Hearing Disorders

When the topic of assistive listening devices arises, the lowly telecoil hardly enters into the discussion. Yet the ordinary telecoil (the "T"coil) is perhaps the most common and most underestimated assistive listening device available for hearing-impaired individuals today. They are inexpensive, simple to operate (if one knows how), and can be incorporated in body worn, … [Read more...] about TELECOIL AND TELEPHONES

Much has been written about classroom sound-field amplification systems since they were first introduced about twenty years ago. As their potential contribution to children in classrooms becomes increasingly clear, there now appears to be a developing professional consensus regarding their efficacy. Indeed, those professionals who use and/or evaluate classroom sound-field … [Read more...] about Classroom Sound-Field Systems

This article first appeared in Hearing Loss (Jan/Feb 2005) It's undeniable that the price of hearing aids is often a source of contention between consumers and their hearing aid providers. Nobody likes to be told that they're going to have to lay out six or more thousand dollars for anything. But there are also some points that I think we can all agree on. Perhaps, it would be … [Read more...] about Why do Hearing Aids Cost So Much?

I've worn hearing aids for over 45 years and I've been an Audiologist almost as long. I've worked with hard of hearing and deaf people and their families for my entire career and you would think that I would have a good understanding of the feelings and experiences of people who are deaf, particularly late deafened people. Well, I thought I did; certainly I felt that in my work … [Read more...] about My “Near Deaf” Experience

introduction In the U.S. today, a person can purchase hearing aids from two types of dispensers: Audiologists and Hearing Instrument Specialists (formally known as hearing aid dealers). Both groups are licensed to dispense hearing aids, but come to this activity based on significantly different paths of formal education and training.  There is no information that indicates … [Read more...] about Hearing Aid Services and Satisfaction: The Consumer Viewpoint

I've worn hearing aids for over 45 years and I've been an Audiologist almost as long. I've worked with hard of hearing and deaf people and their families for my entire career and you would think that I would have a good understanding of the feelings and experiences of people who are deaf, particularly late deafened people. Well, I thought I did; certainly I felt that in my work … [Read more...] about My “Near Deaf” Experience

… [Read more...] about LARGE AREA ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS (ALS): REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Recently, I’ve been trying to organize some of the columns and articles I’ve written over the past ten years. As I was looking through them, it became apparent that I’ve neglected to discuss what is perhaps most important hearing dimension of all, the simple audiogram. In reality, however, the “simple” audiogram, and particularly its implications, is not quite so simple. Even … [Read more...] about The Audiogram: Explanation and Significance

The presence, or threat, of acoustic feedback has long been one of the major problems in the fitting and wearing of hearing aids. Acoustic feedback occurs when some of the amplified sound leaks from the ear canal and is picked up by the hearing aid microphone and then re-amplified. This starts the cycle of leakage and re-amplification (the "feedback loop") that results in the … [Read more...] about Feedback Cancellation Systems and Open-Ear Hearing Aid Fitting

So-called digital hearing aids are an outgrowth of the computer revolution that is transforming our entire society. Today, digital technology has been applied to hearing aids in two distinct formats: Digitally programmable analog signal-processing (ASP) instruments and digitally programmable digital signal processing (DSP) Digital encoding in the latter technology is proving to … [Read more...] about Some Reflections on Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Hearing Aids

If you are an adult and have just received your first hearing aid, the chances are that its need has been apparent to most everyone, except perhaps yourself, for years. The average adult receives his or her first hearing aid some five to seven years after the problems caused by a hearing loss are first noticeable. Up to that point, because the usual onset of an adult hearing … [Read more...] about Helpful Hints to the New Hearing Aid User

The only sound dimension that was “adaptive”  with my first hearing aid was the loudness. I could choose to turn the volume control up or down, and that was it.  True, the aid also contained an accessible tone control with three choices (normal, high-tone, and low-tone), but for the most part, I (and most hearing aid users) left that one alone. Evidently, I was one of those … [Read more...] about Environmentally Adaptive Hearing Aids

The most common complaint of those who wear hearing aids, by far, is interference from background noise and reverberation (e.g. echoing environments). The RERC for Hearing Enhancement has been working on techniques for reducing the effects of background noise and reverberation on speech clarity. Thus far, improvements shown with single microphone input are small, if any. … [Read more...] about MULTICHANNEL AND MULTI-MICROPHONE DIRECTIONAL HEARING AIDS: Fitting Procedures and Evaluation of Current and Emergent Technology

The most frequent complaint by people who wear hearing aids concerns their difficulties in tolerating background sounds. Noise is the enemy of the hearing aid user; it affects not only speech comprehension, but the very willingness to wear hearing aids. One of the first comments often made by new hearing aid users relates to the high, and disturbing, levels of noise they can … [Read more...] about Acceptable Noise Levels (ANL)

  Professor Emeritus of Audiology, University of Connecticut and has served as Vice President of the SHHH Board of Trustees. He writes a regular column for Hearing Loss Magazine- The Journal of the Hearing Loss Association of America, called “Developments in Research and Technology.” He has published and lectured extensively on topics dealing with hearing … [Read more...] about Dr. Mark Ross is a Principal Investigator of the RERC on Hearing Enhancement,

Some years ago on a visit to New York, my family and I decided to have brunch at one of the “in” places in Greenwich Village. As we entered, we were greeted by the happy chatter of other diners. While these sounds would be a problem for me, it was an expected one and one that I was prepared to face. The loud music coming from the many loudspeakers on the walls, however, was … [Read more...] about Dr. Ross on Hearing Loss Noise Reduction Hearing Aids: Why They’re Needed, and How They Work

Years ago, the usual audiometry session consisted of pure-tone threshold testing across frequency (the audiogram) and, for a “comprehensive” examination, it included a test of word intelligibility under quiet conditions. Compared to that period, we now have a plethora of tests to evaluate a person’s auditory status. Diagnostic hearing tests can identify abnormalities anywhere … [Read more...] about Evaluating the Performance of a Hearing Aid in the Real-Ear

A & M Hearing Ltd. http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepage/amhearing ACTIVE ELECTRONICS, Inc http://www.activeelectronics.com AIM Instrumentation Northwest Inc http://www.home.xl.ca/aim AMERICANEAR http://www.americanear.com AUDIO CONTROLE (Canadian) http://www.audiocontrole.com AVR Communications Ltd http://www.avrsono.com Bell Hearing … [Read more...] about Hearing Aid Companies

CURRICULUM VITAE: LINDA KOZMA-SPYTEK EDUCATION B.S., 1981, Speech and Hearing Science-Education of the Deaf, Washington University, Central Institute for the Deaf, St. Louis, MO M.A., 1989, Communication Sciences, Washington University, Central Institute for the Deaf, St. Louis, MO Graduate Studies in Audiology, 2000-2005, The Graduate School and University Center of The City … [Read more...] about CURRICULUM VITAE: LINDA KOZMA-SPYTEK

It's undeniable that the price of hearing aids is often a source of contention between consumers and their hearing aid providers. Nobody likes to be told that they're going to have to lay out six or more thousand dollars for anything. But there are also some points that I think we can all agree on. Perhaps, it would be useful to review these before going on to discuss those … [Read more...] about Why do Hearing Aids Cost So Much?

The topic of tinnitus often arose during my days as a teacher and clinical audiologist. For the most part, my responses simply regurgitated the conventional wisdom of the time, i.e., that tinnitus was a common problem, of unknown and varied origin, and that there were no sure-fire cures for the condition. Basically, I sloughed the topic off, primarily because there really … [Read more...] about Developments in Tinnitus

When the topic of assistive listening devices arises, the lowly telecoil hardly enters into the discussion. Yet the ordinary telecoil (the "T"coil) is perhaps the most common and most underestimated assistive listening device available for hearing-impaired individuals today. They are inexpensive, simple to operate (if one knows how), and can be incorporated in body worn, … [Read more...] about TELECOIL AND TELEPHONES

In considering the personal and social identity of hard of hearing people, in the very fact that such an issue is framed for discussion, we clearly mean to contrast our situation to that of people who are physiologically deaf, or who consider themselves socially and culturally Deaf in spite of the existence of significant amounts of residual hearing. But even though it is … [Read more...] about Personal and Social Identity of Hard of Hearing People

Judging from the most recent edition of Audiology Today (May/June 2004), the issue of OTC hearing aids is still roiling the hearing aid industry, particularly the dispensing community. Its present incarnation began with a feature article in the March 24, 2004 issue of the Wall Street Journal. The article implicates the high cost of hearing aids as the most significant factor … [Read more...] about Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids

  Professor Emeritus of Audiology, University of Connecticut and has served as Vice President of the SHHH Board of Trustees. He writes a regular column for Hearing Loss Magazine- The Journal of the Hearing Loss Association of America, called “Developments in Research and Technology.” He has published and lectured extensively on topics dealing with hearing … [Read more...] about Dr. Mark Ross is a Principal Investigator of the RERC on Hearing Enhancement

In the Beginning By all accounts, the audiology profession had its genesis in WW II, as an outgrowth of the aural rehabilitation (A/R) programs provided for servicemen who lost hearing in the war. What the government did was bring together a variety of specialists, told them to organize an A/R program, and essentially give them a blank check. The result was the kind of … [Read more...] about A Retrospective Look at the Future of Aural Rehabilitation

The profession of audiology has its roots in the aural rehabilitation (A/R) programs organized by the US military during WW II. Their purpose was to respond to the needs of servicemen who lost hearing as a result of war service. The medical authorities brought together a number of specialists and asked them to create an optimal A/R program. With little financial restrictions … [Read more...] about Home-based Auditory and Speechreading Training

Auditory training can be defined as formal listening activities whose goal is to optimize the activity of speech perception (Dr. Arthur Boothroyd).   It is based on an assumption that listeners often need help in dealing with the speech perception deficits that remain after auditory function has been optimized through an appropriate hearing aid selection process.  This point … [Read more...] about Dr. Ross on Hearing Loss

Much has been written about classroom sound-field amplification systems since they were first introduced about twenty years ago. As their potential contribution to children in classrooms becomes increasingly clear, there now appears to be a developing professional consensus regarding their efficacy. Indeed, those professionals who use and/or evaluate classroom sound-field … [Read more...] about Classroom Sound-Field Systems

The Marketing of Digital Hearing Aids Over the past 50 years that I can personally recall, there have been ambitious and hyperbolic marketing appeals about new developments in hearing aids. Even as a professional audiologist, presumably able to separate the “hype” from the facts, it was, and is, hard for me not to be influenced by the plausible nature of many of these … [Read more...] about Digital Hearing Aids: From the Perspective of One Consumer/Audiologist

It's undeniable that the price of hearing aids is often a source of contention between consumers and their hearing aid providers. Nobody likes to be told that they're going to have to lay out six or more thousand dollars for anything. But there are also some points that I think we can all agree on. Perhaps, it would be useful to review these before going on to discuss those … [Read more...] about Why do Hearing Aids Cost So Much?

My first exposure to music while using my cochlear implant (CI) occurred when I left the NYU Center, right after the implant was activated.  It was a cold day in January and I was lucky to find a cab right outside the Center to take me across town. The cabbie might have been the only one in NY whose radio was tuned to a classical music station. A familiar piano piece was being … [Read more...] about Listening to Music Through a Cochlear Implant: Part 1

In preparing this column, I ordinarily consult the trade and professional literature for information on significant developments in hearing assistive technologies (hearing aids and other devices). There is usually no shortage of research studies to review and other developments to report. In recent years, in particular, there has been a virtual banquet of technical developments … [Read more...] about Audibility and Useful Hearing Aid Features

I've worn hearing aids for over 45 years and I've been an Audiologist almost as long. I've worked with hard of hearing and deaf people and their families for my entire career and you would think that I would have a good understanding of the feelings and experiences of people who are deaf, particularly late deafened people. Well, I thought I did; certainly I felt that in my work … [Read more...] about My “Near Deaf” Experience

In my judgment, the advent of cochlear implants has been the most significant prosthetic advance for people with hearing loss since the development of the first wearable electronic hearing aid. Having access to the auditory world around them via cochlear implants has transformed and enriched the lives of thousands upon thousands of adults and children. Furthermore, the … [Read more...] about Different kinds of implants: Auditory, Penetrating and Hybrid

In the U.S. today, a person can purchase hearing aids from two types of dispensers: Audiologists and Hearing Instrument Specialists (formally known as hearing aid dealers). Both groups are licensed to dispense hearing aids, but come to this activity based on significantly different paths of formal education and training.  There is no information that indicates that consumers as … [Read more...] about Hearing Aid Services and Satisfaction: The Consumer Viewpoint

Are binaural hearing aids better?  An interesting and provocative article in the September 2005 issue of Journal of the American Academy of Audiology (JAAA) by several respected researchers (Therese and Brian Walden) has reopened this question, one that I thought had long been settled in favor of binaural relative to monaural hearing aids.  Before reviewing and commenting on … [Read more...] about Are Binaural Hearing Aids Better?

Much has been written about classroom sound-field amplification systems since they were first introduced about twenty years ago. As their potential contribution to children in classrooms becomes increasingly clear, there now appears to be a developing professional consensus regarding their efficacy. Indeed, those professionals who use and/or evaluate classroom sound-field … [Read more...] about Classroom Sound-Field Systems

Just about anybody who has ever worn a hearing aid has experienced this annoying sound, variously described as "whistling", "howling", "screeching" and various other adjectives denoting an unpleasant auditory experience. It is not a trivial problem; industry estimates that 10 to 15 percent of in-the-ear hearing aids are returned within the first 30 days because of feedback … [Read more...] about Acoustic Feedback Control

Recently, I’ve been trying to organize some of the columns and articles I’ve written over the past ten years. As I was looking through them, it became apparent that I’ve neglected to discuss what is perhaps most important hearing dimension of all, the simple audiogram. In reality, however, the “simple” audiogram, and particularly its implications, is not quite so simple. Even … [Read more...] about The Audiogram: Explanation and Significance

The most common type of hearing impairment is a high-frequency loss (i.e., perception of higher frequencies is poorer than that of lower ones). People with this type of problem often complain of hearing but not understanding. While the deleterious effect of noise occurs for a number of reasons, a primary one is the fact that such individuals cannot perceive many of the high … [Read more...] about Frequency-Lowering Hearing Aids: Increasing the Audibility of High-Frequency Speech Sounds

Introduction In the U.S. today, a person can purchase hearing aids from two types of dispensers: Audiologists and Hearing Instrument Specialists (formally known as hearing aid dealers). Both groups are licensed to dispense hearing aids, but come to this activity based on significantly different paths of formal education and training.  There is no information that indicates … [Read more...] about Hearing Aid Services and Satisfaction: The Consumer Viewpoint

The most frequent complaint by people who wear hearing aids concerns their difficulties in tolerating background sounds.  Noise is the enemy of the hearing aid user; it affects not only speech comprehension, but the very willingness to wear hearing aids. One of the first comments often made by new hearing aid users relates to the high, and disturbing, levels of noise they can … [Read more...] about Acceptable Noise Levels (ANL)

Hearing aids are delicate (and very expensive!) instruments. Within their tiny, fragile cases, they pack an enormous amount of highly sensitive, sophisticated electronic circuitry. Unlike eyeglasses, hearing aids need regular upkeep and a lot of tender loving care to ensure continued optimal performance. With reasonable care, the life expectancy of a hearing aid is about three … [Read more...] about Hearing Aid Troubleshooting

A while ago I read a press release from the Oticon Company announcing its Focus on Hearing Award. The award is titled “Honoring People Who Defy the Stigma of Hearing Loss” by living full and productive lives. In reading this press release I was taken by the implicit assumption that, of course, a hearing loss is a stigmatizing condition; this was presented as an unquestioned … [Read more...] about The “Stigma” of Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids

Mark Ross, Ph.D. Consultant CURRENT LOCATION University of Connecticut EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND Ph.D. - Stanford University, 1962 M.A. - Brooklyn College, 1958 B.A. - Brooklyn College, 1957   BIOGRAPHY AND RERC AFFILIATIONDr. Ross is involved with the dissemination of professional information to consumers via bimonthly articles in … [Read more...] about Mark Ross

System Requirements Minimum Configuration: Microsoftâ Windowsâ 95, 98 or NT 4.0 (or higher) 90 Mhz (or faster) Intelâ Pentiumâ or compatible processor 8 Megabytes system RAM 25 Megabytes hard disk space Windows-compatible sound hardware with line level inputs and outputs   About Sound Hardware: Lexington's STI Program is designed to work with most … [Read more...] about STI PROGRAM INFORMATION

Recently, I've been trying to organize some of the columns and articles I've written over the past ten years. As I was looking through them, it became apparent that I've neglected to discuss what is perhaps most important hearing dimension of all, the simple audiogram. In reality, however, the "simple" audiogram, and particularly its implications, is not quite so simple. Even … [Read more...] about The Audiogram: Explanation and Significance

This article first appeared in Volta Voices (March/April 2000) We are living at a time characterized by major technological advances that impinge upon all aspects of our lives. As these developments concern children with hearing loss, we can note, for example, the introduction of cochlear implants, sophisticated digital signal processing hearing aids, and innovative … [Read more...] about Low Frequency Residual Hearing Revisited

Now don't get me wrong: I think hearing aids are wonderful. I hate to think what my life would be like without them. But sometimes, and in some situations, either you're not wearing them (like when you're in bed, coming out of the shower, etc.) or they need to be supplemented by another type of assistive device. That's where hearing assistance technologies come in. Keep in mind … [Read more...] about When a Hearing Aid is NOT Enough: Consider other types of Hearing Assistance Technologies

This article first appeared in the IFHOH Journal (1995) All of us have had the experience of suggesting to a friend or relative that he or she get a hearing aid, only to be told that it was not necessary since he/she could "hear all right"--this comment being made during the course of a conversation in which shouting was the only way to communicate. It is a frustrating … [Read more...] about Why People Won’t Wear Hearing Aids

This article first appeared in Hearing Loss (Sep/Oct 2009) While browsing through the aisles of my local pharmacy, I came across some device that looked like a bluetooth receiver. Naturally, this piqued my curiosity. It turns out that it wasn’t a bluetooth receiver at all but, rather, a “personal sound amplifier.” Reading the printed blurb on it I could see why it would be a … [Read more...] about Dr. Ross on Hearing Loss Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs) Versus Hearing Aids

This article first appeared in Hearing Loss (Jan/Feb 2005) It’s undeniable that the price of hearing aids is often a source of contention between consumers and their hearing aid providers. Nobody likes to be told that they’re going to have to lay out six or more thousand dollars for anything. But there are also some points that I think we can all agree on. Perhaps, it would … [Read more...] about Why do Hearing Aids Cost So Much?

by Mark Ross, Ph.D. Some years ago on a visit to New York, my family and I decided to have brunch at one of the "in" places in Greenwich Village. As we entered, we were greeted by the happy chatter of other diners. While these sounds would be a problem for me, it was an expected one and one that I was prepared to face. The loud music coming from the many loudspeakers on the … [Read more...] about Noise Reduction Hearing Aids: Why They’re Needed, and How They Work

by Mark Ross, Ph.D. This article first appeared in Hearing Loss (Jan/Feb 2004) The occlusion effect is not a new phenomenon and has been described here before. Still, it is a serious and continuing problem for some hearing aid users and thus is the kind of topic that merits some repetition now and then. It relates to the complaint that some hearing aid users make, newer … [Read more...] about The “Occlusion Effect” — What it is, and What to Do About it

This article first appeared in Hearing Loss (May/Jun 2009) Recently I’ve noticed that the professional and trade journals are publishing more articles relating to listening to music through hearing aids and cochlear implants, rather than focusing on just speech. Without minimizing the overarching importance of speech communication, apparently this change reflects a growing … [Read more...] about Dr. Ross on Hearing Loss Listening to Music Through Hearing Aids: The “Music” Program

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