Tech Reviews
Auracast - Bluetooth technology for hearing impaired individuals
Individuals with hearing loss experience difficulties hearing in public places such as auditoriums, movie theatres, places of worship, transportation hubs, gyms and small and large events, to name a few. The traditional communication methods (speakers and PA system) that are...
App-solute relief: tackling tinnitus with your smartphone
The sound experienced by individuals with tinnitus can vary to a huge extent. It can range from a mild occasional ringing to a constant, loud noise causing disruption to daily life and sleep. Reassuringly, tinnitus is rarely a sign of...
Patient-led wax and aural foreign body removal technology – is it safe?
As ENT and audiology professionals, wax impaction and aural foreign bodies are common presentations to our clinic that can cause significant distress to patients and can preclude diagnostic testing such as pure tone audiograms and tympanometry. We often advise patients...
At-home earplug testing – a first of its kind
As an audiologist, it can be difficult to confirm the proper fit of earplugs. Although we can use sound field testing to assess the attenuation of the earplugs, this is not equipment that every audiology clinic has. Unfortunately, without proper...
Gain conversational confidence with these apps
As an audiologist, I tend to prioritise a sensory approach to aural rehabilitation by improving auditory function through use of devices, such as hearing aids. However, some patients might require a more multi-faceted approach. To expand my patient resource toolkit,...
Hearing test apps: how reliable are they?
There are seemingly hundreds of hearing test apps available, designed to be a screening tool for those interested in learning more about their hearing while doing so in the comfort of their home and without needing to wait for an...
Video-relay services for Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities
Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities experience many barriers when trying to communicate online or on the phone. Individuals encounter limitations communicating virtually with family members, booking crucial appointments and speaking to friends, to name a few. However, video relay service (VRS)...
Revolutionising medical writing: the power of language models in the clinic
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking the world by storm at the moment. We hear how AI might influence the letters we write in clinic. As a clinician, the process of writing a clinical letter can be time-consuming and challenging. It...
MedShr-ing is caring
MedShr is an international, award-winning medical education platform that has been created for healthcare professionals (HCPs) to discuss, learn, teach, and (to a lesser degree) network with one another. MedShr was founded in 2014 by Cardiologist Dr Asif Qasim and,...
Redux: a new professional hearing aid dryer
Moisture is one of the most common reasons hearing aids malfunction. Whether it is because a patient forgot to take off their hearing aids before jumping in the swimming pool, they wear their hearing aids while working out or they...
Mobile apps for ENT emergencies
On-call apps have been covered in this publication before, with reference apps taking centre stage [1]. This article will focus on apps with specific functions which can be of use in frequently arising emergency scenarios. However, for reference apps I...
Heard That: does the app live up to its name?
Ever find yourself in a noisy restaurant, barely following conversation yet nodding in clueless agreement? Considering how loud social settings can be, this is likely a familiar scenario. As gatherings become a regular part of our lives again, so do...