The Speech Intelligibility Index (or SII) shows some interesting characteristics. The difference between 340 Hz and 3,400 Hz (coincidentally the bandwidth of the telephone) is fairly similar for continuous discourse, whereas there is a high frequency bias for nonsense syllables. That is, whenever there is a context to speech, there is a greater reliance on lower frequency sounds.
Read More
Audigy Group announced that many of its members joined the Starkey Hearing Foundation on a December 2015 mission to Haiti that brought better hearing to people in five cities: Gonaïves, Saint-Marc, Croix-des-Bouquets, Port-au-Prince, and Jacmel. A surgery clinic is being built in Jacmel with the help of Audigy Group’s sponsorship.
Read More
Hearing is important, but not necessarily a priority for many of the people we see. If people have gone to the trouble to seek services from us, there is an unspoken message that hearing may be a priority for them, but they may not know it as such. Dennis Van Vliet suggests that, if we can shape our conversation with patients into a discussion of activities in their life that are important to them, it may not be necessary to force the question of how important hearing is to them.
Read More
Within the four walls of the clinic you have an opportunity to create impact and gain sustained competitive advantage. After all, your most effective marketing tool–the patient–is right in front of you every day. Nothing is more powerful than patient advocacy. When a client calls your clinic, what experience is that person going to have? Steve Eagon says you are in a position to influence the patient experience and the outcome.
Read More
David Smriga points out that OTC/DTC hearing aids have their place, but for the majority of adults with mild-to-moderate age-related hearing losses, a guided process including fitting verification and auditory rehabilitation is needed to achieve maximum benefit with amplification. Consumers should be directed toward professional care practices that offer these services, not away from them. Read the point-by-point argument against the PCAST’s recent conclusions.
Read More
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that some patients who suffer from tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, use different brain regions when processing emotional information. While many tinnitus patients are forced to limit daily activities as a result of debilitating symptoms, others adapt to the condition. Why?
Read More
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) has announced that its executive director, Anna Gilmore Hall, has resigned after serving the organization in this role for the past two and a half years. Stepping in as acting executive director is Barbara Kelley, who has been with HLAA for 28 years and has served as its deputy executive director for the past eight years.
Read More
Audiology Systems launched its Software Integration Group (SIG) services for information technology specific to hearing care practice management. SIG is intended to address the needs of a PC-based, software integrated practice, and facilitate a smooth transition to an Electronic Medical Records (EMR)-ready patient management system.
Read More
Each Ear has launched Gruv Buttons, a new product designed to help hearing aid users gain better control of their in-canal receivers. Gruv Buttons are ergonomically designed to help Receiver-in-the-Canal (RIC) hearing aid wearers to use their fingertips to insert their receivers.
Read More
According to a post on the SamMobile.com news site, recent rumors about Samsung’s imminent entrance into the hearing aid market are true, as new information suggests that the company is readying its first hearing device–model SM-R790–for launch in the near future. Samsung has applied for trademark registration of the term Earcle in South Korea.
Read More
The FDA has reopened the comment period regarding its Draft Guidance document. A revised Guidance should further clarify the regulatory distinctions between hearing aids and PSAPs. An FDA workshop on GMPs is scheduled for April 21 at FDA headquarters.
Read More
GN ReSound A/S and William Demant Holding A/S, both in Denmark, jointly announced that they have reached an agreement to settle all patent disputes between the two companies, thereby terminating all patent litigations—in Europe, including Denmark, and in North America—with immediate effect.
Read More
Nurotron Biotechnology announced that surgeons in Bolivia and Peru have implanted three young boys and an adult woman with Nurotron’s Venus Cochlear Implant System, considered to be an effective solution for children and adults suffering from severe and profound hearing loss. Nurotron’s cochlear implant has now been provided in seven countries.
Read More
Audiology Systems announced dates for its 2016 Hands-on Training Series of hearing and balance courses. The training series includes 7-hour courses on clinical best practice and technologies in fitting, head impulse, evoked potential (EP), and videonystagmography (VNG). Each course offers 0.7 CEUs. The ICS Impulse® and AURICAL® courses are now open for registration.
Read More
EarQ has announced changes to its leadership team. Andrew Hebert will now serve as senior vice president, Clifford Carey will step into the new role of vice president of communications, Natalie Phillips, AuD, will be EarQ’s first director of audiology, and Sarah Burtch will assume the role of national sales director.
Read More