processing light years ahead. The level of digital hearing aids is more than. 20 generations down the road from whence i
Health&Medicine
June/July 2018
BCWJ ~ Page 21
By Dr. Patrick Murphy, Au.D., M.Ed., CCC-A, FAAA Murphy Hearing Services is a full-service hearing health care proprietorship owned by Patrick M. Murphy, Au.D., M.Ed., CCC-A, FAAA. Dr. Murphy is a Certified and Licensed Audiologist and Registered Hearing Aid Dealer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Dr. Murphy knows first-hand about hearing loss. He has had a bilateral mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss all of his life and is a binaural in-the-canal hearing aid user. Dr. Murphy has been in practice in Pennsylvania since receiving his Master of Education in Audiology from the University of Virginia in the spring of 1987. He holds a Doctorate in Audiology from A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona. Dr. Murphy is affiliated with the following organizations: International Society of Audiology, Pan-American Society of Audiology, Academy of Doctors of Audiology, American Audiology Society, Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology, American Speech-Language Hearing Association, American Academy of Audiology and Pennsylvania Speech-Language Hearing Association.
Hearing Aids Have Come a Long Way There was a time during the era of analog amplification that adjustments were made with a small jeweler’s screwdriver placed on a trimpot of the faceplate of the device. These trimpots allowed the audiologist to increase or decrease low- or high-frequency response or to address gain or feedback issues. The patient’s subjective reaction to the improved sound quality provided verification that the fitting was on target. The world of digital amplification has changed a lot over the years. Like the old saying from the Virginia Slims cigarette commercials: “You’ve come a long way, baby!” Digital amplification was initially introduced in 1988 by the 3M Corporation—the same people who brought you Scotch Tape. This device was too bulky and cumbersome for the wearer to use and ultimately failed. With the advent of computer software technology and the miniaturization of chips around 1997, analog devices were relegated to history. Whether anyone realizes it or not, we have been in the age of futuristic fantasies like those seen on “Star Trek” and “The Jetsons” as well as the Dick Tracy watch for a while now. The big six manufacturers of digital amplification and some second-tier companies have continued to push developments and sound processing light years ahead. The level of digital
hearing aids is more than 20 generations down the road from whence it came. The latest developments are from Widex. This New Yorkbased company has just released the Evoke product line. The Widex Evoke 440 platinum technology automatically adapts to your environment in 11 different listening categories including home, phone, television, care, shopping, theater, office, outside, restaurant, and social event. The device has five different program memories to establish and utilize. In each of these programs, wearers will make manual overriding adjustments on their iPhone or Android device for incoming sound. Essentially, the hearing aids will remember the changes wearers make and apply them to similar situations, even in new environments. For patients who have concerns about wind noise, there is a wind noise reduction system for outdoor use. The objective of this Widex Evoke technology is to provide the user immediate comfort and clarity of speech in quiet and noisy situations. This is possible with a Fluid Sound Controller that handles all the automatic processing more accurately and quickly than before. Today, patients who seek and use technology in most aspects of their daily life will be enlightened with the Evoke app for their iPhone or
Android. This free app allows them to refine their hearing in real life by listening to two sound profiles and choosing their preference. The more times they do it, the more their devices know how they want to hear at that moment. After about 15 to 20 comparisons, the Evoke machine learning algorithm has performed more than two million manual comparisons. The app allows users to save their preferences as a program and use it the next time they’re in that environment. In addition, wearers are able to mute or adjust hearing aid volume and use the equalizer to adjust sounds. They can create personal programs with their own names, photos, and sound adjustments. The app allows them to add programs and locate their hearing aids if lost. Hearing aid wearers can
also balance the streaming versus surrounding signals when actively streaming through the made-for iPhone direct streaming. Another feature is the Tonelink app to give easy control of key functions. Basically, a smartphone becomes a Bluetooth-connected remote control for digital hearing aids. As a result, users are able to change programs, adjust volume, and mute and change directional focus. Following a complete audiological evaluation and the diagnosis of an aidable hearing loss, a private practice audiologist can enable a proper fitting of any of these devices. My intent is not to give you a sales pitch but
rather to keep you up to date on the latest technological advances in digital amplification. I made a personal change in the direction of my future profession based upon the acceptance of my own hearing loss many years ago. It is from my hearing handicap that I not only learned more about myself but also took a step to help others every day. One thing is certain: anyone who makes the betterment of his or her hearing a top priority will enhance the quality of his or her life. With all this new technology to meet your needs and tickle your fancy, your family, friends, and neighbors will be the ones lighting up that Virginia Slims cigarette!
Dr. Patrick M. Murphy, Au.D., M. Ed., CCC-A, FAAA Board Certified & Licensed Audiologist • Registered Hearing Aid Dealer Complete Audiologist Evaluation • Medical Consultations State-of-the-Art Digital Hearing Aids • Industrial Hearing Conservation Home-School Hearing Tests • Two-Year Repair Warranty First Year Loss & Damage Coverage • Assistive Listening Devices • All Make Repairs Custom Noise & Swim Plugs • Batteries By Mail • Earmolds Most Insurance Accepted Including PA Blue Shield, Personal Choice, Aetna, Keystone First, Keystone Health Plan East, United Healthcare, Keystone 65, Cigna, Healthcare, Medicare, and many more
Hearing Help From An Audiologist Who Wears Digital Hearing Aids
330 North Main Street, Doylestown, PA 18901 • 215.230.9000 • Fax 215.230.9026 EMAIL:
[email protected] • www.murphyhearingservices.com Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours are by appointment only. Some Fridays will be utilized to see patients in nursing homes, rehab centers, etc. Saturday morning hours by special appointment.
