Smart Hearing

Hearing, health, and technologies are entangled in multi-faceted ways. This edited volume addresses this complex relationship by arguing that modern hearing was and is increasingly linked to and mediated by technological innovations. By providing a set of original interdisciplinary investigations that shed new light on the history, theory, and practices of hearing techniques, it is able to explore the heterogeneous entanglements of sound, hearing practices, technologies, and health issues. As the first book to bring together historians, scholars from media studies, social sciences, cultural studies, acoustics, and neuroscientists, the volume discusses modern technologies and their decisive impact on how "normal" hearing, enhanced and smart hearing, as well as hearing impairment have been configured. It brings both new insights into the histories of hearing technologies as well as allowing us to better understand how enabling hearing technologies have currently been unfolding an increasingly hybrid ecology engaging smart hearing devices and offering stress-free hearing and acoustic well-being in novel auditory environments. The volume will be of interest to all scholars and students of disability studies, sound studies, sociology of health and illness, medical history, health and society, as well as those interested in the practices and techniques of self-monitored and smart hearing.

Katherine Bouton learned to navigate the maze of hearing loss on her own. In this book, she hopes to make that journey easier for others. As AARP

The loss of hearing - be it gradual or acute, mild or severe, present since birth or acquired in older age - can have significant effects on one's communication abilities, quality of life, social participation, and health. Despite this, many people with hearing loss do not seek or receive hearing health care. The reasons are numerous, complex, and often interconnected. For some, hearing health care is not affordable. For others, the appropriate services are difficult to access, or individuals do not know how or where to access them. Others may not want to deal with the stigma that they and society may associate with needing hearing health care and obtaining that care. Still others do not recognize they need hearing health care, as hearing loss is an invisible health condition that often worsens gradually over time. In the United States, an estimated 30 million individuals (12.7 percent of Americans ages 12 years or older) have hearing loss. Globally, hearing loss has been identified as the fifth leading cause of years lived with disability. Successful hearing health care enables individuals with hearing loss to have the freedom to communicate in their environments in ways that are culturally appropriate and that preserve their dignity and function. Hearing Health Care for Adults focuses on improving the accessibility and affordability of hearing health care for adults of all ages. This study examines the hearing health care system, with a focus on non-surgical technologies and services, and offers recommendations for improving access to, the affordability of, and the quality of hearing health care for adults of all ages.

The facts are staggering. Scientific studies have shown that people with hearing loss have up to a five hundred percent higher risk of dementia (including Alzheimer’s), as well as serious falls and clinical depression. Today, around six million Americans have Alzheimer’s—a number that is only expected to increase and overwhelm the healthcare system in the next five to seven years. In a groundbreaking presentation, Dr. Robert Keefer relies on thirty years of experience in the healthcare industry and the results of his meticulous research to offer insights on how to correct outdated Medicare policies, improve US hearing healthcare, and ensure well-performing hearing aids for everyone in need. After detailing why people with hearing loss don’t use hearing aids, he leads us on a journey into the world of these tiny medical devices, the US hearing healthcare matrix, the technology, and costs surrounding hearing aids, stories of those with hearing loss, wisdom from audiologists in their own words, and ways to advocate for changes that save hundreds of billions of dollars in healthcare expenses. The Alzheimer’s/Hearing Aid Paradox shares insights and facts from a hearing aid industry insider that point the way to lowering the risk and cost of Alzheimer’s by providing hearing aids for everyone in need. “With this book, the author has gifted us with a practical but ground-breaking way to reduce loneliness — and thus the risk of Alzheimer’s — by helping millions of Americans access high-performing hearing aids.” —George Vradenburg ,Chairman and Co-Founder, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s “This book presents a practical, no-nonsense way to better understand hearing loss and dementia and navigate hearing aid treatment options.” —Dr. Brian Taylor ,Senior Director of Audiology, Signia Hearing, Editor of Audiology Practices, Co-Author of Fitting and Dispensing Hearing Aids, 3rd Edition

This book discusses the history of hearing aids, their design, currently available advances from the perspective of an otolaryngologist. This book has been designed to fill the knowledge gap that exists amongst otolaryngologists on this topic. Being surgeons otolaryngologists pay very little attention to this topic. Current advances in the field of electronics have not only improved the quality of hearing aids but also made them very small. Miniaturization in electronics has played a vital role in shrinking the size of these hearing aids. With the advancements that are taking place in battery technology the future hearing aids will not only remain small but also would be more powerful.

The International Symposium on Hearing is a highly-prestigious, triennial event where world-class scientists present and discuss the most recent advances in the field of hearing research in animals and humans. Presented papers range from basic to applied research, and are of interest neuroscientists, otolaryngologists, psychologists, and artificial intelligence researchers. Basic Aspects of Hearing: Physiology and Perception includes the best papers from the 2012 International Symposium on Hearing. Over 50 chapters focus on the relationship between auditory physiology, psychoacoustics, and computational modeling.

As technology continues to advance and the interconnection of various devices makes our lives easier, it also puts us at further risk of privacy and security threats. Phones can connect to household devices to help set alarms, turn on or off the lights, and even preheat ovens. The Internet of Things (IoT) is this symbiotic interplay of smart devices that collect data and make intelligent decisions. However, the lack of an intrinsic security measure within IoT makes it especially vulnerable to privacy and security threats. Blockchain and IoT Integration highlights how Blockchain, an encrypted, distributed computer filing system, can be used to help protect IoT against such privacy and security breaches. The merger of IoT and blockchain technology is a step towards creating a verifiable, secure, and permanent method of recording data processed by "smart" machines. The text explores the platforms and applications of blockchain-enabled IoT as well as helps clarify how to strengthen the IoT security found in healthcare systems as well as private homes. Other highlights of the book include: Overview of the blockchain architecture Blockchain to secure IoT data Blockchain to secure drug supply chain and combat counterfeits Blockchain IoT concepts for smart grids, smart cities, and smart homes A biometric-based blockchain enabled payment system IoT for smart healthcare monitoring systems