Study shows the MDHearingAid to be an effective low cost solution to hearing loss

Public release date: 27-Sep-2012
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Contact: Gary Grasso
doctorspr@yahoo.com
626-698-2213
Doctor's P.R.

Washington, D.C. - A study presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. shows that the MD Hearing Aid line offers a reasonable low-cost solution to those who are not using hearing aids or other amplification devices because of cost concerns.

In the study, researchers at the Michigan Ear Institute sought to evaluate a novel, inexpensive (under $200.) over- the-counter hearing aid regarding to its acoustic properties and also to test the hearing aid on patients with varying levels of hearing loss to evaluate their perceived benefit by using validated questionnaires.

Hearing loss affects approximately 34 million people in the United States, but hearing aid usage rates have historically remained at just 24%. One major reason for this low rate of use is that hearing aids are typically very expensive, with the average cost of a single hearing aid approximately $1,900. Medicare and most insurance companies do not cover this cost. Many medical studies have linked untreated hearing loss in the elderly with a higher risk of social isolation, depression, anxiety, and symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's dementia.

The MDHearingAid was evaluated using a Fonix 6500c Hearing Aid Analyzer, measured according to accepted standards. The measurements included saturated sound pressure level curve, high-frequency average full-on gain, frequency response, total harmonic distortion, equivalent input noise level, and input-output curve. Then the device was tested on a group of participants with mild to moderately-severe hearing loss who were unwilling or unable to purchase a custom hearing aid due to cost considerations. The participants were asked to wear the device for a minimum of 30 days and complete these self-reported surveys: "International Outcome Inventory - Hearing Aids" and "Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Living".

Researcher Seilesh Babu, M.D. found that the MDHearingAid met the acoustic targets. All participants demonstrated user satisfaction scores that were within the standard range for patients with mild to moderately-severe hearing loss. The study found that the low-cost MDHearingAid is electroacoustically adequate and a reasonable low-cost solution to meet the needs of those value- and cost-conscious patients who were not using amplification via a custom hearing device.

Dr. Babu stated that further development and investigation of these instruments is warranted, to provide a potential opportunity for greater numbers of persons with hearing loss to have access to hearing aids and reap the medical, social, and emotional benefits from improved communicative abilities.

Dr. Seilesh Babu is a board-certified Otolaryngologist and a Nationally Recognized expert in ear surgery, hearing loss, dizziness, and other inner ear disorders in children and adults. Dr Babu has numerous articles and book chapters written in these areas. SOURCE: Presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting, Sept 9, 2012

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MDHearingAid website: www.mdhearingaid.com

About The American Academy of Otolarygology - Head & Neck Foundation Annual Meeting:

Now in its 116th year, the Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO is "the world's largest gathering of otolaryngologists." Held each fall, the Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO provides an opportunity for thousands of Academy members, non-member physicians, allied health professionals, administrators, and exhibiting companies to convene. It draws more than 6,000 medical experts and professionals from around the world and features instruction courses, mini seminars, scientific oral presentations, honorary guest lectures, and numerous scientific posters.

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 27-Sep-2012
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Gary Grasso
doctorspr@yahoo.com
626-698-2213
Doctor's P.R.

Washington, D.C. - A study presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. shows that the MD Hearing Aid line offers a reasonable low-cost solution to those who are not using hearing aids or other amplification devices because of cost concerns.

In the study, researchers at the Michigan Ear Institute sought to evaluate a novel, inexpensive (under $200.) over- the-counter hearing aid regarding to its acoustic properties and also to test the hearing aid on patients with varying levels of hearing loss to evaluate their perceived benefit by using validated questionnaires.

Hearing loss affects approximately 34 million people in the United States, but hearing aid usage rates have historically remained at just 24%. One major reason for this low rate of use is that hearing aids are typically very expensive, with the average cost of a single hearing aid approximately $1,900. Medicare and most insurance companies do not cover this cost. Many medical studies have linked untreated hearing loss in the elderly with a higher risk of social isolation, depression, anxiety, and symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's dementia.

The MDHearingAid was evaluated using a Fonix 6500c Hearing Aid Analyzer, measured according to accepted standards. The measurements included saturated sound pressure level curve, high-frequency average full-on gain, frequency response, total harmonic distortion, equivalent input noise level, and input-output curve. Then the device was tested on a group of participants with mild to moderately-severe hearing loss who were unwilling or unable to purchase a custom hearing aid due to cost considerations. The participants were asked to wear the device for a minimum of 30 days and complete these self-reported surveys: "International Outcome Inventory - Hearing Aids" and "Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Living".

Researcher Seilesh Babu, M.D. found that the MDHearingAid met the acoustic targets. All participants demonstrated user satisfaction scores that were within the standard range for patients with mild to moderately-severe hearing loss. The study found that the low-cost MDHearingAid is electroacoustically adequate and a reasonable low-cost solution to meet the needs of those value- and cost-conscious patients who were not using amplification via a custom hearing device.

Dr. Babu stated that further development and investigation of these instruments is warranted, to provide a potential opportunity for greater numbers of persons with hearing loss to have access to hearing aids and reap the medical, social, and emotional benefits from improved communicative abilities.

Dr. Seilesh Babu is a board-certified Otolaryngologist and a Nationally Recognized expert in ear surgery, hearing loss, dizziness, and other inner ear disorders in children and adults. Dr Babu has numerous articles and book chapters written in these areas. SOURCE: Presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting, Sept 9, 2012

###

MDHearingAid website: www.mdhearingaid.com

About The American Academy of Otolarygology - Head & Neck Foundation Annual Meeting:

Now in its 116th year, the Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO is "the world's largest gathering of otolaryngologists." Held each fall, the Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO provides an opportunity for thousands of Academy members, non-member physicians, allied health professionals, administrators, and exhibiting companies to convene. It draws more than 6,000 medical experts and professionals from around the world and features instruction courses, mini seminars, scientific oral presentations, honorary guest lectures, and numerous scientific posters.

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-09/dp-sst092712.php

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