New Baha Device from Oticon

[mikjul1]

The new device has FDA approval and I'm told will be available by
August. Currently, the developers are still making some fine
adjustments based on current feedback from a handful of testing
doctors, and their patients across the US. My daughter's doctor has
known the developers for years and is one of these testers. He has
access to prototypes so I was able to see it just last week. The new
device was developed by the same inventors as the Cochlear BAHA, but
I'm told they wanted to make some improvements to it, which
apparently Cochlear didn't want to do. So they took their ideas to
Oticon. I don't think a name for the new device has been decided yet
-- so for now its referred to as the Oticon BAHA

The Oticon BAHA is a bit smaller in perimeter and about the same
depth as the Cochlear Divino, but it has a curved tear drop shape.
It has exactly the same mounting system as the Cochlear BAHAs. The
most important change is that the Oticon BAHA is fully programmable,
while the Cochlear BAHA is not. The new device can be customized by
hooking it up by cable to a computer in the audiologist' s office,
just like other Oticon aids. It can also be programmed to
accommodate more severe losses without having to use a bigger unit
(i.e., the Cochlear Intenso.) The Oticon BAHA has a finger-tipped
sized button -- flush with face of the device-- which allows the
wearer to easily access multiple programs as needed for varying
acoustic environments. My daughter's doctor tells me that he has
tried the Oticon BAHA on several of his Cochlear BAHA patients and
they love it.
This was in my email  from a lady.
                          Mike corso

[mikjul1]

Hi Mike:

 

Thanks for the note. 

 

We hope to have the new product available by about September 15th or so.   It’s hard to state an exact

date at the moment, and so please check back with me September  1, or so for an update.   

Yes, the new advanced Oticon Medical processors will fit on the previous abutment.

 

If you’d like to send me your contact information (name, address, phone number, email address) I can

keep it in the file, and when we release the detailed information you seek, I can send you a  note.

 

Thanks again for the note. Best regards,

 

---Doug

 

Douglas L. Beck Au.D.

Director of Professional Relations

Oticon Inc.

29 Schoolhouse Road

Somerset, New Jersey 08873

dmb@oticonusa.com

www.oticonusa.com

[leapyrtwins]

So in other words, you're telling me that my Divino (which will be 1 year old in approximately 2 weeks) is already outdated?   

Very interesting information, Mike.

I have heard the name Cochlear for years - long before my BAHA - but have never heard of Oticon.  Can you tell us anything about them? 

Thanks,

Jan

[lori67]

Jan,

I guess that's just typical of technology these days.  Before you even drive your BAHA off the lot, it's already outdated.   

I've heard of Oticon, but never knew what they actually did, but, hey, they're based in NJ - they MUST be amazing!   

Thanks for sharing this Mike.  I'm looking forward to hearing (ha ha) more about it

Lori

[mikjul1]

Hi Jan one of the ladies on the Baha yahoo site email that to us. so I wrote the company Baha is just bone anchor hearing aid  Cochlear made as you know the divino and all the others the same people wanted to up grade but apparently cochlear did not so the took it to Oticon and they up graded it and it can be computer adhanced the divino can not but it is not ready for market yet. The director from Oticon is going to put me on his list to notifiy when it comes out. They say it is small then the cochlear model man I do not even have mine yet and they go and make something more technical. It will fit on the Cochlear implant also so no mode to ex implant. Well I thought I would past this along I still can not wait for my Divino  I can not think that there is something better. Their web site is www.oticonusa.com

[mikjul1]

http://www.hearingreview.com/news/2009-03-30_01.asp        Here Jan, here is a article on the company intresting.

[Larry]

Always good to get insights into new products.

laz

[leapyrtwins]

Wow, ask and you shall receive, huh?

Thanks for the link, Mike.  The computer programmed processor sounds really neat, but I'm not sure if it would be right for me.  Afterall, I can't even program my VCR 

I'd be curious to know what my neurotologist thinks of this new technology.  I don't see him on a regular basis though, so I may have to wait until I get to the symposium in August.

Jan

[sgerrard]

For what it is worth, this technology has been available in regular hearing aids for a while, with improvements every year. My Unitron has some of it. It makes sense to me to start incorporating into a BAHA. I think it gets oversold a little, but what do you expect. It does seem able to adapt somewhat to changing situations, which is useful.

Steve

[Joef]

most important change is that the Oticon BAHA is fully programmable,
while the Cochlear BAHA is not. The new device can be customized by
hooking it up by cable to a computer in the audiologist' s office,
just like other Oticon aids. It can also be programmed to

as a software programmer.... I would love to get my hands on such stuff .....   

[leapyrtwins]

joef -

maybe Oticon would take you as a test case - afterall, someone has to try these new products.  Wouldn't hurt to ask 

Jan

[mikjul1]

There is a lady I know in the Uk that is testing it right now she is allowed to tell Fri. i will let you know plus the web site to.

[leapyrtwins]

Yes, definitely keep us updated.

I'm interested in hearing what someone who has tested it thinks of it (no pun intended) 

Do you know if the lady in the UK was using a Divino or an Intenso prior to this test?  Or is this her first experience with a BAHA processor?

[mikjul1]

Divino she has two Bilat. She has had Baha I think for a while know.

[leapyrtwins]

For what it is worth, this technology has been available in regular hearing aids for a while, with improvements every year. My Unitron has some of it.

Seriously?  I did not know that.

So how come you've got BAHA envy, Steve?  Sounds like you are more technologically advanced that those of us with the BAHA are. 

Mike -

sounds weird to say, but I'm glad the lady in the UK is already using the Divino.  It will make her a much better test case than someone who has never used it.  She'll be able to give some interesting feedback on whether the Oticon device is better or not.

Jan