ArizonaHears.com Blog

Somerset, NJ - Joe Frazier, Olympic and former World Heavy Weight Champion, isn’t about to let any thing slow him down – including hearing loss. The 65-year-old boxing icon recently upgraded his hearing solutions to Oticon Dual. The sleek, state-of-the-art hearing devices proved a good match for the busy boxing entrepreneur and charitable foundation founder, who continues to skillfully bob and weave his way through days full of community, business and social engagements.

Frazier is the newest in a growing list of celebrities who are up-trading to Dual, a new high tech hearing device that offers a unique synergy of high performance technology and aesthetic appeal. Designed inside and out to deliver spatial sound and wireless connectivity in a sleek, small shell, Dual solves the “beauty or brains” dilemma that has long challenged hearing care professionals, and frustrated individuals with hearing loss looking for ideal solutions. For “Smokin’ Joe” Frazier, who pulls no punches, the bottom line has always been a hearing solution that delivers superior sound quality.

“When I work with the young boxing hopefuls, I need to be able to hold up my end of the conversation,” states Frazier. “The noise in the gym can create problems for me. Hearing clearly in social and business situations is also important to me. Dual’s excellent sound quality gives me the fighting edge I need.”

Oticon Vice President of Marketing Gordon Wilson met with Frazier in his adopted hometown of Philadelphia to talk about his experiences with Dual. “True to his reputation, Mr. Frazier is a person who doesn’t pull any punches,” states Wilson. “As an experienced hearing device user, he had very clear requirements for his upgraded hearing device but he also wanted style and a discreet look. Dual offers him the performance he needs and the stylish, modern design he wants.”

Known for his dapper appearance and personal charisma in and out of the ring, Frazier praises Dual for enabling him to zero in on the softer, high pitched voices of his female fans. “Hearing the ladies at social gatherings was a problem for me,” notes Frasier. “Now I can join in the conversations without struggling to understand what is being said.” Frasier plans to recommend Dual to his friends who can also use a hearing boost. “If you can’t hear, you can’t stay in the match,” he says.

Wilson noted that “Smokin’ Joe” is an excellent endorsement for Dual’s ability to deliver sound quality unmatched by any other hearing device. “At age 65, Mr. Frazier is a commanding figure who clearly wouldn’t be satisfied with any ‘light weight’ solution,” notes Wilson. “He expects a lot of himself and his hearing solutions need to measure up to the demands of his busy lifestyle.”

For more information about Oticon, visit http://www.oticonusa.com or the Oticon web channel on Audiology Online.  Oticon Dual is available through PurTone Hearing Aid Centers in Arizona.  Visit www.ArizonaHears.com to learn more or call 1-888-614-HEAR (4327).

Investment in Hearing Health Pays Quality of Life Dividends

Cutting back on lattes, dining out and other discretionary spending can be smart choices that increase your ability to successfully weather today’s challenging economic climate.  But delaying an investment in your hearing health may have a negative impact on your quality of life now and in the future, states Edward Maznio of PurTone Hearing Centers in Phoenix, Arizona. And for half of the estimated 28 million Americans with hearing loss who are still in the work force, untreated hearing loss can have serious ramifications on productivity and success on the job.

“Diminished hearing can drastically affect an individual’s quality of life at home, in social situations and in the workplace,” explains Mr. Maznio.  “The effects can range from difficulty understanding people and conversations in noisy situations to a feeling of isolation and, in some cases, even to depression.”

In an era when quality hearing solutions abound, Edward Maznio says there is no reason to delay investing in hearing health.   “Today, there are hearing solutions that offer superior sound quality and attractive styles and features at price points designed to appeal to budget-conscious consumers,” states Mr. Maznio.  He points to Oticon Hit, a new line of modern, discreet and great sounding hearing solutions based on state-of-the-art technology. Hit offers a wide range of choices for new and experienced users looking for high quality entry-level hearing solutions.

Straightforward options, such as the new Hit line, which emphasize reliability, affordability and sound quality make choosing hearing health an easy and wise choice for anyone experiencing hearing difficulty.  “We know that people who choose hearing solutions customized to their unique hearing loss report better relationships with family and friends, higher self-esteem, improved mental health, and greater independence and security.  Certainly, a generous return on their investment by any standards,” state Mr. Maznio.

For more information about hearing health and the new Hit and Hit Pro hearing solutions, contact PurTone Hearing Aid Centers at 1-888-614-HEAR (4327) or visit www.ArizonaHears.com.  PurTone has offices in Chandler, Goodyear, Lake Havasu City, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, and Yuma, Arizona.

PurTone Hearing Centers is Among First in US to Offer Hearing Device

with Wireless Connectivity to Phones, Televisions, GPS Systems and More

Feeling “‘unconnected” with family, friends, colleagues and many essential conveniences of modern life such as cell phones and TVs is a concern voiced by many people who come to PurTone’s offices in Arizona seeking help.  “Even a mild hearing loss can make it challenging to distinguish speech and other sounds in the environment, so that it becomes difficult to understand what is going on,” explains Edward Maznio, President of PurTone Hearing Centers.  “The result is that people with untreated hearing loss often end up feeling flawed and isolated.”

Mr. Maznio says that a new advanced technology hearing aid solution can quickly remedy that situation.  PurTone is among the first hearing care practices in the U.S. certified to fit patients with Dual, a state-of-the-art hearing aid solution that can help to restore a more natural listening experience.

“Even before people come to appreciate the considerable benefits of Dual’s advanced technology, they are ‘wow-ed’ by its small, sleek design that fits discreetly and almost invisibly behind the ear,” says Edward Maznio.  “Many people who have resisted hearing aids in the past because outdated stigmas associated with hearing loss respond positively to Dual’s good looks and are relieved that it isn’t the big beige hearing aids they feared.” 

PurTone advises patients not to think that the new hearing solution’s light, comfortable fit make it a ‘lightweight’ when it comes to delivering a closer-to-natural listening experience.

“Dual helps people with hearing loss to hear better and understand more spoken words in any listening environment, even in challenging listening environments like restaurants and social gatherings,” he points out. “Two Dual hearing aids actually ‘talk’ to each other, simulating the way the brain naturally processes sounds coming from different directions.”   By operating as a virtual “sound compass,” Dual enables wearers to more easily identify who is talking, especially when voices or sounds come from different areas of the room.

The new hearing solution also allows easy use of both landline and cellular phones.  “Dual makes it possible to have a normal conversation on the phone – something that is difficult for people with hearing loss,” Mr. Maznio notes. Dual’s comfortable open fit design eliminates feedback and whistling and the annoying “plugged up” feeling many experience with traditional hearing aids.  Enjoying television once again as a group activity is another benefit of Dual.  “Now my patients can understand television audio from anywhere in the room at a volume that won’t disturb others,” he states.

With Dual, people with hearing loss also have the option of using a companion device called Streamer that enables Dual users to wirelessly connect to landline and cell phones, TV systems and other popular personal entertainment systems. “Patients simply press a button on the Streamer to receive phone calls in both ears — digitally processed to accommodate the user’s individual hearing loss,” points out Edward Maznio. 

The small and stylish Dual is available in 14 attractive colors from tasteful but bold fashion colors to shades that complement natural skin tones.  The Dual family of hearing aids can accommodate over 80 percent of hearing losses and a broad range of listening preferences and budgets.  For more information about hearing loss and the new Oticon Dual, contact PurTone Hearing Centers at 1-888-614-4327 or visit www.ArizonaHears.com.

PurTone Hearing Centers Is Among First to Offer Affordable Go Pro Hearing Aids in Arizona

In the 10-plus years since digital hearing aids were introduced, hearing aid manufacturers have developed a wide array of enhancements to improve the sound quality, reliability and ease-of-use of their hearing solutions.  Until now, the benefits of these added features have been out of reach for many people because of budget considerations.  Edward Maznio of PurTone Hearing Aid Centers in Phoenix reports that owning a new, state-of-the-art hearing instrument that deliver high-end benefits is becoming a reality for more people than ever before.

“As a hearing care professional, my first goal is to help my patients get the best hearing solution for their individual hearing needs,” says Edward Maznio.  “Sometimes, patients assume budget considerations mean they have to settle for ‘stripped down’ hearing aids that won’t allow them to take advantage of the tremendous advances in sound quality and comfort.  They are always surprised – and pleased – when I tell them that a new wave of hearing aids from leading manufacturers now include high-end features that are affordable and available right now.”

Mr. Maznio points to the new multi-featured Oticon Go Pro, one of the most extensively featured hearing instruments in the affordable range.  Manufactured by Oticon, one of the world’s leading hearing aid manufacturers, Go Pro hearing instruments offer clear, digital sound quality, high reliability and ease of use at a price that makes the many benefits of digital technology an option for more people.  The 100 percent digital hearing aid is designed to make speech audible in both quiet and noisy situations, without sacrificing comfort. 

“My patients find Go Pro especially comfortable to wear,” notes Edward Maznio. “Go Pro’s advanced technology helps to preserve a more natural sound quality and reduce or eliminate annoying feedback.”

Go Pro is available in a range of colors and styles, from small in-the-ear models to discrete behind-the-ear models featuring an ultra thin tube.  For more information about hearing loss, contact PurTone Hearing Aid Centers at 1-888-614-HEAR (4327) or visit PurTone’s website at www.ArizonaHears.com.

Edward Maznio, President of PurTone Hearing Aid Centers in Phoenix aims to change forever the perception of hearing aids among the 50-plus generation. With the help of a new, state-of-the-art digital hearing aid with a groundbreaking new design, he plans to show adults beginning to experience hearing loss that getting the hearing “boost” you need, doesn’t mean giving up on looking as good and as young as you feel.

“Every second person over the age of 50 experiences loss of speech clarity in noisy listening situations such as work, social gatherings and crowded restaurants,” Mr. Maznio states. “They may still hear well enough to get by in less demanding situations but more and more, they will find that they are understanding less of what is being said.”

A fear that hearing aids will make them look older and out of step with their active, busy lifestyle prevents many adults from taking advantage of the extra edge provided by hearing amplification. Now,  PurTone is offering a new groundbreaking hearing device with sleek lines, hot colors and brushed metallic surface that appears to have more in common with modern high-tech communication devices or fashion accessories than traditional hearing aids. Called Oticon Delta, this state-of-the-art digital hearing device combines eye-catching contemporary design with the most advanced hearing aid technology available today.

“This is not your grandfather’s hearing aid,” explains Mr. Maznio. “For the first time, I can offer patients a hearing device that meets the important image and style demands of people in the 50s and 60s and provides the needed boost in listening clarity for mild to moderate hearing loss.”

New Oticon Delta comes in seventeen different brushed metallic colour styles, ranging from “Cabernet Red” and “Artic Blue” to “Racing Green” and “Wildlife” that give this sleek and fashionable hearing device a new attitude for a new generation of hearing aid users.

Edward Maznio is hopeful that Delta’s innovative good looks will encourage adults experiencing early hearing loss to give hearing amplification another look. “With Delta, even the most image-conscious adults can easily stay active and in touch with their surroundings without having to worry about missing something. They can put Delta on when they need it and just forget about it,” Mr. Maznio states.

To see Oticon Delta for yourself and to learn more about hearing loss, contact Edward Maznio at PurTone Hearing Aid Centers, 1-888-614-HEAR (4327) or visit www.ArizonaHears.com for more information on Phoenix hearing aids.