During the convention, you could get a real-life demonstrate at the hotel's front desk of how an sComm's UbiDuo for help communication.  This product from sComm consists of two sturdy-looking portable, wireless, battery-powered devices with displays and keyboards that are sold as a unit.  They are held together by a hinge, easy to separate, and ready in seconds thanks to their instant-on feature. You type on one and the person you want to talk with types on the other.  Rechargeable battery packs give up to 10 hours of use.

 

One feature called the Ubi4Tel allows two people who have a UbiDuo to communicate over a telephone line. The UbiDuo allows the choice of dark text on a light background or light text on a dark background.  To save and print a conversation, you need only connect with the computer via the USB port. 

 

The UbiDuo's wireless range is 500 feet, and the wireless frequency used is an isolated frequency used only between the two UbiDuo halves.  The device has 1.22 MB of storage space, which sComm says can give 61 logs of about 350 lines each.  Other features include adjustable screen angle from flat to 45 degress, adjustable font from 12 to 24 point, emoticons to let you express yourself as you type, and ways to customize your chat experience.

 

A combo package that includes the pair of UbiDuo devices, a carrying case, USB interface cable, two 30-watt switching power supplies, a User Manual, one-year limited warranty and one year of free firmware upgrades is priced at $1,995 on sComm's website.

 

 

 

T-Mobile USA is a national provider of wireless voice messaging and data services.  It serves more than 30 million customers in the U.S.  The company has for many years brought T-Mobile products to HLAA conventions for consumers to try out.

 

As an experiment, I tried going to the T-Mobile website and typing "hearing aid compatibility" in the search box on the pink menu bar. It quickly took me to a page that gives basic information about hearing aid compatibility and lists its nine currently-available hearing aid compatible handsets. There's a link to a brochure designed for audiologists, physicians and hearing instrument specialists on hearing aid compability for digital wireless cell phones.

 

You'll also find this company policy:  T-Mobile USA, Inc. has a limited 30-day handset exchange, return, and upgrade opportunity for hearing aid-compatible handsets that are used by customers meeting certain restrictions. For additional information, please contact T-Mobile at 1-800-937-8997 or via TTY Customer Care at 1-877-296-1018 (TTY hours 5:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. PT, daily)

 

T-Mobile has two wonderful brochures. One explains its services and pricing.  The second lists all the devices it offers, with a grid showing downloads, features, phone specs, and etc.  It would be great if they added the M and T ratings to the list of features for these devices. Mention that next time you talk with a rep!

 

Hearing Aid Compatibiity: http://www.t-mobile.com/Company/Community.aspx?tp=Abt_Tab_Safety&tsp=Abt_Sub_TTYPolicy

 

 

The American Academy of Audiology. whose headquarters is located in nearby Reston, Va. is the world's largest professional organization of, by, and for audiologists.  The Academy promotes quality hearing and balance care by advancing the profession of audiology through leadership, advocacy, eduation, public awareness, and support of research.

 

As always, their exhibit had numerous fact sheets.  These included two Issue Briefs on the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit (H.R. 2329, S.1410) and the Medicare Hearing Health Care Enhancement Act of 2007 (H.R. 1665, S. 2352).  The Hearing Aid bill would provide a tax credit of up to $500 toward the purchase of a hearing aid, available once every five years.  The Medicare Hearing Health Care bill would allow Medicare beneficiaries the option of going directly to a qualified audiologist for hearing and balance diagnostic tests. The current regulations require those with hearing loss or balance disorders to obtain a physician referral before seeing an audiologist.

 

Another fact sheet I picked up was "Audiology and Hearing Aid Insurance Coverage Considerations."  It has tips like calling your insurance company to verify your insurance benefits, but being aware that this statement of what your benefit may be is not a guarantee of payment. It recommends noting the name of the person you talked with and the date and time of your call.  The federal law requiring a minimum of 30 days to trail hearing aid devices is also noted.