The Consumer's Guide to Hearing Sample Kit

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL TO T-COIL OR THERE’S AN APP FOR NOT SEEING IS BELIEVING

WITH WIRELESS? NOT TO T-COIL THAT... HEARING AID INVISIBLE HEARING

Consumer’s Guide To

HEARING AIDS The World’s Independent Source of Hearing Aid Comparisons

$7.50 US/CAN £6.75UK

2020

N

U

AL

th N

AN

25

IO E DIT

2020

Innovative Designs

25

Improved Sound U

AL

th Longer Battery Life O

I E DIT

N

Micro RICs

N

Self Learning

AN

Smart Phone Integration

Your local hearing care provider is dedicated to helping you and your family hear and understand better. They take great pride in offering you the widest selection of hearing aid brands, shell styles and technologies.

You are cordially invited to call today for a hearing check-up. This is the first step in overcoming a hearing problem. On your visit, you will find a staff that is knowledgeable regarding all types of clinical hearing conditions. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have, without pressure or obligation to buy.

You will also find a facility equipped with the newest hearing evaluation technology. For you, this means a prescription for a hearing aid circuit which is customprogrammed to your hearing problem.

The Consumer’s Guide to Hearing Aids categorizes hearing aids according to the different levels of technology (see Pyramid of Technology on page 3), ranging from products on the lower end of the price spectrum which use entry level digital electronics, to products that cost more and use the newest premium digital technologies. Prices shown are MSRP averages and will fluctuate depending on the region in which you live.

FAIR AND IMPARTIAL

GUARANTEED

This publication receives no funding from hearing aid manufacturers or component manufacturers.

The information provided in this Guide is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between the patient and the hearing care professional.

2

If you are concerned about your hearing, please accept our offer to have your hearing checked.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Get In The Clarity Loop With T-Coils................. 21 Invisible Hearing Aid Comparisons.................... 22 Hearing Aids vs. Surgery..................................... 24 Do You Hear But Not Understand?.................... 25 Premium Level Comparisons.............................. 26 There’s An App For That Hearing Aid................ 29

21

Get in the Clarity Loop With T-Coils

22

Invisible Hearing Aid Comparisons

What To Expect From Your Hearing Aids............4

Definitions Of Hearing Aid Terms...................... 30

On the Cover A

B

C

D

E

F

F.A.Q.s About Hearing Aids..................................6 Hearing Aid Shell Styles........................................8 Digital Hearing Aids..............................................9 Entry Level Comparisons....................................10 Wireless Means Easy Listening...........................12 Why Do You Hear Better With Two Ears?..........13 Basic Level Comparisons....................................14 Hearing Aid Battery Basics.................................16 Why Fit & Go Models Delight Wearers...............17 Advanced Level Comparisons............................18

A. Beltone- Amaze 17/63DRWC B. ReSound- LiNX Quattro C. Signia- Pure 312 X

D. Rexton- StyleLine 20 E. Starkey- Livio® AI F. Unitron- Moxi Fit

PYRAMID

OF TECHNOLOGY $ Multiple channels, fully & Up Premium automatic digital algorithms, 4200 (each) Digital adaptive, connectivity options p.26-29

Advanced Digital Basic Digital Entry Level Digital

Multiple channels, some digital algorithms which the user may have to activate

$

2800 & Up

Single or multi channel, without any advanced features

Set by potentiometer only, may be adjusted for output, gain, and more

(each)

p.18-21 $

1800 & Up (each)

p.14-16 $

1000 & Up (each)

p.10-12

The 2020 Consumer’s Guide To Hearing Aids

3

ENTRY LEVEL COMPARISONS KEY m

Available

A

RIC

n

n

Ear-to-Ear Functionality

n

Non-Wired

n

Cros/ BiCros

Wired

Manual

n

n

Automatic

n

n

Built In

n

Through Intermediary Device

Automatic

n

FM Integration

n

4

n

Wireless Telecoil Compatibility

Direct Audio Input

12

m

n

Gain Reduction

m

F

Impulse Sound Management

Both

n

Active Speech Enhancement

n

4

Fixed

10

m

Communication

Noise Feedback Management Management

Active Noise Reduction

m

A,B

Adaptive

Model

Automatic or Manual

All Styles

Limiting Compression

ITC

F

Automatic Signal Processing Directional Microphones

Channels

E

Compression Characteristics

Remote

ITE Toggle/Button

D

Number

CIC

Open Fit

BTE

Style

B C

Signal Processing Memories/ Situations

Adaptive Feedback Cancellation

Standard

Static Feedback Cancellation

n

n

n

AUDIBEL Via® 1000 AUDIFON Kami

n

n

n

n

n

n

m

m

m

m

n

AUDINA SIMPLEX FC

C,D,E

2

m

2

n

SIMPLEX

B,C,D,E

2

m

2

n

OPTI-TRIM®

B

2

n

2

n

BTE 478

B

2

n

1

n

BTE 478P

B

3

n

2

n

InstaFIT® SIMPLEX FC

E

1

2

n

BTE675D2

B

2

n

2

n

n

BTE675D2HP

B

2

n

2

n

n

n

n

n n n

n n

n n

BELTONE Ally 2

B,C,D,E

m

1 or 3

m

n

6

n

Manual

n

n

n

n

n

n

m

Ally 3

F

m

1 or 3

m

n

6

n

Both

n

n

n

n

n

n

m

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

m

n

n

n

n

m

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

Bold 2

B

4

n

4

n

Manual

n

Origin 2

B,C,D,E

m

3

m

4

n

Manual

n

Origin 3

A

m

1 or 4

n

6

n

Both

n

A,B

m

4

n

m

10

n

Both

F

m

4

n

m

16

n

Automatic

A,B

m

4

n

m

10

n

Both

n

CLARET 300

B,C,D,E

m

1

n

2

n

Manual

m

CLARET 400

B

m

3

n

4

n

Audéo M30-312

A

n

5

n

m

8

n

Automatic

Audéo M30-312T/13T

A

n

5

n

m

8

n

Automatic

Audéo M30-R

A

n

5

n

m

8

n

Audéo M30-RT

A

n

5

n

m

8

Bolero M30-M

B

m

5

n

m

8

Bolero M30-PR

B

m

5

n

m

Naída B30-RIC

A

m

5

n

Naída B30-SP/UP

B

5

n

Virto B30-10

C

5

Virto B30-312/13

E

5

m

n

n

n

m

m

m

n

n

m

m

m

m

n

n

m

n

n

m

m

n

n

m

m

m

MICROTECH Esentia® 1000

n

n

n

n

n

n

MIRACLE EAR ME2400

n

n

m

m

m

n

NUEAR Circa® 1000

n

n

n

n

n

m m

n

n

n

PERSONA

n

n

n

n

m

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

Automatic

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

Automatic

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

Automatic

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

8

n

Automatic

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

m

8

n

Automatic

n

n

n

n

n

m

8

n

Automatic

n

n

n

n

n

n

m

8

n

Automatic

n

n

n

n

n

m

8

n

Automatic

n

n

n

n

PHONAK

4

n n

n

n n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

m

m

n

n

n

m

m

n

n

n

BASIC LEVEL COMPARISONS KEY

Wireless Telecoil Compatibility

Automatic

n

n

n

n

n

m

m

n

n

Automatic

n

n

n

n

n

m

m

EVOKE220 RIC 10

A

m

3

EVOKE220 BTE 13 D

A

EVOKE220 FASHION

B

EVOKE220 FASHION POWER

B

EVOKE220 FASHION MINI

B

Model

Ear-to-Ear Functionality

Built In

n

6

All Styles

Non-Wired

Through Intermediary Device

6

m

ITC

F

Cros/ BiCros

Wired

FM Integration

m

n

E

Manual

Impulse Sound Management

n

3

ITE

Automatic

Active Speech Enhancement

3

m

D

Direct Audio Input

Active Noise Reduction

Adaptive Feedback Cancellation

Adaptive

m

A

CIC

Static Feedback Cancellation

Automatic or Manual

A

EVOKE220 FUSION

BTE

Gain Reduction

Limiting Compression

EVOKE220 RIC 312 D

B C

Fixed

Channels

RIC

Communication

Noise Feedback Management Management

Remote

A

Automatic Signal Processing Directional Microphones

Toggle/Button

Available

Compression Characteristics

Number

m

Signal Processing Memories/ Situations

Open Fit

Standard

Style

n

WIDEX

EVOKE220 IN-THE-EAR

C,D,E

m

m

m

6

n

Automatic

n

n

n

n

n

m

m

3

n

m

6

n

Automatic

n

n

n

n

n

m

m

3

n

m

6

n

Automatic

n

n

n

n

n

m

m

3

n

m

6

n

Automatic

n

n

n

n

n

m

m

3

n

m

6

n

Automatic

n

n

n

n

n

m

m

3

m

m

6

n

Automatic

n

n

n

n

n

m

m

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

WIDEX CROS BTE

B

n

6

Automatic

m

n

WIDEX FUSION CROS

A

n

6

Automatic

m

n

BATTERY BASICS Batteries pictured are actual size. The battery size that is specified for your hearing aids is dictated by shell style and circuitry options. Ask your provider for more information about what you can expect from hearing aid batteries.

DID YOU KNOW?

Battery Size

Battery Size

Battery Size

Battery Size

10

312

13

675

Lasts Up To

Lasts Up To

Lasts Up To

Lasts Up To

5 days

10 days

2 wks

3 wks

Used In

Used In

Used In

Used In

CIC, RIC, miniBTE

ITC, ITE, RIC, miniBTE

ITE or BTE

BTE

Tinnitus is the sensation of noise or ringing in the ears when external sound is not present. Hearing loss and tinnitus are closely related. The sound amplification offered by hearing aids can alleviate or reduce the effects of both tinnitus and hearing loss.

The 2020 Consumer’s Guide To Hearing Aids

5

This is a portion of The Consumer’s Guide to Hearing Aids; a full color, 32 page book.

The Consumer’s Guide to Hearing Aids is the world’s independent source of hearing aid comparisons, and includes all major manufacturers.

The Consumer’s Guide to

TINNITUS RELIEF

What is Tinnitus?

T

innitus is the sensation of noise or ringing in the ear when an external sound is not present. “Tinnitus,” pronounced tin-NIGHT-us or TIN-it-us, comes from a Latin word meaning “tinkling.”

Those with tinnitus experience noise in the form of ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, whistling, screeching, static or hissing that may vary in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal in one or both ears.

2

The Consumer’s Guide to Tinnitus Relief

It may be a sign of acoustic trauma, Ménière’s disease, otosclerosis, presbycusis or an accumulation of cerumen (wax) touching the eardrum or occluding the external auditory canal.

Estimates indicate that over 10 percent of the population suffers from some form of tinnitus. One percent of the population is so adversely affected by tinnitus that it disrupts daily function and quality of life.

What’s Inside 4

Mechanics

6

Types of Tinnitus

8

Causes

10

Assessment

12

Treatment

18

Prevention

19

Societies & Organizations The Consumer’s Guide to Tinnitus Relief

3

Y

our hearing clinician will conduct a baseline audiogram for the purpose of Tone Matching. This will be a visual representation of the frequencies and loudness of your head noise. Keep this audiogram for your records. Return to the clinician annually to be retested. This way you will know if your tinnitus is getting better or worse.

Audiogram 0

Frequency (in hertz)

125

250

500

1K

2K

4K

8K

10

Hearing Level (in decibels)

How can I tell if my tinnitus is getting worse?

Right Ear

20 30 40 50 60 70

A

B

Left Ear Normal Hearing

80 90 100

Moderate Hearing Loss

110 120

Profound Hearing Loss

If your head noise is a low-frequency sound, such as “ooooo,” it will be plotted in the A area. If your head noise is a high-frequency sound, such as a “hiss,” it will be plotted in the B area. This audiogram shows a patient with Tinnitus at 6,000 Hertz in the right ear (red dot) and 6,000 Hertz in the left ear (blue dot). Loudness of tinnitus is 40 and 45 decibels respectively.

The horizontal lines dis-play loudness in decibels. Low volume is at the top graduating to greater volume at the bottom.

As a reference, the loudness of conversational speech is about 50 decibels. Your clinician will be able to recreate and measure your tinnitus using this electronic diagnostic equipment.

After the audiometric evaluation, the clinician will be able to explain the frequency and loudness of your tinnitus, and

in most cases, treat your tinnitus with hearing aids tuned frequency-by-frequency. The clinician will do this by increasing the ambient sounds slightly louder than your head noise. Sixty percent of patients who have been treated with hearing aids report relief of their tinnitus.1 Although head noise is still present, it will seem diminished.

1 Kochkin, Sergei & Tyler, Richard: Tinnitus Treatment and the Effectiveness of Hearing Aids: Hearing Care Professional Perceptions. Hearing Review. December 2008.

The Consumer’s Guide to Tinnitus Relief

11

This was a portion of The Consumer’s Guide to Tinnitus Relief; a full color, 19 page book.

The Consumer’s Guide to Tinnitus Relief functions as an excellent research based counseling tool that validates amplification for tinnitus relief.

Continue on to learn more about the whole system.

HOW TO ATTRACT NEW PATIENTS Find samples of these proven methods on the following pages of this packet.

To see TV commercials - Just call.

It is natural human behavior to want to gather information about an expensive product before it is purchased.

For example, purchasers of cars, appliances and computers will surf the net or purchase buyer’s guides in an effort to compare differences. The 25-year success of the Consumer’s Guide to Hearing Aids® can be attributed to its ability to fulfill this need. Here are proven ways that hearing aid retailers employ this system to generate new patients for their practices.

1. Internet.

• Call-to-Action display ad for your current website - The problem with most hearing aid websites is there is no compelling reason for the prospect to call your practice. The Consumer’s Guide to Hearing Aids on your home page solves this problem and makes your phone ring.

• Call-to-Action Downloader Form for your current website - You can purchase the Consumer’s Guide as digital downloads! We provide an embed code for you to place on your website.

• Facebook Campaigns - Use the Consumer’s Guide in Facebook advertising to compel prospects to call your practice first. This method works! Call us for more information.

• Paid Search, such as Google Adwords - Offer the Consumer’s Guide to Hearing Aids in paid search to prospects at the point-of-search, resulting in immediate leads.

2. Newspaper. After your purchase of the Consumer’s Guide program, place one of the small ads we have provided in your daily newspaper. Take advantage of our free telephone training CD for your telephone staff.

Today’s lost opportunities are the result of poor telephone skills. Our proven ad with telephone training will result in a higher percentage of appointments being set in your practice.

3. Direct Mail. Include an offer for the Consumer’s Guide with your current direct mail. For example, in a 4-card mailer, include a 5th card for the Consumer’s Guide to increase phone calls.

4. Television. Many of our clients use the Consumer’s Guide as a successful lead-generator on television. It is normal that consumers will be resistant to offers to buy a new product, but they are much more willing to receive information about products they are considering purchasing. Our telephone training will help teach your staff to convert these “lookers” into appointments. (For sample TV Spots, give us a call.)

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Who makes the best hearing aids?

How much do they cost?

Who makes the best hearing aids?

How much do they cost?

Get the Consumer’s Guide to Learn This ... and Much More!

Get the Consumer’s Guide to Learn This ... and Much More!

• How much do hearing aids cost?

• What should you expect?

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• How much do hearing aids cost?

• What should you expect?

• What hearing aids can connect to Smart Phones, TVs, MP3 Players?

Compares 21 Major Brands!

Compares 21 Major Brands!

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Your Hearing Aid Center

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Who makes the best hearing aids?

Free 32-page Consumer’s Guide compares 21 major brands.

Free 32-page Consumer’s Guide compares 21 major brands.

Offered as a community service

by Your Hearing Aid Center

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© 2020 Wilson Group

Offered as a community service by

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Free 32-page Consumer’s Guide compares 21 major brands.

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Free 32-page Consumer’s Guide compares 21 major brands.

Who makes the best hearing aids?

© 2020 Wilson Group

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major hearing aid brands

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Available in several sizes to fit all websites.

When you purchase the Consumer’s Guide program, we provide images for your website!

OPTION 2 - DIGITAL DOWNLOADER The Consumer’s Guide downloader is the least expensive lead generator you will ever have! Don’t let your website sit online with no call to ACTION! Turn it into lead generating gold with the Consumer’s Guide program. Call to learn more: 1-800-346-6279.

The downloader can go anywhere there’s space on your website.

You will collect the prospect’s name, phone number, and email address!

APPOINTMENTS

Use proven methods from our “Turn Every Phone Call into an Appointment” CD to bring them in.

CONSUMER’S GUIDE REVIEWS

“In the UK we employ the Consumer’s Guide to Hearing Aids as a key component in our marketing campaigns for the best part of 14 years now. Its status as ‘The World’s only Independent Source of Hearing Aid Comparisons’ is in our opinion unrivalled in terms of an up to date review of the total universe of hearing aid models available. It is the quality of the information provided that is not only the secret to the Guide’s continued appeal within its audience but its place as a highly cost effective part of our lead generation programme.”

– Paul Clover, Managing Partner, Copeland & Charrington “The Consumer’s Guide continues to be a great product and lead generator for our offices. Someone who doesn’t wear hearing aids may hesitate to make an appointment for a hearing test, but they will call for free Consumer’s Guide.

This form of marketing is very effective. It also comes in handy for our specialists to use to explain a broad variety of hearing aids as a guide for comparison. We’ve been using the Consumer’s Guide for years and it is one of the best lead pull marketing pieces we’ve found.”

– Jeanette Hait, Owner, Hearing Aid HealthCare, Palm Desert, CA “The Wilson Group is the Gold Standard when it comes to marketing in the hearing aid business. They know what to say, how to say it and where to say it. They have developed and refined processes that quickly identify what is working and what needs to be shelved. What separates one business from another is what it knows, what it does with what it knows and how quickly it learns. The Wilson Group is the ideal partner for separating yourself from your competition. Working collaboratively with the Wilson Group for the last 28 years, I have grown my practice from one location in rural West Texas to 85 locations across Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona!”

– Richard Davila II, President, Livingston Audiology and Hearing Aid Centers, Lubbock, TX “We made the smartest business decision in 2004 by signing with Wilson Group. Their background and expertise in business combined with unique digital/social strategies and hard work helped NewSound grow from three clinics to more than 70. I am deeply thankful for their partnership and friendship.”

– Randy Schoenborn, Former CEO, NewSound Hearing Centers “Jim Wilson and his team at Wilson Group have played an integral role in transforming my business into a thriving, profitable audiology and hearing aid practice. They ask the right questions and provide custom, tailored solutions. Jim listens to my unique market needs and his expertise has proven to pay dividends-for-decades. You can trust the Wilson Group to grow the identity of your practice, increase your market share and pump-up your bottom line.”

– Cindy Olsen, President, Audiology and Hearing Aid Center, Boise, ID “Jim Wilson and his team at Wilson Group have played an integral role in transforming my business into a thriving, profitable audiology and hearing aid practice. They ask the right questions and provide custom, tailored solutions. Jim listens to my unique market needs and his expertise has proven to pay dividends-for-decades. You can trust the Wilson Group to grow the identity of your practice, increase your market share and pump-up your bottom line.”

– Cindy Olsen, President, Audiology and Hearing Aid Center, Boise, ID “We signed with Wilson Group in 2008 and they have proven over and over to be a loyal partner. Jim’s team knows this business at a level only few can match. Wilson Group has helped Optimal Hearing to dominate our category in Georgia and South Carolina. This team is our secret weapon.”

– Rick Pitt, CEO, Optimal Hearing Centers, Georgia and South Carolina

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The Consumer’s Guide to Hearing Aids® is a registered trademark and may not be included in any form of advertising without payment of licensing fees (purchase of minimum quantity) to James W. Wilson, Inc.

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