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Boro Bob Skoric Examines Smart Features That Are Transforming Hearing Aids

Economic Insider Staff on July 3, 2025

Hearing aids have gone far beyond their traditional role of sound amplification. Today’s models seamlessly integrate with lifestyles, offering a blend of smart technology, health monitoring, and personalized experiences. As explained by Boro “Bob” Skoric, these devices now cater to broader wellness and connectivity needs, transforming how individuals interact with their surroundings. 

From Bluetooth connectivity and AI-driven sound processing to advanced safety features and eco-friendly power solutions, modern hearing aids are designed to support a more independent and empowered life. They also prioritize user convenience with app-based control, real-time adjustments, and secure data handling. As technology continues to progress, hearing aids are becoming essential companions for those seeking clarity and confidence in their daily routines.

The Role of Hearing Aids in Everyday Life

Modern hearing aids have become much more than basic sound amplifiers. They now function as sophisticated digital tools that support everyday communication and lifestyle needs. Advances in technology have made it possible for users to experience clearer, more natural sound, even in environments like crowded restaurants or busy streets.

As expectations have shifted, users now look for hearing aids that offer both comfort and smart functionality. Many people want devices that blend seamlessly with their phones, TVs, and computers, making it easier to stay connected without extra effort. With these innovations, hearing aids are becoming more personalized and adaptable to individual lifestyles.

Wireless Connectivity and Device Integration

Today’s hearing aids seamlessly communicate with smartphones, tablets, and TVs through Bluetooth, allowing users to hear calls, music, or dialogues from their favorite shows directly through their devices. This eliminates the need for additional accessories and reduces the frustration of missing important sounds due to ambient noise.

Many models now come with companion apps that give users direct control over settings like volume, environment modes, and sound direction. A person commuting on a noisy bus can quickly adjust their hearing aid settings through an app without needing to visit a clinic. 

These digital connections also enable hearing care professionals to make remote adjustments, offering real-time fine-tuning without requiring in-person appointments. The result is a smoother, more integrated experience where hearing aids act more like smart accessories, adapting to the user’s lifestyle while enhancing convenience and independence.

Smart Sound Processing with AI

Artificial intelligence has brought a new level of adaptability to hearing aids. These systems learn from the user’s habits and surroundings, automatically adjusting settings to enhance speech while reducing background noise. Whether walking through a park or sitting in a lively café, the device can shift modes to provide optimal clarity.

Some devices can even recognize recurring environments over time and fine-tune their responses based on previous user preferences. A hearing aid may gradually learn that its wearer prefers softer background noise at home but crisper speech in office meetings, adjusting accordingly without manual input. This intelligence allows for a more natural listening experience with minimal effort from the user.

Health Monitoring and Safety Features

Hearing aids are designed with health and wellness in mind. Some models now include features like step tracking and motion detection, empowering users to monitor their daily activity levels much like a fitness tracker would. This can be particularly helpful for older adults who want to stay active and independent.

In certain devices, fall detection is built into the system, triggering alerts to caregivers or emergency contacts if a fall is suspected. This added safety net can bring peace of mind to the user and their loved ones. The hearing aid becomes more than just an audio device—it transforms into a health companion.

Battery and Power Efficiency

The shift from disposable to rechargeable batteries has made hearing aids more practical and sustainable. Users no longer need to carry spare batteries or worry about sudden power loss during the day. A quick overnight charge typically provides enough power for an entire day of use.

Rechargeable options also reduce environmental waste and ongoing costs, making them a popular choice among eco-conscious users. With longer battery life and faster charging times, modern hearing aids are designed to better align with today’s busy routines. Some newer models also offer wireless charging, streamlining the process even further.

Accessibility and Secure Data Use

Directional microphones and telecoil systems help users hear more clearly in settings like theaters, meeting halls, and places of worship where background noise can be a challenge. These features allow sound to be focused and enhanced from specific directions, improving clarity without increasing volume.

As hearing aids become more connected, ensuring data privacy and app security is increasingly important. Many manufacturers build in safeguards to protect user information, allowing individuals to feel confident when using features like remote adjustments or cloud-based storage. With proper safeguards in place, users can enjoy the benefits of smart hearing technology without compromising personal data.

Can Accountants Trust AI? The Future of Tax Work with K1x Technology

Economic Insider Staff on July 3, 2025

Tax work rewards painstaking accuracy, so it is hardly surprising that many accountants have viewed artificial intelligence with the same reserve they once had for cloud software or e-filing. In interviews and conference sessions this spring, partners repeatedly cited nightmare scenarios such as an algorithm misclassifying a Schedule K-1 and a generative model inventing a citation, which could expose firms to penalties and reputational damage. 

Furthermore, a Gartner poll of finance chiefs underscores that although 58% now deploy some form of AI, nearly half still describe their programs as “experimental” rather than “mission-critical,” a modest but important gain from 37% a year earlier.

Smarter Software Is Reshaping What Tax Work Looks Like

Today’s leading tax platforms already use machine learning to parse thousands of PDF documents, classify line items, and flag anomalies in real time. Most tax practitioners expect AI to “highly or transformationally” affect their workloads within five years and already see the technology as “a force for good” in their field.

The efficiency argument has also clearly become measurable. PwC’s 2024 internal review of generative-AI pilots across its U.S. tax practice showed that automated document-extraction and first-pass data-entry tools, in some cases, reclaimed nearly half of the hours normally spent processing forms such as 1099s and K-1s during peak season. The firm tracked the savings in real time and was able to convert reclaimed keystrokes into advisory capacity and reduced overtime. In a typical mid-size office, that swing equals several dozen staff-hours a week—enough to take on new clients or redirect seniors to higher-margin planning assignments without expanding headcount. 

Trust Is Growing Through Transparency and Control

Speed alone does not persuade risk-averse firms; speed with verification does. Today’s AI-enabled tax engines tag every extracted figure to its source page, publish a confidence score, and halt for human sign-off, which creates an audit trail that external regulators can retrace. Over two-thirds of tax respondents in a recent survey said a visible “human-in-the-loop” checkpoint is indispensable to responsible AI use. 

This sentiment is increasingly reflected in how companies hire auditors. Most senior finance executives now require audit firms to demonstrate transparent AI processes before they are hired. In response, software vendors are building features like unalterable activity logs and required human overrides into their automation tools, aligning them with the control standards that accountants already know and trust.

Leading AI Adopter that has Gained Traction in High-Pressure Tax Seasons

K1x, a New Jersey-based company using patented AI for tax compliance automation, has designed a modern platform proven to perform under the intense pressure of tax season. The company reports average cycle-time reductions of 66% for its over 8,000 users, which include 20 of the 25 largest U.S. accounting firms and 2 of The Big 4. During the most recent peak filing period, one client, Weaver, said, “It’s a cliche, but it’s true. Now we spend more time on value-added work versus manually inputting data, especially with state activities captured automatically. We expect even more efficiencies in year 2. Powerful K1 Aggregator® technology helped us achieve a drastic reduction in hours.”

Moreover, K1x’s credibility shows in the caliber of institutions that have already put its software to work. Nearly half of the nation’s 100 largest investors now channel their alternative-investment tax data through the platform, and a comparable share of major university endowments rely on it to tame the paper flood each spring. Its reach has spread well beyond finance, where 7 of the 40 largest healthcare systems in the US trust K1x to keep compliance on track, and more than a tenth of the country’s most influential private foundations have adopted the technology to safeguard accuracy without adding headcount.

Why the Stakes Go Beyond Efficiency

The adoption of AI is creating a clear divide in the tax industry. As global tax authorities rapidly expand their use of machine learning for enforcement, preparers who don’t keep pace face a significant disadvantage. In contrast, firms that leverage transparent AI can pivot from compliance to strategic advisory, providing clients with immediate, valuable insights into their financial positions and treaty exposures.

Early adopters see a clear financial upside. K1x, for example, estimates that automating K-1 processing repays its cost three to five times in a single busy season when savings from labor, overtime, and write-downs are counted. When similar automation is applied to everyday tasks such as invoice coding, fixed-asset tagging, and other data chores, AI clearly moves from a competitive edge to a basic requirement for any firm that wants to stay efficient and profitable.

From Caution to Confidence

No technology earns accountants’ trust overnight, but the profession has repeatedly evolved—from paper ledgers to mainframes, from magnetic tape to SaaS—whenever a clear audit trail and strong controls were in place. AI is following that same arc. Transparent dashboards, granular user permissions, dynamic pricing models, and immutable logs are translating black-box mystique into something that looks a lot like traditional internal control.

Skeptics remain, and healthy doubt will remain a hallmark of the trade. But the tide is turning as practitioners witness fewer transposition errors, faster client responses, and employees who leave the office on time in April. In short, AI is not asking accountants to trade their judgment for code; it is offering to extend that judgment on an unprecedented scale.

Donald “Don” Dirren Elaborates on Hybrid Life Insurance Products Gaining Popularity Among Arizona Retirees

Economic Insider Staff on July 3, 2025

Hybrid life insurance is gaining traction among retirees in Arizona as they seek financial security and flexibility in their later years. Traditional long-term care insurance often presents the risk of unused benefits, making hybrid policies a more appealing alternative. Donald “Don” Dirren notes how these policies combine life insurance with long-term care benefits, ensuring that funds serve a purpose regardless of whether care is needed. 

With healthcare costs on the rise, many retirees are looking for ways to protect their assets while preparing for potential medical expenses. Choosing the right policy requires careful consideration of cost, benefits, and provider reputation. Understanding these key aspects allows individuals to make informed decisions that align with their financial goals and healthcare needs. Consulting with a financial advisor can further simplify the process, ensuring retirees select a plan that offers lasting security for themselves and their loved ones.

Rising Demand for Hybrid Life Insurance

More retirees in Arizona are exploring hybrid life insurance as they look for ways to secure their financial futures. With longer life expectancies and rising healthcare expenses, many are seeking policies that offer both life insurance coverage and long-term care benefits. This growing interest reflects a shift in retirement planning strategies, where flexibility and comprehensive protection have become top priorities.

One major factor driving demand is the increasing cost of long-term care services. Traditional long-term care insurance can be expensive and may not provide benefits if care is never needed. Hybrid policies address this concern by offering coverage that can be used for care expenses or left as a financial legacy for beneficiaries. Many individuals appreciate the reassurance that comes with knowing their investment serves a meaningful purpose, whether for their own care or as financial support for their family.

Understanding Hybrid Life Insurance and Its Features

Hybrid life insurance combines traditional life insurance with long-term care benefits, offering policyholders financial security in multiple ways. Unlike standard policies that only provide a death benefit, hybrid plans allow individuals to access their funds if they require long-term care. This dual-purpose approach appeals to retirees who want more than just a safety net for their loved ones.

A key advantage of these policies is the flexibility they offer. If long-term care isn’t needed, the policyholder’s beneficiaries still receive the full death benefit. On the other hand, if extended care becomes necessary, funds can be used to cover medical and caregiving expenses without depleting personal savings. This structure eliminates the common concern of paying into a policy that may never be used, making it a practical choice for those planning their financial future. Some hybrid policies also offer inflation protection, helping ensure that coverage keeps pace with rising costs over time.

Why Arizona Retirees Are Choosing Hybrid Policies

The rising cost of healthcare is an influential motivator for retirees considering hybrid life insurance. Many older adults worry about funding potential long-term care needs without draining their savings. A hybrid policy allows them to prepare for those expenses while maintaining the assurance that their money will benefit either themselves or their heirs.

Beyond financial protection, these policies offer peace of mind. Traditional long-term care insurance often comes with the uncertainty of whether benefits will ever be used, leading some to view it as a gamble. Hybrid insurance removes that uncertainty by ensuring the investment serves a purpose, whether through long-term care coverage or as a legacy left to family members. Several policies even include a return-of-premium feature, allowing policyholders to recover a portion of their investment if they decide to cancel coverage.

Key Benefits and Considerations Before Buying

One of the biggest advantages of hybrid life insurance is its ability to provide assured benefits. Whether policyholders require long-term care or not, the money invested in the policy is never wasted. If care is needed, funds can be accessed to cover expenses, and if not, the full death benefit is passed on to beneficiaries. This structure offers a sense of financial security that traditional long-term care insurance often lacks.

Before purchasing a policy, it’s essential to consider factors such as cost and premium structure. Some plans require a lump sum payment upfront, while others offer flexible premium options spread over time. Underwriting requirements also vary, which means health status can influence eligibility and pricing. Additionally, reviewing tax implications can be beneficial, as some hybrid policies may offer tax advantages depending on how benefits are used.

Comparing Hybrid Life Insurance Providers and Policies

With multiple insurance providers offering hybrid policies, selecting the right one requires careful comparison. The benefits and coverage options can differ significantly between companies, making it necessary to assess what each plan includes. Some policies offer higher long-term care benefits, while others focus on maximizing the death benefit. Identifying personal priorities helps in narrowing down the best choice.

The reputation and financial strength of the provider also play a vital role in decision-making. A company with a strong track record and positive customer reviews is more likely to provide reliable service when it matters most. Examining policy terms, such as how benefits are paid out and any restrictions on accessing funds, helps prevent surprises later on.

Consulting with a financial advisor or insurance specialist can simplify the process. Professionals can provide insights into different policy structures and help determine which options align with an individual’s needs. Taking the time to compare multiple quotes and understand policy exclusions can further enhance the decision-making process, ensuring the chosen plan meets both current and future financial needs.

 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or insurance advice. It is recommended that individuals consult with a licensed financial advisor or insurance professional before making any decisions regarding hybrid life insurance policies. Policy details, including costs and benefits, vary by provider, and individual circumstances may affect eligibility and pricing.

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