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 “OTOjOY Founder Appointed to IEC Hearing Loop Working Group”

OTOjOY Founder Appointed to IEC Hearing Loop Working Group

The International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) announced on March 13 that it has appointed Thomas Kaufmann, Founder and CEO of OTOjOY, to serve as a subject matter expert in working group on hearing loop systems. The committee, now comprised of 9 members, develops and publishes international performance and testing standards related to hearing aids, audiometric equipment, sound level meters, and assistive

Featured image for “CDC Report Highlights Hearing Loss as Growing Public Health Concern”

CDC Report Highlights Hearing Loss as Growing Public Health Concern

Most clinical audiologists are directly involved in the identification and management of hearing loss. It is, after all, common practice for audiologists to complete a case history and basic assessment to determine if the individual has a medical condition requiring a medical referral. Those individuals that do not have a “red flag” medical condition involving the ear, assuming they are

Featured image for “As Cochlear Implant Technology Improves, Better Outreach is Needed”

As Cochlear Implant Technology Improves, Better Outreach is Needed

As over-the-counter hearing aids and their intended users – adults with mild to moderate hearing loss — continue to generate headlines, the under-utilization of cochlear implants remains largely overlooked. Reports indicate that just under 8% of adults with severe-to-profound hearing loss have received a cochlear implant (CI), a technology with proven outcomes for those who meet the candidacy requirements for

Featured image for “Metabolic Syndrome and Recovery Time from Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss”

Metabolic Syndrome and Recovery Time from Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

According to guidelines used by the National Institutes of Health, metabolic syndrome is present if an individual has three or more of these traits or is taking medication to control them: Large waist circumference — a waistline that measures at least 35 inches (89 centimeters) for women and 40 inches (102 centimeters) for men High triglyceride level — 150

Featured image for “With Many Left to their Own Devices, Consumer Reports Offers Advice on PSAPs”

With Many Left to their Own Devices, Consumer Reports Offers Advice on PSAPs

Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs) have been the center of controversy among hearing care professionals for several years. This debate surrounding PSAPs is not without merit, as PSAPs are essentially unregulated by the FDA. Hearing care professionals are likely to recall the FDA in 2009 and 2013 issued what it refers to as “draft guidance” on the the intended use

Featured image for “The Listening Project: A Film About Living Successfully with Hearing Loss Premieres March 9th”

The Listening Project: A Film About Living Successfully with Hearing Loss Premieres March 9th

A new documentary by renowned pediatric audiologist Jane Madell, PhD, and Emmy and Peabody Award-winning director, producer, writer and cinematographer Irene Taylor Brodsky will premiere on Friday, March 9 at the American Cochlear Implant Alliance’s (ACIA) annual scientific meeting in Washington, DC. A champagne reception and panel discussion with Dr. Madell and five of the young adults featured will follow conference

JAMA Report on Cuba Sonic Attacks: Persistent Symptoms from Unusual Sounds Remains a Mystery

For nearly a year, between late 2016 and August 2017, several U.S. government personnel serving on diplomatic assignment in Havana, Cuba, reported unusual symptoms associated with exposure to a mysterious auditory phenomenon. Hearing Watch covered the initial reports here: US Diplomats in Cuba Mysteriously Suffer Severe Hearing Loss; Investigators Suspect Covert Sonic Weapon Used Expert Weighs in on Recent

Featured image for “IntriCon Announces Record Breaking Year, Poised for Growth”

IntriCon Announces Record Breaking Year, Poised for Growth

ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA — IntriCon Corporation, a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of miniaturized body-worn devices, including hearing aids, announced financial results for 2017. The suburban Minneapolis company, which provides hearing aids and other components for many distributors, announced record full-year revenue of $88.3 million for 2017, an increase of 30% over 2016. The company also announced that for the

Featured image for “Clear Digital Media Takes Vlogging Mainstream”

Clear Digital Media Takes Vlogging Mainstream

Vlogging, a portmanteau combining video and blogging, seems to be the favored pastime for many people these days. The most popular vloggers have well over 25 million subscribers to their sites. According to a 2015 report from Global Web Index (GWI), 42% of internet users say they have watched a vlog within the last month. Although individuals under the age

Featured image for “Marion Downs Honored as “Great Colorado Woman” with Video Tribute”

Marion Downs Honored as “Great Colorado Woman” with Video Tribute

More than 18 months in the making, a video tribute recently aired on Rocky Mountain PBS honoring Marion Downs as a “Great Colorado Woman”. The tribute focused on her life and many scientific contributions. The esteemed “Mother of Pediatric Audiology”, was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame in 2006. Downs, who was an audiologist and Professor Emerita at