Ive recently tried a pair of Able Planet NC1000CH Clear Harmony headphones and here is my verdict: excellent noise reduction without excessively tainted sound, rich tones, comfortable, quite expensive.
I agree with CNETs review that there is no real incentive for customers to shell out 300 dollars for these headphones instead of the better known Bose Quiet Comfort Series. Bose has a longer track record that people are familiar with.
However, I will purchase the Able Planets headphones because I am familiar with their other products. I believe in their patented Linx technology. These headphones are incredible and in my opinion- slightly better than the Bose headphones.
Other Advantages to the Clear Harmony over Bose Quiet Comfort? :
1. Even with the noise cancellation switched off (or if the two AAA batteries that power it are removed), the Clear Harmony headphones still can be used to play music (unlike the Bose Quiet Comfort 2 and Quiet Comfort 3, which need to be powered to work).
2. Clear Harmony is built to work with hearing aids- not electromagnetic interference.
Bose has a longer running track record so it’s going to make sense for most people to buy those instead. But if you get a chance to try these- Do check them out and consider them against the Bose. Especially if you are hearing impaired and wear hearing aids.
“U.S. health care spending growth accelerated slightly in 2006, increasing 6.7 percent compared to 6.5 percent in 2005. Total health expenditures reached $2.1 trillion, which translates to $7,026 per person or 16 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.” Thats higher than any other country.
I turned 30 just recently and entered a new epoch of my life. A letter from my health insurance provider -Blue Shield- ushered in this new era. I opened the letter and received the exhilarating news that my monthly premium was being raised from 50 to 73 dollars a month (the cheapest, highest detuctible PPO plan). Apparently the age 30 has entered me into a slightly unhealthier and riskier statistical health category. Basically, the insurance is there if I have to face a catastrophically expensive health problem and I need it there for that reason. That price comes with a hefty deductible of $4,000 and offers me some bare bones services. 73 dollars a month is still some dirt cheap insurance compared to what I see people paying out there. I should consider my self lucky.
Hearing Aid Coverage: 0 dollars. What Hearing Aids mean for my overall mental state of being, health, work productivity: about $6,000 every 3 years but really just a Priceless (no, not my Visa card) health benefit. There is no sound argument for the aids or hearing services not to be covered by my health insurance. I can’t think of any one tangible thing (product I pay for) that means more to my quality of life- not a car, not a house, not my lovely surfboard.
I don’t qualify for what little coverage for hearing aids is out there: California State Employee coverage, Medicare, Medicaid, or Vocational Rehabilitation.
The United States health care system fails me. If I’m broke, they will fix me. Otherwise our byzantine care is utterly useless.
A new watch concept from designer Nikita Golovlev gives a visible warning to hearing-impaired users if something dangerous is going on nearby. Dubbed Alarme, the watch is imbedded with omnidirectional microphones that “listen” for audible warnings such as a fire alarm. The alert is given visually and through vibrations. The processing power for such a device would be potentially gargantuan- but this watch combines function and design in an aesthetically pleasing package.
