Wayne Staab

Dr. Staab is an internationally recognized authority in hearing aids. As President of Dr. Wayne J. Staab and Associates, he is engaged in consulting, research, development, manufacturing, education, and marketing projects related to hearing. His professional career has included University teaching, hearing clinic work, hearing aid company management and sales, and extensive work with engineering in developing and bringing new technology and products to the discipline of hearing. This varied background allows him to couple manufacturing and business with the science of acoustics to bring innovative developments and insights to our discipline. Dr. Staab has authored numerous books, chapters, and articles related to hearing aids and their fitting, and is an internationally-requested presenter. He is a past President and past Executive Director of the American Auditory Society and a retired Fellow of the International Collegium of Rehabilitative Audiology. Interests engaged in outside of the above include: fishing, hunting, hiking, mountain biking, golf, travel, tennis, softball, lecturing, sporting clays, 4-wheeling, archery, swimming, guitar, computers, and photography. These are great topics of discussion away from business.

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Power/Intensity vs. Pressure

Defining Power, Intensity, and Pressure It is not uncommon to hear individuals involved with hearing aids use terminology related to sound levels incorrectly, especially power, intensity, and pressure. This, in spite of the fact that most hearing professionals had been exposed to proper use of such terms early in their careers. This post is a very brief and simplified description

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Visual Guide to Critical Distance for Sound

Understanding how distance affects the transmission and intelligibility of sound is important to hearing care professionals. Understanding critical distance for sound helps the hearing professional counsel patients more effectively. For some, attempting to apply formulae and actually make measurements is more than they want. Therefore, this post is an attempt to have a picture (or more than one) be worth

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Sounds to Cure Ills

Sounds to Cure Ills: Weird or What? An Internet search can render a plethera of information – some good, some bad, and some, just weird. One of my recent exploits falls under the latter category (at least to me). I seem to have been remiss in not using sounds to cure ills and a myriad of disorders, something that most certainly

Featured image for “My Battle With the Ear, No-See-Ums, and Textbooks, Part II”

My Battle With the Ear, No-See-Ums, and Textbooks, Part II

This is a continuation blog from last week “My Battle With the Ear, No-See-Ums, and Textbooks, Part I.” Part I discussed the problems associated with cerumen and no-see-ums. Part II is an attempt to provide remedies that have been suggested to keep no-see-ums away from the ears since cerumen does not seem to be doing the job. Officially, no-see-ums are

Featured image for “My Battle With the Ear, No-See-Ums, and Textbooks”

My Battle With the Ear, No-See-Ums, and Textbooks

Essentially all texts and articles related to cerumen (ear wax) state that it, along with ear hair, seems to “discourage” insects from entering the ear canal or to protect the ear canal from insects. Cerumen is said to protect the ear canal from drying out and, since it is bitter (their words, not mine), noxius, and sticky, prevents the intrusion

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Short Quiz on the History of Audiology

Five Question Quiz on the History of Audiology A number of hearing professionals have commented to me that many current hearing personnel appear to have little knowledge of the history of audiology, especially of individuals and the events that founded what we have become. Here is your chance to prove them wrong. (Answers follow after the questions). The history of audiology

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Independent Hearing Aid Dispenser Directions

The Independent Hearing Aid Dispenser Last week’s post reported on the evolving hearing aid retail landscape, and specifically that of the independent dispenser. Most notably, the emergence of chain retail (such as Costco), the growth of hearing aid manufacturer company owned stores, and the VA has contributed to the 10% decline in independent hearing aid dispensers since 2004, with

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The Independent Hearing Aid Dispenser

The Evolving Hearing Aid Retail Landscape The United States is the largest hearing aid market worldwide, and one of the most dynamic. The rapidly-evolving retail landscape is fundamentally changing the way hearing aids are sold, resulting in long-term implications for both retailers and wholesalers{{1}}[[1]]The long view: the future of the U.S. hearing aid market. Who gains, who loses, from the slow

Featured image for “Smartphone Sound Level Meter Apps – Part II”

Smartphone Sound Level Meter Apps – Part II

Relevancy of Smartphone Sound Level Meter Apps for Occupational Purposes Of the millions of applications (apps) available for smartphones, many developers offer a number of sound measurement apps, including some intended to function as sound level meters (SLMs) in which the smartphone’s built-in microphone is used to pick up the sound for measurement. In some more sophisticated smartphones, an external

Featured image for “Smartphone Sound Level Meter Apps – Part I”

Smartphone Sound Level Meter Apps – Part I

Smartphones As of April, 2015, nearly two-thirds of Americans own a smartphone. Of these, Apple iOS and Google Android platforms account for 93% of these devices{{1}}[[1]] Nielsen (2013). Mobile Majority: U.S. Smartphone ownership tops 60%. https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2013/mobile-majority–u-s–smartphone-ownership-tops-60-.html[[1]]. SLM (Sound Level Meter) Apps Of the millions of applications (apps) available for smartphones, many developers offer a number of sound measurement apps, including