Beltone is a
hearing aid
A hearing aid is a device designed to improve hearing by making sound audible to a person with hearing loss. Hearing aids are classified as medical devices in most countries, and regulated by the respective regulations. Small audio amplifiers su ...
company founded in 1940 and is now headquartered in
Glenview, Illinois
Glenview is an incorporated village located in Cook County, Illinois, United States, approximately 15 miles northwest of the Chicago Loop. Per the 2020 census, the population was 48,705. The current Village President is Michael Jenny.
Geography
...
. Beltone products are sold in the United States, Canada, and over 40 countries across the globe.
In North America, Beltone has over 1500 independently owned "hearing care centers". Beltone provides hearing screenings, hearing aid fittings and follow-up care. In addition, Beltone offers an aftercare program which covers Beltone hearing aids in several ways for as long as their patients own them.
The Beltone Hearing Care Foundation, a
501(c)(3) charitable organization
A 501(c)(3) organization is a United States corporation, trust, unincorporated association or other type of organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code. It is one of the 29 types of 501 ...
, was established in 2014 with the intent to donate hearing instruments to those in need of hearing help who may otherwise be unable to access it. Both individuals and organizations are eligible to receive assistance from the Foundation through direct nominations by Beltone staff or network members.
Styles of hearing aids
Beltone hearing aids come in dozens of styles. Beltone's smallest hearing aid, the Beltone microInvisa, is about the size of a
raspberry
The raspberry is the edible fruit of a multitude of plant species in the genus ''Rubus'' of the rose family, most of which are in the subgenus '' Idaeobatus''. The name also applies to these plants themselves. Raspberries are perennial with w ...
. Known as an Invisible-in-the Canal (IIC) hearing aid, the Beltone microInvisa is custom-manufactured to conform to a patient's ear canal. That allows the hearing device to sit comfortably within the ear canal, out of sight.
Other popular models fall into the lightweight Behind-the-Ear (BTE) category. A very small case hides in the shadow behind the ear, and connects to the ear canal via a tiny, clear tube. BTE hearing aids let a patient have a hearing evaluation and receive hearing aids the same day. Beltone hearing aids are programmed to address an individual's specific hearing deficit.
Beltone's history
* 1940: Sam Posen opens Beltone in Chicago, IL and introduces the Model H hearing aid
* 1944: Beltone launches Mono-Pac, the first all-in-one hearing aid in the industry
* 1946: Beltone releases Harmony – the smallest hearing aid available at the time
* 1969: Beltone creates earmolds for astronauts in the space program to protect their hearing during lift-off and re-entry
* 1971: Beltone begins conducting hearing loss research and development at their headquarters
* 1979: Beltone opens for business in Canada
* 1983: Beltone introduces its first custom in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid
* 1998: Beltone launches Beltone Digital – its first hearing aid with digital technology
* 2011: Beltone introduces Beltone True – a hearing aid capable of offering 2.4 GHz wireless streaming of sound from hand-held devices
* 2014: Beltone releases Beltone First – the first made for
iPhone hearing aid
* 2014: Beltone releases Beltone Boost – designed for people with severe to profound hearing loss
* 2015: Beltone announces that its line of advanced hearing aids, including the Beltone First and Beltone Boost, are now compatible with
Android via the Beltone HearPlus app. Initially compatible with Samsung Galaxy S5, Beltone's hearing aids will expand to include other Android devices later in 2015.
* 2015: Beltone launches Beltone Legend – the first "Made for iPhone" custom hearing aid on the market
* 2015: Beltone expands connectivity with HearPlus App for
Apple Watch
Apple Watch is a line of smartwatches produced by Apple Inc. It incorporates fitness tracking, health-oriented capabilities, and wireless telecommunication, and integrates with iOS and other Apple products and services. The Apple Watch was rel ...
* 2015: Beltone expands Android Compatibility of its HearPlus App.
* 2016: Beltone announces launch of Boost Plus – a hearing aid for consumers with severe to profound hearing loss
* 2017: Beltone announces launch of Beltone Trust
* 2018: Beltone announces launch of Beltone Amaze
* 2020: Beltone Amaze Hearing Aids Win 2020 BIG Innovation Award
See also
*
Hearing loss
Hearing loss is a partial or total inability to Hearing, hear. Hearing loss may be present at birth or acquired at any time afterwards. Hearing loss may occur in one or both ears. In children, hearing problems can affect the ability to Language ...
*
Noise-induced hearing loss
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a Hearing loss, hearing impairment resulting from exposure to loud sound. People may have a loss of perception of a narrow range of Frequency, frequencies or impaired perception of sound including hyperacusi ...
References
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Beltone First Release in the US
Companies based in Glenview, Illinois
Hearing aid manufacturers
Manufacturing companies based in Illinois
Medical technology companies of the United States