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 “HHTM Hearing News Round-up: Notable Stories This Week”

HHTM Hearing News Round-up: Notable Stories This Week

Now that fall is approaching it’s time to grab your favorite pumpkin-infused snack and catch up on some industry news. Apple Watch Provides Users with Several New Secondary Features, Will Hearing Aids Follow Suit? Unveiled last week with typical Apple fanfare, the new Apple Watch Series 4 is morphing into a serious medical device with fall detection and

Featured image for “JAMA Article Lays Path for Medicare Reimbursement of Hearing-Related Services”

JAMA Article Lays Path for Medicare Reimbursement of Hearing-Related Services

With OTC hearing aid regulatory guidelines looming, a few experts are beginning to consider the additional hearing rehabilitative services needed by some to ensure they receive maximum benefit from their purchase. Further, given the older population most in need of hearing aids, Medicare reimbursement for these clinical services is a significant issue. The 2017 OTC Hearing Aid Act, which is

Featured image for “Some Experts Say the OTC Consensus Statement a Rubber Stamp for the Status Quo”

Some Experts Say the OTC Consensus Statement a Rubber Stamp for the Status Quo

Independent scientific research and unbiased, transparent opinion plays a critical role in any credible profession. It is the application of the scientific method in the problem-solving process and the endless striving to understand the truth, that separates, say, the practice of modern medicine from alchemy. At the same time, it is easy to find recent examples of scientists with undisclosed

Featured image for “Signia and Starkey Launch Innovative New Products”

Signia and Starkey Launch Innovative New Products

On August 27, Starkey, a Minnesota-based hearing aid manufacturer, announced the launch of Livio AI. It is a receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aid that uses artificial intelligence to translate 27 foreign languages in real time. The new product, which Starkey is calling a wearable, also tracks both your physical and mental health. Livio AI is touted as a multi-functional device that

Featured image for “HHTM Hearing News Round-up: This Week’s Notable Stories”

HHTM Hearing News Round-up: This Week’s Notable Stories

As the end of summer looms, mix your favorite Labor Day cocktail (or sweet tea, if that’s your thing) and catch up on some industry news. Majority of Americans Believe Hearing Loss is No Big Deal According to a survey conducted by Merck Manuals, 86% of respondents say they have participated in at least one noisy activity over

Featured image for “Is AAA Thwarting Efforts for Audiologists to Obtain Professional Autonomy, as Some Claim?”

Is AAA Thwarting Efforts for Audiologists to Obtain Professional Autonomy, as Some Claim?

The American Academy of Audiology (AAA) is, by far, the largest professional organization in Audiology, but the much smaller Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) is gaining members at a record pace. According to ADA, the group has gained more than 120 new members this year. A probable cause of this sudden growth in ADA membership is a schism between

Featured image for “3M to Pay U.S. Military $9 Million for Defective Earplugs”

3M to Pay U.S. Military $9 Million for Defective Earplugs

St. Paul, Minnesota-based company 3M agreed to pay $9.1 million to resolve allegations that it knowingly sold the U.S. military defective earplugs. As part of the settlement, 3M did not admit liability. According to a July 27 Military Times report, 3M allegedly sold its dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2, to the Defense Logistics Agency without disclosing defects that decreased

Featured image for “FCC Looks to Fully Automate Phone Captioning”

FCC Looks to Fully Automate Phone Captioning

On July 18, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published, in the Federal Register, its intent to allow telephone captioning providers under their Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) to provide captions using fully Automated Speech Recognition (ASR) software. The proposed change is expected save a substantial amount of money by making the role of the human Captioning Assistants (CAs) optional. Known as

Featured image for “HHTM Hearing News Round-up: This Week’s Highlights”

HHTM Hearing News Round-up: This Week’s Highlights

It’s the middle of summer, so grab an iced tea (or an Arnie Palmer, if that’s your thing) and catch up on some industry news. FDA States that OTC Category Does Not Yet Exist The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates hearing devices, issued a letter to hearing aid manufacturers on July 24 stating that the over

Featured image for “HHTM Hearing News Round-up: This Week’s Notable Stories”

HHTM Hearing News Round-up: This Week’s Notable Stories

Newsworthy items affecting the audiology profession and hearing care industry. Grab a strong cup of coffee (or a tea, if that’s your thing) and click on some of the links listed below to learn more. CMS Attempting to Streamline Paperwork and Restore Doctor-Patient Relationship On July 12, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed historic changes