NEVER TOO YOUNG: Infant Maeve Tierney recently returned with her mother to Gerald Pessin’s Beltone New England office in South Dennis for a second fitting as she continues to grow. Maeve was born with an incurable brain disorder and virtually no hearing. Her new aid helps her to distinguish more sound and thus enables her to interact with others. (Donations can be made to Maeve’s account at Rockland Trust.)

Now Hear This:
New Technology Hides Hearing Aids

By Gerald Pessin

Much has changed in the 40 years I have been providing hearing aid services to the public and new technology has enabled us to assist a much wider range of patients. In my personal experience, that range is from ages nine months to 101 years. And now there’s even an assisted listening cell phone on the market. 

In fact, the most difficult step for most patients continues to be admitting they need a hearing aid. The average hearing loss takes five to 10 years before it reaches the point where it becomes noticeable…by the patient. Friends and family most often have become aware of the problem much earlier.

One major innovation is cosmetic. People often delay getting a hearing aid because they believe it is too obvious to others, such as potential employers, or social contacts.

But now there is a device utilizing what we call “invisible open technology,” which means it’s virtually unnoticeable on the ear.

Cost, unfortunately, can be an issue. Medicare does not cover hearing aids. However, our industry currently is lobbying federal lawmakers to create a $500 tax credit for these devices. And many providers offer interest-free financing options for qualified clients.

(Gerald Pessin is a licensed hearing Instrument Specialist with Beltone New England in South Dennis, 508-385-3955.)