Wayne's World

Hearing aids are electronic devices that apply amplification provided by a power supply, most usually called the “battery.”  The power supply provides the energy to drive the hearing aid (an electrical load).  What the power supply (hearing aid battery) does is to essentially convert one form of electrical energy to another.    Battery Basics for Hearing Aids Although historically, “battery”

I wish all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and an enjoyable New Year. That aside, what does this holiday season have to do with earwax? Nothing that I am aware of.  However, it is that time of the year when we take one of our most read posts for 2016 and share it again with all of you.  And for some reason,

Research related to the occlusion effect (OE) suggests that the OE is minimized when contact of the ear insert (closed coupled in this case) is made with the bony ear canal1,2.  Measurements of the OE for various in-canal devices are numerous and essentially support this conclusion.  But, to what extent does the cartilaginous/bony ear canal junction impact the occlusion effect?

A number of years ago, an article was published describing the importance of the impedance formula in interpretation of audiograms1.  The article by Campbell offered a fairly simple and visible way to help understand the audiogram, based on stiffness and mass, and the impact of these two elements on conductive hearing loss.  It is recognized that today more sophisticated methods

The answer is yes – there is an upper limit to sound.  But this depends on how sound is identified and this article relates to sound in air. Sound in Air Sound is a series of longitudinal waves travelling in air caused by oscillations of pressure in the air (Figure 1).  Sound consists of a pressure wave, having regions of

How loud can sound get?  Could loud sound kill you?  Are there limits, and if so, what are they?  How are such things determined?  All of these are interesting questions and an attempt will be made to answer these as best possible. Two important lessons are supported by this article: one, the loudest thing in the world does not have

A previous post described the Doppler effect in a simplified manner as it relates to movement and sound waves.  This post expands on this somewhat by providing a series of Doppler effect animated images to clarify the role of a moving object and its impact on the sound.  It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. 

Does motion affect sound?   If you pay attention, your ears will most likely tell you the answer is “yes,” specifically in frequency.  This effect is readily noticed with respect to the sound from fast-moving vehicles.  When vehicles pass close to you, you will hear its sound suddenly change in pitch (frequency) just at the moment it passes by.  This

Last week’s post chronicled the story of Harley-Davidson, the motorcycle manufacturer, attempting to get a federal trademark on what many call the unique sound of a Harley (motorcycle).  After years and tens of thousands of dollars fighting comments from other motorcycle companies, and no end in sight to the litigation, Harley voluntarily withdrew their sound branding trademark application. This HHTM

Sometimes late at night, accountant Laura Weiner thunders through the New River Tunnel in Fort Lauderdale, revving her Harley’s engine.  ”I love that sound,” she says1.  It is what many call the the HOG’s sweet sound.  But, this sound is not a squeal, and this HOG is not for eating.    And, evidently, many other motorcycle riders like the sound.