Wayne's World

Why Ear Canal Dimensions of Asian Females? Ear canal dimensions (measurement and shape) are important when designing many devices for the ears.  This is true regardless of whether the device is custom made, or if it is an off-the-shelf product designed to fit multiple ear canals.  For custom products, the dimensions are helpful in designing internal component placement.  For off-the-shelf

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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