X-Micro, HANSATON’s latest innovation in hearing instruments, boasts revolutionary new XearA technology packaged in an elegant, state-of-the-art ultra-mini RIC.
HANSATON X-Micro in Bronze
HANSATON USA is proud to announce the availability of the remarkable new X-Micro hearing system. This ultra-mini hearing instrument offers excellent sound quality and maximum comfort thanks to HANSATON’s XearA technology. The newest hearing aid from HANSATON USA provides substantially improved communication for users including enhanced speech recognition and amplification, superior environment adaptability, and the elimination of disruptive sound. Read the rest of this entry »
Margaret Bandkau, a seasoned manager and business development specialist with more than two decades of experience in the hearing aid industry, has joined the HANSATON USA team as Training, Customer Service and Sales Support Manager. Ms. Bandkau will be responsible for generating hearing instrument sales, developing new market opportunities and spearheading successful sales strategies for HANSATON USA. She will also provide product training to existing and prospective clients.
“Margaret not only has a wealth of experience in the hearing industry, her background combines strong business development skills, a proven managerial ability and a deep knowledge of audiology and hearing technologies. We could not have found a better person to help take HANSATON USA to the next level in 2013 and beyond,” said Robert Eastman, President of HANSATON USA.
Ms. Bandkau’s experience includes working for several international hearing solutions organizations in roles such as regional sales manager, business development manager and audiologist. She has also worked as a management consultant, developing and implementing business plans across a range of industries. Throughout her career, Ms. Bandkau’s contributions have consistently increased revenues and strengthened business processes for the organizations with whom she was associated. She holds an M.B.A. with Leadership Specialization, and an M.A. in Audiology.
“I’m excited to be part of the HANSATON USA team and hope to apply much of my field sales, training and product experience to help grow the organization,” said Ms. Bandkau. I look forward to a collaborative approach with the seasoned team already in place at HANSATON USA.”
Carolyn Smaka from Audiology Online interviewed Jerry Yanz, PhD, Hansaton USA’s Director of Audiology recently on the latest products and technologies available from Hansaton USA. Here is a short excerpt from that conversation and a link to the entire interview at Audiology Online.
Topic: New Products from Hansaton!
Carolyn Smaka: Jerry, great to speak with you again. What’s new at Hansaton?
Jerry Yanz: The big news is that we’ve expanded our AQ rechargeable products. Initially, when we introduced AQ rechargeables in the U.S., we released the custom models. A little over a year later we introduced the AQ X-Mini, which is a RIC (receiver-in-canal), and this past September we launched the AQ Slim, which is a small BTE.
Carolyn: What levels of technology are available for AQ rechargeable models?
Jerry: All of the AQ rechargeable instruments are available in three technology levels: first class, business class, and comfort class. One important point to note is that neither audiologists nor their patients will need to give up anything in the sophistication of the digital processing by going to an AQ rechargeable instrument. These instruments have an array of digital features, including premium features in the highest level of technology, that compete very well against any other products available in the market today, and we know there are a lot of good products out there.
Carolyn: What features differentiate the levels of technology?
Jerry: A starting point is by the number of bands and channels that are available for adjustment. In the first class instrument, there are 16 channels and 16 bands; business class has 12 and 12, and comfort class has 8 channels and 8 bands. That doesn’t tell the whole story. As you would expect, as you move up in technology level you gain greater adjustability, and there are some features that are available only in the first class instruments.
Let me give you an example. The first class AQ models have a feature called Speech Beam. Speech Beam is a form of adaptive directionality that departs from the usual rule of positioning the person you want to hear in front of you. With traditional directional systems, as you know, the typical directional patterns will attenuate signals coming from the sides and behind the wearer. With Speech Beam, if the desired speech signal is behind you, the processor will detect that primary speech input and rotate the maximum response angle of the directionality to capture that speech signal.
A classic example of the benefit of Speech Beam is in a car. Say that you’re driving your car and you want be able to hear your passengers in the back seat. Speech Beam enables you to follow that conversation without turning your head around and taking your focus off of your driving.
For the rest of Jerry Yanz’ interview with Audiology Online, visit AudiologyOnline.com
New Year’s Eve might be one of our loudest holidays, next to the Fourth of July. Exposure to noises about 85 decibels (dB) can put you at risk for hearing loss or tinnitus. Fireworks can often register noise levels well about 100 and firecrackers register about 150 dB. To protect your hearing this coming holiday, here are ways to reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss from the National Institute of Health:
Know which noises can cause damage (those at or above 85 decibels).
Wear earplugs or other hearing protective devices when involved in a loud activity (special earplugs and earmuffs are available at hardware and sporting goods stores).
Be alert to hazardous noise in the environment.
Protect the ears of children who are too young to protect their own.
Make family, friends, and colleagues aware of the hazards of noise.
If you suspect hearing loss, have a medical examination by an otolaryngologist (a physician who specializes in diseases of the ears, nose, throat, head, and neck) and a hearing test by an audiologist (a health professional trained to measure and help individuals deal with hearing loss).
If you’d like to learn more about noise-induced hearing loss and its prevention visit the NIH website here.
Although hearing tests for tweens and teens are not that common, a new poll from the University of Michigan recently showed that parents are strongly in favor of required hearing screening for these age groups. Frequent use of earphones and music players, including increasingly loud and damaging volume as well as longer sound duration, could be affecting children’s hearing.
Overall, two-thirds of parents support hearing screening across all age groups. In the poll, 77 percent supported required hearing screening for 2- to 3-year-olds; 82 percent were in support for 6- to 7-year-olds; 71 percent for 10- to 11-year-olds; and 67 percent for 16- to 17-year-olds.
“Screening in preschool and elementary school-age children is routine in many states. That screening is very effective at identifying children with hearing loss that can impact communication. Screenings can help get children the treatment they need before they experience delays in speech, language, and learning,” says Jaynee Handelsman, Ph.D., director of pediatric audiology for C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
“What was surprising about the poll results was the overwhelming support for required hearing screening for older children and teenagers,” says Handelsman.
“Hearing screening for tweens and teens is uncommon. However, as the parents in our poll recognize, children in these age groups may develop hearing loss as time goes on, possibly from extended listening to loud noise, such as through personal, portable listening devices like MP3 players,” Handelsman says.
For more information about the survey visit the UofMHealth.org
Did you know that the CDC estimates that 1.4 children out of 1000 have some kind of undetected hearing loss? Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs have become the standard of care in this country, and screening for hearing loss now occurs for more than 95% of infants born in the United States. However, this does not help catch children who develop hearing loss later in life. The CDC believes that more than 7 million children in the 6 to 19 year age range have some degree of hearing loss.
The Better Hearing Institute has provided a list of Milestones of Communication to give parents guidelines for critical milestones in normal hearing. In addition, they have noted these common warning signs for hearing loss:
Family member or teacher concern:
regarding hearing ability
delays or differences in speech and language development
lack of attention or behavioral difficulties
poorer than expected academic performance
Not responding to someone talking out-of-view, particularly with minimal distractions
Displaying a surprised look when the child’s name has been called at a normal or even fairly loud level
Using “what?” or “huh?” frequently
Intently watching the faces of speakers
Difficulty understanding speech in background noise
Sitting close to the TV set when the volume is adequate for others
Increasing the TV or stereo/tape/CD player volume to unreasonably loud levels
Not responding to voices over the telephone or switching ears continually when the phone is utilized
Not being startled by intense sounds
Not being able to locate the source of a sound accurately
Your child should have an additional hearing test if they’ve had serious ear infections, miss a critical milestone or exhibit problems with speech or balance.
If you suspect that your child’s hearing is poor, you should speak with your child’s doctor. If your specialist advises you to get a hearing aid for your child, you should pick it out together – just as with glasses or braces it is a big advantage if your child also likes the “helping accessory”. Then he or she will quickly discover that a hearing aid has big advantages, which simplify communication during play or in school and increase self-confidence.
The digital JUNIOR hearing aids from HANSATON are specially suited to children’s needs and combine the most modern hearing technology with an attractive design. In addition, HANSATON offers you a comprehensive care and an accessory program – everything you need for a perfect start to better hearing. HANSATON JUNIOR hearing aids: simply view it online or try it out at your local hearing aid specialist.
HANSATON USA is proud to introduce the AQ Slim Rechargeable Hearing Instrument. Building on the market success of two previous rechargeable hearing systems, the AQ Slim combines HANSATON’s unique AQ recharging system with an elegant slim design and superior digital processing. The AQ Slim offers an operating time of 20 hours per charge and a five-year battery life guarantee.
“The AQ Slim offers the versatility and reliability of a solid BTE design with ample gain and output capability, combined with an unparalleled rechargeable power source.” said Jerry Yanz, PhD, Director of Audiology for HANSATON USA. “A full array of advanced digital features govern the sound processing and the standard telecoil and wireless connectivity offer benefits for a wide variety of sound sources. Depending on patient needs and preferences, the AQ Slim can be fitted with either a thin tube or a standard earhook. As with all of our AQ rechargeable instruments, the patient never has to see or touch a battery.”
The AQ Slim uses HANSATON’s patented charging process that takes four to six hours with no chance of overcharging or battery memory issues. The easy-to-use Charge Station uses inductive charging, eliminating electrical contacts, which have the potential to corrode and wear out. The sealed battery compartment reduces moisture ingress and increases reliability by eliminating any chance of inserting the wrong battery. Unlike other rechargeables, the AQ line never has to depend on substituting a zinc-air battery at the end of a long day.
For more information about HANSATON rechargeables visit the HANSATON website.
HANSATON USA Introduces the Revolutionary AQ X-Mini:
HANSATON leads the hearing industry with the first hearing aid to combine unparalleled digital processing with a unique rechargeable system
HANSATON USA was proud to announce the groundbreaking AQ X-Mini today at Audiology NOW! 2011. The newest in its line of innovative hearing systems, the AQ X-Mini is the first device of its kind to combine a rechargeable system with HANSATON’s stunning RIC design and superior digital processing. The AQ X-Mini provides an operating time of 20 hours per charge as well as a battery life of five years.
“The AQ X-Mini represents the convergence of key aspects of hearing aid technology that we’ve simply never seen before in our industry,” said Jerry Yanz, PhD, Director of Audiology for HANSATON USA. “It’s a remarkable technological advancement but more importantly it represents a combination of benefits for hearing device users they’ve never experienced. The AQ X-Mini has all of HANSATON’s high-end digital features and benefits bundled in our smallest RIC receiver. Plus, with such a long-lasting charge, AQ X-Mini wearers really never have to worry about batteries again.”
The AQ X-Mini uses a patented, digitally controlled charging process that provides 20 hours per charge. Charge time is between two and four hours, there is no chance of overcharging or battery memory issues and each battery has a guaranteed five-year life expectancy. The easy-to-use Charge Station uses inductive charging, eliminating electrical contacts, which have the potential to corrode and wear out. The sealed battery compartment reduces moisture ingress, extending the life of the hearing system and increases reliability by eliminating any chance of inserting the wrong battery.
“Combining rechargeability with digital processing and a superb RIC design makes this the most trouble-free hearing instrument on the market today,” said Robert Eastman, President of HANSATON USA. “Hearing device users are an active, vibrant group that needs a solution for their busy lifestyles. The AQ X-Mini delivers a combination of superior quality, award-winning design and usability that we’ve never seen before. “
In our 50 years as a European leader in hearing aid design, we’ve learned a few things about what it means to listen. It’s how we deliver more of what you want. It’s how we provide the best available technology and the best possible value. And we do it simply. Great products. Transparent pricing. Extraordinary service. We’re listening. To learn more about HANSATON products email sales@HANSATON-usa.com, call 888.984.7432 or visit http://www.HANSATON-usa.com
Newest high performance hearing devices available for adults and children offer full power in all performance classes
June 30, 2011 – Minneapolis, MN – HANSATON USA now offers the world’s first choice for high performance hearing solutions. HANSATON’s AURIGA, VENETO, LUMEO and CEMIA Power BTEs are ideal for all those who need more support from their hearing aid. Gain of up to 75dB gives these new strongmen full power in all performance classes of HANSATON hearing devices.
Whether AURIGA First Class, VENETO Business Class, LUMEO Comfort Class or CEMIA Economy Class, the new Power BTE devices offer a suitable system for all audiologic requirements and lifestyle needs.. With features such as Speech Beam (AURIGA only), Active Feedback Block 2G and Situation Optimizer, even those with severe hearing loss can once again hear and understand conversation at a high level.
“Simply put, some hearing aid wearers need an even higher performance solution. The new Power BTE series offers world-class technology for patients with high demands for gain and output,” said Jerry Yanz, Director of Audiology for HANSATON USA.
The Bluetooth-enabled remote controls from HANSATON make multimedia a pure pleasure. Both the Media Remote and the soon-to-be-available small, lightweight HANSATON miniMedia Remote transmit audio signals automatically and provide all functions of a standard remote control. In addition, they synchronize all modern audio and entertainment devices with the hearing systems. The new Power BTE systems can also operate with a standard remote control, the easy to use, discreet eMote2 .
With their elegant design and extended color palette, the AURIGA, VENETO, LUMEO and CEMIA technology levels from HANSATON are excellent choices for adult and pediatric fittings. Eight natural colors and five fresh tones for children provide an attractive selection for every hearing aid wearer.
