Wayne's World

This blog started by looking at three assumptions about directional microphone hearing aids. Do hearing aid manufacturers routinely measure the directional properties of DM hearing aids prior to shipment? Are directional features programmed into the hearing aid seen on the computer programming screen actually what is programmed into the hearing aid? Once the hearing aid is programmed, is the measured

There are at least three assumptions about directional microphone hearing aids that require discussion. 1.     Hearing aid manufacturers routinely measure the directional properties of DM hearing aids prior to shipment. 2.     Directional features programmed into the hearing aid seen on the computer programming screen are actually what is programmed into the hearing aid. 3.     Once the hearing aid is programmed,

Environmental Acoustics and Directional Microphone Hearing Aids This is a continuation of the previous blog and identifies additional issues that impact the performance and use of directional microphone hearing aids.  The previous blog discussed how directional microphone equalization adjustments and distance between microphone port openings impacts circuit noise that can be heard by the hearing aid wearer.  Understanding these issues

In the past several years, hearing aids having a directional microphone option as one or more of the settings of the hearing aid have had a resurgence, especially with those hearing aids that fit over the ear in either a RIC (receiver-in-canal) or open coupled device using a thin tube, but with the receiver in the hearing aid rather than

HEARING AID REPAIRS Comments on hearing aid repair forms sometimes provide interesting stories for those who are asked to repair the aid.  The following comments and photos provide a background as to why those who repair the aids can experience a roller coaster of emotions when working to fix the device – from interpretations, concern, empathy, and, an occasional chuckle.

Wayne’s World Hearing Threshold Challenge: Pure Tone Hearing Thresholds – fact or farce? Look at the two audiograms below.  Are they the same or different?   Identify which shows the better hearing. View Figure 1 PDF Actually, the hearing that the audiograms represent is the same, at least relative to the way that hearing is generally tested. Discussion: Most pure-tone audiometric

Wayne’s World is intended to communicate a potpourri of messages rather than focusing on a specific topic.  This reflects, in part, the variety and length of my experience in the discipline of hearing.  As perhaps the senior active member of the original audiologists working with hearing aid manufacturers and having a clinical and academic background as well, I have witnessed