SOMERSET, NJ August 20 -- The Veterans Administration (VA) has awarded Oticon, Inc., a new Hearing Aid National Contract as an official supplier of hearing devices for the more than 9 million US veterans who seek health care through the VA system. In addition to the Veterans Administration, Oticon will supply hearing solutions to the Department of Defense and other federal agencies within the 50 states, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico. The new contract takes effect on November 1 for a one-year base period with the option to extend the contract for four additional one-year periods.
“We are pleased that the Veterans Administration selected Oticon to supply advanced technology hearing instruments to a population of people with hearing loss who have so generously served their country,” said Oticon President Peer Lauritsen. “Oticon’s dedicated Government Services Team looks forward to continuing to work closely with VA and government audiologists to bring quality products and services to US veterans and active duty military service personnel.”
Tinnitus and hearing loss are the two most prevalent service-connected disabilities among veterans. Military veterans account for about 20 percent of all hearing device units dispensed in the United States. In the latest statistics from the Hearing Industries Association, the Department of Veterans Affairs accounted for 20.6% of all units—or 617,000 out of 2.99 million hearing instruments —dispensed in the United States during 2013, for a unit growth rate of 7.3% over 2012.
In selecting companies for the national contract, the VA focuses on a company’s technical expertise, experience and capacity. Oticon hearing solutions, built on the company’s state-of-the-art Inium platform, offer veterans the most advanced technologies in the smallest form factors and at the same time, deliver industry-leading audiology.
The Oticon Alta delivers improved performance and personalization with reduced listening effort -- proven to create a high level of patient satisfaction. Alta1 Pro features a selection of tinnitus relief sounds designed to support common tinnitus management approaches. Wireless capabilities also enable veterans to talk hands-free on their cell phone or home phone, enjoy music, watch TV and much more with Oticon’s integrated ConnectLine system. The ConnectLine App for iPhone® and new Streamer Pro transform Alta hearing devices into wireless headsets for easy voice calling, FaceTime and more.
For more information about the Oticon Alta and Alta1 Pro and all Oticon hearing solutions, visit oticonusa.com or the Oticon Expo Page on AudiologyOnline.
