Clinical studies have confirmed functional audibility of speech sounds achieved with the Earlens Contact Hearing Solution through 10 kHz while functional audibility is limited to ~5 kHz with conventional acoustic amplification (Struck and Prusick, 20171; McElveen et al., COSM, 20172; Arbogast et al., 20183). Preference data is positive for the sound quality of the broad spectrum amplification provided by the Earlens Contact Hearing Solution over participant’s prior acoustic aids in multiple listening categories including listening in noise, music, and group conversations (Arbogast et al., 20183).
Clinical studies have confirmed functional audibility of speech sounds achieved with the Earlens Contact Hearing Solution through 10 kHz while functional audibility is limited to ~5 kHz with conventional acoustic amplification (Struck and Prusick, 20171; McElveen et al., COSM, 20172; Arbogast et al., 20183). Preference data is positive for the sound quality of the broad spectrum amplification provided by the Earlens Contact Hearing Solution over participant’s prior acoustic aids in multiple listening categories including listening in noise, music, and group conversations (Arbogast et al., 20183).
The Earlens Contact Hearing Solution’s unique mechanism of action allows for the provision of low-frequency output for streamed sources while maintaining a widely vented fitting. Using the Multiple Stimuli with Hidden Reference and Anchor (MUSHRA) industry-wide standard method for evaluation of sound quality, subjective judgments of streamed audio quality of the Earlens compared with open-fit MFi-capable acoustic hearing aids revealed that Earlens offers the best streamed audio sound quality for speech and music in subjects with normal and impaired hearing (Eskridge et al., AAA 20196).
In 2013, Fay et al.7 first published Earlens clinical results which demonstrated safety, technical feasibility and patient improvement of the direct-drive technology. A subsequent study demonstrated hearing stability was maintained after lens wear, see Gantz et al 20168. Earlens is committed to studying the clinical impact of the Earlens Contact Hearing Solution and continuously monitors safety of the device.
1McElveen J, Gantz B, Perkins R, Murray M, Syms CA, Chen DA, Arriaga M, Ritvik M, Levy SC. Overcoming High-Frequency Limitations of Air Conduction Hearing Devices Using a LIGHT-DRIVEN Contact Hearing Aid. COSM, 2017.
2Struck CJ, Prusick L. Comparison of real-world bandwidth in hearing aids vs Earlens Light-driven Hearing Aid system. Hearing Review. 2017; 24(3):24-29.
3Arbogast TL, Moore BC, Puria S, Dundas D, Brimacombe J; Edwards B, Levy, SC. Achieved Gain and Subjective Outcomes for a Wide-Bandwidth Contact Hearing Aid Fitted Using CAM2. Ear Hear. 2019:40:p741-756.
4Levy SC, Freed DJ, Nilsson M, Moore BC, Puria S. Extended high-frequency bandwidth improves speech reception in the presence of spatially separated masking speech. Ear Hear. 2015;36:e214-e224.
5Street L, Levy SC, Streeter T, Dundas, D; Brimacombe J, Edwards B. Extended High Frequency Amplification through 10 kHz Improves Speech Understanding. American Auditory Society, 2017.
6Eskridge-Mitchell E, Mandikal Vasuki P and Levy SC. Sound Quality Comparison of Streamed Audio Through MFi-Compatible Acoustic Aids and a Contact Hearing Aid, AAA 2019.
7Fay JP, Perkins R, Levy, SC, et al. Preliminary evaluation of a light-based contact hearing device for the hearing impaired. Otol Neurotol. 2013;34:912-921.
8Gantz BJ, Perkins R, Murray M, Carr Levy S, Puria S. Light-driven contact hearing aid for broad-spectrum amplification: Safety and effectiveness pivotal study. Otol Neurotol. 2017; 38(3)[Mar]:352-359.
My patients have been transformed by the Earlens device. Earlens is totally different than anything you’ve been involved with before, and will offer you the ability to distinguish yourself from everybody else in the market, and offer something that truly will benefit your patients in ways that are not available anywhere else.
— Mark Widick, MD, FACS, Neurotologist
The Earlens system has provided me with a level of hearing that is extremely natural. In fact, it reminds me of when I was a young man. I’m hearing things that I haven’t heard in thirty years. I’m hearing the timbre in people’s voices, I’m hearing the subtleties of conversations in background noise, of natural sounds in our environment. The Earlens system has changed my life, and I recommend it to all people who have a hearing loss, understand that hearing aids help them understand speech, but want more. I would encourage all of my colleagues to get involved with treating their patients with Earlens.
— Scott Gold, Otologist and Earlens wearer
Earlens addresses barriers in technology performance through its new approach to treating hearing loss. Direct drive technology overcomes sound quality limitations of conventional hearing aids, and our unique partnership model, engaging both an ENT physician and AuD provides a higher standard of hearing health care with additional opportunities for diagnosis and referral. With Earlens, you can satisfy more patients with mild-severe hearing loss, differentiate yourself within your local market and bring new patients in the door through a compelling new type of hearing solution.
“I am thrilled with Earlens. I am pleasantly surprised how easy it has been to adapt to them. I can now understand what people are saying, especially women. Also, music is much richer. Thanks again for providing the technology. It is a life changer for me.”
— Coy B
Earlens Products may be covered by one or more U.S. Patents and/or Trademarks.
Please click here to see patents and trademarks associated with individual Earlens Products.