Memorable Starkey Hearing Innovation Expo 2016 Recap

What a weekend! I got to travel to Las Vegas, Nevada this last week for the Starkey Hearing Innovation Expo 2016 for continuing education credits and for some incredible pep talking with 3000 of my closest friends! Not only that, my mom, a hearing aid clinic owner (Baker Hearing Aids), and both of our husbands joined in on the fun. If you know anything about me, then you know that my mom bought her clinic in 1988 and has been the absolute inspiration for me to open my own clinic, Levine Hearing, in Charlotte, NC.

So here is my Starkey Hearing Innovation Expo 2016 recap:

First, I got to take some classes which will immediately benefit my patients. Evidence Based Tinnitus Therapy, Your Brain on Hearing Aids…and more! I’m a hearing aid geek, so I was in heaven 😉 Starkey announced their newest technology releases, slated for March 2016, such as the Halo 2 and the Soundlens 2! Another big piece of news: a partnership between Bragi and Starkey.

Bragi is taking wearables to the next level…the most logical level, if you ask me. To the ear. Introducing: HEARABLES. I’m so excited y’all. Bragi Dash is already on the market, streaming music and phone calls and keeping track of physical activity but the future applications with Starkey are what I’m looking forward to. Imagine a small device in your ear that holds all the computing power of your smartphone…it can stream phone calls…to answer, just shake your head yes.

It has 10, 20, maybe 1000s of sensors on the surface of the device taking your vitals, counting your steps, replacing your fitbit and maybe even replacing a life alert. I can really see younger people wearing these devices much more easily than the fitbit or the Apple watch.

They will actually be less conspicuous and they provide data straight to your ear, where no one else needs to be the wiser. Now, envision the complete face lift that this combination of technology could give hearing aids. A custom, comfortable earpiece that provides all the “smart” features we want into one device PLUS it improves hearing for those with impairment. That’s the stuff dreams are made of! (Read speculation about the Dash for hearing loss)

The Starkey Expo 2016 probably had the most all-star lineup of speakers ever assembled. No, I mean it. Ever. Oh yah, and Mark Cuban swung by. You don’t know this but…my date nights almost always include an episode or two of Shark Tank! All the speakers were impressive, but I will say that Mark Cuban and President Bush were my favorites. They were just hilariously candid!

Mom walks up to Evander Holyfield, and with eyes as big as saucers says, ” …Hi Evander…” then slips right under his arm! hehehe.. Not sure why, but it was so funny! He is obviously a big guy but his hands are super-sized! Look at the one on my mom’s shoulder!

And I got to meet a woman, Dr. Gyl Kasewurm, who I have looked up to and followed as a mentor (though she didn’t know it yet!), and took two of her classes this week.

She has a thriving hearing aid and audiology practice, and has become a celebrity in her own right, teaching other professionals how to put their patients first and grow their practices to achieve their biggest goals. <—-I’m a fan, can you tell?

If you have an extra minute and are interested, visit her website and check out the photos of her office interior. It is the most comfortable and creative healthcare practice that you have ever seen!

The Starkey Expo 2016 was my first and I was beyond impressed. If you were there, what was your favorite part of the expo? Who was your favorite speaker? And if you weren’t, what do you think about the Bragi Dash?

Hi! I’m Madison. I’m a Hearing Instrument Specialist (like my mother). I’m  observing, learning, absorbing and sharing as I become a part of this beautiful South Charlotte Hearing community. I want to know you! So please leave me comments if  my posts are meaningful to you or teach you something new, and feel free to tweet  me at @LevineHearing!