Robert Traynor

Robert M. Traynor, Ed.D., is a hearing industry consultant, trainer, professor, conference speaker, practice manager and author. He is a founding member of HHTM and had previously written a regular weekly column for the site for many years. He has decades of experience teaching courses and training clinicians within the field of audiology with specific emphasis in hearing and tinnitus rehabilitation. He serves as Adjunct Faculty in Audiology at the University of Florida, University of Northern Colorado, University of Colorado and The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Featured image for “Bad to the Bone Headsets”

Bad to the Bone Headsets

According to Staab (2012), knowledge of bone conduction hearing dates back to the era of Girolamo Cardano (1501-1576), a physician, mathematician, philosopher, and early deaf educator. In his book “De Subtilitate” (1550), Cardano described a method involving a rod or spear shaft held between the teeth to transmit sound to the ear. Bone conduction is one of the fundamental concepts

Featured image for “The Deaf Legacy of Martha’s Vineyard”

The Deaf Legacy of Martha’s Vineyard

In Parts I and II of this series uncovering the Deaf community of Martha’s Vineyard, we explored the presence of recessive genes for deafness that arrived in Massachusetts during the “great migration” of Puritan Separatists from England. The Weald region in the County of Kent, England, was recognized for having a significant number of deaf residents due to the inheritance

Featured image for “Aircraft Noise Reduction During WWII”

Aircraft Noise Reduction During WWII

Over the past few weeks at Hearing International the bomber crew noise exposure series has had some real attention from audiology colleagues, WWII buffs, and those that actually suffered the noise exposures themselves, their relatives, and the current pilots of these magnificent planes. My colleague, Dr. Jont Allen, reminded me of the significant research conducted on early aircraft noise levels

Featured image for “Roots and Recessive Genes: The Lambert-Linnell Legacy and the Deaf Population on Martha’s Vineyard”

Roots and Recessive Genes: The Lambert-Linnell Legacy and the Deaf Population on Martha’s Vineyard

Last week, we delved into the journey of Thomas Lambert, a resident of Tenterdon in Kent, England, who, along with his third wife, Joyce, became part of the “Great Migration” to the New World on the ship Mary and John. This migration, involving many Puritan Separatists, marked their transformation into American Pilgrims. In our previous post’s conclusion, Thomas and Joyce

Featured image for “How Martha’s Vineyard Became One of the Largest Deaf Communities in the World: Pilgrim Origins”

How Martha’s Vineyard Became One of the Largest Deaf Communities in the World: Pilgrim Origins

Our story begins with Charles I. As the ruler of England, Ireland, and Scotland from 1625 to 1649, Charles I found himself embroiled in a pivotal struggle concerning the future course of the Church of England—a common concern for monarchs of his era. The central debate revolved around the English Reformation in the mid-1600s, with the key question being whether

Featured image for “Does Caffeine Make Tinnitus Worse? Is It Possible There Is No Connection?”

Does Caffeine Make Tinnitus Worse? Is It Possible There Is No Connection?

Coffee, one of the world’s most beloved and international beverages, is deeply ingrained in the daily lives of people across the globe. Its journey begins in faraway places, where coffee beans are sourced, roasted, brewed, squeezed, pressed, boiled, and perked. Each country adds its unique cultural touch to every cup of coffee. In some places, products and research projects are

Featured image for ““Mozart Ear”: Does it Explain the Great Composer’s Untimely Death?”

“Mozart Ear”: Does it Explain the Great Composer’s Untimely Death?

It is well known that Mozart had an ear for music. What is not so well known is that he also had a condition of the pinna that has, over the centuries, become known by the eponym “Mozart Ear”. According to Yamashita et al. (2011), Mozart Ear is an auricular deformity characterized by a bulging appearance of the anterosuperior portion of

Featured image for “Sleep Apnea and Hearing Loss?”

Sleep Apnea and Hearing Loss?

Sleep-disordered breathing, a prevalent chronic condition worldwide, is estimated to affect 3% to 7% of the population, particularly among certain high-risk groups. However, recent studies published in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggest a higher prevalence of Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS) at 26% among adults aged 30 to 70 in the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that

Featured image for “The Effect of Meniere’s Disease on the Protestant Reformation”

The Effect of Meniere’s Disease on the Protestant Reformation

Martin Luther, renowned as the Father of Protestantism, played a pivotal role in shaping the modern world by famously breaking away from the Catholic Church. As a simple German monk hailing from a peasant background, Luther’s influence was immense. His extraordinary conviction, determination, and boldness made him a puzzling yet intriguing figure. Few individuals in history have generated as many

Featured image for “WWII Bomber Crews and Hearing Loss: Impact Beyond the Battlefield”

WWII Bomber Crews and Hearing Loss: Impact Beyond the Battlefield

Over the past few weeks, my focus has been on delving into the noise levels of World War II bombers, particularly the B-17, B-24, and B-25. Initial research indicates a scarcity of data on these levels, likely due to the lack of concern for noise amidst the wartime chaos. While the exposure to noise levels in these aircraft seems obscure,