If you need any hearing aids or other equipment do not buy from this Bush supporter.

[liberaldemocrat7]

Yes this fellow Bill Austin, a Bush friend just held a fund raiser for El Chimpo in Eden Prairie Minnesota. Spread the word that this fellow or his subsidiaries does not get your business. You might even want to contract him and tell him you want his friend George W bush that you want the end of this war.

(William Austin is chief executive officer of EP-based Starkey Laboratories, a manufacturer of hearing aids)

http://www.starkey.com/

About Us | Our Subsidiaries

Founded in 1967, Starkey currently has 4,000-plus employees in 35 facilities in more than 24 countries. Subsidiaries operating under the Starkey Laboratories family of companies include Audibel, Micro-Tech, and Nu-Ear.
Audibel
Audibel

Audibel supports a national network of highly trained hearing health care providers in the United States. The Audibel customer service team consists of more than 2,000 dedicated hearing aid specialists who combine unsurpasses hearing technology with the finest customer care.

6700 Washington Avenue South
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Phone: [phone]
www.audibel.com
Nu-Ear
Nu-Ear

Nu-Ear focuses on delivering digital technology to enhance the active lifestyles of hearing impaired patients. Nu-Ear understands that quality of life is directly impacted by the ability to hear and understand speech. By offering the best digital hearing instruments, Nu-Ear seeks to improve each patient’s quality of life.

6769 Mesa Ridge Road, Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92121-2912
Phone: [phone]
www.nu-ear.com
Micro-Tech
Micro-Tech Hearing Instruments

Micro-Tech manufactures high-performance hearing instruments supported by world-class customer service. We stay ahead in a competitive environment, yet never lose sight of what makes our partners special.

6425 Flying Cloud Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Phone: [phone]
www.hearing-aid.com


he advent of wireless technology has enabled Starkey to create wireless electronic devices suitable for those with normal hearing who want a more comfortable, custom communication solution.
Headsets

Starkey offers a unique assortment of custom and standard Earborne™ headsets. From our Pilot Headset Mold to our Custom Phone Mold, all headsets are unsurpassed in acoustic quality, comfort and reliability. To learn more about Starkey headsets visit, www.starkeyheadsets.com.
SoundPort™

The SoundPort wireless device is designed for those with normal hearing who want a Bluetooth® compatible wireless solution. The perfect marriage of superior manufacturing practices and wireless technology, SoundPort is powered by a rechargeable lithium ion battery and features a 30-foot range with no line-of-site requirements.

The custom-molded, precise-fit earpiece optimizes sound quality while reducing ambient noise and provides supreme long-wear comfort. Compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones or devices. To learn more about SoundPort, visit your hearing professional or www.hearwireless.com.
Assistive Listening

Assistive listening devices improve the quality of life of hearing aid customers and connect them to the world of the 21st century.
ELI DirX™

Compact and lightweight, ELI DirX makes hearing instruments instantly compatible with mobile phones and other wireless devices. ELI's signal automatically overrides a hearing instrument's microphone signal, improving sound and clarity. When a call ends, ELI automatically returns to the instrument's normal microphone mode. Wearers can also listen to television, computer or music wirelessly. Learn more about ELI DirX from your hearing professional or at www.hearwireless.com.


BluPAL

This personal Bluetooth® digital audio device enables clear hearing in noisy environments. A great solution for classroom or conference settings, a discussion leader can connect the transmitter for enhanced sound to the patient’s ELI. BluPAL can also be connected to the audio output of sound systems like televisions, FM radios and mp3 players. Learn more about BluPAL from your hearing professional or at www.hearwireless.com.


For individuals seeking improved quality of sound and comfort from mp3 players and other audio equipment, Starkey offers a range of custom-fit options that blend performance with hearing protection.
Custom EarbudsCustom Earbuds for iPod®

Custom earbuds provide long-wear comfort and improved sound quality for discriminating music lovers and gaming enthusiasts. The acoustic design optimizes sound quality of standard in-ear headphones. It also makes lower volumes more satisfying to protect hearing. The secure fit keeps the buds in place while jogging or at the gym. Learn more about earbuds for iPod® from your hearing professional or at www.hearwireless.com.


Custom EarbudsIn-Ear Monitor Headphones

In-Ear Monitors eliminate the need for traditional stage monitor wedge speakers. They provide lower stage volume for the performer, truer sound for the audience and less equipment to purchase and transport. They’re also ideal for any mp3 player, iPod®, computer or gaming system.

Starkey’s micro-technology delivers the true, high-fidelity reproduction of a sound studio with robust sound directly into your ear. Shells are laser-inscribed with each owner’s name and an individual serial number that gets digitally saved in Starkey’s “Ears on File” program.

Starkey’s in-ear, custom-fit earpieces provide unmatched comfort and secure fit with unique, low-profile styling and up to 26dB of sound isolation from ambient sounds for protection and enjoyment. In-Ear Monitors come in two lines, one for discriminating audiophiles and one for professional performers and production personnel. Learn more about In-Ear Monitors from your hearing professional or at www.hearwireless.com.


Their contact page:

http://www.starkey.com/public/corporate/contact_form.jsp

[frazzled]

1. Good advice ...

But first: Why does Bush need a fundraiser? He's not running for anything. Or was it a "Repubican" fundraiser that Bush attended? I assume the latter.

My daughter has worn hearing aids since she was a toddler, and we have always purchased Oticon. It's a Danish company, so I assume they aren't contributing to Bush. Though perhaps they were in on that crazy Muslim cartoon business. Who knows. They are an excellent product that we have stuck with for more than twenty years now: complete reliability. (In fact, we've only had to purchase two pairs in all these years.)

But while we are on hearing aids, let me add to the hopper a long-standing complaint. Hearing aids are rarely, if ever, covered by health insurance--even the best insurance. And they are extremely expensive (especially the newer digital models). An aid can run $2,500, and if you need two of them, that hurts.

I think this is especially a serious issue for children, whose whole lives can be affected adversely--from learning to social adjustment--if their families can not afford to purchase out-of-pocket these essential, health-related items. I'd like to see a push to have hearing instruments for children covered up to, say, age 21. Learning can not take place for a hearing-impaired child without this assistance. End of lecture. (I know there are many things insurance doesn't cover these days.)

[recoveringrepublican]

2. Check you local Vocational rehab

every state varies, but there may be help once your daughter is in school. If they can't help you, they may be able to direct you to another organization that can.

Vocational rehab paid for my aids, but I wish they would have just given me money to put towards aids, right now I stuck with analog.

[3-Putt]

3. Hearing aids

Its been my experience that both Audibel and Beltone will tamper with your hearing instruments in order to sell you a newer model. Buyer beware.......