"Once I told her, it suddenly made sense," he said. "She noticed I was saying 'What?' a lot less."
Beltone did not invent Receiver In Ear (RIE) technology, and they weren't the first to imagine it, Holmes says. But they do have a good ear for what works and what doesn't.

This month, Beltone is part of field trail exams for new Marq 17 and Marq 9 hearing aids that couple the smallest size with the most power available in today.

"It's the newest thing that just came out," Holmes said. "It's our first opportunity to put out an even smaller model."

RIE technology combines the comfort of open-fit hearing aids with the greater mid-frequency range of in-ear models. Topping out at about 1.4 grams, it rests comfortably and almost invisibly behind the earlobe, he said.

"Have difficulty with young kid's and women's voices? The Marq raises your level of hearing in those high frequencies related to speech," Holmes said.

"Have difficulty in a crowded room with a lot of background noise? The Marq filters out background noise providing you with clear sound," he said.

How can something so tiny make sound so big? Holmes explains how it works:

The microphones and computer chip are housed within a miniature frame ergonomically designed to hug the ear. A thin tube concealing a copper strip connects the frame to a receiver, placing amplification close to the eardrum without blocking the ear canal. The receiver transmits sound directly to the eardrum at such close range that the middle frequencies vital to speech comprehension can be amplified with greater power than any previous mini-BTE (Behind The Ear) model.

Cosmetically speaking, the Marq frame measures less than one inch tall -- and its width doesn't even make a full centimeter. It comes in a variety of colors to compliment a wide range of skin tones and hair colors -- even red or purple just for fun.

"The designers knew that with such small pieces a certain amount of fragility comes with the territory, so to speak, and they planned accordingly," Holmes said.

The Marq design allows for serious wear and tear without danger of dysfunction. The housing can be quickly and easily be replaced and reused, Holmes said.

"The key word is 'double,'" he said. "Double receiver-connector locking system, double microphone protection, and double wax guard for receiver protection."

Because Beltone is part of the field exam, customers can try the new hearing technology for two weeks free. Those who want it buy will get their pair for about two-thirds of the normal $5,000 cost for being part of the test. Test participants also get a free video exam and a free hearing screening.

In the Joliet area, call the Beltone Hearing Center at (815) 722-4240 for more information.

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