“I like not having to depend on a hearing professional to hear better”
We first “met” Michel Baudry back in December of 2019 when he purchased the BeHear NOW + HearLink transmitter bundle. Since then he swapped the NOW for a BeHear ACCESS to benefit from the telecoil, and most recently purchased a BeHear SMARTO. That’s what we call a loyal customer!
We recently learned that Michel was visiting Israel, so we invited him to our office, and asked him a few questions to gain some insights.
Q. How did you find out about BeHear assistive hearing products?
A. I have always been curious about hearing products, investigating them on the web. I first learned about the Bose HearPhones product in a New York shop. I continued to investigate and came across a comparison between Bose and BeHear on the Hearing Tracker site. I corresponded with members of the BeHear team, and even met the CEO at CES. I was convinced that the product was for me.
Q. Have you ever used hearing aids?
A. Yes, I tried many of the cheap systems that are promoted on Amazon and Alibaba. I never accepted the price paid to audiologists by my friends; I think it is crookery. Just like I don’t accept it for glasses (I have been buying mine on EyeBuyDirect for 10 years and I am very happy with them).
Q. In which hearing situations does the BeHear product help you to hear better?
A. Live conversation, watching television, and watching video content on my smartphone.
Q. What do you like about the product?
A. It answers my need for hearing tools without requiring medical professional support. I also like the neck loop form factor — I can’t lose it!
Q. Anything else you’d like to share?
A. People may be reluctant to choose something like BeHear ACCESS because it is so obvious, but for me it is a plus! I can’t lose it, it holds a charge for 13 hours, I can tune it by myself, it is easy to recharge. I don’t care that the design isn’t modern — I prefer efficiency!
SMARTO Impresses Audiologist
Aaron Krasnick brings a very unique combination of education and experience to the field of audiology. Prior to pursuing his doctoral degree in audiology at the City University of New York, Dr. Krasnick leveraged his bachelor’s degree in music and audio engineering from the University of Massachusetts into a career as a professional sound engineer. After working in this field for several years after college, he decided to redirect his talents for working with sound into a much more people-oriented profession and went back to school to study audiology.
Dr. Krasnick contacted Alango-BeHear with a request to try out the BeHear SMARTO hearing amplifier to see whether it could benefit some of his clients. Here is his report:
“This is a very well designed product that is simple and easy to use, while at the same time it has a potential for further customization by someone who is comfortable with connecting the device to a smartphone. This is a feature that it not found in similar devices on the marketplace and it is impressive.
This device is ideal for someone who has complaints about hearing well only for specific situations such as TV or movies, as well as for someone with cognitive impairment who is not able to manipulate or tolerate a conventional hearing aid. This device is easy for caretakers to monitor and hard to misplace.
Nice work, team!”
“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
To get these newsletters sent directly to your inbox, register here.
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.
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. ♦