Forbrain ($300) vs LGHA ($5-8k)?!

Remember that Forbrain bone conduction headset I mentioned? The one that was supposed to arrive but got lost somewhere between their warehouse and my mailbox? Well, plot twist: I decided to turn my shipping mishap into a business opportunity.

Instead of just grumbling about missing packages (okay, I did a little grumbling), I reached out to Forbrain directly. My pitch was simple: “Hey, I already wrote about your product sight unseen, got people interested in your free APD screening tool, and have an audience of patients, parents, and professionals who could benefit from an honest review. How about we make this work for both of us?”

What I Offered Them:

• A genuine review from someone who actually understands auditory processing

• Promotion to my podcast audience and social media followers

• Sharing with autism/ADHD communities where this could genuinely help

• Professional credibility as an audiologist who works with APD patients daily

• Full transparency: I plan to return it or donate it to someone in the community - I don’t like being bribed, but I am happy to find out if it’s a decent product

Why This Matters:

As clinicians, we’re constantly evaluating tools and technologies for our patients. When companies don’t follow through on basic customer service (like, you know, actually delivering products), it makes us hesitant to recommend them. But when they’re responsive and willing to work with professionals? That builds trust.

The Forbrain concept still makes sense to me - that close-proximity mic for self-voice awareness could genuinely help with reading fluency, vocal regulation, and auditory processing. Plus, the bone conduction aspect bypasses conductive issues from fluid buildup that so many kids deal with. I’m curious about the lag time and sound quality, and whether that parent microphone could work as a makeshift FM system in forgiving environments like homeschool settings.

The Real Comparison:

I recently saw a post about a child who had huge speech improvements after getting hearing aids - you might see similar gains with Forbrain if used consistently. This clearly isn’t a replacement for hearing aids or FM systems, but you can’t get near a good FM system for $300, especially not one that also helps with pitch awareness and articulation. It could be a decent starter option before someone moves to low-gain hearing aids for more extensive customization.

The Clinical Applications I’m Excited About:

What really gets me interested is the potential for young kids with conductive hearing loss from ear infections. You could use this during acute episodes to avoid auditory deprivation without having to wait for medical clearance or hearing tests. The bone conduction bypasses all that middle ear “goo” that these kids deal with constantly.

The over-the-counter aspect is huge - no physician involvement, no hearing test required. For families dealing with chronic ear infections, this could be a game-changer. I’m also curious whether it connects to Bluetooth (similar to how AfterShokz bone conduction headsets work) which would expand the applications even more.

The Business Side (Because Transparency Matters):

Yes, they’re offering me a commission if I sell their product - enough for maybe a trip to Panera, so we’re not talking life-changing money here. But they’re also offering about a 10% discount ($30) to anyone who buys through me, which isn’t bad for something with a trial period. I like that the financial incentive is modest enough that it won’t bias my review.

My Professional Curiosities:

I’m intrigued by their “proprietary adjustment” for speech frequencies, though I’m always skeptical when companies use vague terms like that. My main concern would be how this plays with hyperacusis or misophonia - I wish it were more adjustable, but more adjustability means more regulation and higher costs. These are instant-fit with instant-fit microphone capability, which has real value.

The Waiting Game:

Will they respond? Will I finally get to test this thing? Will my mailman redeem himself? Stay tuned. Either way, I’ve got material for another post.

*PS: If you’re from Forbrain and reading this - yes, this is me officially sliding into your DMs. Professional networking in 2025, folks.*

*PPS: Still willing to decode those APD screening results for anyone who takes screenshots. That offer stands regardless of my Forbrain relationship status.*

*PPPS: In the comments is an image from our upcoming podcast that will be recording as of next week. If there are any neurodivergent adults, parents or professionals who would like to be on the podcast, please reach out and let us know.