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.

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Deafness and the Catholic Church

The topics discussed at Hearing International are generally secular in nature as they relate to hearing impairment and audiology. But with the election of Pope Francis I, and his Inaugural Mass today (March 19, 2013), it is fitting that we review the position of the Roman Catholic Church on Deafness. Like most organized religions, the Catholic Church has reached out

Who is the REAL “Father of Audiology”

Around the world there is usually one individual that stands out as the person that began the profession of Audiology in their respective country. These are often those that came to the US, or in later years, other countries as international students and took the profession home and began its practice. These individuals are often thought to be the “Father or Mother of the

A Tale of Two Maneuvers – Part II

As discussed last week, there were two great anatomists who led audiologists and otolaryngologists to their fundamental knowledge of the auditory mechanism. Both were famous for their own middle ear equalization maneuvers. Of course, these were the Valsalva and Toynbee maneuvers, created over a century apart. Each of these researchers made major contributions to knowledge of the auditory system, its

A Tale of Two Maneuvers – Part I

Two great anatomists led audiologists and otolaryngologists to their fundamental knowledge of the auditory mechanism, both were famous for their own middle ear equalization maneuvers: the Valsalva and Toynbee maneuvers. The maneuvers were created over a century apart, but both researchers’ contributions provided major increases in knowledge of the auditory system, its anatomy, physiology and diseases. Hearing International reviews these individuals

The Law of Audiometric Assessment

The one course that challenges most audiology students no matter where in the world they study is Psychoacoustics. Psychoacoustics and the Just Noticeable Differences (JNDs) and Just Not Noticeable Differences (JNNDs) have mystified audiologists, otolaryngologists, and hearing researchers for over 150 years. Where did JNDs come from? Who started these concepts? These are the questions for this week’s Hearing International. Just so happens that

Deaf Police Officers – Angels of Silence

The Mayan Calendar predicted that the world would come to an end December 21, 2012. While the rest of the world was in a tizzy over the Mayan apocalypse that wasn’t, the residents of Oaxaca, Mexico, were busy preparing for the very real Coming of the Radish People. We all woke up on December 22 to the world, its politics, the house payments, jobs

Readers’ Choice 2012: Acupuncture and Hearing Loss…does it Really work? Part I

This two-part series ends here: Acupuncture and Hearing Loss…does it Really work? Part II. Acupuncture has been around for centuries and has spread to most parts of the world. As audiologists, we hear of the procedure, maybe even know patients who undergo the procedure, but don’t hear much about the specifics of how it is conducted or of its actual

Beer Influences Pulling of Helicopters and Trucks with the Ear

During an 1951 afternoon shooting party in County Wexford, Ireland, Sir Hugh Beaver was asked a simple question: What is the Europe’s fastest game bird? Despite a heated argument and an exhaustive search with the host’s library, the answer could not be found. This type of question that has been repeated around the world in pubs, bars, social occasions, classrooms,

Audiology With Missiles

A few days ago a cease fire was negotiated between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza area. As most around the world know, there has been continuing unrest in this part of the world for decades. In November, after months of being the target of rocket attacks by Palestinians in Gaza who continue to deny Israel’s right to exist as a country, Israel retaliated

Solar Ear – The Hearing Aid Power for the World?

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that hearing impairment is the most common sensory deficit in human populations, affecting more than 250 million people in the world. WHO describes the consequences of hearing impairment, which include inability to interpret speech sounds leading to a reduced ability to communicate, delay in language acquisition, economic and educational disadvantage, social isolation, and stigmatization.