Better Hearing is Now Within Reach – Part 2
This is the second installment of a 3-part series. If you haven’t yet read the first installment, you can read it here.
An Unorthodox Approach Brings Hope
The development trend for hearing aids throughout history has been to make the devices smaller and less noticeable. We, on the other hand, wanted to make our hearing enhancement devices stylish, and even fashionable. Instead of making them expensive medical devices, we wanted to make them affordable consumer electronics devices. In addition, we wanted our devices to be high performance and multi-functional. And finally, we wanted our devices to act as hearing protectors by reducing loud ambient noises to safe levels.
Consumer Electronics Can Serve a Wider Purpose
We chose a Bluetooth headset as a basic form factor for our hearing enhancement device concept due to its ubiquity. Its cost of goods is low and public acceptability is high. In order to transform it into a powerful hearing enhancement device we first investigated its existing components, and found:
- At least one microphone. In many Bluetooth headsets we can find a dual microphone, something relevant to high end hearing aids only.
- A high-quality speaker that is much better than that of hearing aids, due to their size limitations.
- A Digital Signal Processor that is 4-5 times more powerful than that of most of hearing aids.
- Bluetooth connectivity present only in the latest, greatest and most expensive hearing aids
- An environmentally friendly rechargeable battery
The Missing Component: Hearing Enhancement Software
That means that there is only one important piece missing to transform ANY Bluetooth headset into a powerful hearing enhancement device. This piece is software. Just do it, and you have exciting news for more than 1 billion hearing impaired people world-wide. Since we are a software sound processing company, we did it! We created a licensable software reference design that makes it possible to add hearing enhancement functionality to virtually any Bluetooth headset. We call our solution Hearphones™.
In order to be sure that our solution was good, and that it really could help hearing impaired people as well as or better than hearing aids, we decided to go one step further. We decided to create our own brand of concept products that we call Wear & Hear, with our slogan “Life Sounds Better”.
How Does this Approach Compare to Conventional Solutions?
In the next post in this “Hearing Better is Now Within Reach” blog series, we’ll compare this unorthodox approach with the conventional solutions.
February 2019 Newsletter
Give the Gift of Better Hearing
♦ Alango CEO Interviewed at CES ♦ Leading U.K. Charity for Hearing Loss Rates BeHear NOW ♦ Oaktree Products to Distribute Wear & Hear Solutions in North America ♦ Visit Wear & Hear at AAA in Columbus, Ohio ♦ BeHear NOW Showcased in Israeli Innovation Exhibition ♦
To get these newsletters sent directly to your inbox, register here. ♦
Oaktree Products to Distribute Wear & Hear
Leading multi-line distributor of products and supplies to the hearing industry in North America partners with Alango to offer personalized hearing devices to hearing professionals
♦ Alango has signed a distribution agreement with Oaktree Products (“Oaktree”), the leading multi-line distributor of products and supplies to audiologists and hearing professionals. According to the agreement, Oaktree will sell Alango’s “Wear & Hear” line of personal hearing devices via their catalog, online store, and specialty channels in North America.
Assistive Hearing Products Form New Hearables Category
To address the needs of the millions of people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss worldwide (who are not currently benefiting from hearing aids), Alango has incorporated its field-proven digital sound processing technologies into a line of affordable, wearable consumer electronics devices that provide personalized hearing enhancement to the wearer. The result: a new product line under the brand name “Wear & Hear”.
Leading Provider of Clinical Hearing Supplies Connects Professionals with Solutions
“Amongst hearing professionals, the name Oaktree represents a competent resource for a wide variety of quality hearing supplies,” states Dr. Alexander Goldin, CEO and founder of Alango Technologies, Ltd. “We are excited to partner with Oaktree to bring our unique Wear & Hear solutions to hearing clinics in North America. We believe audiologists and other hearing professionals will appreciate the opportunity to offer the Wear & Hear alternative to clients who are not ready, for whatever reason, to use hearing aids.”
“In addition to clinical supplies, Oaktree Products has been involved in offering audiologists and other practitioners a wide scope of communication solutions beyond traditional hearing aids,” states Bob Kemp, founder and owner of Oaktree Products, Inc. “Wear & Hear is a product line that represents a viable option for adults who need some help but are not quite ready for regular hearing aids. One feature it has that is totally unique, is the ability to slow down speech on the phone, which could help a lot of people.”
Hearables Line Combines Alango Sound Enhancement Technology with State-of-the-Art Consumer Electronics
The Wear & Hear line of stylish, affordable, always-on, always-connected wearable audio devices is designed to enhance user’s hearing and deliver customized, crystal clear and pleasantly natural audio and voice directly to an individual’s ears.
The first member of the Wear & Hear product line, BeHear® NOW, is a multi-functional, high-performance, low-cost alternative to traditional hearing aids. It is a truly personal Bluetooth headset featuring advanced signal processing with self-fitted ambient hearing enhancement and assistive listening capabilities. After a simple hearing preferences assessment performed via an intuitive smartphone application supporting both Android and iOS devices, all sounds (ambient, phone calls or music) are customized for the wearer.
HearLink™ is a Bluetooth transmitter that connects to the standard analog audio output of most audio devices or television sets. It sends the audio signal directly to the paired BeHear® NOW headset, thus eliminating ambient noises, room reverberation, and other types of sound interference which hamper intelligibility of speech and music appreciation.
About Oaktree Products
Established in 1992, Oaktree Products is the leading multi-line distributor of products and supplies to the hearing industry. Oaktree Products offers everything beyond the hearing instrument to audiologists and other hearing health care professionals with over 4200 products for use in the clinical environment. (https://www.oaktreeproducts.com/)
About Alango Technologies, Ltd.
Alango Technologies, Ltd. (www.alango.com) has been developing sound enhancement technologies since 2002, selling over 40 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 “Wear & Hear” product line (www.WearAndHear.com).
Better Hearing is Now Within Reach – Part 1
The Need, the Conventional Solution, and the Despair
The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 15% of the world’s population (that’s around 1.2 billion people!) suffers from hearing loss of greater than 25 decibels. Even though hearing loss is typically associated with old age, the majority of sufferers are under the age of 65. It is well known that hearing loss is a terrible experience for an individual and has multiple consequences. Children with hearing loss are likely to experience delayed speech development, impaired communication and reduced cognitive skills. In adults, hearing loss has been linked to poorer job performance and, as a result, lower salaries. In the elderly, hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of dementia, falls, depression, social isolation and loneliness. These problems impose a heavy financial burden on the society.
There is good news, though. Research shows that 95% of hearing impaired people can be helped by hearing amplification. The solution that jumps to mind immediately is hearing aids. Hearing aids have a long history: from hearing trumpets used over 100 years ago, through the development of the first wearable electronic devices, to the modern era of small, digital devices of various styles. Yet, hearing aids are used by less than 20% of hearing impaired people in developed countries, and less than 3% in low income countries. Why?
Why Aren’t More People Using Hearing Aids?
- Extremely high cost. A pair of hearing aids costs between $2000-$8000 dollars. Unless it is fully covered by insurance, it is not surprising that most people hesitate before buying them.
- Social stigma. Justified or not, people feel that wearing hearing aids will make them look older or handicapped. It is interesting that this feeling does not actually depend on the age. Many elderly people refuse to wear hearing aids. We all want to be young.
- Limited functionality. We’re used to multi-functional electronic devices that can do much more than just their main functionality. Smartphones are a classic example, but we have others, such as: radios, smartwatches or fitness bracelets. Basic, reasonably priced hearing aids can only do voice amplification.
- Performance. 20% of people who buy hearing aids return them. Although they are badly needed, these devices don’t help them. 17% of those who decide to keep their hearing aids are not satisfied.
What Can Be Done to Surmount These Obstacles to Better Hearing?
In the next post in this “Hearing Better is Now Within Reach” blog series, we’ll look at an unorthodox approach that addresses all four of these obstacles to bring hope to those experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss.
December 2018 Newsletter
Give the Gift of Better Hearing
♦ BeHear® NOW & HearLink™ Will Benefit You and Your Family ♦ Blogger Compares BeHear Now to BOSE Hearphones ♦ See us at #CES2019 – Sands, Health & Wellness Marketplace ♦ Roadmap Revealed: Upcoming Assistive Hearing Product Releases for 2019 ♦
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CMS to Distribute Wear & Hear in Canada
Alango’s Wear & Hear line of personalized hearing devices to be distributed in Canada by hearing supply company, CMS
♦ Alango has signed a distribution agreement with Clinic Management Services Inc. (“CMS”), a healthcare consulting company which also created the hearables marketplace in Canada. According to the agreement, CMS will sell Alango’s “Wear & Hear” line of Personal Hearing Devices via their online store, specialty channels, and traditional consumer electronics channels in Canada.
Assistive Hearing Products Form New Hearables Category
To address the needs of the millions of people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss worldwide (who are not currently benefiting from hearing aids), Alango has incorporated its field-proven digital sound processing technologies into a line of affordable, wearable consumer electronics devices that provide personalized hearing enhancement to the wearer. The result: a new product line under the brand name “Wear & Hear”.
Experienced Healthcare Clinic Consultants Connect Hearing Professionals with Solutions
CMS recently participated in the annual Canadian Academy of Audiology (CAA 2018) event, exhibiting the Wear & Hear products alongside other hearables in their booth. It was an opportunity to meet progressive audiologists looking to make a difference in their practices and introduce them to differentiated products that solve real client issues.
“With their real-world healthcare clinic experience, CMS is a trusted consultant for hearing professionals,” states Dr. Alexander Goldin, CEO and founder of Alango Technologies, Ltd. “I believe they are well-positioned to launch our Wear & Hear line of affordable, stylish, comfortable personalized hearing devices in Canada.”
“The hearing industry is at a crossroads. Multi-purpose hearing devices will bring the same catalytic change that smart phones brought to the mobile industry,” predicts Sharad Ojha, CEO of Clinic Management Services and hearableworld.com. According to Sharad, “This is the time for forward-thinking clinicians to embrace hearables and make them an inclusive part of their practices, to help the majority of clients who come into their clinics. We are very excited about our partnership with Alango because the Wear & Hear line of products provides a tangible, cost-effective solution to people who have a hearing challenge but do not choose to use hearing aids.”
Hearables Line Combines Alango Sound Enhancement Technology with State-of-the-Art Consumer Electronics
The Wear & Hear line of stylish, affordable, always-on, always-connected wearable audio devices is designed to enhance user’s hearing and deliver customized, crystal clear and pleasantly natural audio and voice directly to an individual’s ears.
The first member of the Wear & Hear product line, BeHear® NOW, is a multi-functional, high-performance, low-cost alternative to traditional hearing aids. It is a self-tunable, truly personal Bluetooth headset featuring advanced signal processing with ambient hearing enhancement and assistive listening capabilities. After a simple hearing assessment performed via an intuitive smartphone application supporting both Android and iOS devices, all BeHear sounds (ambient, phone calls or music) are customized for the auditory system of the wearer.
HearLink™ is a Bluetooth transmitter that connects to the standard analog audio output of most audio devices or television sets. It sends the audio signal directly to the paired BeHear® NOW headset, thus eliminating ambient noises, room reverberation, and other types of sound interference which hamper intelligibility of speech and music appreciation.
About Client Management Services (CMS)
CMS is a leading business solutions provider for independent clinic owners and healthcare providers. With deep expertise in managing businesses and operating successful clinics, CMS’ world class solutions are designed to make healthcare practices more efficient. CMS works with leading research labs across the world to bring the latest in hearable technology to the Canadian market. With a wide distribution network, our mandate is to make hearable technology available to communities across Canada. (https://thecms.ca/)
About Alango Technologies, Ltd.
Alango Technologies, Ltd. (www.alango.com) has been developing sound enhancement technologies since 2002, selling over 40 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 “Wear & Hear” product line (www.WearAndHear.com).
Updated Review Published in Hearing Aid Know
Geoff Cooling Evaluates BeHear Now Commercial Version
♦ Geoff Cooling, an Irish hearing aid blogger who has been involved with the hearing aid industry for over ten years, recently received delivery on the commercial version of the BeHear NOW assistive hearing headset. Among other things, he writes:
“They delivered amazingly crisp sound across all applications. Phone calls were excellent, especially with the slow down feature, music was crisp and really full, ambient sound was sharp and clear.”
To read the entire BeHear Now article, click here.
Customer Praises BeHear NOW Personal Hearing Device
On-line Search Results in Enhanced Hearing
♦ One of our first on-line customers was sufficiently moved by his experience with the BeHear NOW headset to write us about it in detail.
Thanks for your assistance in receiving the Wear & Hear.
It arrived yesterday.
At first I just tried it w/o hearing test or other adjustments except gain.
I was amazed at how much better it enhances sound than what I was using before.
Then I charged it and performed the standard test and later the advanced test.
It was incredibly good after the standard test was applied.
Then even a bit better after the advanced test.
A little additional fine tuning resulted in a bit better performance.
The android app worked well and was generally straight forward to use.
I was able to hear sounds that I don’t remember ever hearing before such as the crinkling sound when I opened the small plastic bags with the ear bud ear hooks, etc.
Dave Blackburn
October 2018 Newsletter
Assistive Hearing Headset Available for Sale Worldwide
♦ BeHear® NOW & HearLink™ Available in On-line Store ♦ Next Stop: WCA South Africa ♦ Amplicom to Represent Alango ♦ Good Vibes at IFA Berlin ♦
To get these newsletters sent directly to your inbox, register here. ♦
Amplicom to Represent Alango
U.S.-based Access Technologies Firm to Develop Sales and Distribution Channels
♦ Alango has signed a representation agreement with Amplicom USA, a seasoned provider of quality-of-life technology products in North America. According to the agreement, Amplicom USA will develop sales and distribution channels, and provide fulfillment and support services, for Alango’s “Wear & Hear” line of assistive hearing products in the United States and Canada.
Assistive Hearing Products Form New Hearables Category
To address the needs of the millions of people with hearing loss worldwide who are not currently benefiting from hearing aids, Alango has incorporated its field-proven digital sound processing technologies into a line of affordable, wearable consumer electronics devices that provide customizable hearing enhancement to the wearer. The result: a new product line called “Wear & Hear”.
Veteran Technology Firm Brings Market Knowledge and Connections
Amplicom USA, a leading manufacturer and distributor of quality-of-life solutions since 2010, provides tools that help consumers overcome accessibility issues. With a seasoned staff of industry professionals, modern infrastructure, and long-standing channel relationships, Amplicom USA is an outstanding resource for the launch of Alango’s Wear & Hear line in the U.S. and Canada.
“We are excited to partner with Amplicom USA,” states Dr. Alexander Goldin, CEO and founder of Alango Technologies, Ltd. “I believe they can leverage their existing industry connections and marketing expertise to bring our innovative hearing enhancement solutions to those who need them most.”
“Amplicom USA is looking forward to partnering with such a forward-thinking company like Alango Technologies,” according to Michael Abramowitz of Amplicom USA. “Their software has been powering many products within our industry, so the development of their own product line should be quite successful.”
Hearables Line Combines Alango Sound Enhancement Technology with State-of-the-Art Consumer Electronics
The Wear & Hear line of stylish, affordable, always-on, always-connected wearable audio devices is designed to enhance user’s hearing and deliver customized, crystal clear and pleasantly natural audio and voice directly to an individual’s ears.
The first member of the Wear & Hear product line, BeHear® NOW, is a multi-functional, high-performance, low-cost alternative to traditional hearing aids. It is a self-tunable, truly personal Bluetooth headset featuring advanced signal processing with ambient hearing enhancement and assistive listening capabilities. After a simple hearing assessment performed via an intuitive smartphone application supporting both Android and iOS devices, all BeHear sounds (ambient, phone calls or music) are customized for the auditory system of the wearer.
HearLink™ is a Bluetooth transmitter that connects to the standard analog audio output of most audio devices or television sets. It sends the audio signal directly to the paired BeHear® NOW headset, thus eliminating ambient noises, room reverberation, and other types of sound interference which hamper intelligibility of speech and music appreciation.
Wear & Hear Products Availability
Both the BeHear NOW assistive hearing Bluetooth stereo headsets and the HearLink assistive listening audio transmitters are currently available for sale worldwide. For pricing and shipping information, visit www.WearAndHear.com/shop.
About Amplicom USA
Amplicom® USA (www.AmplicomUSA.com) is a leading manufacturer and distributor of solutions focused on improving the quality of everyday life. Since 2010, Amplicom USA continues to harness modern technology with superior functionality and design to bring quality resources and tools to consumers. With seasoned industry professionals, infrastructure and relationships, Amplicom USA now assists technology companies from across the globe that develop products for the hard of hearing and other disabilities, by representing and acting as their US base of operations.
About Alango Technologies, Ltd.
Alango Technologies, Ltd. (www.alango.com) has been developing sound enhancement technologies since 2002, selling over 40 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 “Wear & Hear” product line (www.WearAndHear.com).
“Gotta Love It” Reviews BeHear NOW
Lifestyle Blogger Reviews Wear & Hear Headset
♦ Dee Long, writer at the “Gotta Love It” blog (which offers reviews of books and products that readers should know about to add quality to their lives), recently reviewed the BeHear NOW headset. She writes “The clarity is amazing and the device is very comfortable to wear and simple to recharge.”
To read the full article, click here.
Second Testimonial for BeHear NOW Assistive Hearing Headset
BeHear NOW Indiegogo Backer Shares Experience
♦ Prior to officially launching the BeHear NOW assistive hearing headset to worldwide markets, we launched an Indiegogo campaign to attract Beta testers. We wanted to gather opinions from “early adopters” regarding the product’s effectiveness, usability, and comfort.
After shipping the Beta version to the registered Indiegogo backers we sent out a survey to gather feedback.
However, in addition to the standard survey responses, one backer was so impressed he sent us an e-mail with the following content:
I can tell you right now, unequivocally, I love this product. I’m only using it for hearing amplification, though. Right out of the box, my voice sounded to me as if I were in a barrel or had a bad head cold. After changing out the earpiece to the rubber ones with slits on the sides…all’s well! The battery charges quickly and lasts for the day, although the device is not always powered up all day. The preprogrammed settings work ok (although I can’t tell much of a difference between the four. I keep it on the indoor #1 setting), and the volume adjustments are easy. The earbud fitting is ingenious as they stay in and are not the least bit uncomfortable.
Finally, the appearance of the entire device is pleasing as due to a bit of vanity, I’m glad they don’t look like hearing aids…(I feel as I’m blending in with what the kids wear for their music).
Great product, and I won’t even say “so far”.
Dave Johnson
August 2018 Newsletter
iOS App in Apple Store
♦ iOS App for BeHear NOW Headsets Finalized ♦ Next Stop: IFA Berlin ♦ HearLink “How to…” Videos Published ♦
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July 2018 Newsletter
Tutorial Videos Available
♦ Instructional Videos for BeHear Assistive Hearing Headset Released ♦ iOS Version Release Scheduled ♦ Wear & Hear in the News ♦ Wear & Hear On the Road ♦
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BeHear NOW Touted as Hearables Game Changer
Auditory Insight Editor Reviews Wear & Hear Headset
♦ Nancy M. Williams, a hearing health advocate and person with hearing loss, visited Alango at the recent AAA event in Nashville. She writes that BeHear NOW has a “game-changing hearing assessment and revolutionary Easy Listen feature”.
To read the full article, click here.
Review Published in Hearing Aid Know
Geoff Cooling Praises BeHear Now
♦ Geoff Cooling, an Irish hearing aid blogger who has been involved with the hearing aid industry for over ten years, recently received delivery on a Beta version of the BeHear NOW assistive hearing headset. Among other things, he writes “… they delivered amazingly crisp sound across all applications.”
To read the BeHear Now article, click here.