This could be a hearing aid game-changer

By Patricia Nugent

Advanced Audiology Concepts in Mentor, partnering with hearing aid manufacturers through pilot programs to introduce the latest advancements on the market to the area has always been part of the mission.

To that end, the team is thrilled to be one of a handful of audiologists in the country to offer a program testing the telehealth capability to adjust someone’s aids directly via the internet on their smartphone, so they don’t have to come into the office for visits. Dr. Jane Kukula, who, along with Dr. Ashley Spisak, operates Advanced Audiology Concepts, says this is also beneficial for seniors who are home-bound or have difficulty getting to the office.

“Telehealth capabilities are being studied with the new Phonak Audeo Direct aids with Bluetooth technology that connect directly to your phone,” she says. “For anyone who spends a lot of time on the phone for their job or talking to others, this is an option to make calls through your aids and enjoy clear hearing and hands-free operation. People can answer or reject calls with a touch of their hearing aids. It could be a real game-changer.”

The aids also connect directly into a person’s television or stereo system, basically turning their hearing aids into wireless headphones.

Dr. Kukula notes that Audeo Direct aids are on the market now, and that adding internet adjustment capabilities to them will probably come to the market later this year.

“If someone is interested in being part of the pilot program, to evaluate their experience with the telehealth adjustment, they should give us a call,” she says.

Also being introduced this month is a new pricing structure for buying premium aids.

“Everyone deserves to have the very best quality hearing, so we’ve created a financial path to premium aids,” she says. “We’ve unbundled the regular package cost of the aids and the accompanying services. People can now opt for a lower upfront cost and pay for services as they go.”

Advanced Audiology Concepts is located at 8897 Mentor Avenue in Mentor. Call the office to set up an audiogram to see how healthy your hearing is, 440-205-8848, or visit AAChear.org for more information.