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Prudent audiology

Introduction In January 2014, Professor Mark Drakeford, Minister for Health and Social Services, defined Prudent Healthcare as, “Healthcare that fits the needs and circumstances of patients and actively avoids wasteful care that is not to the patient’s benefit.” ‘Prudent’ healthcare...

What’s new in hearing aid technology? Requisites for successful implementation of eHealth in hearing health care

Like Eeyore in AA Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories it appears we all will soon have a personal cloud, but unlike Eeyore this will be something to celebrate! The future of hearing aid technology is in the cloud argues Uwe...

Microgravity: an extreme environment for otolith organs

Motion sickness in a car can be upsetting for all involved. Transferring this concept into a tiny cabin bound for space could have devastating consequences. Are the processes involved in ‘space motion sickness’ the same as motion sickness? How do...

CROS hearing aids existed 10 years before they were even invented!

We all know the principles of CROS aids and the potential benefits they provide to patients, but did you know they were invented many years before they were officially described in literature? In this engaging article, Neil Bauman explains how...

Enhancing the pure-tone average calculation method for reporting hearing outcomes: the need for a transition to the logarithmic mean

Comparing studies requires common approaches. Ali Faramarzi takes a moment to consider how to tackle the presentation of audiometric data in publications. Uniformity in reporting hearing outcomes is paramount for accurate evaluation and comparison of hearing-related research. Standardised guidelines are...

How to deliver bad news better

Delivering bad news well takes experience and time. The Ida team recommend the SPIKES protocol; providing structure for relaying bad news, giving confidence to those delivering it, and leaving recipients feeling cared for and informed. It’s among the most distressing...

The ups and downs of overseas research – the inner ear at altitude

Conducting research at extreme altitude presents unique challenges. This study of the inner ear at 5350m navigates setbacks in a quest for scientific discovery. Having completed a diploma in mountain medicine in my foundation years, I decided to undertake a...

Rethinking tinnitus ‘care’: the role of digital solutions

Experiencing tinnitus can be very distressing and accessible care is limited. Digital therapeutics is one way of addressing these concerns, as described by Dr Bardy. Tinnitus presents a significant clinical challenge for various healthcare professionals, including general practitioners (GPs), ENTs...

Ear wax removal: should anyone and everyone perform it?

Earwax removal is a controversial and much-debated issue in audiology. Risks and public safety call for reforms, sparking discussion on professional standards. Earwax is a natural secretion produced by the ear. It is an amalgamation of desquamous epithelial skin cells,...