TV Ears introduces exclusive network of Certified Hearing Centers

Press Release

SAN DIEGO – April 4, 2011 – TV Ears, a manufacturer of doctor-recommended TV listening solutions, announced today its exclusive network of Certified Hearing Centers that will direct interested customers to hearing professionals in their neighborhood.

Participating hearing professionals receive direct referrals as well as digital displays with real-time marketing content and in-store product displays for their waiting room.

“Each year, we introduce more than 300,000 individuals to TV Ears. While our products help these people hear the television more clearly, they may need assistance with related issues, but often don’t know where to go,” said George Dennis, Founder and CEO of TV Ears. “Once a customer enlists our help, we work to make quality introductions with one of our Certified Hearing Centers based on their location. The goal is to increase business for those hearing professionals and provide them with lifelong customers.”

According to the Hearing Industry Association, U.S. hearing instrument sales, outside of the Veterans Administration, increased only by less than one percent in 2010. In an effort to drive bigger sales for its partners, TV Ears believes this exclusive network will drive more potential customers into audiologist and hearing aid offices. The total hardware for waiting rooms alone is valued at more than $2,000, more than six times the price of the monthly program fee, and includes a TV Ears TV, Media player, TV Ears Headset System, TV Ears Wireless Speaker and a ClearSounds Quattro Bluetooth Neckloop. The Hearing News Network will be the featured program on the TV Ears set, and  can be effectively used for in-house marketing and training while also acting as an information center for staff and patients. In addition, TV Ears is working on packaging affordable total hearing solution kits at very attractive price points to empower hearing professionals in their network to offer unmatched savings and value to their current customers as well as the prospects sent to them under the Certified Hearing Center program.

“Often times, our customers come to us initially not requiring a hearing aid, but in need of some assisted listening device that help them enjoy their TV viewing experience better. As they get older, however, their hearing needs change. We want to help provide those folks with the best way to find affordable, quality solutions,” said Dennis. “That’s where the Certified Hearing Centers come into play. We’re really excited about this new partnership and have already received a great deal of interest.”

Hearing Professionals can reserve their exclusive zip code as a TV Ears Certified Hearing Center to take advantage of the marketing support, special solution package pricing and direct referrals by calling 888-883-3277.

About TV Ears

TV Ears manufactures doctor recommended TV listening solutions that have helped more than 1 million people hear the television clearly and once again enjoy what they are watching, bringing families back together and returning tranquility to the home. The company acquires more customers with hearing loss each year than any of its competitors and has been acknowledged as one of the Fastest Growing Companies in America three years running. The Company combines consistent growth with innovative quality products and an increasingly loyal and expanding base of satisfied customers. For more information, visit www.TVEars.com.

© 2011 by TV Ears, Inc. All rights reserved.

Deafness Research Foundation Presents Skate for Sound

From Deafness Research Foundation:

. April 9, 2011- Skate for Sound Deafness Research Foundation (DRF) would like to invite you to attend our Skate for Sound event on April 9, 2011 3pm to 6pm at City Ice Pavilion (47-32 32nd Place, Long Island City, NY 11101). For more information visit: www.drf.org/skateforsound. Featuring world class ice skating performances, DRF supporters, and children and families from across New York City that are affected by hearing loss, Skate for Sound will be the perfect end to the winter season. Two time ice dancing national silver medalist Eve Chalom will perform and speak about the challenges of living with hearing loss and the necessity of funding hearing research. Eve’s inspirational story helps to highlight the importance of DRF’s continued mission to attain a lifetime of healthy hearing for everyone through quality research, education and advocacy. The event will culminate with a VIP performance by Ice Theater of New York (ITNY). Renowned in the figure skating world, ITNY has a rich tradition of collaborating with choreographers from both the dance and skating worlds, and will add yet another vibrant element to the Skate for Sound event. We hope to see you there! SOURCE: drf.org

School for Deaf Fears Losing Public Funding

Budget cuts across the nation are affecting today’s students. Teacher jobs are being cut, class size is growing, and programs implemented to better our student population for a brighter tomorrow are disappearing.

State funded programs like St. Mary’s School for the Deaf in Buffalo, New York, are among those in danger of disappearance, according to a recent article published by BuffaloNews.com.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s planned 2011 budget proposes shifting funds for New York’s 11 state-funded schools for deaf, blind and disabled children from the state to local school districts.

These “4201” schools cost the state an average of $93,000 per pupil. New York’s administrative government says this price tag is too high when compared to the state’s 100+ additional special education schools that average $41,000 per pupil.

According to The Buffalo News, Cuomo also wants to take away the power of the 11 schools to refer students to their programs and place this responsibility on local school districts. Without the expertise of professionals with evaluation skills necessary to make these referrals, critics and members of local school districts fear students will not receive the help they need.

While parents interviewed have no complaints about the quality of education provided by local school districts, they insist that the districts would fall short in meeting the special educations needs of their children. “St. Mary’s gives her everything she needs right now,” JoAnn Watson told The Buffalo News of her 4th grade daughter, Elise.

How do you feel New York should handle this budget crisis? Cuomo’s budget director, Robert Megna, recognizes the “amazing work” done by New York’s 4201 schools, but insists that everyone must share the unfortunate impact of the cuts.

When a country faces financial crisis, at point do you think education should help carry the burden? Read the full article here: Deaf pupils rally in Albany.

Source: www.buffalonews.com

Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Hearing Loss

"Research is split on whether drinking helps or hurts hearing ability," says Jamie Morrison of Hearing Health.

The effects of alcohol on the human brain, body, and spirit, have long been a topic of conversation. Whether at the bar with friends or amongst doctors and researchers, the questions remain: What are, if any, the long term effects of alcohol consumption? How much is too much? Is indulgence worth the risk?

In the Winter 2011 issue of Hearing Health, Jamie Morrison documented research-based answers in his article, “Cheers to Better Hearing: Or not? Research is split on whether drinking helps or hurts hearing ability.” The following is a summary of his article.

Short Term Effects of Alcohol on Hearing Loss

Researchers from University College London found that alcohol consumption reduces a person’s short term hearing abilities. They conducted a study in which thirty volunteers had their hearing tested before and after drinking. Results showed that the more alcohol a volunteer drank, the more volume he or she needed to be able to hear. Alcohol also made lower frequencies, (which are most crucial for speech discrimination,) difficult to hear. Within a week, however, hearing ability appeared to return to normal.

Long Term Effects of Alcohol on Hearing Loss

As for the effect of alcohol on long term hearing loss, Morrison cites several studies that have been conducted over the past decade. One study, lead by Sharon Curhan, M.D., of Broston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital found “no association between level of alcohol intake and risk of hearing loss.” The same study did find a possible association between lower levels of vitamin B12 and higher consumption levels of alchohol.  This was especially the case in individuals who consumed liquor.

Effects of Heavy Drinking on Hearing Loss

Heavy drinking over a lifetime has been found to negatviely effect currents that circulate within the brain, according to Elisabeth Stephanie Smith, M.D., a member of the Ear, Nose, and Throat clinic at Germany’s University of Ulm. “Drinkers with lower lifelong alcohol consumption still have a normal amount of healthy nerves in the brain, wheras drinkers with high lifelong alcohol consumption have  a much larger amount of defective nerves,”  Tilman Keck, M.D., Smith’s colleague and an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the University of Ulm,  told the health news website Medical News Today.

Effects of Moderate Drinking on Hearing Loss

Moderate drinking over a lifetime, on the other hand, has proven to have positive effects. Morrison noted that a study done at the University of Sydney and published in Ear and Hearing in 2010, found “a significant protective association between moderate consumption of alcohol (defined as between one and two drinks per day) and hearing function in older adults,” compared with nondrinkers.

To read Morrison’s article in full, visit Hearing Health.

bnet TV Interviews George Dennis, CEO of TV Ears, at CES

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was held in Las Vegas January 6th – 9th. TV Ears was proud to be part of the largest consumer electronics show in the world and to give show attendees the opportunity to become more familiar with the TV Ears product line.

This year, TV Ears’ featured products included the TV Ears 3D Hearing Aid Kits and the Hamilton Captel 800i Phone. TV Ears is pleased to collaborate with Hamilton Captel on a national marketing campaign and other marketing endeavors that are currently in the planning stages.

This year at CES, George Dennis, CEO of TV Ears, was interviewed by Ryan Sperling of bnet TV. Click the following link to view and learn about the many benefits TV Ears have to offer!

bNet TV Interview