Winning Their Ears
By Long, Frank; Hearing Products Report,Publication Date: January/February 2008
Review of hearing-aid systems and amplification programs specifically developed for the pediatric market. (1) Oticon’s Amigo product line includes easy-to-program PM systems that are user-friendly for children. The OtiKids website was launched, and a workbook and counseling CD are introduced with the systems, to assist parents in becoming active members of their child’s hearing support team. (2) Widex USA’s Inteo hearing aid features a linear frequency transposition designed to give children with precipitous sensorineural hearing loss access to high-frequency speech information. It also features a 15-channel directional system allowing the microphone to automatically shift to omnidirectional when speech is dominant. (3) Siemens’ Centra line has features children may not need immediately, but can use later as they mature. The product manufacturers offer loaner programs to assure that children’s amplification needs are met while families wait out the lengthy lead times of new instrument orders. A future improvement in pediatric hearing instruments mentioned is a truly water-resistant hearing aid with good sound quality.
Assistive Products Discussed: AMIGO CLASSROOM FM SYSTEM
INTEO DIGITAL HEARING AID
CENTRA HEARING AID
Published by: Ascend Media LLC (Website:http://www.ascendmedia.com)
Link to text: http://www.hearingproductsreport.com/issues/articles/2008-01_05.asp
