Conference Update

International Oticon Research and Development Centre
Copenhagen
March 2010

In March I visited the International Oticon Research and Development Centre in
Copenhagen. It was a revelation to see technological developments in their infancy. The research and development team have created a digital chip which is capable of not only processing the vast spectrum of sounds we listen to everyday but applying new strategies for organising, selecting and following sounds so people with hearing loss can stay engaged and active in everyday activities.
Their latest development AGIL has a wireless link which allows the hearing instruments to 'talk to each other' about the listening environment and optimise their performance in such a way the user has access to important sound details. Oticon are supporting a number of trials and we are pleased to pass this on to our clients. If you are interested and have a hearing loss in both ears please call and we can arrange this for you.

BSHAA International Congress
Harrogate
June 5th and 6th 2009

As a Fellow of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists, I attend the annual BSHAA International Congress, this year held in Harrogate. One of the most interesting topics was delivered by Mr Phil Willis, the local MP for Harrogate. He discussed the concept of a national prescription/voucher system for hearing aids which is of increasing interest to Whitehall.

The system has been successfully adopted in parts of Europe and the aim is simply to provide the individual with choice in terms of hearing care provision - either accessed via the NHS direct or to provide a contribution towards private technology.