Ever-Handy Battery Tester
Hearing Loss Help Company has added a digital battery tester to its extensive product line. The pocket-sized gadget checks any size of button-type hearing aid battery and carries two extras in an easy-to-open compartment. www.hearing-loss-help-co.com, 508.755.1120.
Super SSD Solutions
Treatment options available to people with single-sided deafness (SSD) continue to improve. They include BAHA, a surgical method that relies on bone conduction (see “Taking the Ear out of the Equation," p. 30), and newly upgraded hearing aid systems. All are specialized to address unique needs related to SSD and to provide better hearing in conversation, enhanced ability to hear warning sounds and a decrease in stress and fatigue. CROS-style hearing aids pick up sounds from the deaf ear and deliver them to the “good” ear. For people with bilateral hearing loss, BiCROS systems include both the CROS feature and a hearing aid for the better ear. Though neither type is new, manufacturers are now using radio signals to deliver sound ... wirelessly.
IQ Wireless instruments from Interton come as in-the-ear models in either CROS or BiCROS while the behind-the-ear (BTE) aid has both functionalities, allowing the wearer to adapt it to the demands of the setting. www.interton-usa.com, 800.247.4741.
CROS Link, recently released by Phonak, is a universal CROS/BiCROS system that can be added to most BTE hearing aids from major manufacturers. www.phonak-us.com, 888.566.6473.
More Captioning Choices
ULTECH’s Caption Mic® is a suite of techno-tools that use speech recognition technology to caption in English or Spanish, offering a cost-effective alternative to sign language interpreters or steno-captioning services. Caption Mic Classroom® works great in settings where only one or two participants utilize captions displayed on a notebook PC or VGA monitor. For larger venues, the solution is Caption Mic Live Event®. For TV broadcasting, distance learning and webcasting, use Caption Mic Broadcast®. http://ultech.com/
Kicking Cellular Up a Notch
Audex Cellular Program for People with Hearing Loss is an all-inclusive plan that uses the Audex CHAAMP-enhanced Nokia phone. Among its accessibility features are 30 dB amplification, red and yellow lights to announce calls and an amplified magnetic loop transmitter for T-coils. Service is provided by the nationwide Audex Cellular Network. Topping the competition, program terms include: free activation and voice mail/call waiting/caller ID; no contracts, roaming or
long distance charges within the contiguous U.S.; and economical rates. www.audex.com/chaamp.html, 800.237.0716.
Trends Reporter Nannette Nicholson, Ph.D., is an assistant professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and University of Arkansas at Little Rock and on the clinical staff of Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
In our coverage of the EasyListener 2 (“Trends,” Winter ’03), we incorrectly identified the manufacturer. Our apologies to Phonic Ear, the company that developed and distributes this classroom soundfield system designed to improve comprehension and attention of all students,
regardless of hearing ability. More on capabilities and applications at www.phonicear.com/easylistener2.asp/
