Jacoti ListenApp: A Free Clinically-Validated iOS App Available to Support People With Hearing Loss During the COVID-19 Emergency

Use cases include using Jacoti ListenApp as a “Spare Hearing Aid” if Hearing Aids stop working, a remote link with a trusted audiologist, and a tool for healthcare settings to facilitate communication between patients and caregivers.

A solution consistent with current social distancing requirements.

In order to stay connected to their lives and, if necessary, communicate with medical professionals during this unprecedented time, it is crucial that people with hearing loss continue to have access to high quality hearing technology. However, it has become increasingly difficult for patients to meet in person with their hearing healthcare providers for adjustments and repair of their hearing aids.

To meet these needs, Jacoti Hearing Technologies has relaunched Jacoti ListenApp, a free, clinically-validated iOS hearing app. Jacoti Listenapp will be maintained as long as the COVID-19 situation affects the daily lives of people with hearing challenges.

A Spare Hearing Aid

An iPhone equipped with Jacoti ListenApp and a pair of Apple EarPods could serve as a “spare hearing aid” if a person’s primary hearing device stops working and they can’t see an audiologist. Jacoti ListenApp can be configured and personalised in two different ways:

• A user can enter data manually from a pure-tone audiogram.
• Users can, at home, take a self-directed CE certified and FDA registered hearing test on their iPhone (Jacoti Hearing Center). Jacoti Hearing Center will then automatically generate a clinically-valid audiogram.

Jacoti ListenApp is available for iOS in the AppStore.

Bluetooth headsets are not currently supported due to excessive audio latency (sound delay) produced by wireless connectivity. A future solution to enable usage of Jacoti ListenApp with wireless headsets is planned for the future.

Installation requirements: Jacoti ListenApp is available for iPhone5S/6/6Plus/6S/6Splus /SE/7/7Plus/ 8/8Plus/X/Xs /Xs Max/Xr and with an iPod Touch 6th generation. It is intended for use with Apple EarPods (version with 3.5 mm jack connector if you use an iPhone5S/6/ 6Plus/6S/ 6S Plus / SE and iPod Touch 6th generation, version with lightning connector if you use an iPhone 7 / 7 Plus / 8 / 8 Plus / X / Xs / Xs Max / Xr). The version of iOS must be iOS 12.x or 13.x.

iPhones 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max are not supported at present.

Remote Link With Trusted Audiologists

To fulfil present needs, audiologists can create a free expert beta account in Jacoti earCloud® to support their patients. The platform allows to:

• Invite their patients to use Jacoti ListenApp.
• Connect remotely with them.
• Track their hearing.
• Professionally fit Jacoti Listenapp for their patients.

A Reliable Live Listening Solution

According to a recent study, Jacoti ListenApp was found to be an effective live listening solution for persons with mild to moderate hearing losses (Medwetsky, L., Kelly, K, and Bakke, M, 2020). Jacoti ListenApp has also been recommended as an assistance tool in healthcare settings to help optimise speech understanding with caregivers (Goldin, A., Weinstein, B., Shiman, N., 2020).

Jacoti Develops Medical Technologies Compatible With Social Distancing

• Available directly in users’ homes
• Self or auto-adjustable
• Hearing device and hearing assessment tool in compliance with medical regulations
• Accessible remotely by hearing experts

Jacoti ListenApp is separately FDA listed as a Class I Medical Device in the U.S. and complies with the CE requirements for medical devices (CE 2797) in Europe.

Jacoti Hearing Center is a Class II FDA listed Medical Device, classified under product code EWO in the U.S and complies with the CE requirements for medical devices (CE 2797) in Europe.