Intricon introduces new patent-pending APT Open in-the-canal hearing aid

IntriCon Corporation, a designer, developer, manufacturer and distributor of body-worn devices, today announced that it has launched its all-new, patent-pending APT™ Open in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid. Previewed at the European Hearing Aid Acousticians conference in October 2010, APT is a complete, technically advanced hearing aid.

"IntriCon has a track record of developing hearing aids that bring proprietary enhancements to the marketplace—the APT continues that tradition," said Mark S. Gorder, president and chief executive officer of IntriCon. "According to the Better Hearing Institute, an estimated 31.5 million people suffer from hearing difficulty. What's troubling is that many of these people are reluctant to seek help.

"Research has shown that there are considerable negative social, psychological, cognitive and health effects associated with untreated hearing loss. APT offers an effective means to address this condition—it's a technology-driven device that delivers the latest advances in hearing health."

APT is powered by IntriCon's Overtus™ DSP amplifier and features the company's Reliant CLEAR™ adaptive feedback canceller and the AcousTAP ™ acoustic push button. Reliant CLEAR is the latest in feedback cancellation, offering more added stable gain and faster reaction time. The AcousTAP Switch changes user programs when the ear is patted and not the hearing aid—this eliminates the physical push button, saving size and cost.

APT's elegant design is so small (smaller than a dime) that it does not occlude a person's ear canal and the product's replaceable wax guard system enhances the device's robust mechanical design. Additionally, its patent-pending retention features allow the unit to be easily converted to either a left- or right-ear device. These unique features create stable, effective amplification, occlusion-free comfort and easy integration into existing fitting systems.