The new Bose hearing aid is the first hearing aid of its kind. This is one of the first self fitting hearing aids that we have seen in the world of audiology. Is this the future of hearing aid technology and the best hearing aid of 2021? This is my Bose hearing aid review and I don’t think so…
The Bose SoundControl hearing aids are due for release on May 18th 2021 and is the first over the counter hearing aids that we’re seeing that doesn’t require an audiologist to perform diagnostic audiology to prescribe and fit them. Instead they’ll use the Bose Hear app for programming and adjustments using the CustomTune set up process which will take around 30 minutes.
We’ll be seeing a wave of new technology with online hearing aids as OTC hearing aids start to come to market. Currently there are six main hearing aid manufacturers, Sonova, Signia, Starkey, William Demant, Widex, and GN. The traditional route to having a hearing aid fitting is to visit either a medical professional or an audiologist for an initial assessment of your hearing. In this appointment the audiologist will assess the health of your ears and recommend the most appropriate hearing aid based on that challenges that you face and the lifestyle that you lead. If they come across any medically referable conditions then they will refer you on for further investigations.
The FDA proposed the over the counter hearing aid act in 2017. This means that going forward companies will be able to produce an OTC hearing device designed to manage mild-moderate hearing losses. As a whole, as an audiologist my main concern is that this leaves out huge areas that we cover in our appointments, not only from a health perspective, but also regarding the counselling and rehabilitation necessary when it comes to acclimatisation of hearing aids. Without the comprehensive care that we give in practice it could well be that patients try hearing aids and then think that they are not suitable for them.
Alternatively, this could be a great way to get more people wearing hearing aids. Currently 1 in 6 people in the UK suffer with some form of hearing loss, meaning that 6.7 million people would benefit from wearing hearing aids, when realistically only 2 million people do wear them. My hope is that this opens the door to those that don't wearing hearing aids now and bring them through the doors of our audiology practices, and they will realise the benefit that they could get from hearing aids.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:37 Where is hearing aid technology going in 2021
01:26 Pros of Bose SoundControl hearing aids
01:53 Bose SoundControl price
02:33 Bose Hear app
02:53 Cons of Bose SoundControl hearing aids
04:04 Bose Hearing aid form factor
04:40 Whats missing
If you have any questions make sure you comment below and I’ll be sure to get back to you.
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If you need any help or wish to come and see me in my London based audiology practice; 'Harley Street Hearing & Musicians' Hearing Services', head over to www.harleysthearing.co.uk.
As an independent practice we cover all components of audiology and hearing care, including:
- Hearing loss diagnosis and hearing aid fitting - With the biggest range of hearing aids in London: In the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE), invisible hearing aids, and invisible in canal (IIC), and digital hearing aids. We fit all manufacturers of hearing aids including: Starkey hearing aids, Phonak hearing aids, Widex hearing aids, Resound hearing aids, Unitron hearing aids, Oticon hearing aids, Bernafon hearing aids, Signia hearing aids, and glasses hearing aids.
- Vestibular and balance function testing and rehabilitation.
- Hearing therapy and rehabilitation, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness for the management of conditions such as tinnitus, hyperacousis, and misophonia.
- Wax removal, including irrigation and microsuction. Ear syringing is no longer performed and deemed to be unsafe.
- Our specialist 'Musicians Hearing Services', looking at the protection of hearing for those who value their ears more than anyone. We also specialise in musicians hearing aids.
- Auditory Processing Disorder testing and management.
- Paediatric hearing testing and management.
Thanks for watching,
Matthew Allsop
Audiologist
#hearing, #hearingloss, #hearingaids
