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.

Featured image for “The Latest on Cognitive Decline, Listening Effort and Hearing Aids”

The Latest on Cognitive Decline, Listening Effort and Hearing Aids

The prevalence of dementia is expected to soar as the average life expectancy increases, but recent estimates suggest that the age-specific incidence of dementia is declining in high-income countries. In the February 11 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, Claudia Satizabal and colleagues buy albenza online albenza no prescription report “robust evidence” of dementia’s decline. Using observational data collected

Featured image for “Hearing Loss, Dementia and “Out of Reach” Costs Are Topics at AAAS Meeting”

Hearing Loss, Dementia and “Out of Reach” Costs Are Topics at AAAS Meeting

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), one of the world’s most well respected scientific organizations, held their annual meeting in Washington, February 11-15, 2016. On Sunday, February 14, Dr. Frank Lin of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore participated in an AAAS symposium entitled, At a Loss for Words, or Losing Your Mind? New Views

Featured image for “European Retail Chain Hoping to Fetch €500 Million”

European Retail Chain Hoping to Fetch €500 Million

ROTTERDAM — AudioNova, one of the largest hearing aid retailers in Europe, is on the auction block, according to recent reports. AudioNova, owned by the investment company HAL Trust, has more than 1300 hearing aid retail stores across 12 countries in Europe, including Germany and France. Amplifon, William Demant, Sonova and Sivantos are reported to be interested in the chain. Neither

Featured image for “When, Not if: More Disruptors Entering the Hearing Marketplace”

When, Not if: More Disruptors Entering the Hearing Marketplace

On the heels of Starkey’s announcement of their industry-first partnership with the upstart hearable company, Bragi, more news of other products entering into the ear-level amplification space are emerging. As early as February 21st, hearing care professionals just might get a peek at a new hearing aid option for their patients. In a report from April 2015, Samsung was said to be preparing to

Featured image for “New Research on Genetic Architecture in Hearing Loss Holds Promise”

New Research on Genetic Architecture in Hearing Loss Holds Promise

Genetic factors play a significant role in both sensorineural hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss. For a number of reasons genetic studies involving humans are complicated. They are prone to challenges associated with low statistical power, limited replicability, and confounding environmental parameters, such as noise exposure and ototoxic medication use. Thus, the inbred mouse research model remains a highly useful

Featured image for “Study Indicates Hearing Loss Associated with Increased Risk of Psychosis”

Study Indicates Hearing Loss Associated with Increased Risk of Psychosis

UTRECHT, THE NETHERLANDS — A team of Dutch researchers from the Department of Psychiatry at the University Medical Center Utrecht and Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, recently published a meta-analysis that showed an association between hearing loss and psychosis. Their meta-analyses revealed an increased risk of hearing impairment on all psychosis outcomes, including hallucinations, delusions, psychotic symptoms and delirium. Early exposure to hearing impairment

Sivantos Unveils New Hearing Aid Brand: Signia

PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY — One year after the transfer of Siemens hearing aids to the Sivantos group, it was announced late last week that the group would be introducing a new brand to the marketplace. During their recent Aspire customer loyalty meeting, which brought more than 300 hearing care providers to Nashville for a three day conference, the Sivantos Group

Featured image for “Upstart Belgium Company, Jacoti, Looks to Bring Hearing Care to Masses”

Upstart Belgium Company, Jacoti, Looks to Bring Hearing Care to Masses

During the recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Jacoti, bvba of Belgium, was named a CES 2016 Innovation Awards honoree. The company won for its Jacoti Hearing Suite. Judging from its press releases and website, Jacoti has a clear mission of bringing hearing self-testing and amplification apps directly to consumers and is on track to do so.

Featured image for “FDA Gives Approval for Over-The-Counter Home Hearing Test”

FDA Gives Approval for Over-The-Counter Home Hearing Test

SAN LEANDRO, CALIFORNIA — Over the past year, there has been growing interest in the morphing of consumer electronics and medical devices. New product categories are being created and the hearing care industry seems to be on the brink of some significant changes, especially in light of the recent non-binding PCAST recommendations to re-regulate the hearing aid marketplace. A recent

Featured image for “Former Starkey President, Jerry Ruzicka, Files Suit; Seeks Millions in Damages”

Former Starkey President, Jerry Ruzicka, Files Suit; Seeks Millions in Damages

EDEN PRAIRE, MINNESOTA — Starkey Laboratories’ ousted president, Jerry Ruzicka, on Friday filed a long-threatened lawsuit against the company, alleging several instances of wrongdoing by owner Bill Austin and members of his family. In a story first reported on the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s website on January 15, former Starkey executive Jerry Ruzicka, filed a lawsuit claiming defamation of character and