Crown Heights [CHI] — Professor of Audiology at Hofstra University, Dr. Levi A. Reiter, together with the collective creative genius of the engineers at Persona Medical Inc., have applied the latest technological developments in digital technology to the creation of the world’s most Sabbath friendly hearing aid.
Professor Invents Shabbos-Friendly Hearing Aid
Crown Heights [CHI] — Professor of Audiology at Hofstra University, Dr. Levi A. Reiter, together with the collective creative genius of the engineers at Persona Medical Inc., have applied the latest technological developments in digital technology to the creation of the world’s most Sabbath friendly hearing aid.
Better hearing aids today are equipped with as many as four or five selectable listening programs which the wearer can access at the touch of a button. Programs are designed to increase ease of listening in various sound environments, e.g., restaurants, music venues, traffic noise, etc.
Orthodox Jews who wear high end, multi-program, hearing aids often elect to deprive themselves of the multi-program feature because of the likelihood of inadvertently depressing the program button while inserting the instrument on the Jewish Sabbath.
According to Jewish Law operating electronic switching mechanisms may violate one of the principles of Sabbath observance. Their choice is often to have their audiologist program the instrument’s software to disable the multi-program option. Unfortunately, however, the same software operation which solves the Sabbath problem, also denies the wearer access to program selection during the week when it could be very useful.
The new “Emet” hearing aid, inscribed with the Hebrew font meaning “true” (as in true sound), enables a hearing aid wearer to control when to activate the multi-program option. Therefore, during the week the wearer has full access to any one of four listening programs. Before the Sabbath arrives the wearer can select the listening program he/she prefers for the day. The chosen program cannot be altered inadvertently. Once the week days resume, the wearer can again assume full access to a wide range of listening settings.
Fortunately we have been able to apply the “Emet” concept to all known hearing aid types, including: the tiny custom, “deep canal” fittings, the full range of “in-the-ear”sizes, and the “behind-the-ear” series, including: “slim-tube open ear” fittings, “receiver-in-canal” instruments, and powerful behind-the-ear hearing aids.
Dr. Levi A. Reiter, Ph.D. is a Professor of Audiology at the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences at Hofstra University in Hempstead, Long Island. He has an Audiology practice in Crown Heights, assessing hearing disorders and dispensing hearing aids in all age groups. He can be reached at auddoc770@gmail.com.
Naftoli
As well as being an amazing scientist and clinician Dr Reiter is a real mentch. He should go from strength to strength in all his endeavours.
impressive
hatzlocha!!!!!!!!!!using modern day technology to help yidden!!wow!!
same for other devices?
Would it be possible to adapt the
same features for other devices (e.g.
microphone, telephone, etc.) so that
they can used on Shabbos?
One argument justifying using a mic on Shabbos
is that it’s the same technology as a hearing-aid.
So if the aid is allowed on Shabbos, why not the mic?
DR. LEVI REITER SAYS....
Whether a particular individual can use a hearing aid on Shabbos is a question for a knowledgeable Rav.
The title of this article was supposed to read “the World’s Most Sabbath Friendly Hearing Aid”– which the EMET is !
To answer #3’s question…There are many technical differences btw using a hearing aid and operating a standard microphone. For a more in depth answer contact me at the email address given, or consult a knowledgeable Rav.
chabad of hofstra
there is a wonderful chabad at hofstra that does amazing work!rabbi shmuley and rebbetzin chavie lieberman regularly host shabbat meals for students,holiday programs learning classes amongst many many other daily activities
please please consider a donation to the chabad of hofstra
it has a very jewish presence and they are definately making the rebbe very proud!!!
Friend of the gaboyim
I hope u make GAZILLIONS in royalties so we can start renovating the shul. Three cheers for Dr. Deaf!
NP
I wear hearing aids and a rov told me it totally depends on the person, and how needed the hearing aids are as to whether or not they can wear them on Shabbos. As great as this invention is, and I commend you for it, it sucks b/c now if a Rov paskins that this is the only kind I would be able to wear, I am not spending another $5,000 per ear to hear better on Shabbos. Sorry, man… I will have to miss out on the wonderful sounds I love hearing, b/c this is just too damn expensive.
proud daughter
Go Totty!!!
I hope many people can benefit from the hard work you put into this!!
We are proud to have such an inspiring Totty and Zaidy :)
Love,
Sara Ruchel, Yaakov and the kids!!
HAPPY CAMPER
TO LADY #7- NP …
TOO BAD YOU CHOSE TO SPEND $10,000 FOR YOUR
HEARING AIDS —
YOU COULD HAVE PRICED DR. REITER AND FOUND OUT
THAT HIS PRICES AND SERVICE ARE THE BEST IN TOWN !!
I WOULDN’T GO ANYWHERE ELSE !!
DR. LEVI REITER SAYS....
To NP:
Your 1st point is correct. Shailas regarding the use of hearing aids on Shabbos should be directed to a knowledgeable Rov.
Points #2 & #3 require clarification.
Point #2: This invention can not posul your existing hearing aids.
Point #3: If you paid $5000 per hearing aid, you were sorely ripped off.
A “pair” of decent hearing aids can often be purchased for less money than you were charged for a single instrument.
Hechts
Yay Tatty, Shver and Zaidy!!!!
We’re sooooo proud of you and so proud to be yours.
We love you,
The Hecht Family, CT
Customer
Thank you Dr Reiter for all you do! No one better in the business than you!
Chani, Dovy and Kiddies
Go Totty, Abba, and Zaidy!
U work so hard helping so many people all day and all night!
Ur an inspiration to us all!
We love you!
Love,
Chani, Dovy, and kiddies :)
Nechama
It’s a superb idea and very much needed as Shabbos can pose lots of issues with hearing aids.
I highly recommend using Dr. Reiter and I am sure that this line of hearing aids was created with a lot of thought based on Dr. Reiter’s experience and that they are worthwhile purchases.
Dr. Reiter is a fantastic audiologist, as well as a mentch and he very much goes out of his way for his patients.
Moshe Steinberg
Dr Reiter’s vast knowledge in the hearing sciences coupled with his warm and caring demeanor have made him one of the top Audiologist in the country.He has been a nonstop innovator and this invention is just one more accomplishment under his belt.
We are truly blessed to have him in our community.
Yaakov R
what a great idea! go Dr. Reiter! keep up the great work you do for the community!
Yossie Jaffe
Thank you dr reiter for this amazing article. I have been waiting for answers about shabbos hearing aids. This is great.