scholarly journals Direct-to-Consumer Hearing Devices: Capabilities, Costs, and Cosmetics

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 233121651985830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Almufarrij ◽  
Kevin J. Munro ◽  
Piers Dawes ◽  
Michael A. Stone ◽  
Harvey Dillon
Keyword(s):  
Paired Comparison ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Maximum Output ◽  
Aesthetic Design ◽  
Technical Performance ◽  
Direct To Consumer ◽  
Frequency Responses ◽  
Reference Device ◽  
Hearing Devices

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) hearing devices can be purchased without consulting a hearing health professional. This project aims to compare 28 DTC devices with the most popular hearing aid supplied by the U.K. National Health Service (NHS). The comparison was based on technical performance, cosmetic acceptability, and the ability to match commonly used gain and slope targets. Electroacoustic performance was evaluated in a 2-cc coupler. Match to prescription target for both gain and slope was measured on a Knowles Electronic Manikin for Acoustic Research using a mild and also a moderate sloping hearing loss. Using an online blinded paired comparison of each DTC and the NHS reference device, 126 participants (50 were hearing aid users and 76 were nonhearing aid users) assessed the cosmetic appearance and rated their willingness-to-wear the DTC devices. The results revealed that higher purchase prices were generally associated with a better match to prescribed gain–frequency response shapes, lower distortion, wider bandwidth, better cosmetic acceptability, and higher willingness-to-wear. On every parameter measured, there were devices that performed worse than the NHS device. Most of the devices were rated lower in terms of aesthetic design than the NHS device and provided gain–frequency responses and maximum output levels that were markedly different from those prescribed for commonly encountered audiograms. Because of the absence or inflexibility of most of the devices, they have the potential to deliver poor sound quality and uncomfortably loud sounds. The challenge for manufacturers is to develop low-cost products with cosmetic appeal and appropriate electroacoustic characteristics.

scholarly journals Argumentum ad Ignorantiam: Smartphone-Connected Listening Devices

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (04) ◽  
pp. 254-265
Author(s):  
David W. Maidment ◽  
Amyn M. Amlani
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Direct To Consumer ◽  
The Past ◽  
Hearing Devices ◽  
Sound Amplification ◽  
Receive Treatment ◽  
Consumer Devices ◽  
The Impact ◽  
To Receive

AbstractIn this article, we review the current literature assessing the application and benefits of connected hearing technologies, as well as their potential to improve accessibility to and affordability of hearing healthcare. Over the past decade, there has been a proliferation of hearing devices that connect wirelessly to smartphone technologies via Bluetooth. These devices include (1) smartphone-connected hearing aids that must be obtained from a licensed audiologist or hearing aid dispenser; (2) direct-to-consumer devices, such as personal sound amplification products; and (3) smartphone-based hearing aid applications (or apps). Common to all these connected devices is that they permit the user to self-adjust and customize their device programs via an accompanying smartphone app. There has been a growing body of literature assessing connected hearing devices in adults living with hearing loss. Overall, the evidence to date supports the notion that all connected hearing devices can improve accessibility to and affordability of amplification. It is unclear, however, whether connected technologies are a clinically effective alternative to traditional hearing aids. Even so, the impact of connectivity is especially pertinent given the sudden disruption caused by the recent global COVID-19 pandemic, whereby connected technologies enable patients to receive treatment through mobile-based, tele-audiology platforms.

Assessing Release-Time Options in a Two-Channel AGC Hearing Aid

1997 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth A. Bentler ◽  
John A. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Paired Comparison ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
User Preference ◽  
Release Time ◽  
Data Logging ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Frequency Responses ◽  
Release Times

The purpose of this study was to determine whether different release times, as implemented in a commercial two-channel AGC hearing aid, would result in differing speech intelligibility performance, user preference, or use time. In experiment one, 14 subjects were fitted with a two-channel multi-memory AGC hearing aid. Four memories were programmed to have identical frequency responses and output limitation characteristics. Only the release times were varied, with the low channel/high channel set as follows (in ms): 20/35, 20/150, 100/35, 500/7. Results obtained from the NST (+5 S/N), magnitude estimations of intelligibility, and data-logging of use time did not show any release-time pair to be superior to any other. In experiment two, 10 subjects participated in a forced-choice, paired-comparison procedure using the same release-time pairs from experiment one. Auditory stimuli consisted of three input levels, consisting of speech, speech in noise, and music. Results indicated no release-time pair to be superior in any listening condition. Results may be explained, in part, by the use of a curvilinear compression circuit and the milder hearing loss exhibited by the subjects. Future investigation of the effect of release-time variation should be carried out on circuits with adjustable compression parameters (and fixed compression ratios) with listeners exhibiting different degrees of hearing loss.

Azo (Hydrazone) pigments: general principles

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Christie
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Metal Salt ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Precipitation Process ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Technical Performance ◽  
Chemical Structures ◽  
General Chemical ◽  
Physical Form

Abstract This paper presents an overview of the general chemical principles underlying the structures, synthesis and technical performance of azo pigments, the dominant chemical class of industrial organic pigments in the yellow, orange, and red shade areas, both numerically and in terms of tonnage manufactured. A description of the most significant historical features in this group of pigments is provided, starting from the discovery of the chemistry on which azo colorants are based by Griess in the mid-nineteenth century, through the commercial introduction of the most important classical azo pigments in the early twentieth century, including products known as the Hansa Yellows, β-naphthol reds, including metal salt pigments, and the diarylide yellows and oranges, to the development in the 1950s and 1960s of two classes of azo pigments that exhibit high performance, disazo condensation pigments and benzimidazolone-based azo pigments. A feature that complicates the description of the chemical structures of azo pigments is that they exist in the solid state as the ketohydrazone rather than the hydroxyazo form, in which they have been traditionally been illustrated. Numerous structural studies conducted over the years on an extensive range of azo pigments have demonstrated this feature. In this text, they are referred to throughout as azo (hydrazone) pigments. Since a common synthetic procedure is used in the manufacture of virtually all azo (hydrazone) pigments, this is discussed in some detail, including practical aspects. The procedure brings together two organic components as the fundamental starting materials, a diazo component and a coupling component. An important reason for the dominance of azo (hydrazone) pigments is that they are highly cost-effective. The syntheses generally involve low cost, commodity organic starting materials and are carried out in water as the reaction solvent, which offers obvious economic and environmental advantages. The versatility of the approach means that an immense number of products may be prepared, so that they have been adapted structurally to meet the requirements of many applications. On an industrial scale, the processes are straightforward, making use of simple, multi-purpose chemical plant. Azo pigments may be produced in virtually quantitative yields and the processes are carried out at or below ambient temperatures, thus presenting low energy requirements. Finally, provided that careful control of the reaction conditions is maintained, azo pigments may be prepared directly by an aqueous precipitation process that can optimise physical form, with control of particle size distribution, crystalline structure, and surface character. The applications of azo pigments are outlined, with more detail reserved for subsequent papers on individual products.

scholarly journals Review of Bone Conduction Hearing Devices

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-219
Author(s):  
Susan E. Ellsperman ◽  
Emily M. Nairn ◽  
Emily Z. Stucken
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Sound Transmission ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Hearing Devices ◽  
Bone Conduction Hearing ◽  
Single Sided Deafness

Bone conduction is an efficient pathway of sound transmission which can be harnessed to provide hearing amplification. Bone conduction hearing devices may be indicated when ear canal pathology precludes the use of a conventional hearing aid, as well as in cases of single-sided deafness. Several different technologies exist which transmit sound via bone conduction. Here, we will review the physiology of bone conduction, the indications for bone conduction amplification, and the specifics of currently available devices.

Research and Application on a Multi Head Conjugate Disc Indexing Cam Mechanism

2012 ◽  
Vol 184-185 ◽  
pp. 384-388
Author(s):  
Bing Tian Gao
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Domestic Industry ◽  
Cam Mechanism ◽  
Technical Performance ◽  
Working Performance ◽  
Research Achievement ◽  
Indexing Mechanism

In order to realize the technical performance of high speed, high precision, high stability and high reliability for conjugated indexing mechanism with periodic intermittent rotary motion, a two cams structure has been designed, and its geometry size and profile curve was carefully determined. Also the calculation formula of the contour curve for CAM was deduced. Research achievement has been applied to new equipment of enterprise development, the working performance is stable and reliable, the production efficiency raised by 30% compared to the domestic industry. The mechanism has characteristics of simplified structure, improved transmission performance and low cost.

Differences in Force Levels, Word Recognition in Quiet, Sentence Reception Threshold in Noise, and Subjective Outcomes for a Bone-Anchored Hearing Device Programmed Using Manufacturer First-Fit, Aided Sound-Field Thresholds and Programmed to DSL-BCD Using a Skull Simulator

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (07) ◽  
pp. 395-404
Author(s):  
Adam Voss ◽  
Alison Brockmeyer ◽  
Michael Valente ◽  
John Pumford ◽  
Cameron C. Wick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Word Recognition ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Best Practice Guidelines ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Hearing Devices ◽  
Subjective Outcomes

Abstract Background Best practice guidelines for verifying fittings of bone-anchored hearing devices (BAHD) recommend using aided sound-field thresholds (ASFT), but express caution regarding the variables impacting obtaining valid and reliable ASFTs.1 Recently, a skull simulator was introduced to facilitate programming BAHD devices in force level (FL) to desired sensation level-bone conduction devices (skull simulator/DSL-BCD)2 3 targets in a hearing aid analyzer. Currently, no evidence is available reporting if differences in measured FL using the manufacturer first-fit (FF) and word recognition in quiet, sentence reception threshold in noise, and subjective outcomes are present for a BAHD programmed using ASFT versus programmed using skull simulator/DSL-BCD targets. Purpose The aim of this study was to examine if significant differences were present in FL using the FF and word recognition in quiet at 50 and 65 decibel of sound pressure level (dB SPL), sentence reception threshold in noise and subjective outcomes using the abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit (APHAB), and speech, spatial, and qualities of hearing (SSQ) between a BAHD fit using ASFT or skull simulator/DSL-BCD targets. Research Design A double-blind randomized crossover design with 15 adults having unilateral sensorineural hearing loss. All participants were successful users of the Cochlear America Baha 5. Data Collection and Analysis Baha Power 5 devices were fit using FF, ASFT, and skull simulator/DSL-BCD targets. Order of the three fitting strategies was randomly assigned and counter-balanced. Results No significant differences were found for a BAHD device programmed using ASFT versus skull simulator/DSL-BCD targets for consonant-nucleus-consonant words in quiet at 50 or 65 dB SPL, sentence reception threshold in noise, the APHAB or SSQ. There were, however, significant differences, at primarily 500 to 2,000 Hz in measured FLs between the FF, ASFT, and skull simulator/DSL-BCD targets at 50 and 65 dB SPL. Conclusions There were no significant differences in subject performance with two speech measures and subjective responses to two questionnaires for BAHD fittings using ASFT versus using skull simulator/DSL-BCD targets. Differences in FL between the three fitting strategies were present primarily at 500 to 2,000 Hz. Limitations of the study are highlighted along with situations where the skull simulator can play a significantly beneficial role when fitting BAHD devices.

scholarly journals Development and initial validation of a cost-effective, re-usable, ultrasound-compatible suprapubic catheter insertion training simulator

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harkanwal Randhawa ◽  
Yuding Wang ◽  
Jen Hoogenes ◽  
Michael Uy ◽  
Bobby Shayegan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Content Validity ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Boot Camp ◽  
First Year ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Training Simulator ◽  
Training Tool ◽  
Technical Performance

Introduction: Suprapubic catheterization (SPC) is a fundamental skill required of urology trainees. A lack of affordable simulation models and unpredictability of bedside SPCs limit experiential learning opportunities. Our objective was to develop and initially validate a re-usable, low-cost, ultrasound (US)-compatible SPC simulator for acquiring skills that transfer to the bedside. Methods: The model was constructed using six components. Staff urologists and interventional radiologists (IRs) conducted a SPC and rated the model on three domains with multiple subcategories on a five-point Likert scale: anatomic realism; usefulness as a training tool; and global/overall reaction. Participants in our first-year urology “boot camp” received SPC training, practiced, and were evaluated via an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). Staff ratings and OSCE scores determined the model’s initial face and content validity. Results: Twelve staff physicians participated in the study. The mean scores for urologists and IRs, respectively, were: anatomical realism: 4.10 and 3.70; usefulness as a training tool: 4.23 and 4.24; and overall reaction: 4.40 and 4.44. Staff strongly agreed that the model should be incorporated into the residency curriculum. Over the past four years, 25 boot camp participants scored a mean of 99.7% (±1.8) on the OSCE, with high technical performance and entrustment scores (4.8 and 4.7, respectively). The model cost $55 CAD. Conclusions: This novel, multiple-use, low-cost, easily reproducible US-compatible SPC simulator demonstrated initial face and content validity via high staff urologist and IR ratings and OSCE scores of first-year urology residents. Additional research is required for construct validation.

The Gear Bearing Drive: A Novel Compact Actuator for Robotic Joints

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elias Brassitos ◽  
Constantinos Mavroidis ◽  
Brian Weinberg
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Planetary Gear ◽  
Mechanical Efficiency ◽  
Torsional Stiffness ◽  
Maximum Output ◽  
Torque Density ◽  
Robotic Joints ◽  
Advanced Robotics

Advanced robotics requires a new generation of actuators able to exhibit a number of desirable characteristics ranging from high power density and high efficiency, high positioning resolution, high torque capacity and torsional stiffness, lightweight designs and low-cost packages. In this paper, we present the development and the experimental evaluation of a new actuator, aimed at improving the torque density and mechanical efficiency of actuated robotic joints, and enhancing the portability and effectiveness of robotic systems engaged in biomechanical applications such as rehabilitation robots and wearable exoskeletons. The new actuator, called the Gear Bearing Drive (GBD), consists of a two-stage planetary gear arrangement coupled through the planets and driven by an external rotor brushless motor that is inscribed within the input stage sun gear. This planetary configuration enables for incredible high-speed reductions and allows for embedding the motor directly within the gearbox saving significant space on the actuator length. Our initial experimental prototypes have demonstrated impressive performance with the potential to deliver more than 30Nm of continuous torque with 85% mechanical efficiency and 0.0005 degree of backlash, and up to 200 rpm maximum output speed in a highly compact and robust package.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document