Wayne's World

More than 40 million adults in the U.S. snore, which is approximately 20% of the adult population.  Men are reported to engage in habitual snoring at a rate of 45% versus 25% for women.1,2  An article in the Daily Mail of the United Kingdom reported that around 75% of the UK population are believed to be snorers with the condition most

Two previous posts discussed 3D printing.  This technology is currently being used in the hearing aid industry, as it is in many other industries, for modeling, and even for some product fabricating, especially earmolds and custom-molded shells for in-ear products.  A previous post described Stereolithography (SL) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS).  This post describes two additional 3D printing processes likely

A previous post opened a conversation about 3D printing.  This technology is currently being used in the hearing aid industry, as it is in many other industries, for modeling, and even for some product fabricating, especially earmolds and custom-molded shells for in-ear products. Four different types of 3D printing processes likely to be encountered, are: Stereolithography (SLA) Selective Laser Sintering

Much has been written about 3D printing.  For those who fit hearing aids, especially custom-molded types, or earmolds, many of us have been told that the shells have been 3D printed.  But, what does this actually mean?   What is 3D Printing? This is known also as desktop fabrication, or additive manufacturing.  It is unique in that actual objects are

A recent trip to the city of Chengdu, China (home of the giant panda), provided an unexpected experience – the practice of ear-picking, or what some might refer to as ear cleaning or ear scraping. Ear Picking and Giant Pandas – Chengdu, China Most tourists who travel to Chengdu, China go to see the giant pandas.  However, another attraction is

The transition from vacuum tube to transistor hearing aids occurred in the mid 1950s.  The transistor allowed for a single power supply, and voltage as low as 1.4. Being able to operate on 1.4 volts reduced tremendously the power requirements, both in size and required voltage from that required for vacuum tube hearing aids.  Essentially all hearing aids made this

Previous posts have talked about early vacuum tube and transistor hearing aids, and the hearing aid batteries they used.  A tremendous change occurred in hearing aid size in going from vacuum tubes to transistors as amplifiers.  Much of that related to changes in the battery size as well, as previously discussed. This post is intended to show how some of

In researching vintage hearing aid batteries, occasional references are made to the power supplies (batteries) used.  However, for most individuals, never having been exposed to out-of-date hearing aids, there is little reason to expect to know what some of the sizes and types were. This post will review some of the commonly-used batteries and cells at the time, but which

My past two posts on old hearing aids have followed an historical theme based on a box of old hearing aids I uncovered in my garage recently.  I actually knew they were there, but digging them out was not high on my list.  However, they were uncovered when I was looking for a baling hook (unrelated to hearing aids).  And,

Last week’s post revolved around finding a box of old hearing aids in my garage, and wondering if any of them were interesting or rare enough that information and photographs of them should be documented. I found some really good “stuff” and wrote about some unusual hearing aids that I had found in the box.  That post focused on some