Since the invention of the first electronic product in 1920 intended to help people with severe-to-profound hearing loss, hearing aids gradually evolved from a large box on the table to the first body-worn device and later to head-worn designs suitable for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.

In the modern era, the cost for a custom-fitted pair of hearing aids from an audiologist ranges from $2,200 to $7,000. AARP says that according to a recently published survey by the Hearing Review, the average price of a mid-level pair of aids hovers around $4,500. Alternatively, a sea of low-priced products are available at a fraction of those prices, but some have such poor design that the wearer can actually understand speech better without the device. 

In 2009, The Food and Drug Administration coined the acronym PSAP, to stand for personal sound amplification product, drawing a distinction between personal sound amplifiers and hearing aids. Anyone can purchase personal sound amplifiers. They are not subject to state or federal regulations and are available without medical referral or prescription.

“Some people only need help in certain situations, and like reading glasses, will only use one, or a pair of PSAPs, on a part-time basis. For these people, PSAPs like Etymotic’s BEAN^® are an ideal option and designed for this type of use. The BEAN^® is available direct to consumers, at a fraction of the cost of custom-fitted hearing aids, and they work well ‘right out of the box’” says Etymotic’s Al Arends.

“With a slim profile, and worn completely in the ear, The BEAN enhances soft sounds so that speech can be heard more clearly, but allows louder sounds to pass through naturally as if nothing is in the ears.

Healthcare in America has evolved from treating disease to a focus on wellness and disease prevention. This shift, plus advances in technology, makes it possible for consumers to take an active role in their own and their family’s wellness decisions. The impetus for developing The BEAN comes from decades of interacting with consumers who need a boost in sound for worship, television and other communications situations, depending on background noise and proximity to a sound source.

For more information about Etymotic, its hearing wellness mission and its products, please visit www.etymotic.com.