Dr. Jennifer Gryska AuD is offering lower-cost, high-tech alternatives to hearing aids.
LEXANA, Kan., April 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Hearing loss affects 20 percent of Americans, yet their options are extremely limited. Dr. Jennifer Gryska, an audiologist in Lenexa, Kan., wants to change that.
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140425/78392
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140425/78393
"I have found a tremendous need for consumers to have more options," said Gryska. "Consumers have only been given the choice of hearing aids in the past, but there is new technology, such as Bluetooth, that can open a whole new world."
Gryska plans to open a store in Overland Park that offers many more alternatives to standard hearing aids. "There are other options, they just haven't been in the forefront for people to purchase," she explained. "And many people simply can't afford the $4,000-6,000 for a typical hearing aid."
The proposed store, called Smart Hearing and Balance, would offer a wide range of high-tech hearing devices, some of which are designed for specific situations, such as telephones, televisions and tablets. A large showroom is planned, featuring many hands-on displays of devices from amplified headphones to Bluetooth telephones.
In addition, the store would provide consultations from highly-trained audiology professionals, helping customers choose the right type of high-tech device.
"It's not just a retail store, it's a place that can really change people's lives," noted Gryska.
In order to open this prototype store, $50,000 is needed for design work, furniture and products, and Gryska has launched an Indiegogo campaign to generate the necessary funding. The Indigogo page can be viewed at www.indiegogo.com/projects/saving-the-world-one-ear-at-a-time.
Donations of any amount are welcome. For those pledging at least $100, perks are available, ranging from T-shirts to store items. A $10,000 donation is rewarded with a 20 percent discount to any store item in the first year of operation.
"Smart Hearing and Balance is bringing technology out of the hidden realms in audiology and into the consumer's hands," Gryska said. "No longer is purchasing a hearing aid the one and only way to help with hearing loss. Today's technology gives the consumer help with everyday situations through Bluetooth and new wireless features.
"Our place will be the first to harness a showroom of accessories from amplified telephones, custom earphones for iPods, mp3s and cell phones, technology for tablets and PCs, technology for restaurants, hearing protection, wireless TV amplifiers and much more."
For additional information, visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/saving-the-world-one-ear-at-a-time or the Smart Hearing and Balance website, www.smarthearingandbalance.com.
Contact:
Dr. Jennifer Gryska AuD
+1-855-762-7840
Email
www.smarthearingandbalance.com