The document outlines a client-centered approach to hearing aid solutions, emphasizing innovation and overcoming barriers like stigma and accessibility. It discusses a blended care model integrating online services, tele-audiology, and user-friendly technology, aimed at improving client empowerment and self-fit capabilities. This includes a detailed analysis of speech perception tests and the advantages of digital hearing solutions that adapt to user needs, fostering a more positive attitude towards hearing aids.

1. Building a Client
Centred Hearing
Aid and Hearing
Health Solution

2. Where do you put the
fear when you choose
to innovate? The fear
is there, but you have
to find a place to put
it.
Seth Godin From the 2010 World Innovation Forum

3. 1. Test hearing online
2. Purchase hearing aids online
3. Hearing aids arrive and you
personalise them at home
4. Web based help from your
clinician at HQ if needed
The hearing aid eco system
Central
database
Speech hearing
test (SPT)

4. Blamey Saunders e-health system
Hearing aid settings
Remote
support
Phone, email, live
chat , screen shareENT or GP
Records
Audiology
records
Fitting, maintenance,
repairs, trouble shooting

5. Just put the hearing aids on or turn to IHearYou and
we will help you at every step of the way
Internet
Blamey Saunders
Melbourne HQ
Programmer
(Incus)
Bluetooth
connection to
computer or
smartphone
Fine
tuning
program
The team at HQ can assist
with fine-tuning of
hearing aids, general or
computer help by phone
and screen-sharing

6. Self fit – and proven fitting outcomes
• Blamey Saunders hearing aids are easy to self tune
• The process involves simply balancing the loudness of
sounds at comfortable levels
This is possible as
• The core processing uses a 96 channel, fuzzy logic
controlled, multi band graphic equaliser to keep all
frequencies audible and comfortable
• No messy compression points, so simple frequency
shaping can be used.

7. A blended model
of care to provide
the right level of
help and guidance

8. Clients
Single contact
point (HQ)
Technology
Suitable hearing aids
Suitable interface
Technology driven
business model
High level
scientific, clinical
and technical
expertise
available via tele-
audiology
Systems focused
on client care and
outcomes
Full service clinic
model
Referral networks
leading into
Blamey Saunders
systems
Clients can choose the type
of care and transition
between models
Guidance is given based on
the work of Dai Stephens
and David Goldstein
The preferred pathway is a
blend of Attitude and
audiological complexity
8
Our structure includes satellite clinics, one back
office, and flexibility for truly client centred care
Private and Confidential

9. +ve attitude
to hearing action
-ve attitude to
hearing action
No barriers
Self-help
1
2
4
3
Barriers to
Self Help
Sceptical
client
Poor past experience.
A change in delivery
model may kick-start!
Family centred care.
Blended
Self motivated
client
Strong positive attitude
towards self-help,
hearing aids and active
decision making.
Online
‘It’s not happening’
client
Reject H/A’s and
entire audiological
process
Apprehensive
client
Positive attitude towards
hearing aids, audiology.
Confident to go into a clinic.
Needs more support.
Clinic
Blended
Adapted from: Goldstein and Stephens. 1981
What separates different client attitudes?
Online with support

10. Telehealth
Assisted-Service
(Phone/Chat
Remote Tuning)
Online
Self-Service
Video Consult
Assisted-Service
(Clinician)
Visiting Clinician
Outreach
(Clinician)
Comprehensive
Diagnostic
Full service clinic
Client
Empowermen
t
Blended Service to Empower Clients

11. Telehealth
Assisted-Service
(Phone/Chat
Remote Tuning)
Online
Self-
Service
Speech
Perception
Test
Coaching
Programme
Confident Self Help Client

12. Video
Consult
Assisted-
Service
(Clinician)
Visiting
Clinician
Outreach
(Clinician)
Distance
Trouble
Shooting
Education
Review
Lifestyle
Needs
Consultatio
n
Speech
Perception
Test
Client that needs Credibility “Proof”

13. Comprehensive
Diagnostic
Full service
clinic
In Clinic
Testing
Regime
Apprehensive Client
Coaching
Programme

14. Telehealth
Assisted-Service
(Phone/Chat
Remote Tuning)
Online
Self-
Service
Video Consult
Assisted-Service
(Clinician)
Visiting Clinician
Outreach
(Clinician)
Comprehensive
Diagnostic
Full service clinic
Speech
Perception Test
Coaching
Programme
Distance
Trouble
Shooting
Education
Review
Lifestyle
Needs
Consultation
In Clinic
Testing
Regime
Speech
Perception Test
Client
Empowerment
Complete Model
Coaching
Programme

15. It starts with the
Speech
Perception Test

17. Speech Perception Test results (the
Infogram™)
Infogram™ is a Trademark of BlameySaunders hears

18. Infogram

19. The research

20. The Online Speech Perception Test (SPT) is a
monosyllabic word test that provides information
about the hearing of the person performing the test
• Fifty consonant-vowel-consonant words
• Designed to be used in any quiet environment
• Australian English
• Thirty two phonetically balanced lists
• Random list selection and random word order within lists
• Normative data
• Automatic analysis and reporting of:
o Word, consonant and vowel scores
o Information transmission for phonetic features
• Provides a good starting point for HA fitting

21. The SPT provided very good discrimination
between people with good and impaired hearing
Word score Consonant score Vowel score No-response count
Mean 93.2% 97.1% 97.6% 0.15%
Standard deviation 3.20% 1.41% 2.16% 0.54%
5 percentile 88% 95% 94% 0%
Minimum 88% 94% 92% 0%
Word score Consonant score Vowel score No-response count
Mean 44.7% 63.2% 74.7% 6.32%
Standard deviation 26.26% 22.57% 22.36% 12.24%
95 percentile 88.4% 94.2% 99.2% 22.8%
Maximum 94% 97% 100% 33%
39 people with good hearing
49 hearing aid users (unaided results)

22. The distribution of SPT scores for a sample of 88 people
showed 94% sensitivity and 98% specificity for hearing
loss compared with 80% and 83% for the commonly used
telephone digit screening test (Watson et al, JAAA, 2012)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50
Frequency
Words correct (out of 50)
Histogram of SPT word scores
49 Unaided HI
39 NH

23. Information transmission analysis of the vowel and
consonant confusions of the SPT shows the pattern of
errors associated with the hearing loss
The “speech audiogram” (green)
calculated from the Infogram™
matched the better ear conventional
audiogram (see Poster 307)
The next 3 slides present a case study

24. This aided Infogram™ was derived from an SPT
performed with binaural hearing aids using WDRC
fitted from the conventional audiogram with the DSL
i/o prescription and validated with real ear
measures on an Audioscan Verifit test box
The improvement in word score from
12% to 58% was highly significant

25. This is a result from a typical test result
Good hearing

26. The aided Infogram™ on the right was derived from
an SPT performed with binaural hearing aids using
ADRO® fitted directly from the unaided Infogram™
There was a further improvement from 58% to 76% words
correct

27. This client with a mild to moderate high frequency
loss used the Infogram™ iteratively to achieve a
word score of 94% on the SPT without using a
conventional audiogram

28. The SPT and Infogram™ or “speech audiogram” is
an effective alternative to the conventional
audiogram, with several advantages
• The SPT is freely available online and does not require
expensive equipment or highly trained personnel, potentially
reducing the cost of hearing health for millions of people.
• The Infogram™ is a measure of what the listener needs to
hear and is readily understood by a lay person.
• Using the Infogram™ to fit hearing aids led to significantly
higher speech perception scores than conventional fitting
prescriptions in this study.
• The aided Infogram™ is a validation measure that directly
demonstrates the benefit of hearing aids to the listener.

29. Reducing barriers
with new hearing
aids

30. Reducing barriers– digital empowerment
If we had to design a hearing solution
from scratch what we change?
• A hearing aid looks like it’s for
someone with a disability
• A hearing aid is tricky to use – battery
change
• People get hearing aids and have low
connection to their solution –
• People have to get a new device if
their hearing needs change

31. Reducing barriers– Facett solution
The solution
• Make hearing aids attractive
• Facett’s magnetic rechargeable
battery attachment is very easy
• Facett creates emotional connection
and self empowerment
• New modules and software updates
increase product lifetime
charger
Magnetic modules

33. • Modular – enables personalised solution development
• Upgradable – helps manage investment over time
• Stigma-busting – shifts perception from disability to ability
• Crafted and unique – proud to show off
• Magnetised - functional for dexterity/vision challenges
• Data planning - enables a data-driven future
Facett Addresses Client Needs

34. • The DSP provides state-of-the-art sound processing, amplification,
multichannel adaptive directional microphone, noise reduction, and
feedback cancellation.
• Customized by the end-user with the IHearYou® system using the award-
winning Incus-M programmer.
• The AgZn rechargeable batteries give 30 hours of operation with trouble-
free battery changes.
• Magnetic coupling is designed for low dexterity clients.
• The battery charger / carry case / drying jar goes everywhere with you.
• The add-on wireless module enables NFMI ear2ear communication and
Bluetooth communication with smartphones, TVs etc.
• The add-on replaceable battery module enables freedom from
power requirements while travelling.
• Ongoing hearing health data collection over the
life of the customer.

35. Reducing barriers to hearing care
 Client centred – choices in model of care
 Reduced cost barrier
 Overcoming dexterity issues
 Reduced stigma – desirability, not disability
 Easier Access – no need to leave home
 Easier Access – no distance barrier
 Support within 24 hours
 Greater self empowerment

36. Overcoming barriers
CSIRO award for translation of research
Best in Class for Social Innovation
Best in class for Medical Device