-BeHear is honored to have been recognized by OPPO and looks forward to using the program’s resources to expand access to hearing enhancement solutions, worldwide.
What the FDA guidelines mean for BeHear
Audiologists and other hearing care professionals may view the OTC ruling with alarm because it allows consumers direct access to medical devices, effectively bypassing their services. However, statistics show that the majority of Americans with mild-to-moderate hearing loss do not visit a hearing professional in the first place. The new ruling, which will encourage competition among manufacturers and reduce prices, will improve access to hearing aids and thereby place more solutions in the hands (and ears!) of those who previously would have left their hearing loss untreated.
This is the same goal we have for BeHear hearing amplifiers: to allow people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss to obtain affordable, self-fit hearing enhancement solutions. The fact that big box outlets like Best Buy and Walmart, pharmacies, and convenience stores are establishing dedicated space for hearing health is a welcome sign that the barriers to treatment of hearing loss are diminishing. We are confident that BeHear solutions, which were designed from the beginning to meet the highest standards of quality and customer service, can now reach a wider audience. You can already find BeHear ACCESS, BeHear SMARTO, and BeHear PROXY on the Best Buy online shop.
Getting great sound from a flat-screen TV
Larry Kavanaugh, a hearing health advocate who originally met the BeHear team several years back at an HLAA annual convention, recently wrote us to share his experiences using the HearLink PLUS transmitter. Larry wrote:
“I just received the HearLink PLUS from DAK. As you know, television audio is so poor on today’s flat screen models. My TV does not have Bluetooth and the only output is optical. So, the HearLink PLUS seemed like the perfect way to add fuller sound to my TV. I connected it – easily – and paired it with my portable speaker. Now I enjoy great sound!”
Larry Kavanaugh, hearing health advocate
HearLink PLUS uses either an analog or optical connection to the audio source (in this case, a flat-screen TV) to transmit sound wirelessly to a Bluetooth receiver, eliminating room reverberation and ambient noise that can degrade the listening experience. BeHear headset users get the extra benefit of having the crisp and clear TV audio personalized to suit their unique hearing profile. Get a discount when you purchase any BeHear amplifier (SMARTO, ACCESS, or PROXY) bundled with HearLink PLUS.
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July 2022 Newsletter
What a Confidence Booster!
When veteran Israeli sound enhancement developer Alango Technologies launched the BeHear product line nearly 7 years ago, we had a vision to create assistive hearing solutions that would benefit millions of people. Our dedicated team of engineers has worked hard to develop products that are easy to use, effective, multi-functional, and affordable. Many customers have shared their experiences with us (see reviews here), reinforcing that we are on the right track. But, when we recently received feedback from a Doctor of Audiology in the form of a video review and accompanying in-depth article about our newest product, BeHear SMARTO, it gave us a big confidence boost! Read more about it in the first article below, as well as more confidence-inspiring stories in the other sections.
ALSO IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
- American Doctor of Audiology Reviews SMARTO
- BeHear ACCESS is HSA Approved
- Taking it on the Road: Care Show in UK, TEDPA in USA
- “Hearing Loss for Dummies” published
Hope you’re staying cool these days!
The BeHear Team at Alango Technologies
BeHear SMARTO Expert Review
Steve Taddei, a Doctor of Audiology and Audio Engineer, recently reviewed the BeHear SMARTO hand-held sound amplifier. He posted a video on YouTube, and a more detailed article on the Hearing Tracker Web site. The former is probably sufficient for potential customers, but if you are a hearing professional, audio enthusiast, or sound engineer you will definitely appreciate the additional details in the written article. Both media include sound samples, so you can’t go wrong!
BeHear ACCESS is HSA Approved
If you have an HSA account it is all the more reason to purchase a BeHear ACCESS hearing amplifier to help you hear better! An HSA is a type of savings account for Americans that lets you set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses. As a result you will spend less on your overall health costs.
BeHear Hits the Road
BeHear teams in the U.K. and the U.S.A. were on the road again (finally!) to demonstrate BeHear products live at two different tradeshows.
The UK Care Show in Birmingham (England) brought together care workers and administrators. Since staff retention is a major concern, in our speaking opportunity we positioned BeHear SMARTO as a good way to improve communication and relieve frustration, fatigue, and stress among caregivers. You are welcome to download our presentation on the topic.
We also exhibited at the Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program Association (TEDPA) annual conference which took place in Indianapolis, Indiana (after a 2-year hiatus). Representatives from 27 States came to learn how to use their budgets to improve wellness for their constituents. BeHear products are already included in a number of States’ offerings. Contact us to find out if yours is one of them!
“Hearing Loss for Dummies” Book Published
Two of our favorite hearing research specialists, Frank R. Lin, M.D and Nicholas Reed of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, have just published a book entitled “Hearing Loss for Dummies“. If you or someone you care about suffers from hearing loss, you’ll find lots of useful information in this book. For example:
- Understanding how hearing works — and how it changes as we age
- Determining whether you need testing and, if so, where to turn
- Learning practical solutions for hearing better at home, at work, on the phone, and in restaurants and theaters
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June 2022 Newsletter
Easy Ways to Get Energized
As one of our customers wrote to us some time ago, you feel less tired at the end of the day when you hear better. And now we learn that there are yoga exercises that can improve both your hearing and your overall well-being (see the second article below for details). Now that the nice weather is arriving, it’s a good time to recharge our batteries and be the best we can be!
ALSO IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
- Veteran broadcaster weighs in on BeHear ACCESS
- Yoga exercises that can help you hear better
- Hong Kong optical chain now carries BeHear solutions
- Peer support eases the hearing loss journey
By the way, we’ve started getting feedback from the first BeHear SMARTO customers and it’s very encouraging! For example, Klaus A. wrote:
“Thanks to the Behear Smarto headphone amplifier with Bluetooth connection with integrated detection of the hearing curve, I can understand the TV sound very well without having to worry about damaging my hearing even more.”
We’d love to hear about your experience with this new product (to learn what works, and improve what doesn’t!), so — please share!
More Than Just A Hearing Amplifier
Barry Mishkind is a veteran broadcaster and editor of The Broadcasters’ Desktop Resource. He has also suffered from tinnitus for more than 50 years.
In his detailed review of BeHear ACCESS, recently published online, Barry listed his five criteria for a good set of headphones:
- They need to be comfortable.
- They need to reproduce audio clearly and cleanly.
- I like good noise reduction.
- The latency is not too long.
- The battery has to last long enough to be useful.
BeHear ACCESS meets all five of Barry Mishkind’s criteria for a good set of headphones.
He summarizes his experience “…being able to tailor not only the levels but frequencies needed for each ear really does helps in a lot of ways. Furthermore, the other features make it a lot easier to hear everything from conversations to television programs. Especially welcome is the tinnitus masking feature.”
Three Yoga Exercises That Can Improve Hearing
Yoga is a group of physical, mental and spiritual practices that originated in ancient India. In the Western world, yoga is commonly practiced to achieve physical fitness through better posture, to relieve stress, and as a relaxation technique.
According to a recent article published by EarGuru, there are at least three yoga exercises that can have a positive impact on hearing health:
- Bhramari Pranayama – a breathing exercise that can clear sinuses and congested ears, as well as stimulate parts of the ear.
- Matsyasana or Fish Pose – a position that is less difficult to achieve than a headstand. It improves blood flow by releasing or reducing stiffness in the neck.
- Shunya Mudra – recommended for tinnitus, dizziness and to improve general hearing. This finger exercise releases an electrical charge that stimulates healing.
BeHear Promoted by Optical88 in Hong Kong
Optical 88 Ltd, a popular network of hearing clinics and an online store in Hong Kong, has partnered with Alango-BeHear to promote the award-winning BeHear ACCESS hearing amplifier to its customers.
As the largest retail chain of opticians in Hong Kong, Optical 88 is now the first company in Hong Kong to adopt the business model already common in Europe and Japan, which combines optical and hearing solutions under one roof.
This partnership is another example of BeHear products being recommended by audiological professionals. It illustrates the opportunity for hearing clinics to expand their product offering and provide advanced consumer electronics-based hearing solutions in addition to traditional hearing aids.
Contact us if there is an optical chain in your area that might want to expand to include hearing solutions.
Get A Little Help From Your Friends
Hearing loss is generally an isolating condition, as it is typically more comfortable to withdraw from social situations than to ask for help.
Shari Eberts, a hearing health advocate with adult-onset genetic hearing loss, recently published a blog post with tips to improve well-being by reaching out to the hearing loss community. She notes that “Hearing loss peers can be an incredible source of validation, support, and knowledge.”
“SMARTO has changed my life: I can hear again!” claims a 94-year-old woman who finds this new hearing amplifier superior to her hearing aids
Alango releases BeHear SMARTO, a simple yet powerful programmable hearing amplifier with Bluetooth® connectivity
Alango Technologies, a leading independent provider of DSP speech and audio enhancement software technologies for the communications industry, today announced the launch of BeHear® SMARTO, a hand-held or body worn hearing amplifier with Bluetooth® connectivity for people with mild to severe hearing problems. SMARTO features Alango’s award-winning technology that enhances hearing and reduces background noise to clarify speech in live conversations, cell phone and video calls, and TV programs.
You Have Given Me Back My Life!
Last year Elaine B. was fitted with hearing aids to address her profound hearing loss. Although they allowed her to communicate with family members, due to discomfort she could not wear them for extended periods. Furthermore, they were not helpful for television, obliging her to find a separate device for TV watching. Adding to the complexity of the solution, Mrs. B. had difficulty charging the devices, as her vision was also failing. Mrs. B. agreed to try the new BeHear SMARTO, which was designed specifically for people who need significant amplification with minimal effort. Her enthusiasm for the new product can be felt in her video testimonial, where she exclaims “You have given me back my life!”.
Advanced Hearing Aid Technology at an Affordable Price
SMARTO provides accessible, affordable, programmable hearing enhancement for people who, for whatever reason, do not use hearing aids. Alango’s proprietary technology offers much more than just sound amplification. Sophisticated algorithms separate speech from noise, adjust the strength of different frequencies to match the user’s preferences, and focus the sound input to zero-in on a specific speaker. Another unique feature allows the user to slow down incoming speech on cell phone calls to improve intelligibility. SMARTO also includes a user-customizable noise generator as sound therapy for relief of tinnitus, or “ringing in the ears”.
Key Benefits of the SMARTO Hearing Amplifier
- Simple and effective: With large, colorful buttons for easy operation, SMARTO is suitable for people who have limited mobility, vision, dexterity, or dementia.
- Loud and clear mobile calls: Comprehension during cell calls is increased due to personalized amplification, noise reduction technology, and Alango’s EasyListen™ feature, which slows down incoming speech, when desired.
- Superior audio quality: Bluetooth 5.0 support ensures that clear dialogue and rich music tones from streamed TV programs, music tracks, podcasts, conference calls and other audio content are delivered directly to the SMARTO headset.
- Directionality: In challenging, noisy conditions users can activate “focus mode”, point the device towards a particular person, and benefit from selective amplification in the direction of interest.
- Tailored amplification: Conversation isn’t just louder; it is adapted to suit the user’s unique hearing profile.
- Built-in safety feature: A custom emergency call option that can be triggered with a single button press makes it easy for the user to call for help and provides peace of mind for family members.
- Tinnitus relief therapy: Customizable masking sounds can ease the discomfort of tinnitus.
Hearing Professionals, Caregivers, and Family Members Will Also Benefit
“Age-related hearing loss is extremely frustrating for seniors, their families, and their caregivers, but hearing aids are not providing the solution for the majority of those affected,” notes Alango’s CEO and Founder, Dr. Alexander Goldin. “So, we created BeHear SMARTO, an accessible, affordable, and easy way for seniors to stay connected. We hope hearing professionals, caregivers, and family members will encourage seniors to communicate with SMARTO, for everyone’s benefit.”
Availability
BeHear SMARTO is now available commercially for $189 (€189 in Europe and the U.K.) through BeHear’s international distribution channel, Best Buy online, Walmart online, Amazon, and the BeHear Web site.
About Alango Technologies
Alango Technologies, Ltd. (www.alango.com) has been developing sound enhancement technologies since 2002, selling over 60 million software licenses that improve the audio experience in automotive, entertainment, and smart home applications around the world. Realizing the importance and opportunity of combining the sound enhancement technology found in hearing aids with the advances and costs in the consumer electronics world, the Company is now using its field-proven expertise in sound technology to create products for personal hearing enhancement: the “BeHear” product line (www.alango-behear.com). With over 10,000 BeHear units sold to date, the direction is clear: people want inexpensive, stylish, multi-functional, and self-fit solutions to keep them in the conversation.
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BeHear is a registered trademark of Alango Technologies, Ltd. in the United States. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
May 2022 Newsletter
What people are saying about BeHear…
ALSO IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
- BeHear tinnitus masking feature makes a difference
- How SMARTO can change your life
- BeHear ranks #1 in two different international comparisons
- ACCESS brings back appreciation for lost music
- Test your hearing knowledge in a quick on-line quiz
As we strive to create hearing solutions that make life sound better it is important to know what we are doing right, and what we are doing wrong. Customer feedback is our most valuable source of information. In this issue we’re sharing letters that we received from three different customers. Perhaps they will inspire you to share your thoughts about our products? Let us know what you think, and if you have any suggestions for additional features or products that could help you or your loved ones.
We hope you find these articles interesting (and inspiring!).
Tinnitus Sufferer Finds Relief with ACCESS
Michael Hayes, a long-time BeHear NOW user, learned that the new BeHear ACCESS model includes a feature designed to reduce the effects of tinnitus. He wrote us a detailed review of his experience. Here is a summary:
“I have suffered from moderate hearing loss accompanied by tinnitus in my left ear for over 50 years due to inner ear nerve damage from an infection.
The BeHear ACCESS II with tinnitus masking is an excellent hearing enhancement device that I highly recommend for anyone who suffers from hearing loss and tinnitus. I have experimented with far more expensive devices, (hearing aids), that in my opinion were inferior in performance to the ACCESS II.”
SMARTO is Already Changing People’s Lives
Before the official launch of SMARTO scheduled for June 2022* we sent a few units from the pilot run for initial feedback. Watch this video to hear the impressions of a 94-year-old great-grandmother with profound hearing loss, who prefers not to use her hearing aids because they irritate her ears:
*Pre-orders are destined to ship within two weeks!
If you haven’t yet ordered yours, don’t delay…
prices go up on June 1st…!
BeHear Comparisons in the International Press
The Japanese magazine KADENHIHYOU recently compared four different hearing enhancement earphones: Jabra’s Enhance, Nuheara’s IQBuds, Olive Pro, and Alango’s BeHear NOW.
Even though the editors tested our earlier model, which does not include the new features and simple customization in our latest headset, Alango’s technology was awarded first place again!
The German language Stiftung Warentest magazine recently tested various hearing enhancement headsets and ranked Alango’s BeHear ACCESS #1 compared to other products.
Appreciate the Full Sound of Music
Dr. Warren Jacobs, who submitted a video testimonial about BeHear ACCESS when it was first released two years ago, has discovered another great benefit of the headset. He wrote:
“Just wanted to thank you and let you know just how much I am enjoying listening to my music collection with BeHear ACCESS. One of my grandsons encouraged me to sign up with Apple Music about a month ago. With this service I can ask Siri to play just about any piece of music ever recorded, giving the title of the piece and the artist or orchestra, and on it comes. I listen in appreciation of the full sound which I have been missing for so long.”
Test Your Hearing Knowledge
Hearing is key to well-being, so the more we know about hearing loss the better equipped we’ll be to deal with its effects if/when they appear.
The AARP (American Association of Retired People) has published a short on-line quiz to test your knowledge. Ready to be challenged? Start here…
April 2022 Newsletter
In-Person Meetups are Back!
It’s been over two years since we participated in an international tradeshow so it is with particular excitement that we announce our involvement in UK Care Week. This event, including three days of virtual meetups and culminating in a conference and exhibition on the 6th & 7th July at NEC Birmingham, will bring together the care community to address the biggest challenges facing the care sector.
It is a perfect opportunity for us to showcase our newest member of the BeHear assistive hearing family, the BeHear SMARTO, which we will do at our booth (E68) and in our presentation entitled “Increase Care Staff Retention through Better Communication with Residents”.
Register here (entrance is free).
ALSO IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
♦ Last Chance for BeHear SMARTO Pre-order Discount
♦ Is Someone Close to You in Denial About Their Hearing Loss?
♦ Hearing Loops are on the (Google) Map!
♦ BeHear ACCESS Reviewed in Podcast
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Last Chance for SMARTO Pre-order Discount
SMARTO Will Soon Sell at Full Market Price
BeHear SMARTO, soon to be launched commercially, is a very powerful but simple to operate hearing amplifier. Designed to improve comprehension of live conversations, cell phone calls, and TV audio, it can be used by people with moderate-to-severe hearing loss who may be limited by mobility, vision, dexterity, or dementia.
SMARTO can be body-worn, hand-held, or placed on a table. It can be used straight out of the box (its large, colorful buttons make it easy to control volume and bass/treble balance), or customized with a dedicated app to suit the user’s unique hearing needs. Its unique directionality feature allows the user to focus on a specific speaker, or capture important sounds from all directions.
BeHear SMARTO has passed all checks in the pilot run, and we have authorized the completion of commercial production at the factory. We expect to start shipping to pre-order customers by the beginning of June.
If you haven’t placed your pre-order yet, don’t miss this last opportunity to benefit from a 25% discount off the standard price.
This limited offer will expire on May 15, so don’t wait!
Quick Way to Overcome Hearing Loss Denial
Many people are in denial about their age-related hearing loss. Not only is it hard to know what is not being heard, it is much easier to blame others or the environment for hearing difficulties. Sadly, at the end of the day, everybody suffers.
A quick way to determine if you or a loved one might need hearing assistance is by answering the following questions (culled from the ASHA – American Speech-Language-Hearing Association “Self Test for Hearing Loss“):
- Do you have a problem hearing over the phone?
- Do you have trouble understanding when two or more people talk at the same time?
- Do people complain that you turn the TV volume up too high?
- Do you have trouble hearing in noisy places?
- Do many people you talk to seem to mumble or not speak clearly?
If the answer to two or more of these questions is YES then it’s time to do something about it! A quick and inexpensive way is to try a BeHear device. With the integrated hearing assessment it is easy to determine independently just how much amplification is needed to hear (and to experience what it’s like to hear with that customized boost!). Our “Buy & Try” policy gives 30 days to try out the device, risk-free.
Getting help for hearing difficulty is sure to improve relationships, and should be as important as treating your vision. Don’t put it off any longer!
Hearing Loops are on the Map!
Hearing loop systems transmit wireless audio input via a magnetic field to telecoil receivers. These receivers are found in many high-end hearing aids, some dedicated headphones, and in BeHear ACCESS headsets. In a hearing loop system there is no interference, no reverberation, no background noise, just the original signal transmitted directly from the input, whether that is the microphone on a podium, the audio system in a theater, the microphone the cashier is speaking into at the bank, or the music from the concert hall stage. This closed system provides people, especially those with hearing loss, an excellent way to hear voice and audio signals clearly, even in noisy places or when the sound source is far away.
Hearing loop technology is common in Europe and the U.K. and is universally accepted as the international standard for hearing access. Installed base is growing rapidly in the United States as organizations such as HLAA (Hearing Loss Association of America) and others press venues to become compliant with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
Did you know that thousands of locations that have hearing loops are now indicated in Google Maps? We just discovered that Google has added the assistive hearing loop attribute that indicates if somewhere, like a movie theater, house of worship, or library, has a sound system that is compatible with hearing devices (like BeHear ACCESS!) which support telecoil transmission.
- If you’re interested in a better hearing experience in public places, use the assistive hearing loop attribute when searching for the location. Then, when you arrive, set your BeHear ACCESS to Telecoil Transparent (for ListenThrough capability) or Telecoil Exclusive (for pure audio) and enjoy!
- If you’re a business owner or manager with a verified Business Profile on Google, you can add attributes to your Business Profile on Search and Maps.
BeHear ACCESS Reviewed in Podcast
Computer and Technology Radio is a long running consumer technology podcast hosted by Marsha Collier and Marc Cohen. In a recent edition the team reviewed BeHear ACCESS Model II. Click here to listen (the review is at minute 38:38).
March 2022 Newsletter
What We Can Do in Uncertain Times
With everything going on in the world today, you may be feeling that important things beyond your control are affecting your day-to-day existence. Instead of being overwhelmed by them, how about concentrating on important things that you can influence?
For example, this month the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrates World Hearing Day with the theme “To hear for life, listen with care!” Read more about this effort to raise awareness about noise-induced hearing loss, which is preventable, in the first article below.
ALSO IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
♦ BeHear ACCESS Model II Roll-out
♦ Tinnitus Masking Sound Therapy: Could it work for you?
♦ BeHear SMARTO: Scenes from the Production Line
To get these newsletters sent directly to your inbox, register here.
Important Message from the WHO
Unfortunately, like with many precious things, we don’t pay proper attention to our hearing unless we lose it. Evaluate your hearing status by asking:
- Do you often ask people to repeat themselves?
- Does it feel like people around you are mumbling?
- Do others complain that the TV volume is too high?
- Does background music drown out dialogue?
These are all signs of potential hearing loss, which, when left untreated, can lead to isolation, depression, and even dementia. Let’s all heed the advice of the World Health Organization and protect the hearing that we do have. And, while you’re at it, see if a BeHear hearing amplifier can enhance it to keep you connected to the people and sounds that you love.
What’s New in BeHear ACCESS Model II?
While both models of the BeHear ACCESS use the same form factor and sound processing technologies, Model II supports five additional features:
♦ Tone control: Adjust base/treble emphasis directly from the headset
♦ Tinnitus masking: Customize a sound file to distract you from your tinnitus
♦ Bluetooth 5.0: More stable, easier to pair, supports “over the air” updates
♦ Increased loudness: Full amplification, without feedback
♦ Multilingual expansion: Voice prompts are available in 11 languages
We’ve prepared a video to illustrate these features. With some assistance from our model “Patty”, you can get a first-hand impression of the new features in BeHear ACCESS Model II. We connected the BeHear ACCESS headset Patty is modeling to our video recorder so that you, the viewer, can experience these new sound technologies, just as if you were wearing the headset yourself.
Tinnitus Sufferer? Try BeHear Tinnitus Relief Sound Therapy!
As we roll out Model II of our flagship hearing amplifier, BeHear ACCESS, we are keen to know if the customizable sound therapy it features helps alleviate distress caused by tinnitus, or “ringing in the ears”. While there is currently no known cure for tinnitus, masking therapy has proven beneficial to many. This short video clip lets you experience the sound therapy provided in BeHear ACCESS Model II.
If you suffer from tinnitus and are interested in providing your feedback, please contact us for a special deal on the headset.
BeHear SMARTO Reaches a Milestone
We are excited to announce that the production process for the new BeHear SMARTO hand-held hearing amplifiers has reached the pilot stage! This means that our newest product is progressing nicely through the hurdles of materials sourcing, assembly, testing, and certification. We are expecting to receive the first units for integration next week and if all goes as planned we’ll be shipping units to early adopters in the next two months or so.
If you haven’t yet pre-ordered your SMARTO at the discount price — time is getting short! You’ll want to reserve this simple yet powerful hearing amplifier and be one of the first to enjoy loud and clear conversations with your loved ones.
BeHear ACCESS Model II Released
Tinnitus Masking Therapy Now Included in BeHear ACCESS Hearing Amplification Headsets
Alango Technologies, a leading independent supplier of DSP voice and audio enhancement software technologies for the communication industry, announced the release of a new, advanced version of its BeHear® ACCESS hearing amplifier featuring an option for basic sound personalization without using an app, customizable tinnitus masking therapy, increased amplification without feedback, and easier pairing based on Bluetooth® 5.0.
Inexpensive, Stylish, Multi-Functional, Self-Fit Hearing Amplifier Reconnects People to the Individuals and Sounds They Love
This new version of a personalizable hearing amplifier by an Israeli start-up aims to help the millions of people worldwide with untreated hearing loss which, consciously or not, oftentimes leads to isolation, depression, and even dementia. In contrast to expensive hearing aids that people cannot afford or do not want, BeHear ACCESS is inexpensive, stylish, multi-functional, and self-fit. With the release of Model II and its advanced features, BeHear ACCESS provides an even simpler way to be part of the conversation.
What is BeHear ACCESS?
BeHear ACCESS is a sophisticated hearable that provides personalized hearing amplification users can self-tune in real time. While it looks like a standard Bluetooth headset, the device is powered by Alango Technologies proprietary audio enhancement and customization software, giving users hearing aid quality technology at a fraction of the price. ACCESS belongs to the BeHear line of smart hearing amplifiers, designed to help those with mild-to-moderately-severe hearing loss hear better during face-to-face conversations, mobile and video calls, and when listening to television, music, podcasts, and sounds in nature. This already sophisticated product received an upgrade that added several new benefits.
Tinnitus Affects More than 10% of the Population
Continuous or spontaneous ringing, noise, or other internal sound in the ears is a medical condition known as tinnitus. It affects more than 1 in 10 people and in many cases is reported as disabling. Tinnitus masking therapy is a popular approach for alleviating the symptoms. It consists of playing an external sound that perceptually resembles the internal, phantom sound, but has a slightly louder volume so that the internal sound is not heard because it is “masked” by external stimuli. Tinnitus sufferers may turn to professionals to help define the appropriate masking noise, but this is often a lengthy and expensive procedure. The new version of BeHear ACCESS supports adjustment of the masking noise by the user, who determines its sharpness, tone, and volume to achieve a more accurate result, quickly, independently, and inexpensively.
- Personalized Amplification Directly from the Headset
For those who prefer not to use the dedicated BeHear smartphone app, it is now possible to adjust the emphasis on bass or treble (low and high frequencies) in real time, directly from the headset’s control buttons. This “tone control” is available for all listening modes: live hearing, cell phone/video calls, and music/audio streaming. - Support for Bluetooth 5.0
Providing a more stable connection than version 4.2 (used in the earlier model), BeHear ACCESS is now easier to pair and supports “over the air” firmware updates to effortlessly introduce new features to existing customers, thanks to Bluetooth version 5.0. - Increased Loudness
Users who need the full amount of gain provided by BeHear ACCESS (42 dB) will appreciate the new formula, which allows higher amplification without feedback.
Another Milestone in the Democratization of Hearing
“As part of our efforts to enhance wellness through advanced technology, we have developed a method making the process of choosing the most comfortable tinnitus masking sound as simple and intuitive as possible, allowing tinnitus sufferers to try the tinnitus masking therapy without spending a lot of time and money. Our devices may also help where hearing aids cannot, due to the limited frequency range of hearing aids, which cannot mask the high-pitched sound common to tinnitus.”
Dr. Alexander Goldin, CEO and Founder of Alango Technologies
About Alango Technologies
Alango Technologies, Ltd. (www.alango.com) has been developing sound enhancement technologies since 2002, selling over 60 million software licenses that improve the audio experience in automotive, entertainment, and smart home applications around the world. Realizing the importance and opportunity of combining the sound enhancement technology found in hearing aids with the advances and costs in the consumer electronics world, the Company is now using its field-proven expertise in sound technology to create products for personal hearing enhancement: the “BeHear” product line (www.alango-behear.com). With over 10,000 BeHear units sold to date, the direction is clear: people want inexpensive, stylish, multi-functional, and self-fit solutions to keep them in the conversation.
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BeHear is a registered trademark of Alango Technologies, Ltd. in the United States. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
This press release was also published on PRlog: https://www.prlog.org/12909301-tinnitus-masking-therapy-now-included-in-behear-access-hearing-amplification-headsets.html
January 2022 Newsletter
Here’s an Idea for a New Year’s Resolution…
Our first two articles in this January 2022 newsletter describe how individuals have used their personal experiences to improve the quality of life for many people. We hope they inspire you to share your journey to hearing health with others.
Awareness and education about hearing loss are the first steps on the path to a more equitable environment for all, and we would be happy to serve as a platform for you to share your story. Let us resolve together to normalize hearing loss treatment, and support those who need hearing assistance. Do you have an idea? Let us hear it!!!
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
♦ What one woman has achieved for many
♦ “El Deafo”: now an educational and entertaining animated series for children
♦ Bonus features in BeHear ACCESS
♦ New BeHear branding
♦ Great savings on refurbished BeHear PROXY TV watching bundle
To get these newsletters sent directly to your inbox, register here.
“It was easier for me to change the world than it was to lower my standards.”
Janice Lintz wanted her young daughter to experience the full spectrum of culture and mainstream education provided in New York City, despite her hearing loss. While on a visit to London Mrs. Lintz learned that taxi cabs there were outfitted with hearing loops, which allowed those with high end hearing aids to hear conversations clearly.
While popular in Europe, hearing loops were not widely used, even though ADA legislation passed in 1990 mandated assistive listening technologies for public places. Today, thanks to Mrs. Lintz’s efforts, New York City taxi cabs, subway information booths and call boxes, Broadway theaters, museums, and baseball stadiums are on the long list of those who host the induction loop technology. Read more about her efforts, here.
We applaud activists like Janice Lintz for refusing to accept the status quo when it comes to quality of life. We are proud to support Telecoil in our BeHear ACCESS hearing amplifiers.
Animated Adaption of Award-Winning Graphic Novel
Perhaps you are a parent of a child with hearing loss, or an educator wondering how best to integrate that child into the classroom. This animated series, now streaming on Apple TV+, is a great way to educate the uninitiated and normalize behavior surrounding treatment of children with hearing loss. Highly recommended!
3 Hidden Features of BeHear ACCESS
Maybe you have heard about BeHear ACCESS, or even already own one. But did you know about these special features, exclusive to it in the BeHear line?
- SoundFocus™ – Choose your direction of interest (narrow, wide, omni). Important sounds will be amplified based on that input range only. Very helpful when you want to zero-in on your conversation partner, and not the whole room!
- Support for Unilateral Hearing – In the CROS and BiCROS implementation in BeHear ACCESS, sound that reaches the microphones on the non-hearing side is transferred to the speaker in the ear bud of the hearing ear. This function helps people with unilateral hearing to enjoy stereo audio content, such as music, as well.
- Eliminating “Own Voice Echo” – A typical downside of wearing a pair of earbuds is the “occlusion effect”; a perceived echo of your own voice when your ear canal is sealed by the device. A four-step slider in the BeHear app allows you to control how much you hear yourself when wearing the BeHear ACCESS headset.
BeHear is Being Rebranded
Did you notice that our logo has changed? The new design symbolizes the gradual hearing amplification offered in our products, represented by a thickening of the lines in each successive letter:
We are also simplifying our brand hierarchy by phasing out the use of “Wear & Hear” and “W&H”. Instead, our registered trademark “BeHear” will be the brand name for all our hearing enhancement products. As a result, our product names are now: BeHear.ACCESS , BeHear.PROXY, BeHear.SMARTO, etc.
Our slogan “Life Sounds Better” remains as we are still committed to our original mission: to bring affordable, high-quality, self-fit hearing enhancement products to market.
Changes to our Web site and product packaging will happen gradually, over the next few months. Come take a look to see how we are progressing…
Great Savings on BeHear PROXY TV Bundle
Treat yourself to clear, crisp TV dialogue and superb stereo sound with this refurbished* wireless neck speaker and Bluetooth audio transmitter. Your ears will thank you twice: once for fantastic sound and once for keeping them free!
Get a 25% discount when you purchase a refurbished BeHear PROXY with HearLink PLUS.
*Refurbished units are used but cleaned, tested, and fully updated.
December 2021 Newsletter
Time for New Year’s Resolutions
In our December newsletter, just in time for your last-minute holiday shopping, we are offering special pricing for both BeHear ACCESS and the BeHear TV Watching bundle. Getting a hearing boost is a great way to be better connected to family and friends — and isn’t that a great resolution for the new year?
ALSO IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
♦ Special holiday discounts on BeHear ACCESS ♦ Last chance for <$100 pre-order pricing for SMARTO ♦ Link to register for virtual access to CES ♦
To get these newsletters sent directly to your inbox, register here.
November 2021 Newsletter
Holidays are about Connecting!
In our November newsletter we encourage you to be part of the conversation, whether your holiday meet-up is in-person or virtual. You’ll find a link to the recorded webinar introducing BeHear SMARTO, a simple to operate body-worn personal sound amplifier, which we invite you to pre-order SMARTO at a big discount. Additionally, you can read and/or view the impact that BeHear ACCESS has made on Kevin Knauss, an independent health insurance agent, in his write-up and video testimonial. In the holiday spirit we are offering special pricing for both BeHear ACCESS and the BeHear TV Watching bundle.
ALSO IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
♦ Special holiday discounts on BeHear ACCESS ♦ “Compared to $4,000 for other hearing aids, this is a steal” – BeHear ACCESS customer ♦ View HLAA webinar recording introducing SMARTO ♦ Free admission to CES for BeHear subscribers ♦
To get these newsletters sent directly to your inbox, register here.
October 2021 Newsletter
Thanks for the recognition!
In our October newsletter we announced with great pride that our newest product BeHear SMARTO, a simple to operate body-worn personal sound amplifier, was awarded first place in the Personal Listening Amplifier (wearable) category of the annual Hearing Technology Innovator Awards™. We thank all of our supporters for helping to make this happen! As a BeHear follower we invite you to pre-order SMARTO at a big discount.
ALSO IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
♦ Recent publication from FDA for OTC hearing aids explained ♦ “I can now hear what’s being said” review from BeHear NOW customer ♦ Invitation to HLAA webinar introducing SMARTO ♦ Free admission to CES for Behear subscribers ♦
To get these newsletters sent directly to your inbox, register here.
September 2021 Newsletter
BeHear Back to the Routine
In this September newsletter we formally introduced our newest product: BeHear SMARTO, a simple to operate body-worn personal sound amplifier. As a BeHear follower we invite you to preorder SMARTO at a big discount.
ALSO IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
♦ “Situational hearing devices” trend explained ♦ BeHear hearing solutions now in French electronic retailer, Boulanger ♦ “Life-changing” review from BeHear PROXY customer ♦ Special discount on BeHear PROXY neck speaker and bundle ♦
To get these newsletters sent directly to your inbox, register here. ♦