Engage is changing the way we hear

Engage™ OTC hearing aids are altering the course of hearing healthcare as we know it, with unrivaled sound processing and all the bells and whistles. But don’t let the high tech intimidate you. Here to answer all your questions about the Engage™ hearing aids is our resident audiologist and training and development specialist, Dr. Amy Bishop.

Before joining Lucid Hearing, Dr. Bishop treated patients suffering from hearing loss and tinnitus in both a retail and private practice setting. She completed her doctorate in audiology at the University of Southern Mississippi and her fourth year clinical externship at the University of Texas at Dallas Callier Center. Prior to becoming an audiologist, she was a teacher of the deaf/hearing impaired and taught for three years.

She’s with us today to talk about Engage™ OTC hearing aids, how it can help you to better, clearer hearing, and how to know if this hearing product is the right fit for you.

First off, how do conventional hearing aids work?

Most hearing aids use sound compression technology to compress and alter sounds, so what your ear receives is a distorted version of the noises around you.

Prescription hearing aids are programmed by an audiologist or hearing specialist after they have completed a hearing evaluation. The aids are programmed to your specific hearing loss and can be adjusted to fit your preferences. This process requires an in person visit, and may need fine-tuning adjustments.

Dr. Frank Lin from Johns Hopkins University became convinced that not everyone needed this level of customization. He believes that many people would do well with a more generalized device.

What makes Engage™ OTC hearing aids different?

Engage™ are OTC hearing aids that don't require an in-person visit to purchase. While there are several OTC hearing aids currently on the market, Engage™ is superior to these devices in several ways.

First, this hearing aid doesn’t use compression technology. Instead it uses patented sound processing Powered by Lucid® technology, for more natural sounds and exceptional clarity of speech.

Second, it features high-resolution wireless Bluetooth capability and can stream audio and phone calls so that you needn’t switch out your hearing device for earbuds any time you want to use your phone.

Third, it comes with 4 different settings designed to support up to 92% of mild to moderate hearing losses, as identified in a clinically validated study. Once you find the best setting for you, you can set Engage™ to automatically start up in that setting with a simple click in the app.

Finally, because Engage™ is available directly to you, without a visit to a clinic or an audiogram, you’re able to get a industry-leading product for a fraction of the cost compared to other top brands, which can be prohibitively expensive for many people.

While OTC hearing aids do not require a medical examination for purchase, if you are experiencing any of the following: sudden hearing loss, ear pain or discomfort, any drainage from the ear, it is our recommendation that you check with your physician or see an audiologist or licensed hearing instrument specialist for an evaluation to determine if an OTC product is right for you.

What type of hearing loss does Engage™ address?

Engage™ is designed to support mild to moderate hearing losses. A free visit to one of our 500+ hearing centers with a licensed hearing specialist will help you identify your exact hearing needs, and or quick online assessment can help you decide if you're a candidate for OTC hearing aids.

How is Engage™ preconfigured to help people with different types of hearing loss?

One of the things that sets Engage™ apart from other OTC hearing aids is the 4 distinct settings. Each setting represents a different hearing loss configuration.

These 4 settings were developed using research conducted in partnership with the University of Texas at Dallas, a leading audiology program in the country, to determine the four most common hearing loss configurations and the corresponding fitting parameters. Research was conducted evaluating over 90,000 audiograms and hearing aid fittings to determine the four best possible settings That would be appropriate for a wide range of losses. This gives the Engage™ the ability to work for many many people with mild to moderate hearing loss.

How does the fitting process work?

The first step is to take the online hearing check, or schedule a free appointment with a licensed hearing specialist.

If you have mild or moderate hearing loss, you can purchase Engage™ online, in Sam's Club, or BestBuy.

Once you have your device simply try them on. You can try out each of the four programs until you find the one that works best for you. When you’ve determined your preference, use the app to set the device to Auto Start-Up in that setting. Feel confident knowing that licensed specialists are available to support you over the phone, or at any of our 500+ Lucid Hearing centers.

How do I know if I’d be a good candidate for Engage™?

Anyone over the age of 18 with mild to moderate hearing loss and no outstanding medical conditions is a good candidate for Engage™ OTC hearing aids.

Who should see an audiologist or licensed hearing aid dispenser?

If you have any of the following conditions or symptoms, you should see an audiologist or licensed hearing aid dispenser or physician before purchasing any hearing device:

Anyone under the age of 18
History of ear infections as an adult
Previous ear surgery
Pain in the ear
Drainage from the ear in last 90 days
Sudden hearing loss (seek immediate medical attention with an Ear, Nose, and Throat physician)
Dizziness

Our mission at Lucid Hearing is to help people hear better so they can enjoy any environment and conversation. The unsurpassed quality, durability, and patented technology in our Engage™ OTC hearing aids does just that.

Image of man having his hearing tested. — OTC | Prescription