Brian Taylor

Brian Taylor, AuD, is the Senior Director of Audiology for Signia. He is a veteran of the hearing industry with more than 25 years of experience. Brian is a prolific and respected contributor to the industry with more than 25 publications and numerous speaking engagements both domestically and internationally. He is also the editor of Audiology Practices, a quarterly journal of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, Editor-at-Large for Hearing Health and Technology Matters and adjunct instructor at the University of Wisconsin.

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Fall Risk Increases Above Age 40

Many audiologists who work with patients experiencing equilibrium problems are keenly aware of the relationship between aging and balance. This observation was recently confirmed in a study published online in Frontiers in Neurology. This study, conducted by researchers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, found vestibular thresholds begin to double every 10 years above the age of 40. Results of their

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Washington University-based Company Launches Auditory Training Website

Audiologists have touted the virtues of auditory training, but for decades numerous attempts at popularizing these programs have been plagued with low patient uptake. A St. Louis company, using an NIH grant, hopes to make inroads by using gaming technology. Washington University-based start-up venture clEAR™ (customized learning: Exercises for Aural Rehabilitation), LLC has officially released a new online customized hearing

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Department of Labor Withdraws Apprenticeship Program for Hearing Instrument Specialists

As announced on November 18, the US Congress passed the Fit to Serve bill, allowing hearing instrument specialists to work directly with American veterans. Although the Fit to Serve legislation passed, it was not without substantial modifications. The bill, which is expected to be signed in the near future by President Obama, contains considerable patient protections and maintains the important

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Animal Study Shows Exercise May Prevent Hearing Loss

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA — Over the past few years untreated hearing loss in older adults has been linked to a growing list of conditions, including cognitive decline, depression and heart disease. Now research is beginning to surface that healthier lifestyle choices could stave off the effects of hearing loss. Although most of the research in this area has been confined to

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Audio Simulation Comes to the Auto Showroom

Sound systems are an important selling point in luxury cars – without high fidelity audio some buyers are simply uninterested in other performance traits and likely to buy a different model. Audi, one of the leading luxury car brands, has recognized this growing demand for high fidelity audio in luxury vehicles. They have partnered with Bang & Olufsen to map

The Line between Hearing Aids and Hearables Continues to Morph

Whatever one thinks of the PCAST and NASEM recommendations to improve access & affordability for consumers, as well as any looming changes to current FDA hearing aid regulations that could impact professionals, the emerging hearable technology market continues to garner a great deal of press. Since Apple introduced their $159 per pair AirPods, expected to go on sale later this

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Hearing Loss Linked to Premature and Low Birthweight Babies

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS — According to a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, infants born to women with hearing loss were significantly more likely to be premature and have low birth weight. This was the key finding in what is thought to be a first examination of the pregnancy outcomes among women with hearing loss in the U.S.

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Hearing Device Brands Mapped by Hearing Tracker

What’s in a brand name? Plenty, if you’re in the hearing health care profession. Many of us have wondered for a long time, why are there dozens of hearing device brands in a profession where only six major manufacturers supplying more than 80% of the global hearing aid market? Most professionals are keenly aware each of these major manufacturers sells

Featured image for “Updated Hearing Loss Prevalence Data Provides Insight on Future Treatment Strategies”

Updated Hearing Loss Prevalence Data Provides Insight on Future Treatment Strategies

Recent initiatives of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science & Technology (PCAST) and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) have raised awareness of the possible public health consequences resulting from untreated sensorineural hearing loss in adults. The PCAST and NAS recommendations have also renewed interest in updating hearing loss prevalence data in order to better understand the magnitude of

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New User-Friendly Tinnitus Programs Have Potential to Meet Demand

Tinnitus is a condition affecting upwards of 15% of the population and many bothered by the condition may be under served. That according a recent JAMA Otolaryngology article, which concluded there is a significant opportunity for hearing care professionals to get more actively involved in the long-term care and management of patients experiencing bothersome tinnitus. Other organizations appear to be