The Bean Quiet Sound Amplifier
From: IEEE Spectrum - 09/14/2014
By: Tekla S. Perry

An intelligent amplifier boosts hearing without a prescription

Etymotic's Bean Quiet Sound Amplifier is the size and shape of a wireless
earbud and costs $375 for one or $700 for a pair. It pays attention to volume
as well as frequency, boosting both soft sounds and high-pitched sounds
(human hearing inevitably degrades over time, with less and less sensitivity
to high frequencies). Other sounds are passed through without amplification;
very loud sounds (above 120 decibels) are not passed through at all. It can
handle sounds from 50 hertz to 16 kilohertz, a wider range than most hearing
aids.

The Bean is classified as a personal sound amplifier and not a hearing aid by
the US Food and Drug Administration, allowing it to be sold directly to
consumers - the difference between the two being that personal sound amplifiers
are intended for occasional use and not to treat a hearing impairment.

Read the entire article at:
http://spectrum.ieee.org/geek-life/tools-toys/review-the-bean-quiet-sound-amplifier

Links:
Bean Quiet Sound Amplifier
http://www.qsabean.com/

Hearing Aids and Personal Sound Amplifiers: Know the Difference
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM187224.pdf