Hoping to build on the success of biotech giant Amgen in Thousand Oaks and portable oxygen-maker Inogen in Goleta, regional universities are working to embrace medical technology as part of the tri-county startup tech culture.Westlake Village-based CDG Biotech, which makes diagnostic test kits for clinical labs, is one startup joining the biotech hub in the Conejo Valley region. The company was founded in 2015 by CEO Noel Silva, who moved to the area from Venezuela, along with his wife Llume, to attend a master’s dual-degree program in business and biotechnology at CSU Channel Islands.The Silvas had already built a successful company in Latin America that manufactured and distributed devices, but made the decision to expand into the U.S. The FDA-cleared iHEARtest ™ gives consumers control of their hearing health in the convenience and privacy of their own home, with affordable and innovative technology.(San Leandro, CA) The availability of, and demand for, at-home diagnostic products is on the rise – the market for point-of-care diagnostics is projected to reach $37 billion by the end of 2021. Consumers are seeking options to assess their own health through affordable, technologically advanced yet simple to use self-monitoring solutions.

1. Bose Hearing Aid
2. Self Programmable Hearing Aid Comparisons

The first Food and Drug Administration-cleared home hearing assessment kit, called the iHEARtest™, has been introduced by iHEAR® Medical to give consumers control of their own hearing health.The Center for Hearing and Communication reports that 48 million Americans have a significant hearing loss, yet only 16% of physicians routinely screen for hearing loss. For the first time, consumers now have FDA-cleared technology allowing them to screen and monitor their own hearing from the convenience and privacy of their home. Consumers can take the 6 minute iHEARtest™ assessment and immediately learn what their Hearing Number™ is on a scale from 1 to 5 (from profound hearing loss to good hearing in each ear).Hearing loss is on the rise.

To many hearing aid owners, self-programming feels like a great idea. It can be empowering to control your own hearing and your own property.

Bose Hearing Aid

From 2000 to 2015, the number of Americans with hearing loss has doubled, according to the Hearing Health Foundation. Hearing loss may result from genetic causes, complications at birth, certain infectious diseases, chronic ear infections, exposure to excessive noise, and aging. The American Speech-Language Hearing Association recommends adults have their hearing checked at least once every 10 years up to the age of 50, then every three years.“Millions of Americans suffer from a reduced quality of life due to their hearing loss. Our vision was to develop technology that empowers and informs consumers who want to monitor their own wellbeing. People with hearing loss can definitely benefit from early identification,” said John Luna, CEO of iHEAR® Medical, Inc. “The future of screening diagnostics is being driven by consumers who want to take many routine assessments in the privacy and convenience of their home. With the iHEARtest we’re making it possible for more people to incorporate hearing health into their wellness routine.”iHEAR® Medical has made the iHEARtest™ accessible and available over-the-counter at independently owned pharmacies, national drugstore chains, and now online (including CVS.com, FSAStore.com and Walmart.com.) The iHEARtest™ kit includes a proprietary USB device that connects to a personal computer and factory-calibrated earphones.

The user downloads the screening software and follows the instructions to administer the iHEARtest™. Using secure online access to a HIPAA-compliant server, the user can review their results at any time.For more information on iHEAR® Medical, visit:About iHEAR® MedicalWhat’s your hearing number?

™ The future of better hearing technology has arrived with iHEAR® Medical. Dedicated to affordable and accessible hearing solutions, featuring state-of-the-art technology with an intuitive and elegant design, iHEAR® Medical has a list of firsts. Founded in 2010, iHEAR® Medical continues to shape the future of hearing solutions with the first FDA-cleared over-the-counter iHEARtest ™ home screener, and its hearing aid solutions, iHEARhd®, iHEARmax™, Eva™ by iHEAR®, and the personal sound amplification product TReOTM by iHEAR® 3-in-1 Amplifier.

IHEAR® holds more than 50 U.S. And international patents for its products and services. ORLANDO, Fla. Approximately 48 million Americans report some degree of, with less than 20 percent of them actually getting the help they need.Numbers show that hearing loss is the third-most common physical condition, behind arthritis and heart disease, affecting people of all ages.John Luna, the CEO of iHearMedical, joins News 6 at Nine to talk about the new at-home hearing test the company has developed that will be available nationwide this month.Q&A with John Luna about iHearTestWhat is it?iHearTest is the only FDA-cleared home screener available direct to consumers for home use. For the first time ever, the public will be able to walk into their local independently owned pharmacy and purchase the iHearTest that they can use at home to evaluate their hearing.

Having the Food and Drug Administration clearance means consumers are protected knowing the FDA has approved the efficacy and safety of how this home screener checks hearing and determines indications of benefit from the use of a hearing aid based on the Hearing Number.Why is it important for consumers to be able to monitor their own hearing at home?iHEAR Medical is dedicated to affordable and accessible hearing solutions, featuring superior sound quality and innovative online tools. Our self-administered hearing screener iHearTest is an integral part of the future of better, more accessible hearing products.

Your own iHearTest results can be used to program your iHEAR hearing aids and amplifiers immediately, ensuring a direct and successful result.The iHearTest is an answer for, and a boon to, the millions of people who normally wait until age 70 to treat their hearing loss by wearing hearing aids.Who should be interested in assessing their own hearing loss?Our goal is to bring high-quality hearing amplification to the millions of Americans who may have hesitated in the past due to cost or general uncertainty about making sure they are getting what they need. The statistics are staggering for those in need: Of adults aged 20-69 who could benefit, only 16 percent have tried hearing devices, and very likely even less have had their hearing tested in many years, or decades. In fact, the average delay between the time someone is affected by hearing loss to when they finally seek treatment is seven years. It’s recommended that adults over 40 years old monitor and screen their hearing annually.How does it work?Consumers can purchase the iHearTest home hearing screener, bring it home and follow the simple instructions to evaluate their own hearing in each ear.

The screening takes about 5 to 6 minutes. The results are comprehensive but easy to understand, with a simple 1 through 5 scoring system, from profound hearing loss (1) to good hearing in each ear (5). People will finally know the answer to: What’s My Hearing Number?For a video on how to use the test, click.For more information on how to purchase a test and to see a hearing questionnaire, click.Read more from News 6 at. The patented iHear device is the size and weight of a kidney bean. It’s claimed to be the first affordable invisible hearing aid. According to their, “the iHearHD device is 100% digital technology and programmable for a broad range of hearing loss types including flat, reverse slopes, high frequency, mild, moderate to moderately-severe losses.” Millions of people across the globe are able to benefit from the device, including many who avoided traditional hearing aids because of cost or bulkiness. March 28, 2014BY DEANNA POGORELCMedCity News iHear Medical proposes a DIY solution to make customized hearing aids more affordableIn a bid to make customized hearing aids more accessible and less expensive to people who have a hard time hearing,iscutting the Audiologist out of the equation.The medical device startup is making mail-order hearing aids that consumers can fine-tune at home using an accompanying hearing test kit.

Inside the test kit is a tool kit, USB cord and computer software.The devices are about the size and weight of a kidney bean and fit inside the ear in a way that they are nearly invisible, iHear says. Users customize the fit using a seal tip that comes in four different sizes and calibrate the devices using the software. They’re designed to last for about 18 months, if users take them out before bed. MAR 24, 2014BY NICK LAVARSGizmag iHear Hearing Aid can Be Calibrated Over the Internet to Keep Costs LowAccording to the Hearing Loss Association of America, 48 million Americans (around 20 percent of the population) report some degree of hearing loss.

This problem is compounded by the costs associated with having the condition diagnosed and a hearing aid fitted in a clinic, causing many to allow the ailment to go untreated. IHear, an invisible hearing aid, is designed to significantly lower the cost of personalized hearing devices by enabling the user to test the extent of their condition and calibrate the hearing aid from their own home.

PUBLISHED NOV 27, 2013The Hearing Review iHear Medical Announces Plans for Product Introduction and Humanitarian Initiative, San Leandro, Calif, has announced its plans to introduce what it calls the world’s first web-enabled hearing aid system, targeting tech-savvy consumers seeking alternatives to higher-priced conventional hearing aids.The announcement was made on November 7 at the China Medtech Partnering (CMP-2013) Conference being held in Suzhou, China. The technology developed by iHear Medical—a company founded by long-time hearing industry inventor —seeks to offer advanced hearing solutions at a fraction of the cost of available hearing aids, and in smaller form-factors for invisible wear, according to the company. Not a paid review. I had trouble finding a good review before I purchased these so I'd like provide this for others considering.BLUF: Overall I'm happy with the units. Had some QC issues but I was able to resolve for the most part.

Great Value.Pros:.Work really well. Exceeded my expectation for performance and makes for a great value. Works well for me in crowded environments, which was a surprise considering the cheap cost.Self Programmable.

You buy the hearing test software and programming kit (cheap) and you can program them yourself.Magnetic Disk to change modes is quicker and simpler than more complex blue tooth or RF controllers.' .Very light and comfortable for a CIC device.Black color hides the unit well within the ear canal.Super nice and responsive US based tech support when you call voice. Not fast responses on email though.Battery Consumption is as advertised. I'm getting 3-4 days with 1/2 day of use per battery.shipment well packaged, nothing missing.includes multiple silicone plugs for self fitting.Cons:.Proprietary Battery Modules - These are very reasonably priced, but you still have to get them from the MFG or vendor who carries units, you won't find the batteries at CVS.No quick start guide.

You kind of have to figure out where to start (i.e. Hearing test first? Power up unit first? DL software first?).Physical connection of Silicon plugs Flakey - See below.Issues I have experienced so far: 1.

Upon receiving the VIP package, the USB ear test/programming cable had not been registered to in the iHear system. I had to call Tech Support and have them 'register them'. I consider this a QC issue.

They should have caught that before shipping. The left ear module arrived Dead. Had to return it, tech support did a quick turn around and got me a new unit in about 3 business days.

Again another QC issue in my opinion. Design Flaw on the way the silicon tips attach to the units. There are only 2 lightly protruding plastic tabs which hold the ear silicone tips on the units. I have had these pop off 2x's now when removing the units and the result was the silicone tip got stuck deep inside my ear canal, requiring tweezers to remove them. I do consider this a safety issue which they need to resolve in updated designs. If you don't have good dexterity and feel uncomfortable fishing stuff out of your ear canal I would avoid these until they fix the design.

I found that some of the provided tips don't 'snap' was tightly or as well as others which seem to attach more loosely. Again another QC issue. With minor/moderate hearing loss, I was facing a $4750 price tag for hearing aids recommended by my ENT and audiologist. I did some research and found iHearMedical. Intrigued by the option of tuning my own hearing aids, I decided to take a chance and purchase a pair of iHearMax hearing aids.I have worn my hearing aids full time since the first day I got them, and I’m 100% pleased. I believe they represent a major breakthrough/paradigm shift in hearing aid price and performance, as iHearMedical claims.

These are not cheap toys or Personal Hearing Amplification Devices (PSAD’s) – they are professional quality programmable hearing aids at an extremely low price.Based on my success, I purchased a pair as a gift for my sister (moderate hearing loss) and worked with my brother in law (moderate hearing loss) to get him a pair. I helped both of them to choose tips and tune them. All 3 of us are now successfully wearing the iHearMax hearing aids with outstanding results.Being technically oriented, I thought I wanted all the bells and whistles available in more expensive hearing aids (such as Bluetooth integration and remote control).

Based on my experience, I’ve concluded that these features are not important. Wearing my iHearMax hearing aids, I can use the phone and watch TV perfectly, while I couldn’t before. They are easily adjustable to different programs (for noisy environments) by pushing a button.A few points that may help: 1.THE TUNER IS A MUST: The tuner and the ability to customize these hearing aids is critical. Without the tuner, the hearing aids may help a bit, but they will not be customized to your specific hearing loss, as hearing aids from an audiologist would be. With the tuner, you will get results as good as you would get from high priced hearing aids. 2.SELECTING THE RIGHT TIPS IS TRICKY: The tips come in different sizes, some vented and some not.

The size and venting are critically important and need to be proper for your ear canal size and your type of hearing loss. I had several phone calls with the extremely helpful iHearMedical Support team to get this right for all 3 of us. 3.GET HELP IF NEEDED: You will need some dexterity to handle these or any hearing aids. They are small and need to be cared for. You will need some familiarity with computers and small electronics to use the tuner. If you don’t have these basic skills, get help for about an hour from someone who has them. Love these things!

I'd been wearing an expensive audiologist supplied hearing aid in one ear for several years and was pretty happy with it. It was a Bluetooth compatible device with an app that let you make adjustments to the aid which was great while it worked.That feature failed after a year or so and was the only way to make adjustments. After a few years we moved about 6 hours away from the audiologist so I could no longer get free adjustments. A new audiogram showed that the hearing in my bad ear had gotten worse, plus the good ear was going downhill.

I took the aid to an audiologist who carried the same brand and got some adjustments but they were entitled to a fee for adjusting an aid that they hadn't sold and that was pretty costly. This wasn't going to work for the long term. I started doing some online looking. I tried two different non prescription hearing amplifiers which amplified alright, but they amplified all noise as well as what I wanted to hear. In many situations they made my hearing worse. They were also bulky and uncomfortable to wear.

Somewhere along the way I came across the iHear devices online. Hearing aids that I could program myself? I had to know more. I had a ton of questions and I bombarded the customer service people with them, pretty much making myself a pain in the butt.

Nonetheless they patiently answered all of my questions patiently and fully. I sent them a copy of my most recent audiogram and they frankly told me that their devices could likely help my hearing, but not completely and perfectly due to the severe high frequency loss in my right ear. They made clear that they wouldn't help my right ear tinnitus, which I already knew. The iHear return policy is good, and I would surely know if the aids suited me within that time. I ordered the pair of iHear Max, the hearing test, and the programming kit,all for less money than my single audiologist hearing aid.

The iHear techs programmed them as best they could based on my audiogram. When everything arrived I was super impressed as soon as I opened the boxes. The devices are really tiny- smaller than my expensive model, and they look and feel just as well made.The packaging and printed materials are totally professionally done and are very informative and easy to understand. I put in some batteries and fired them up. Know the feeling and sound when you have water in your ears and then it finally comes out?That's what this was like.

Self Programmable Hearing Aid Comparisons

I realized for the first time how much I was missing from my good ear. As the iHear people had told me, my bad ear did not show as dramatic an improvement but it was still pretty impressive. Easily as good as my high priced model.

With both in place I was hearing things I hadn't heard in years. Over the next several days I wore them in many different environments: a noisy restaurant, a dinner theater show, outdoors, driving in the car,listening to music, a live Celtic music concert, etc. Between the four different settings of the hearing aids I was able to find a setting for just about any situation.I decided to wear them as is for the time being. After about a week I took the hearing test which is necessary before you use the programmer. The kit comes with a calibrated set of earphones and works like a simplified online version of an audiologist's test-a series of beeps and tweets of different frequencies and volumes played in each ear.

Then I was able to attach my hearing aids to the programming device and the programming app programmed each hearing aid to best match the hearing test results. After that, they worked even better for me. The programmer lets the user control the levels of various frequency bands which are labeled in layman's terms like “womans soft voice”, “man's voice,loud”etc. These can then be programmed into the aids.I will probably go back into the programmer again and play around with some of these levels, since I like to tinker, but just as they are programmed right now, they suit my needs very well. A great many people who need hearing aids are older folks on a fixed income,as I am. Custom audiologist supplied hearing aids are a huge investment and quite out of the reach of many people,especially seniors.

The whole kit and caboodle from iHear cost less than half what the cheapest professionally fitted hearing aids would cost(Costco). If you or anyone you know is in the situation I was in, I'd strongly suggest that you consider these fine hearing aids from iHear.

I don't think you can go wrong. I wrote to the iHear Medical company about the huge response I receivedwhen I offered my white paper about my search and subsequent purchase ofan in-the-ear hearing amplification device. They wrote back thanking meand offering anyone who purchases a device 10% off their originalpurchase.

No I don't get anything for it.If you decide to purchase a hearing aid from iHear Medical and use the code:WELCOME10 (the word welcome and the number 10) you will get 10% off. I'd suggest you place your order by phone to make sure you understandeverything. They are very helpful and answer all your questions.

Youcan still use the code with a person on the phone.So that's $40 off on a hearing aid priced at $400. No good for me sinceit is not retroactive. Drat!!!I am so used to it being in my right ear, I now forget it's there. Youwaste the battery if you fall asleep with it in, but I've done that. And the day before yesterday, I took a shower and forgot it was in myear. I remembered just in the middle of washing my head (not much hairthere).

Real quick I took it out and put it in a towel. Still workingfine.I've pretty much stopped asking people to repeat what they said or tospeak up a bit. I have noticed that people in Citrus Park do speakfairly loud since many people are hard of hearing. When you get out ofthe park and return home you really notice a difference with normalspeaking people who do not, as a rule, speak loud. Younger people whospeak softly or grand kids can all be heard without thinking they aremumbling. Where I really notice improvement is hearing people who areNOT facing me so I can't see their lips.

I hear them just fine andrealize that I was doing a lot of lip reading before or asking people toturn around to speak to me. I never realized my shoestrings make noisewhen I tie them, but they do.The only other thing I have noticed is that certain TV stations do notbroadcast audio very well.

I still have to turn the volume up on thosestations. Others I can keep the volume very low and hear just fine. Sharon, who has much better hearing, also has to turn the volume up onthose stations. Just poor quality broadcasting since the speakers in myTV are the same for any show we watch.The only sound that I now hear, that bugs me, is the sound of thekeyboard as I type. Sometimes I take the hearing device out so there isnot so much clatter as I hit the keys.The world has a lot more noise but that's just fine with me.

Has never been easier. With technology taking off like never before on all fronts, so has the way hearing aids are purchased and adjusted today. The biggest complaint I heard while working in a hearing aid office was, “How do you know how I want to hear?” or “I hear well when I’m sitting here in your office, one-on-one, but once I leave and go out into the real world, I have issues.”That’s why HearSource developed the eMiniTec self-programmable hearing aid programmer for those interested in programming your own hearing aids. While not everyone will be interested in programming your own hearing aids, we find computer literate, tech savvy, and do-it-yourself types alike are thrilled to have such a product available to them. HearSource doesn’t leave you in the dark or on your own with the adjustments process either. Customer Service is essential and the top priority for the folks at HearSource. Technical assistance is always available to help with the adjusting or programming your own hearing aids.

A hearing aid programming technician can help you with your programming or can actually take over your computer while you watch and adjust the aid for you. The easy to follow directions and programming screen makes it effortless to program your won hearing aids.How it worksA hearing test will have to be performed at a local ENT or hearing aid office by a licensed professional. Ask for a copy of your hearing test. Federal law requires that you be given a copy of your hearing test. The local office may charge a nominal fee for copying the hearing test. Once you have a copy of your hearing test, simply fax or email it to HearSource. A HearSource hearing professional will evaluate your hearing test and make a recommendation as to which HearSource hearing aid is best suited for you.The cost of hearing aids is another point to discuss.

Hearing aids have a very high profit margin, which is why a lot of audiologist and hearing aid offices want to bash online hearing aid sales. It is taking away from their exuberant profit margin. You will find HearSource hearing aids to be easy on the pocketbook.With such affordable hearing aids and our ability to remotely support you in the comfort of your own home, how can you go wrong? A one year warranty and a 30 day money back guarantee ensures your satisfaction. For more information visit HearSource.com or call toll free 1-800-416-2434 Monday thru Friday, 9 a.m.