• Speak with an expert: (410) 929-0394
Search
Close this search box.
Make an Appointment

Hearing Solutions

About

Founded in 2014 by Drs. Carrie Nieman, Frank Lin, and Kunal Parikh, Access HEARS began with support from Johns Hopkins’ Social Innovation Lab, and drew inspiration from Dr. Nieman’s own research among older adult populations in Baltimore.

The primary model of hearing health care available is clinic-based audiological evaluation, provision of a hearing aid, and follow-up care which is highly time intensive (4-6 visits over several months), expensive ($2000-4000 in out-of-pocket costs), and dependent on the individual’s mobility, access to transportation, financial resources, and healthy literacy. The current established model of clinic-based, fee-for-service hearing health care does not accommodate many characteristics of low-income, minority, and vulnerable older adults.

Our Devices

We provide our clients with high-quality, over-the-counter hearing devices to help manage their hearing loss. These devices have been approved by leading hearing experts at Johns Hopkins and cost 95% less than traditional hearing aids.

The SoundWorld Solutions HD75R is an OTC (over-the-counter) mini-behind-the-ear hearing aid for individuals with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.  It is rechargeable  with a battery life up to 22 hours, Bluetooth compatible and comes with a free customization app.

The SoundWorld Solutions Sidekick is a behind-the-ear personal sound amplifier, testing within 1% of gold-standard hearing aids. It is rechargeable with a battery life up to 15 hours, Bluetooth compatible and comes with a free customization app.

The SuperEar by SonicTechnology is a personal sound amplifier testing within 5% of gold-standard hearing aids. It features rechargeable batteries lasting up to 40 hours and features a 3-position selector for customizable frequency. The SuperEar comes with a set of comfortable, over-the-ear headphones and a set of over-the-ear earbuds.

Sidekick FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers

It is a Personal Sound Amplification Product or PSAP and is designed for people who need to increase the volume and clarity of the sounds around them.

Yes, the HD100 Sidekick does have Bluetooth capability and will connect through your mobile phone’s Bluetooth settings.
Yes, the Sidekick is capable of streaming audio from music, movies and other media wirelessly via Bluetooth connection.
Yes, there are 3 settings to minimize background noise and accommodate various environments.
While it is not designed to completely mask tinnitus, some people who suffer from tinnitus have been able to find comfort through amplification from the Sidekick.

It will take up to 2 ½ hours to fully charge a drained battery.

You can expect to get up to 15 hours of operation from a single battery charge. Battery life will be slightly reduced if using your device as a Bluetooth headset for phone calls frequently.
Absolutely. The best option is to have the earpieces of your eyeglasses nearest to your head, then nestle the device between the earpiece of your glasses and your ear.

Yes, it is safe to leave it on the charger all the time. The internal battery or charger will not be damaged. Since the device is rechargeable you have the convenience of not having to replace batteries on a continuous basis.

Yes, there is a one year warranty from your purchase date.

SUPEREAR FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers

Yes, there are 2 sets. One set is over-the ear and the other are earbuds which sit comfortably just outside of your ear canal.

Yes, The Sound Amplifier has a 3- Position Frequency Switch to accommodate high, mid and low frequencies and it has stereo amplification of ambient sounds up to 50+ dB.

Yes, the device comes with 2 Rechargeable AA Batteries and receives up to 40 hours of operation per charge A110V. Capable Charging Cube with USB Cable are included.

The device has an easy to use, tactile volume control wheel.
Yes, there is a 3 year warranty from your purchase date.

Access HEARS FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers
Access HEARS, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization

We support tested, high-quality over-the-counter listening devices which have the sound quality within 1% of a gold standard hearing aid. The devices we support are affordable and equally as important, accessible. Through an in-person or virtual service delivery model, you will learn how to use your assistive technology, receive education on your hearing loss, and receive active follow-ups for your first year of use.

Absolutely. Hearing loss is not a benign sign of aging as it has traditionally been accepted but has a bigger impact – much more than just missed conversations. When you look at the brain, there are actual functional changes that happen with hearing loss associated with accelerated cognitive decline, decreased physical mobility and activity, falls, as well as a personal economic impact. Over time, many people with hearing loss also experience feelings of depression and social isolation.
In many cases, use of an amplification device can protect against cognitive decline associated with hearing loss.

Facts About Hearing Loss

Hearing loss affects two-thirds of adults aged 70 years and older in the United States.

Over 23 million Americans with hearing loss are untreated.

Hearing loss is independently associated with cognitive decline, social isolation and depression.