The field of hearing aids has witnessed a significant evolution in the last decade. Prior to the 1980s, over 80% of hearing aids manufactured and dispensed were linear hearing aids with peak clipping as the only option for output limiting. Many of the nonlinear hearing aids were linear hearing aids with output compression limiting. The situation changed so that in the mid-1990s almost half of t...

OBJECTIVES To review studies on newborn hearing screening in Hong Kong and the current evidence on the cost-effectiveness of universal newborn hearing screening programmes and to determine their value and the best model for such a programme in Hong Kong. DATA SOURCE Medline literature search (1985-2004), local reports and abstracts available to the author. STUDY SELECTION Literature and dat...

I. INTRODUCTION Sound is an important source of information. Most face-to-face communication is by sound signals in the form of speech. However, persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may not be able to make use of sound signals for communicating effectively. Technology plays an important role in supporting the communication and information needs of people with hearing impairment. These includ...

1 Recent advances in basic science, technology and treatments have increased our abilities to manage hearing and balance diseases more effectively. Advances in molecular genetics have allowed better understanding of congenital and hereditary hearing loss. The advent of regenerative medicine led to auditory hair cell regeneration in laboratory animals. Advances in hearing aids, cochlear implants...