From NPR, "The Real Sounds of Hearing Loss"

One of the most difficult and sometimes aggravating parts of having a hearing loss is an inability to explain exactly what is wrong, why you can't hear certain things, and what certain sounds sound like to you. Through the Speak Up Librarian blog, I found this excellent article on NPR which breaks down three different types of hearing loss and provides examples of a phrase as it might sound to someone with that type of loss.

For me the most striking audio sample was the example of recruitment - when certain loud sounds suddenly become incredibly loud, nearly intolerable. This can be the most difficult thing to explain to people - why something that is merely loud is making me uncomfortable.

I couldn't actually understand any of the clips except for the last (normal) one. I rely a lot on lip reading and body language, so that probably explains why.

Another good example to use when trying to explain what hearing loss sounds like is this clip below from House Research Institute. It uses a Flintstones episode to demonstrate what mild, moderate, and severe hearing loss sounds like:

Housekeeping (Guest Posts, and Spam)

Hello everyone, just some housekeeping for this post.

First off, I've had to temporarily stop accepting guest posts. With work, school and my pregnancy I am finding it difficult to be able to respond to people quickly. Eventually I hope to be able to accept guest posts again because I do very much enjoy being able to host other people's thoughts on my blog.

Secondly, like many other bloggers, I am seeing a huge rise in spam comments. Google filters most of these comments, and I have comment moderation turned on, but sometimes they still manage to get through. Spam comments typically use words, phrases or entire sentences culled from around the Web or even my own post to get around Google's spam filters. They then add a link to whatever it is they want to shill.

Although I can typically spot spam comments, some will still go through. If you see a comment that is spam, feel free to let me know (either email me - it's on the sidebar - or comment on the post, although your comment will disappear when I delete the original spam comment). However, please maintain a general tone of civility and remember the spammer is never going to come back to see your comment.

Thanks much, and I hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far.

Amara Announces Crowdsourced Subtitles for Your YouTube Videos

Amara, formerly Universal Subtitles, is one of the easiest and most useful tools for adding accessibility to your YouTube videos. Amara allows you to create a subtitle file, setting the wording and timing exactly as you want.

The Amara logo.

Now Amara has added a great new feature - crowdsourced subtitling. Any YouTube user can connect their account to Amara and request that viewers help. They can be synced right to the video, saving the video creator the time it takes to upload the file to YouTube.

Speaking of YouTube subtitles, if they've affected your life in any way, YouTube curious to hear your story. Check out this post on Google+ with information on how to share your story.

3D Printing and Hearing Aids

My photo of a 3D printer at an open source conference in 2011

3D printing is one of those things that still sounds like science fiction. A device that can create a three-dimensional object simply from a digital model? It sounds like the replicators on Star Trek, but really I think 3D printers are one of the coolest technologies to emerge in recent years. I even have a 3D printed d12 (12-sided die) at home to prove it.

There are many applications for 3D printing, from gaming to technology to the medical world. One example is this YouTube story (unfortunately only has automatic captions) of two-year-old Emma, who has a condition that prevents her from moving her arms. She has a 3D printed custom exoskeleton; the 3D printing aspect means that as she outgrows the skeleton, parts can be replaced on an as-needed basis. I can easily see the same potential in hearing aids.

The makers of the Roomba, the company iRobot, have filed a patent which would be able to print the entirety of an object made up of other objects. Currently 3D printers print out parts, which need to be assembled by a human. iRobot is looking to be able to print out an entire functioning object with the help of a new type of printer which would have robotic manipulators.

Hearing aids are also getting into the act. 3D technology is being utilized to customize hearing aids specifically to each patient, a process called CAMISHA (Computer Aided Manufacturing for Individual Shells for Hearing Aids). Widex holds the patent; there's more information about CAMISHA on their website.

In CAMISHA, laser technology makes an image of an individual's ear canal; that data can be used to produce a model by which computers can manufacture a perfectly fitted hearing aid shell or earmold. It sounds much nicer to me than the current process of fitting an earmold, which I get to experience next month when I get my current 3-year-old silicone molds replaced.

I can easily see 3D printing becoming a key component of producing hearing aids, not just earmolds or shells. The digital model for parts of hearing aids and cochlear implants could be easily modified to suit individual users, and items such as tubes and earmolds could easily be replaced as the user grows (for a child) or wears them out. We're definitely living in the future.

Some Exciting News

I have posted about this on my personal blog, but just today I realized I have never mentioned it here. So, here is my official announcement - I am expecting, and due in July (yep, right along with Kate Middleton. My baby will have a few less names than hers, though).

Here's the latest picture of the kiddo at 12 weeks 3 days:

And one from two weeks earlier (10 weeks 3 days):

My husband and I are very excited and I can't wait to meet the new little one. I will try to keep my personal blog a little more updated as things progress (I am just now entering the second trimester).

GN ReSound: The First Made for iPhone Accessory & App

Back in June I wrote about a tantalizing bit of information on Apple's website regarding "made for iPhone hearing aids." Now we are seeing the first results of this idea, in the form of GN ReSound's accessory, the Unite Phone Clip+, and a free app in the app store designed to allow users to adjust settings on their hearing aids through their iPhones.

The GN ReSound Unite Phone Clip+

The Phone Clip+ is similar to the Oticon Streamer and other Bluetooth accessories for hearing aids. The device clips onto your clothes and can assist in streaming audio from your phone to your hearing aids. 

ReSound Control App
This app is available in the Apple App Store and works with the Phone Clip to allow users to adjust settings on their hearing aid from their iPhones. ReSound says it will soon be available for Android phones as well. According to a press release from ReSound, "Users can control their hearing aids, phone conversations and wireless streaming accessories from their iPhone screen. No more fumbling behind the ear. No more toggling through programs. No more wishing it wasn’t so noticeable to use a hearing aid."

I'm excited to hear about new products and apps coming out in the wake of Apple's decision to touch on accessibility and hearing aids; I'm even happier to see Android apps won't be far behind.

 

Loud Commercials Are Now Banned

It's been a four-year effort, but this week, the FCC has barred broadcasters from showing overly loud commercials. Commercials must now be the same volume on average as the main show - putting an end to having to adjust the volume every few minutes or run for the mute button on your remote.

Photo via Flickr user espensorvik

Television companies have known this rule was coming since 2010, when Congress passed the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act. Only two small television companies have been granted waivers.

According to Senator Charles Schumer, "It's about time we turned down the volume on loud commercials that startle TV watchers into paying attention."

If you notice a commercial is still too loud, send a complaint to the FCC via their complaint form. You can also call 1-888-TELL-FCC to report a complaint; TTY number 1-888-835-5322. Multiple complaints will prompt the FCC to look into a problematic commercial.

(via KearneyHub)