About SoundBytes
SoundBytes is a catalog, web and retail-based company that offers a wide range of hearing assistive devices to benefit anyone with a hearing loss. They carry a comprehensive selection of popular, well- designed items to assist users in conversation, on the telephone, watching television, and other daily activities.
In 2003, SoundBytes opened its first retail store within the League for the Hard of Hearing's New York City offices. The League for the Hard of Hearing is one of the most venerable not-for-profit hearing rehabilitation and human services agency for infants, children and adults who are hard of hearing, deaf and deaf-blind. SoundBytes opened a second retail store in the League's Florida offices in February of 2006. These retail locations provide a place for hard of hearing and deaf individuals to try a variety of different telephones, amplifiers, and other devices to find the equipment best suited to their degree of hearing loss, and are two of the most comprehensive assistive equipment testing centers in their regions. In addition, the Florida location has allowed SoundBytes to ally with FTRI (Florida Telecommunications Relay Inc.) Program, which operates one of its distribution centers out of the Florida League office.
SoundBytes was acquired by MiMarv LLC in 2004, and affiliated with independent living aids, inc. (ila), the United States' oldest privately held mail order company supplying products for blind and visually impaired individuals. This affiliation has enabled them to increase their "crossover" line of products for individuals with a hearing and a vision loss, as well as allowing them to take advantage of ila's expertise in direct marketing.
SoundBytes has recently unveiled their H.E.A.R. (Hearing Equipment and Audio Resources) program, a major new campaign for 2006. This program enables them to work with audiologists and other hearing professionals to educate consumers on the many auxiliary options available for hard of hearing individuals. Besides offering audiologists wholesale pricing so that they can display and stock this equipment in their offices, SoundBytes has created the first Referral Fee program, in which an audiologist refers a client who may benefit from an assistive device in return for a percentage of any resulting sale.
2005-2006 has also seen the unveiling of a number of other innovative campaigns. SoundBytes has introduced a number of end-user oriented programs, including a Hearing Aid Battery Club with rewards like free shipping and free batteries, and an affiliation with letstalk.com that introduced a line of accessible cell phones. They have instituted an Affiliate Program, which has allowed the company to expand their presence into the deaf and hard of hearing internet communities by offering a fee for sales resulting from a link posted on an approved web site. SoundBytes has also begun a regular email-marketing program offering special deals and sales to interested parties.
Hearing loss can cause feelings if isolation and depression, and, as the population ages and more people lose their hearing, SoundBytes' simple, specially adapted products can help many people communicate easily and enjoy life more!
President: Mimi C. Berman, Ph.D.
Dr. Berman joined the SoundBytes family in 2004, when MiMarv LLC acquired a controlling interest in SoundBytes. She received degrees from New York University, Hunter College, and the University of Michigan. Dr. Berman is Vice President of independent living aids, inc., a 29 year-old company specializing in assistive equipment for blind and low vision individuals. Formerly, Dr. Berman was Acting Dean of the College of Health Related Professions, State University of New York, Brooklyn, New York.
Vice President: Marvin SandlerMr. Sandler joined SoundBytes in 2004, when MiMarv LLC acquired a controlling interest in SoundBytes. He received degrees from Harvard University and New York University. Mr. Sandler is president of independent living aids, inc., the oldest privately held mail-order company specializing in products for the blind and visually impaired. Prior to his tenure at independent living aids, inc. and SoundBytes, he was Vice President of Interstate Drug Exchange in Amityville, New York.
Managing Director: Michael R. AbramowitzMr. Abramowitz came to SoundBytes in May of 2005. He received a BA in Hearing and Speech Sciences from University of Maryland at College Park, and is completing an MBA in Marketing from St. John's University. Mr. Abramowitz is responsible for day-to-day and long-term project management, as well as the creation and implementation of company-wide development programs. Prior to coming to SoundBytes, he held officer level positions in the financial services and banking industries.
Creative Director: Seren E. Gates AmadorMs. Gates Amador joined SoundBytes in 2003. She received a BA from Vassar College. Ms. Gates Amador coordinates all aspects of the mail-order catalog and online presence at www.soundbytes.com, as well as overseeing design aspects of marketing campaigns and other media. She also helped to transition the company when it was sold to MiMarv LLC. She held the position of Operations Manager before moving to her current position.