hearing
Music
The Deaf Barn: 6400 Watts of What Recession??
11:40AM Mark Wilson | There are those who appreciate a good stereo, and there are those who appreciate destroying their hearing one sweet watt at a time. Todd Whitworth falls into both categories, but mostly the latter. More »
Gadgets
High Tech Titanium Golf Clubs May Lead to Hearing Loss
9:30AM Sean Fallon | It looks like golfers may have more to worry about than bad backs and jacked-up knees. Apparently, swinging those new fangled fancy titanium drivers may lead to hearing loss. More »
Gadgets
Songbird Flexfit Disposable Hearing Aid is 50X Cheaper Than Typical Ones
2:08AM Benny Goldman | The Songbird Flexfit is a US$80 disposable hearing aid, the first of its kind, and it was developed by the Sarnoff Corporation, the same company behind HDTV. It’s a one-size-fits-all behind-the-ear device for people with mild to moderate hearing loss who aren’t ready to plunk down thousands of dollars on a typical hearing aid. As you can tell from the picture, the Flexfit is also pretty discreet—I had to stare straight at this guy’s ear to see it. The batteries last 400 hours, which we’re told is about 3-6 months of use. Look for it in August, more pics down below. [Songbird] More »
Gadgets
First Ever Closed-Captioned HD Radio for the Deaf Launched By NPR, Harris and Towson University
12:52PM Wilson Rothman | It sounds obvious, but for the first time, over-the-air HD Radio can carry talk radio with closed-captioned metadata, so that the hearing impaired can enjoy the same talk radio programming that others can. From what I can tell, the signal will be compatible with many recent HD Radio receivers, so you don’t need a special box. The Kenwood in the picture is a proof-of-concept; the actual first-ever closed-captioned broadcast will take place on Wednesday. Leave it to the progressives at NPR to come up with it, teaming with Harris Corporation and Towson University to develop the delivery mechanism and user interface. Of course, if it takes off, deaf right-wingers will finally get their fix of conservative hate talk, too. More »
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Diamond-Encrusted, Solid 24k Gold Hearing Aid? Say What?
2:40AM Charlie White | As if we weren’t sick and tired enough of the whole diamond-encrusted solid gold bling craze that’s going on right now, this Widex diamond-encrusted solid 24-carat gold hearing aid beats all, giving new meaning to the term “golden ears.” You know, we don’t even like to use the word “bling.” Shit, now we’ve used it again. Anyway, apparently the proprietors of such a product optimistically hope that hearing-impaired people can be deaf and literally dumb, too. Look at it, festooned with 220 diamonds to be worn by pathetic, cash-soaked and deaf fops with more money than brains. All that’s left is to quote the price that some damnfool sucker will pay for this over-the-top golden hearing aid and its controller. It’s £25,000, or $49,590 if there are any Americans stupid enough to bite. Please, no. Don’t. [PC News] More »
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Phonak Audéo Personal Communication Assistant, Used to be Called a Hearing Aid
5:45AM Charlie White | Since we last told you about Phonak hearing aids a year and a half ago, the Swiss company’s made strides to further advance the devices’ compact form factor and high-fidelity sound. The new Audéo Personal Communication Assistant (PCA) is available in two different styles and 15 color combinations. It’s discreetly tucked behind the ear and plugged into the ear canal with a transparent material that’s nearly invisible. More »
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