HLAA Convention 2011 Special: Exhibits #4

[Guest guest]

NVRC News - June 23, 2011

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Exhibits #4 -- Hayleigh's Cherished Charms, Starkey Laboratories, Ear Gear

By Marla Dougherty, 6/23/11

Hayleigh's Cherished Charms Jewelry for the deaf and hard of hearing

Wanting to bring attention to her hearing aids and make them " shine " , 12

year old designer Hayleigh's quest led to her being honored with the 2010

Oticon Focus on People Award, First Place in the Student Category.

Hayleigh wanted others to enjoy wearing their hearing aids and make them

feel special. Working with her sisters, Hayleigh made patented hearing aid

charms and earrings to dangle from the hearing aid tube. They are sold in

pairs for both girls and boys, with many varieties to choose from. There are

charms for every season and several lines of jewelry with designs ranging

from dragons and guitar charms to cupcake earrings and fancy glittery ones

for special occasions. Her new colorful tube twists are also playful and

fun.

If you don't wear hearing aids but want to match your friend or child,

Hayleigh thought of that too. You can adapt the charms to wear as pierced

earrings. Everything is sold in pairs, and when ordering online there is no

shipping fee for U.S. orders. So what are you waiting for? Check out

www.HayleighsCherishedCharms.com. 10% of the proceeds will go to furthering

hearing research and education of the hard of hearing and deaf community.

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Starkey Laboratories, Inc.

I stopped by the Starkey booth and spoke with Horowitz to see what was

new with this 44 year old company. was eager to tell me about the Wi

series and new Sound Lens, the latest in invisible hearing aids.

Wi Series: This Receiver-In-Canal hearing aid is designed to give improved

sound clarity even in noisy situations. What I found interesting about the

product is that it can wirelessly stream stereo, TV and computer directly to

the hearing aid without any relay device worn around the neck. It does so by

using a new wireless integrated circuit platform, which explained was

better than BlueTooth technology and about three times faster.

Sound Lens: This is Starkey's new hearing aid that sits inside the second

bend of the ear canal. Depending on the user's ear anatomy, it won't be

visible. Unlike the Lyric, the digital Sound Lens can be removed daily and

allows the user to change the battery. Memory and volume adjustments can be

made remotely using any touch tone phone.

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Ear Gear

If moisture and perspiration are causing your hearing aids to cut out, Ear

Gear may be the solution. I spoke with Mark l who is the developer of

the Ear Gear spandex sleeve. Mark explained that Ear Gear was designed to

protect hearing aids, cochlear implant processers and Bahas against dirt,

moisture and chafing. The hand washable sleeve comes in 8 colors and

average cost is $25. 95. About 50% of his sales are to adults who enjoy

running, hiking and other recreational sports.

The Ear Gear Original with cord and clip is perfect for young children who

are adjusting to their new hearing aids and may have trouble keeping them in

and losing them. The sleeve fits over even the tiniest instruments and

attaches to clothing.

I asked Mark if the double-wall spandex construction interferes with the

hearing aid microphone. He explained it was acoustically transparent and

therefore had no effect on directionality. Ear Gear has a one year guarantee

and return policy. http://www.gearforears.com <http://www.gearforears.com/>

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Hearing Persons (NVRC), 3951 Pender Drive, Suite 130, Fairfax, VA 22030;

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