Posts Tagged ‘skull’
When people think technology to correct hearing loss, they often picture the standard behind-the-ear model of hearing aids. While these devices are helpful for many hearing impaired people, they are only one example from a very wide variety of assistive technologies. One of the most interesting innovations in this fast-growing field is the cochlear implant, or CI.
The Food and Drug Administration approved CI’s for adult use in 1984. As research progressed over the next few years, the device was also approved for younger and younger people. Today infants as young as six months can undergo the surgical procedure required for a CI. Many doctors recommend this because severe hearing loss can affect a child’s language development and education if it is not treated as soon as possible.
CI’s have become increasingly popular as research demonstrates their safety and effectiveness. Today about 60,000 Americans benefit from the use of these items. But what exactly is a cochlear implant, and how does it help people hear?
A Challenging Problem
As you may guess from the name, a CI is implanted in the cochlea. This is a small, snail-shaped organ in the ear filled with hair cells – small, highly sensitive cells that receive audio information. In some individuals, these cells are damaged by injuries, toxins, or genetic abnormalities. This condition is known as sensorineural hearing loss.
People with this kind of condition cannot always benefit from older types of hearing aid. This is because such devices only amplify sound, just like a small scale version of the microphones and speakers that singers use. Making sound louder can help for some conditions, but it is not always useful for people whose audio receptor cells are not functioning correctly.
CI’s can help some people with this problem because they do more than amplify sound. They consist of a microphone and sound processor that are attached to the skull, usually behind the ear. This processor sends information to electrodes that have been implanted in the cochlea. These electrodes then directly stimulate the auditory nerve that transmits information from the cochlea to the brain; they may also benefit people by stimulating whatever hair cells are still functioning.
Hearing through the use of a CI is not exactly the same as typical hearing, because information is being sent directly to the auditory nerve instead of traveling by way of hair cells. However, the brain can still interpret this as sound. It may take time for it to “learn” this skill, however. New CI recipients need to be patient as they adjust to life with much improved hearing.
To learn more about hearing aids and other solutions for hearing impairment, contact HearingPlanet.
Article Source: Cochlear Implants: A Brief Introduction
OK if you have ever owned any type of portable music device you know as well as I do that the earbuds that come with your iPod or other mp3 player are pretty much garbage.
Most will do the job and play your music for you, but there are much better quality options and choices out there. It’s the same situation as when manufacturers of cameras, remote controls and kids toys include substandard batteries like nrgizer and duocell with their products. (As opposed to Energizer and Duracell).
Replacing or upgrading your earbuds can be expensive as some sets can cost $150 or more but those are not for the average listener and most of the time not even worth the money. You can can get a great pair of high quality earbuds for under $20 pretty easily online if you know what you are looking for.
There are dozens of brands in the earbud market these days, big brands like Sony, Bose, Panasonic and the lesser known brands like Sennheiser, Skull Candy and Shure. All have good selling features depending on what you are looking for (sound quality, style, comfort etc..) but for the purposes of this article I’m looking for great sound quality for under $20
With that being said here are the Top 5 Quality Earbuds for under $20
1. Sony Mdr-Ex75/Slv Ex Earbuds
2. Sennheiser CX300-B Earbuds
3. Panasonic RP-HJE300
4. Sony MDR-ED21LP Fontopia
5. Skullcandy INK’D Earbuds
While this list is not set in stone I feel that the value you get for the price you are paying is unbeatable. Do your research and read the reviews, everyone has different tastes but I think that you’ll be very pleased with these inexpensive high quality earbuds.
If you are looking for an expanded and indepth look at the Sony MDR headphones and earbuds line up you can visit >a href=”http://www.sonymdrheadphones.net”>Sonymdrheadphones.net
Article Source: 5 High Quality Headsets for Under $20
Those who are searching for something to add a little spice their gadget craze may find it interesting to explore Sound Lives Magnetic Earphones, launched on September 19, 2008. This seems to be a perfect accessory anyone. Landlubberin that has always been offering a lot of unusual products, is now offering those fancy looking and stylish looking earphones. And yes, they are very functional.
Sound Lives Magnetic Earphones have some interesting graphics on some of them, like a soccer ball, a panda, or a skull and crossbones. What a great thing for putting on a pirate’s ear. In fact, that is one of the bonuses of the Magnetic Earphones that they can be used as a piece of jewelry. These odd gizmos clip onto your earlobe and have a speaker that points roughly into your ear canal. I guess it’s kinda like the bone-conducting type headphones in that you can hear your surroundings, and if you’re listening to music while jogging then the magnets mean they probably won’t fall off. Plus they’re designed to be decorative, acting like “real” earrings…and there’s a skull and crossbones version perfect, me hearties, since it’s international Talk Like a Pirate Day.
The pair of earphones have a frequency response of 20-25,000Hz, with a sensitivity of 100db/mW. You should be able to find the Sound Lives Magnetic Earphones on some online places for as low price as $19. Who will go for them?
Learn more updates of operating instructions, technical drawings, questions, answers, problems, solutions, tips, news and reviews at Technostation.com and Technostation Blog
Article Source: Look at My Earphones