Chicago, IL, September 24, 2014 — Out of an astounding 552 nominees, Beltone, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of hearing devices, has been selected as one of the Top 100 Finalists still in the running for the 13th annual Chicago Innovation Awards. The award celebrates the most innovative new products and services in the Chicago region across all organization sizes, sectors and industries. 1500 business and civic leaders will come together to honor the winners when they are announced on October 30th at a gala event in Chicago.
The innovation nominated by Beltone is Beltone First™, an award winning breakthrough in hearing technology. The new hearing aid, which fits 9 out of 10 hearing losses, is the first-ever to offer a direct connection between the iPhone® and the hearing aid via an industry-leading 2.4 GHz signal without using any intermediate devices. This new technology allows the user to stream phone calls, music, movies, audio from videos, turn-by-turn directions, FaceTime® conversations, Siri® and much more directly to their heading aids. In addition to its advanced streaming capabilities, Beltone First is ergonomically designed to be lightweight and sit securely behind the ear, hidden from view.
“Chicago is in the midst of a monumental upsurge in innovation,” said Tom Kuczmarski, co-founder with Chicago journalist Dan Miller of the awards. “It’s inspiring to see the range of vision and the depth of talent among organizations in the Chicago area. Companies are investing in innovation and taking more risks to launch new ventures and uncover new value.”
As one of the Top 100 Finalists, Beltone will receive a $2,500 scholarship to attend The Practical Innovator, a day-long executive education course led by top faculty who teach innovation at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.
Each of the Top 100 Finalists is also in the running for the annual “People’s Choice Award,” selected through online balloting at www.chicagoinnovationawards.com. The deadline to vote is October 3rd 2014.
Out of the Top 100 Finalists, the judges will select 10 winners of the Chicago Innovation Awards, as well as winners of the Up-and-Comer Awards representing innovation in the start-up community, the Social Innovator Award and the Collaboration Award. The winners will be invited to ring the NASDAQ Bell in New York City, invited to separate meetings with Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Governor Quinn, and Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle to discuss their innovation, profiled in Crain’s Chicago Business, and invited to business leadership training at Disney Institute in Orlando, FL.
About Beltone
Founded in 1940, Chicago-based Beltone is part of the GN Hearing Care Group, utilizing advanced technology to produce hearing aid instruments sold in the United States, Canada and over 50 countries worldwide. In addition to providing outstanding service and support for its U.S. hearing care network operating in over 1,500 offices in North America, Beltone remains the most trusted brand for quality products and care among its patients and adults aged 50 and older. Visit Beltone at www.beltone.com or the Beltone Expo Page on AudiologyOnline.
