Talk:Starkey Hearing Technologies

Unsourced, self-sourced, or badly sourced

The following is promotional in tone and content and is either unsourced, sourced to the company website, or badly sourced. I have moved it here per WP:PRESERVE. Per WP:BURDEN please do not restore without finding independent, reliable sources, checking the content against them, and citing them, and ensuring that this content has appropriate WP:WEIGHT in the article overall.

from lead

It is the only American-owned major hearing aid manufacturer in the world and is the largest hearing aid manufacturer in the U.S. The company has 21 facilities in more than 18 countries throughout North America, South America, Central America, Europe, Asia and Australia and employs nearly 5000 people worldwide.

With sales of more than 1 million hearing aids annually, Starkey Hearing Technologies is one of the world’s leading hearing aid manufacturers. The company develops, manufactures and distributes hearing aids via three distinct brands – Audibel, NuEar and its original brand, Starkey.

History==

William (Bill) F. Austin was born in Springfield, Missouri to his father, J.E. "Dutch" Austin, a Georgia-Pacific lumber grader and his mother, Zola, a factory worker. Bill grew up in Garibaldi, Oregon with the intention of becoming a doctor. In 1961, he enrolled in a pre-med program at the University of Minnesota but later dropped out to open a hearing instruments shop in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

In 1967, Austin started Professional Hearing Aid Service, an all-make hearing instrument repair service, out of his home. The company offered fixed repair charges—and industry first. Austin eventually moved his company out of his home and into a large office building located at 4725 Excelsior Boulevard in St. Louis Park.

In 1971, Austin purchased Starkey Laboratories from Harold Starkey and began to build the foundation for the present-day company, Starkey Hearing Technologies. Throughout the 1970s, Austin grew Starkey from a local at-home hearing instrument repair company to a global leader in building custom hearing aid technologies. Additionally, as the company grew, Austin looked for a way to give back, and in 1978 he created the Starkey Fund, a battery recycling program with proceeds that went to help needy people receive hearing assistance. The Fund would later evolve into the non-profit Starkey Hearing Foundation.

1970s

Starkey Laboratories grew throughout the 1970s. In 1971, Austin purchased Starkey Laboratories, a small earmold company, from Harold Starkey. He then merged it with Professional Hearing Aid Service, retaining the Starkey name. The company sold just under 2000 hearings aids in 1972, but sales grew to more than 65,000 units by 1976. Starkey was now one of the top ten hearing aid manufacturers in the United States. In 1973, Starkey, unveiled the hearing industry's first custom, in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid, the Custom Ear (CE-1)[1], the industry’s first 90-day trial period and one-year “Worry Free” warranty. This policy stunned his competitors, but has since become standard procedure for the hearing aid industry. In addition, the trial period window allowed hearing professionals time to demonstrate custom hearing aids to patients by relying on the no-risk free trial policy. In fact, this led to in-the-ear hearing aid sales growing from 12 percent in 1975 to nearly 50 percent by 1983, earning Starkey recognition as the world's premier manufacturer of custom hearing aids. Starkey Labs continued to grow and expand throughout the rest of the 70s with some significant landmark achievements:

• In 1975, the company performed more than 80,000 hearing aid repairs and worked with a network of more than 2,700 hearing aid dealers. The company headquarters were also relocated to a 13-acre campus in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, which today has grown to more than 40 acres.

• In 1976, the company’s first subsidiary was opened in Manchester, England. Over the next few years, additional facilities would open in Toronto, Canada; Glencoe, Minnesota; Hamburg, Germany; and Paris, France.

• In 1977, the CARE program was introduced. CARE was designed to both benefit the patient and improve the image of the hearing industry through the creation of educational materials that promotes the virtues of hearing well.

• In 1979, Starkey developed the CHAT hearing aid tester, the Tinnitus Research Audiometer and the Digital Drain Meter—state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment that helped to improve patient service.

Additionally, in 1978 Austin established the philanthropic Starkey Fund, a battery-recycling program with proceeds going to help needy people receive hearing assistance. "If we encountered a patient who needed help and couldn't afford a hearing aid, we'd just write 'Starkey Fund' on the order,” Starkey Hearing Technologies CEO said. “In 1984, we decided we needed something lasting; we needed a formal foundation."[2] Per Austin’s direction, in1984, the Starkey Fund program evolved into the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Officially established in 1984, Starkey Hearing Foundation is a public charity, which as of December 2016, has given away more than 1.5 million hearing aids to people in need in the U.S. and around the world.

1980s

The 80s saw tremendous growth and technological innovation for Starkey including the release of the hearing industry's first canal hearing aid, the CE-5 Series, in 1982.

Another major turning point in the history of Starkey Hearing Technologies, and the hearing aid industry in general, was September 7, 1983 when President Ronald Reagan was fit with Starkey's new INTRA hearing aids. Word of Reagan’s hearing aid fitting was leaked to the press two days later. Several photos of President Reagan wearing hearing aids led to a wider acceptance of the devices among the general public and increased sales of hearing aids throughout the industry.

Starkey's orders alone doubled a week after Reagan’s fitting, and then doubled again the following week. Following the inaugural fitting, Austin made several personal trips to Washington D.C. and Palm Springs to meet with the President and personally ensure that he was satisfied with the devices.

This incident dramatically raised Austin's public persona both domestically and internationally. He soon began to personally handle hearing aid fittings for many celebrities, professional athletes, world leaders and public figures. Many of these relationships were instrumental in the development of the Starkey Fund into Starkey Hearing Foundation in 1984.

By the end of the 1980s, custom hearing aids would account for more than 75 percent of all domestic hearing aid sales.

1990s

Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, the hearing aid industry saw a period of large-scale consolidation. Starkey expanded in its own right, obtaining and promoting its own hearing aid brands and growing its global presence. During this time, Starkey purchased Omni Hearing Systems and acquired the San Diego-based brand NuEar. By the end of the decade, Austin would join forces with several unhappy Beltone dealers. This joining would result in the creation of the Audibel brand come 2000. Microtech was also established as a primary brand under the Starkey umbrella. From a global perspective, Starkey aggressively expanded into Australian, European and Asian markets.

During the 1990s, the company also committed itself to focusing on the future of hearing technology and manufacturing by hiring engineers to facilitate new products designs and innovation. The focus on innovation allowed Starkey to learn how to build smaller hearing aid shells, leading to another product breakthrough in 1992, with the introduction of the Tympanette. The first hearing aid to fit entirely in the ear canal, the Tympanette, provided patients with both acoustic and cosmetic benefits and was the industry’s first completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid. The Tympanette was the smallest and most popular hearing aid in the industry, resulting in increased demand for product.

"We became a leader in training programs and certifying people to fit these new styles of products," Starkey Hearing Technologies President Brandon Sawalich said. Around this time, Starkey also began developing many of the tools that hearing professionals use every day including the video otoscope, advanced silicone impression materials and work benches.

By 1997, Starkey was a global manufacturer with a international customer base. "It was a period in which product development was becoming more general and geared towards the demands of a global economy," Sawalich said. "We began to adapt our research and products to make sure they were applicable." By the end of the decade, the company had more than 40 factories with sales in more than 100 global markets.

2000s

Wiliam F. Austin Center lobby

By 2000, industry consolidation over the previous decade left six major hearing aid manufacturers remaining. Starkey was the only major American hearing aid manufacturer to survive, and to this day, remains the only major U.S based hearing aid manufacturer. For Starkey, the 2000s heralded an age of digital revolution and corporate growth. In 2012, the company would officially change its name from Starkey Laboratories to Starkey Hearing Technologies.

Between 2001 and 2009, Starkey launched five new hearing aid products, expanded its customer base, opened the doors for research and innovation with a dedicated research facility in Berkely, California, and began to break ground on expanding the company's world headquarters.

• In 2001, the Genesis digital hearing aid family was launched. Genesis would become the industry’s most comprehensive product line, with Axent hearing aids becoming the benchmark for advanced digital hearing technology.

• In 2002, the Starkey Hearing Alliance network was established to reward hearing professional customers.

• In 2003, Genesis 4 is released, offering those with hearing loss superior levels of audibility, high fidelity and hearing comfort.

• In 2004, the Starkey Hearing Research Center opened in Berkeley, California, focusing on long-term hearing research issues as well as product development.[1][2] Today, the research center works with multiple area universities to research and develop technical advances for the hearing impaired. It is located one block from the University of California, Berkeley campus and plays a critical role in the understanding of the science of hearing and the science of hearing aids.

• In 2006, Starkey revolutionized the hearing aid industry with the introduction of Destiny, the first hearing aid to utilize digital technology in a completely new way, and the first to virtually all feedback in hearing aids once and for all. During this time, the company also introduced Inspire, a computer software fitting system that allowed hearing professionals to program hearing aids.

• In 2008, Zōn® hearing aids followed, revolutionizing the way hearing aids look. Zōn would win more than a dozen design and consumer electronics awards due to its innovative design and style.

• In 2009, following the success of Zōn, the S Series® with Drive Architecture™ was released. Using multi-core, open architecture technology, S Series hearing aids would go on to be one of the best-selling lines of hearing aids in the industry.

Between 2010 and 2013, Starkey’s new products would focus on the way patients hear, handle tinnitus and the styling options of hearing aids. In 2010, the company launched Wi Series®, which enabled wearers to stream sound directly from their TV or radio to their hearing aids without any body-worn relay device. SoundLens™, was also released as the world’s first custom invisible-in-the-canal hearing aid. This time frame also saw the company develop hearing solutions for children, launch X Series, accessories including Surflink Mobile, tinnitus solutions and 3 Series.

Present

Halo 2 i2400 and Muse i2400

Starkey Laboratories changed its name to Starkey Hearing Technologies in 2012. That same year, Starkey hosted the very first Hearing Innovation Expo, held at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The event was a first for the hearing industry and was attended by more than 3,000 hearing care professionals. Highlights included a keynote address from President Bill Clinton, speeches from industry thought leaders, world-class scientists and executives from Fortune 500 companies.

Magic Johnson, speaking at the 2016 Hearing Innovation Expo

The second Hearing Innovation Expo returned to the Cosmopolitan in January 2014, again headlined by former presidents. Both Bill Clinton and George W. Bush delivered keynote addresses for those in attendance. Expo 2016 was held January 20–24 and included Ben Affleck, Magic Johnson, Presidents Bush and Clinton, author and motivational speaker Andy Andrews, Randi Zuckerberg, author Daniel Pink, entrepreneur Peter Diamandis, author Mike Maddock and panelists from ABC's Shark Tank, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O'Leary, Daymond John and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

References

-- Jytdog (talk) 19:21, 8 July 2017 (UTC)

Which External links to use?

User:DadaNeem per WP:ELNO they get one promotional link to their company. We exactly do not do multiple ones. The is a link to the foundation website at the corporate website. Jytdog (talk) 09:14, 3 August 2017 (UTC)

Where does it say "one promotional link"? Firstly, I resent the inference that my edits are promoting the company-I'm simply trying to make WP more useful and relevent. As I said in my edit description, "Starkey Hearing Foundation link as it redirects here"-those being redirected to Starkey Hearing Technologies from a reference to Starkey Hearing Foundation will expect the Foundation to be mentioned and while they could go to the SHT website to find the SHF link, it could be convenient to have it available; they are basically sharing the same space, rather than having a page each, so both links are relevant. Have you some knowledge of redirects-they should be bolded, which you removed. Pls see wp:Redirect#What needs to be done on pages that are targets of redirects? DadaNeem (talk) 10:22, 3 August 2017 (UTC)

Please read WP:ELNO. The foundation is mentioned in this article. Jytdog (talk) 20:34, 3 August 2017 (UTC)

Sorry it is actually in the WP:ELMINOFFICIAL part. Jytdog (talk) 20:37, 3 August 2017 (UTC)

You created the redirect, and now you are using that as some kind of objective reason to emphasize the foundation. Hm. Jytdog (talk) 20:39, 3 August 2017 (UTC)

The Foundation was already mentioned on the page. I didn't write it. I get the feeling you want me to feel bad/guilty. I don't. I made the redirect and as I usually do (for my 15,467 redirects and counting), when necessary, I bold the item and make it obvious why the redirect was made. I have nothing to hide. Weasel words do not become either of us.

I find it difficult to understand your reasoning eg "The foundation is mentioned in this article." or the other WP:article-does that mean "a foundation". The only foundation mentioned on either WP:page is the WP foundation. I find it hard to cooperate when we're not communicating... DadaNeem (talk) 01:55, 7 August 2017 (UTC)

when I wrote "the foundation is mentioned in this article" i meant exactly the same thing you wrote in your first sentence. It is here. People will find it when they follow the redirect you set up.

You seem to be unaware of the history of this page. I suggest that you review its history. You can look at, say this version. Jytdog (talk) 03:32, 7 August 2017 (UTC)

Ok-now I understand which article you mean. You might want to reread what you wrote and make it clearer next time. Moving on: the foundation is mentioned in this article"-yes, but is in the last paragraph and isn't bolded. The similarity of names should help a user orientate so bolding could be optional for Starkey Hearing Foundation DadaNeem (talk) 03:48, 7 August 2017 (UTC)

Re the history, no I didn't go through it finely, but did note (above) that you had taken a heap out. Is it possible, having removed the Starkey Hearing Foundation link, you are unwilling to consider it's relevance? DadaNeem (talk) 03:55, 7 August 2017 (UTC)

BTW: Examples where multiple External links are used:

* Bill_Gates#External_links - Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

* surely heaps of other businessmen. Working backwards from some Foundation or philanthropist category might show them

* almost any actor. imdb is there and if they have, their own page

Again, please look at this version - that is a link to the section that used to be here about the foundation. Jytdog (talk) 04:52, 7 August 2017 (UTC)

Yes-what are you trying to say? That material seems to be well supported by secondary sources-Yahoo, CNN USA Today etc. yet you removed it. Why? DadaNeem (talk) 05:59, 7 August 2017 (UTC)

most of it was unsourced and it was an orgy of promotionalism.

anyway you are not going to convince me to include the bolding or the link, and i am not going to convince you that both are promotional. so what kind of DR would you like to pursue? Jytdog (talk) 07:20, 7 August 2017 (UTC)

Indian connection

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

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Is there a connection to India? Are the hearing aids made in India? There are very many of the Starkey BTE Aries Pro 675 available in eBay from India (however those would not include the extras that hearing aids stores provide). And Starkey India is the Indian web site for the company. I get the impression that although the company is American the products are made in India. India is full of very intelligent people so it is probably a good thing to make the product there and I just want to know the truth. The American Medi-Cal health coverage is ensuring that many of these devices are sold; I wonder if there are any made in America that are as good or better at the amount that the Medi-Cal providers are paying.

I can't find any reviews for the Starkey BTE Aries Pro 675; I used Google to search for reviews of that and there are no reviews among all 9 pages. I just want to know if I am the only one having serious problems with them. Sam Tomato (talk) 05:01, 27 August 2017 (UTC)

You can perhaps ask at the Help:Reference desk. This is not a discussion forum for Starkey products. Jytdog (talk) 06:39, 27 August 2017 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.