Audiology features
Screening: evaluating the outcomes of early intervention
Newborn hearing screening is now the accepted standard of care in several countries, and is becoming increasingly more established worldwide. White [1] reported eight countries screening over 90% of newborns, ten screening between 25-89% of births and a further 54...
Current considerations on neural development and hearing loss in young children
The young child’s brain has the ability to change in response to new stimuli, resulting in learning, the foundation of adaptive and intelligent behaviour. For children with hearing loss, a reduction or lack of auditory stimuli can have a ‘lifelong...
Utilisation of cortical auditory evoked potentials in the paediatric population
Introduction Early identification of hearing loss in infants followed by prompt intervention is well established as the key to maximising the development of speech, language and psychosocial skills. Many countries have already adopted early hearing detection and intervention (EDHI) programs,...
Dr Marion Pfaender Down
“Dr Marion P Downs, an innovator in the field of paediatric audiology and a tireless advocate for the early identification of hearing loss, passed away on November 13, 2014. During her exemplary career at the University of Colorado Health Sciences...
Lyric 24/7 hearing: could it help those with tinnitus?
About Lyric Hearing Since its launch in 2008, Lyric represents the first and only device of its kind establishing a new category of hearing solution: 24/7 extended wear. Lyric is placed several millimetres within the ear canal, near the tympanic...
Making sense of modern wireless hearing aid technologies
Before diving into the topic of the technology behind wireless hearing aids, it is important to define two key concepts. The first is wireless frequency. This is the frequency at which a wireless signal is transmitted. In the context of...
Case studies – transformational benefits of using connecting hearing aids
While hearing aids can provide great benefits there remain some challenging situations for people with hearing loss. These include listening in background noise, groups, using the telephone and listening to TV / music. Hearing aids with integrated wireless functionality allow...
Remote hearing aid fittings and maintenance – exploring applications in Africa
Introduction Technology and connectivity are allowing audiological services to be provided in novel ways. The field of telehealth, although firmly established over the past two decades, is buoyed by the continued and rapid advances in information and communication technologies. Remote...
‘The Sun does not forget a village just because it is too small’ – African proverb
Solar powered hearing aids In the middle of the morning of January 24, 2002, I had been in Otse for only three days, a village of 3500 in the south of Botswana, when I heard a knock at the door....
Tackling information overload and retention – interactive multimedia videos for first-time hearing aid users
If you are an audiologist reading this article, how confident are you that all the information and advice that you offer your first-time hearing aid (HA) patients is understood, absorbed and then acted upon once they leave the comfort of...
Lawrence Werth (19 October 1956 – 19 August 2014)
In August the audiology community was saddened to learn that Lawrence Werth (57), Chairman of PC Werth Ltd, London had passed away after a brave battle with skin cancer. A prolific contributor to this magazine over the years, he is...
How I lost my hearing aid…and other patient experiences
All audiologists, I am sure, would claim that they give full explanations of hearing aid controls and use of the devices at all fitting appointments. However, we know that patients do not always absorb all that they are told and...
