Re: Affordable hearing aids extant? ("Ward R. Drennan" )


Subject: Re: Affordable hearing aids extant?
From:    "Ward R. Drennan"  <wdrennan(at)MAIL.KHRI.MED.UMICH.EDU>
Date:    Fri, 26 Mar 2004 11:19:30 -0500

I picked up from Magilen's argument that the use of poorly fit, one- size-fits-all approach would likely lead to frustration, dissatisfaction and increased hearing aids in the drawer. It could be off-putting leading many to believe that devices are useless. Not to mention irreversible neurophysiological damage incurred for lack of stimulation due to poor fitting. > The analogy to the drugstore reading glasses > was made clear; OTC quality was adequate to start with a low entry > cost, and would generate demand for better quality leading to > professional services. Indeed, Magilen's argument and experience seems > to support this marketing rationale. > > Clearly the Songbird products have many limitations, and the idea of > people "treating themselves" raises many professional's eyebrows (in > hearing and nearly all medically-related fields). However, it still > seems to me that at least one company has fulfilled Killion's desire, > while at least nominally following some of Magilen's suggestions for > OTC informational packets. I am confused why Killion and his company > cannot follow suit within the existing set of regulations. > > For the record, I have no affiliation with any of the companies or > participants. I admit to being slightly more sympathetic toward > Magilen's desire for tighter regulation, though I think offering a > low-cost entry device makes a great deal of sense. > > Cheers, > Peter > > : Peter Marvit, PhD > <pmarvit(at)som.umaryland.edu> : : Dept. Anatomy and Neurobiology > University of Maryland Medical School: : 685 W. Baltimore Street, HSF > 222 Baltimore, MD 21201 : : phone 410-706-1272 > fax 410-706-2512 :


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