Cranbury, NJ (December 2000) - For the 28 million Americans who experience mild-to-moderate hearing loss, the holidays can lead to feelings of depression and isolation as they struggle to keep up with the conversations flowing around them at social gatherings.
Those who struggle with the loneliness and depression that can stem from a hearing loss might find Songbird, the world’s first disposable hearing aid, helpful in regaining self-confidence and improving overall quality of life.
According to Dr. David Cieliczka, audiologist at the Hear for Life Center in Concord, New Hampshire, evidence shows that prolonging treatment can have serious effects on quality of life - although many people wait up to seven years before seeking treatment for hearing loss.
“Results of a 1999 survey by the National Council on the Aging showed that adults with hearing impairments who do not wear hearing aids were more likely to report sadness, depression and diminished social activity than those who wear aids,” says Dr. Cieliczka.
The Songbird Disposable Hearing Aid is specifically designed to treat people - particularly baby boomers - who have hearing loss resulting from life-long exposure to decibel-blasting music and other forms of noise pollution.
Each Songbird Disposable Hearing Aid will cost $39 (plus the one-time cost of professional fees for hearing tests and fitting) and will deliver a full 40 days of life when used 12 hours per day.
Because the device is discarded when the battery runs out, consumers no longer have to be concerned about battery replacements or repairs. The elimination of a battery door provides room for a microphone that is seven times larger than typical hearing aid microphones, creating high-fidelity sound in a hearing aid sized to fit discreetly in the ear.
Unlike ordinary hearing aids, Songbird can be fit in just one visit to a hearing professional and is available in a variety of pre-set acoustical formats to fit the specific needs of each wearer. Songbird also features automatic volume control, so people avoid the need to make frequent volume adjustments.
“The Songbird Disposable Hearing Aid may offer a permanent solution for many people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss,” says Dr. Cieliczka. “In addition to excellent sound quality, our patients say Songbird is convenient, inconspicuous, and at $39 per unit, extremely affordable.