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Disposable Hearing Aids: The Songbird Falls Silent
from:David Faulkner
You've heard of, and maybe even have used, disposable contacts and disposable cameras. But disposable hearing aids?
Yes, there really weredisposable hearing aids. Disposable hearing aids were,like disposable contacts and disposable cameras, designed to perform like their permanent counterparts at a fraction of the cost. Disposable hearing aids were introduced into the US market in 2000, by Songbird Inc.
Available in only small, medium, and large sizes, one of the most noticeable drawbacks of Songbird disposable hearing aids was that they could not be custom fitted to their user's ears, and often were uncomfortable to wear. Each pair was ordered by mail, and arrived at its user's in a hypoallergenic case, which kept its batteries fresh. The batteries began discharging as soon as the case was opened, and lasted about two months when used 12 hours a day.
The Technology
Songbird disposable hearing aids had four interior components, inlcuding large microphones on their faceplates; electronic circuitry; a zinc battery; and a receiver. They were turned on and off with a pull string, which was attached to a switch. When their users used the pull string to remove the disposable hearing aids from their ears, the switch would be pulled in to the off position.
The Songbird disposable hearing aids had electronic circuitry equivalent to that in the simplest digital hearing aids, and could be programmed to one of seven distinct "formulas" by the audiologist treating the patient who wanted to buy the disposable hearing aids. The seven formulas covered most of the hearing impairments experienced by those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
The audiologist would first test the patient to determine if he or she were an appropriate candidate for Songbird disposable hearing aids. If so, then the patient would have a pair of hearing aids inserted in their ears and by using a keyboard while listening to conversation and noise, would adjust the hearing aids. They were even encouraged to make the practice disposable haring aids with them while they went to a nearby fast-food restaurant for adjusting.
Songbird introduced their disposable hearing aids in 2000 at a cost of $100 for the initial exam and $79 per pair; by 2004 the Songbird 400 was retailing for about $120 a pair and lasted for 400 hours.
Songbird disposable hearing aids were removed from the US market in November of 2004, and Songbird stopped supplying them to the UK in September of 2006.
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