Hundreds of thousands of hearing aid wearers soon will be able to participate in rock-and-roll history when legendary rock band Styx broadcasts the final show of its U.S. summer tour directly to their hearing aids.
This world’s first live broadcast will take place at approximately 9:38 p.m. EDT on Aug. 22 when audio engineers will capture the live concert feed directly from Styx’s soundboard and deliver it via a dedicated website to wearers of Oticon Opn™ hearing aids. Listeners wearing this device will receive in real time the exact same audio feed the live audience will hear at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ.
The live audio broadcast is designed to illustrate the high-tech capabilities of a new generation of Internet-connected hearing aids that are transforming from sound amplification tools into wearable personal productivity and entertainment devices.
More than 48 million Americans report some degree of hearing loss. Ironically, some of that damage could have been sustained by listening to loud rock and roll during their lifetimes. As more rock fans age, hearing aids — and especially Internet-connected ones — will become ubiquitous and an obvious way for consumers to connect and engage with just about any Internet-enabled device. In that respect, they might ultimately become the wearable technology of choice, providing a convenient way to enhance and engage with both physical and virtual worlds.
“It’s estimated that only 20 percent of people who could benefit from hearing aids seek help, with many waiting up to 10 years before they purchase a hearing aid,” said Sheena Oliver, an audiologist and Vice President for Oticon. “By partnering with Styx and their millions of loyal fans, we’re helping to take the stigma out of hearing aids and allowing people with hearing loss to enjoy a quality of sound they may not have experienced since their youth.”
Oticon’s family of Internet-connected hearing aids can communicate directly with a full range of connected devices. Wearers can listen to TV; connect with doorbells, smoke detectors, and other smart devices; and even get the weather — all through their hearing aids. At the same time, these small, discreet hearing aids deliver a more natural, clear, and open sound, enabling wearers to more easily listen and participate in conversations in crowded, noisy environments such as restaurants, public venues, or even live rock concerts. In fact, Opn hearing aids have been shown to boost speech understanding by 30 percent*, while reducing listening effort by 20 percent* and remembering more of conversations by 20 percent.*
Oticon Opn hearing aid wearers interested in experiencing this event should contact their local hearing care professional to receive instructions and login credentials for the password-protected audio feed. Opn wearers must have an iPhone® to connect.
For more information on the entire Oticon Opn family, visit www.Oticon.com/Opn.
* Le Goff et al. 2016, Opn Clinical Evidence White Paper, Oticon, Inc.
About Oticon
Oticon is one of the most innovative hearing device manufacturers with more than 110 years of experience putting the needs of people with hearing loss first. Oticon has spearheaded a number of technological breakthroughs which have made a significant difference for people with hearing loss. Oticon’s “brain first” audiological focus recognizes that speech understanding and comprehension are cognitive processes that happen in the brain. Oticon’s innovative BrainHearing™ technology is helping to provide better hearing with less effort by giving the brain the clearest, purest sound signals to decode. Oticon designs and manufactures hearing solutions for adults and specialized pediatric instruments. “People First” is Oticon’s strongest and most valued commitment to empower people to communicate freely, interact naturally and participate actively. For more information visit www.oticon.com.
About Styx
The six men comprising Styx have committed to rocking together with audiences far and wide by entering their fifth decade of touring. Averaging over 100 shows a year, each member of Styx is committed to making the next show better than the last. Styx draws from over four decades of chart-topping hits. Like a symphony that builds to a satisfying crescendo, a Styx set covers a wide range of stylistic cornerstones. From the progressively sweeping splendor that is “The Grand Illusion” to the hunker-down fortitude of all that is the “Blue Collar Man,” from the regal reach-for-the-stars bravado of “Come Sail Away” to the grainy all-in gallop of that rugged “Renegade” who had it made, the band draws on an unlimited cache of ways to immerse one’s mind and body in their signature sound.
Oticon Opn and Oticon ON App are compatible with iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone SE, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, 12.9-inch iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad (4th generation), iPad mini 4, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2, iPad mini, and iPod touch (5th and 6th generation). Devices must be running iOS 9.3 or later. The app also supports Apple Watch. When downloading the Oticon ON App on iPad, search for iPhone apps on the App Store.
Media Contact
For Oticon:
Denise DiMeglio
Gregory FCA
610-228-2102
denise@gregoryfca.com
For Styx:
Amanda Cagan
ABC Public Relations
818-990-6876
amanda@abc-pr.com