As a career public servant, I have realized it is time to make a career pivot. Helping others has always been at the heart of what I do. My work in healthcare, particularly with Veterans, has been both challenging and deeply fulfilling. Over the decade I spent as an Audiologist in the Department of Veteran’sContinueContinue reading “From Serving Veterans to Driving Change in Healthtech: My Journey to Customer Success”
Tag Archives: hearing loss
Understanding the Differences: Traditional Hearing Aids, OTC Hearing Aids, and PSAPs
As the hearing health landscape evolves, it’s essential to understand the differences between traditional hearing aids , the newer over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids and Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAP’s). This knowledge helps individuals make informed decisions about their hearing care and choose the best solution for their needs. This blog post is derived from aContinueContinue reading “Understanding the Differences: Traditional Hearing Aids, OTC Hearing Aids, and PSAPs”
FDA Approves Nuance Audio Glasses: A New Era for Hearing Aids
The concept of hearing aid glasses is not a new one. They have been around since the 1960’s with several companies attempting to produce them. Recently EssilorLuxottica has announced it received FDA clearance for the Nuance Audio glasses. They are set to launch commercially in the US in early 2025. According to IEEE Pulse theContinueContinue reading “FDA Approves Nuance Audio Glasses: A New Era for Hearing Aids”
The Future of Hearing: Do We Still Need Audiogram-Based Prescriptions in the Age of Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids?
Hearing aids are essential for individuals with permanent hearing loss, offering a primary solution to improve their hearing. These devices are customized to the user’s specific hearing needs, which are determined through an audiogram. An audiogram is created by having the patient listen and respond to pure tones, with the softest sounds they can hearContinueContinue reading “The Future of Hearing: Do We Still Need Audiogram-Based Prescriptions in the Age of Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids?”
Hearing Aid Feature in AirPods Pro 2 Explained
I reviewed the De Novo Classification request for the “Hearing Aid Feature” (HAF) which refers to the software within the AirPods Pro 2 (hardware) to allow them to function as OTC hearing aids. It is described as “a software-only mobile medical application that is intended to be used with compatible wearable electronic products”. The indicationsContinueContinue reading “Hearing Aid Feature in AirPods Pro 2 Explained”
Evaluating Online Information on Hearing Aids: A Credibility Review
To follow-up on my last article, I reviewed a research titled “Evaluating Quality, Credibility, and Readability of Online Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Information” by Shah et. al.. This study evaluated the quality, credibility, and readability of online -over-the-counter hearing aid educational material. The authors sourced the first 50 articles of 32,300,000 results from a Google Search of “over-the-counter hearing aids”.ContinueContinue reading “Evaluating Online Information on Hearing Aids: A Credibility Review”
What Google Trends Reveal About Public Interest in OTC Hearing Aids
A big topic in the Audiology world is OTC hearing aids, especially since Apple announced their Hearing Aid Feature in AirPods. There is still a lot of uncertainty around the product and the interest amongst the general public. I reviewed an article by Panth et al who studied the trends in OTC hearing aid informationContinueContinue reading “What Google Trends Reveal About Public Interest in OTC Hearing Aids”
Understanding Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids
Navigating the world of hearing aids can be overwhelming, especially with the introduction of over-the-counter (OTC) options. The American Academy of Audiology provides valuable insights into what OTC hearing aids are and who they are best suited for. What Are OTC Hearing Aids? OTC hearing aids are devices designed to amplify sound, making it easier forContinueContinue reading “Understanding Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids”
FDA Authorizes Apple’s “Hearing Aid Feature” to Allow AirPods to Function as OTC Hearing Aids
On Sept 12, 2024 the FDA issued the necessary authorization to Apple to allow their latest AirPods to have a “Hearing Aid Feature” and Hearing Protection. This is made possible by the FDA’s October 2022 authorization to allow for a new category of hearing devices called “Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids”. These differ from Prescription Hearing aidsContinueContinue reading “FDA Authorizes Apple’s “Hearing Aid Feature” to Allow AirPods to Function as OTC Hearing Aids”
Dr. White, AuD 