Tech Reviews
Getting DAP’d at concerts, museums and more
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Dr Nir Fink and Yami Thor about their products at Bettear and their new deep audio processing (DAP) AI-based technology. The purpose of Bettear is to improve inclusivity and accessibility for those...
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...
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)...
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...
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...
Hi There Solutions
The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a multitude of lifestyle challenges, and communication has been no exception to this. Not only have plexiglass barriers and masks impeded the way we verbally interact, but the transition to more frequent virtual communication has...
Neosensory Buzz: can a wristband really help with sound awareness and tinnitus?
As an audiologist, I am always looking for alternative and innovative solutions for patients who have tried all other traditional approaches. What else can I offer to patients who struggle to hear, even with appropriate amplification, or those who struggle...
Tinnitus apps (revisited)
If you’ve experienced an uptick in the number of your patients complaining of tinnitus lately, you are not alone. In fact, there is some evidence that the social and emotional strain of the ongoing pandemic many exacerbate tinnitus for existing...
