Oticon Epoq binaural Bluetooth headset doubles as hearing aid
By Darren Murph 
posted May 30th 2007 5:07AM
posted May 30th 2007 5:07AM
Oticon's no alien to the niche world of overly useful hearing aids, and while it's been a few years since we've seen anything fresh from the company, its newest offering looks to help those aging ears deal with hearing loss while staying connected to modern technology. The Epoq lineup of "hearing instruments" allows a pair of Bluetooth earpieces to be worn simultaneously, and proprietary binaural high speed wireless technology allows the pair "to communicate at data transfer speeds 100 faster than hearing instruments now on the marker." In essence, the devices transmits "stereophonic auditory information that is in sync with a user's visual experience," and it also tries its hand(s) at being a Bluetooth headset that enables handsfree calling and music streaming when used with the "Streamer" add-on. Oticon will reportedly be rolling out the Epoq W (about $8,000) and Epoq XW (closer to $9,000) early next month.[Via Slashphone, photo courtesy of Stuff]
$8,000.00. Wow, better have some GOOD insurance.
My hearing is bi-lateral severe and I wear OTE heariing aids. These would be great, however, I doubt insurance would fork out $9000 (is that each or pair?).
If you're near a large public university that has a Speech and Hearing program, you may see if they have a clinic. Often times, public university clinics are "not for profit" and are for student training, which equals cheaper prices. They still have certified audiologists on staff, so it's not just students running the show. Usually their hearing aid prices are a little (or in some cases, a lot) cheaper than private practices. Also, some places offer financing plans that have either 0% for a specified number of months/years or low interest rates.
P.S. I'm currently a grad student in a program, and I wear hearing aids (since I was 4, so it's not just for "those aging ears!), so I know how expensive they can be. We had an Oticon rep give a presentation on these, and they look pretty sleek...I didn't remember them being that much apiece though. I'm thinking the price estimates must be for pairs - the title does say "binaural."