![]() ![]() I have been wearing the device for the last 10 days. I was awarded a slot to participate in a pilot project to evaluate the Jabra Enhance Plus product before it was released commercially to the public. Whatever you may call the widget, it is an electronic device that is not programmed by a licensed hearing health care professional. Other companies have come out with products that they are marketing as hearing aids, the FDA has been playing whack-a-mole with these illegally labeled products. Signia launched a product, Apple Air pods added transparency mode and developed an app to “test” your hearing to apply mild gain to your Air Pod Pros, and Resound’s research team partnered with GN’s consumer electronic group that makes Jabra products to develop a hybrid hearing aid/consumer electronic sometimes referred to as a Hearable, PSAP (Personal Sound Amplifier), or and OTC hearing aid. Bose had launched their new “hearing aid” which was a terrible flop, it didn’t have rechargeability, it had a ton of feedback (whistling), it didn’t even have basic streaming features. This is opening a whole new pipeline of devices from manufacturers of consumer electronics to manufacturers of medical devices to get into the lucrative market of entry level amplification. The purpose was to introduce lower cost entry to hearing aids for consumers. OTC stands for “over-the-counter” this was driven by the PCAST report (President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology) that was published in 2016 and was rejuvenated by Biden’s Executive to the FDA to develop regulations and labeling on a new classification of non-prescription hearing aids that would be available to purchase by consumers without professional engagement. I first learned about the Jabra Enhance Plus 18 months ago in a tech talk related to OTC hearing aids. I love learning about new technology, particularly with technology designed to help people hear and connect to their families, friends and community. Sound generators can worsen symptoms if misused, so working with a proper care provider is vital. It should only be used when incorporated into a guided tinnitus management plan under the care of a licensed provider of tinnitus management. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |