Audiologists who "Get it" Promoting Hearing Loops

October 2009

Editor: Pretty much anyone who's ever used a hearing loop is a big supporter of the technology. It's inexpensive and very effective. Dave Myers, who has been instrumental in promoting the adoption of loops throughout the country, recently sent the following email to one of the hearing loss lists. I asked permission to share it with you, and he graciously agreed. You can find out more about Dave and his Loop initiatives at www.davidmyers.org or www.hearingloop.org .

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Santa Rosa's Kenwood Hearing Solutions, an audiology practice owned by Bill and Christine Diles, today received an award from the Sonoma County Mayors' Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities for "Innovative Media and Technology." In addition to looping a number of bank teller stations, churches, and community facilities, Kenwood provides home TV room installations-10 to 15 a month, in more than 1600 homes to date-with the purchase of new hearing aids. With their hearing aids now also serving as customized loudspeakers, the result has been many happy patients, fewer returns of hearing aids, and new word-of-mouth patient referrals.

Other audiologists also are integrating hearing loops into their practices. Hearing Journal monthly columnist Gyl Kasewurm, owner of a large southwest Michigan audiology practice, has similarly initiated loop installations in her community and reports (here) that "Due to the positive feedback we have received, we are now including Loop Systems at no additional charge with the purchase of new hearing aids!"

Audiologist Peg Simon and her engineer husband Terry Simon now own Wireless Hearing Solutions, which is conducting training seminars for hearing professionals nationwide on how to integrate hearing loops into their practices.