David Kirkwood

A longtime observer of the hearing healthcare scene, David Kirkwood was editor-in-chief of The Hearing Journal from 1990 through 2010. Among the honors he received was a 2006 President’s Award from the American Academy of Audiology. Previously, he spent 15 years as editor and publisher of a weekly community newspaper in Scarsdale, NY. Before finding his way into journalism, he earned degrees in history from Cornell University (where he was an outstanding pinball player) and the University of California at Berkeley. When he isn’t blogging at Hearing Health & Technology Matters, David enjoys spending time with his wife, Annie, going to plays and movies in New York, traveling, and relaxing in their vacation place in Mid-Coast Maine. His other avocations include rooting for the Yankees and throwing tennis balls for his puli, Isaac.

New type of bone-conduction system gets green light from FDA

BOULDER, CO–A new bone-conduction implantable hearing device received market clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 1. Known as the Otomag Alpha 1, the system was developed by Boulder-based Sophono, Inc. (sophono.com), to treat conductive and mixed hearing loss, as well as single-sided deafness. Existing bone-conduction systems, such as those made by Oticon Medical and Cochlear,

Study compares treatments for sudden hearing loss

BALTIMORE–The established treatment for sudden hearing loss has long been a course of oral steroids. However, a study headed by researchers from Johns Hopkins University and reported in the May 25 Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests that steroid injections may be equally effective (or ineffective) in restoring hearing in patients who experience this mysterious and traumatic condition.

Growth and change predicted for hearing aid market

CHAMBERSBURG, PA–Global DataConsultants (www.globaldataconsultants.com) predicts that the global market for hearing aids will reach $10 billion by 2017. That represents a 50% increase from its $6.6 billion estimate of the 2010 market. The company, whose complete report, Hearing Aid Devices: Global Pipeline Analysis, Opportunity Assessment and Market Forecasts to 2017, is available for purchase, expects that the rapid increase in

Loop system now available at Whole Foods in Sarasota

SARASOTA, FL– Sarasota and surrounding Manatee County are quickly becoming a hot bed of hearing loop systems, which improve accessibility for people with hearing loss. The latest facility in the area to install a loop system is Saratoga’s Whole Foods Market. Shoppers who wear hearing aids equipped with telecoils are invited to check out at cash register No. 1. The

Tulsa AuD raises $25,000 for kids’ hearing

TULSA, OK–Jacque Rogers Scholl, AuD, founder of the Children’s Hearing Aid Project, has announced that CHAP’s first fundraising event, “Tulsa Hears a Who,” raised more than $25,000 for the program. CHAP, a part of Total Source for Hearing Access, provides hearing aids to families who cannot afford them and are not covered by insurance. Scholl, who runs The Scholl Center

Under water, humans hear via bone conduction

SEATTLE–Using bone-conduction hearing, human beings can perceive much higher sounds under water than they can on land using air conduction. So reported researchers during a May 24 presentation to the Acoustical Society of America meeting in Seattle. In their study, researchers from the Naval Submarine Medical Research Lab in Groton, CT, tested the range of hearing for submerged participants in

Hearing Loss Association to honor Kennedy Center

BETHESDA, MD – The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) has selected the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, to receive its 2011 National Access Award. The honor will be presented on June 19 during HLAA’s Convention at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City. The Kennedy Center is being recognized for its extraordinary efforts to make

William Demant may buy troubled HearUSA

WEST PALM BEACH, FL—The fate of HearUSA, one of the nation’s largest and oldest networks of audiology practices, remained up in the air this week following the West Palm Beach-based company’s voluntary filing under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code. Acting under section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, HearUSA announced on May 16 that it had named William Demant

Tennessee law covers hearing aids for kids

NASHVILLE–Tennessee has joined the growing number of states that are requiring private insurers to provide coverage for hearing aids for children. Last week, Governor Bill Haslam signed legislation requiring insurance policies to cover up to $1000 per individual hearing aid per ear, every three years, for any child covered as a dependent by the policy holder. Sen. Doug Overbey, a

FDA okays Baha processor

DENVER–Cochlear Americas (www.cochlearamericas.com) has announced that it has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to put its its Cochlear™ Baha 3 Power Sound Processor on the market in the U.S. The programmable bone-conduction system is often prescribed for children and adults with conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss, or single-sided sensorineural deafness. The new processor uses