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…
BeHear ACCESS II with tinnitus masking is an excellent hearing enhancement device
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:
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. Over the past 5 years I have experienced a measurable decrease in hearing in my right ear and an accompanying increase in tinnitus in that ear as well. I have tried numerous hearing aids over the years but none of them provided me with any improvement for my left ear and no reduction in tinnitus. Only when I tried the BeHear NOW with the personalized modulation technology that I gained some improvement in my left ear hearing.
I installed the new BeHear ACCESS II application and ran the self test, set up my hearing profile, and then began the fine tuning of the tinnitus masking function. The setup was intuitive and within a few minutes I had chosen a masking tone that seemed to work best for both ears. The tinnitus masking function works well, albeit somewhat better for my right ear that has better natural hearing than my left ear that has the severe nerve damage.
In summary 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.
Michael Hayes, satisfied BeHear ACCESS customer
In conclusion, Michael states: “I am grateful to the staff at Alango for their dedication to hearing enhancement beyond the ordinary.”
Tinnitus Masking Therapy in BeHear
To learn more about the tinnitus sound therapy supported by BeHear ACCESS model II, watch the video below:
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
GadgetSpeak Blogger Reviews BeHear NOW
“…While this does not cure my Tinnitus – currently no one has a cure – it does lessen it as I am no longer straining to hear…”
♦ The following is a review posted by a reviewer on GadgetSpeak:
“You wear the earbuds and people think you are listening to music – which you may or may not be, as this setting does not require your phone even to be turned on – you just hear more. When I first tested these I had the TV on in the next room something I could not hear from that distance without the earbuds and I could hear tennis balls being hit and landing yes it was during Wimbledon…”
The bottom line:
“The App has settings for a number of situations including noisy places which for me were previously almost intolerable. These earbuds are ideal for those who wear glasses as no part of the bud touches the outside of the ear.”