Wayne's World

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

White Cats Versus White Cats The snow-white brilliance of a white cat is a beauty to behold.  And, when coupled with different eye colors (green, blue, golden, or “unusual” features), it stands out dramatically from other multi-colored, calico, or tortoiseshell cats.  White cats have often been associated with the month of February because their color reminds one of snow. It

HEARING LOOPS – 3 COMPONENTS and 3 E-Z STEPS! Norman Lederman, M.S., Director of Research & Development, Oval Window Audio, Nederland, CO Introduction In the realm of “hearing assistance”, induction loops (more recently known as “hearing loops”) have a history spanning well over 50 years.  Much has been written about this technology and related devices, including:  how they work, pros

Western Electric 2-A Audiometer Most hearing care professionals have heard or read that one of the early audiometers for the measurement of hearing sensitivity was the Western Electric 2-A audiometer.  Few have any idea what it looked like or what it did.  This post is pleased to bring to readers some of the best detailed photographs of the 2-A audiometer. 

Acoustic Over Electronic High-Frequency Response Generation   The fitting considerations presented here are for RIC hearing aids.  The intent is to provide an understanding of what is happening to RIC fittings when the ear tip is modified. This post is a continuation from last week. If you have a RIC fitting that evades user satisfaction, considering something unconventional may be in

Acoustic Application for Successful Hearing Aid Acceptance and Satisfaction A successful RIC hearing aid fitting, like many hearing aid fittings, is not necessarily related to any specific fitting formula, but is based on user satisfaction – the ability to hear, understand, and wear the hearing aid comfortably, without acoustic feedback, and in the presence of noise.  And, with RIC-type hearing

The Mafia, Whitey Bulger, and the Hearing Aid Industry: What Is the Connection? The story related here is true, but is a story with no happiness to it.  This might seem a rather strange post for an Internet site devoted to issues related to hearing. However, one of the purposes of HHTM is to leave a record of the hearing aid industry

Audiometer Evolution – Can Instruments Evolve? By George J. Frye President, Frye Electronics, Inc.   Evolution can occur that has little effect on the outward appearance of the object.  This involves operator interface features of an instrument rather than its inner workings.  Does this apply to instruments used in audiology? Traditional Audiometer Design – Mechanical Controls Instruments are designed with

Hearing Aid Features and Awareness The latest MarkeTrak 9{{1}}[[1]]MarkeTrak 9: A New Baseline.  Estimating hearing loss and adoption rates and exploring key aspects of the patient journey, Final Report, March 2014, Hearing Industries Association[[1]] data related to hearing aids was presented in last week’s post, providing information about hearing aid average age, percentage of hearing aid types worn, and on how

Hearing Aid Age, Type, and Coupling –  Latest Results From MarkeTrak 9 MarkeTrak 9 (MT9){{1}}[[1]]MarkeTrak 9: A New Baseline.  Estimating hearing loss and adoption rates and exploring key aspects of the patient journey, Final Report, March 2014, Hearing Industries Association[[1]] was provided to Hearing Industry Association (HIA) members in early April, ahead of public release, and HHTM was first to