Google Glass - the next step - where sensory integration goes next?

Google Glass

As this sort of wearable computing takes off, it's likely that hearing systems will become and integrated part of the wearable computer.

All we need to see is a receiver wire port on the underneath of that Google Glass arm and your hearing system becomes integrated with your mobile computing and comms. There's already a mic system built in and the front of the frame will allow a decent mic array to beam-form at full head-width away from obstruction.

The fact that Google is putting it's name on the hardware is great as it means the output is likely to be largely open source which allows anybody to develop it. The blurring of the line between comms/computing and hearing aids is going to cause the FDA and the hearing aid manufacturers a few problems too.

Loud noises compared......

Here

A great comparison of the loudest sounds on earth.

I wonder how these compare with the Russian Meteor explosion today.

Apologies for the swearing if you speak Russian.

Video - Sonic boom at 27 secs.

New BAA impression taking guidelines.

Here

Personally I'm not keen on the bracing hand position used in the gun technique as it won't prevent the tip being pushed forward if the trigger 'jogs' on the ratchet mechanism. The problem is that the bracing hand sits against the fist of the trigger hand - exacerbating the issue while not preventing the force from the palm of the trigger hand pushing the gun forward as the unloaded/skipping trigger collapses backwards.

I can't see why clamping the actual nozzle between thumb and forefinger while using either the back or front of the hand and remaining fingers to support and steer the nozzle isn't preferable.

From the Hearing Review - Middle Ear Measurement

Good article about the use of  Middle-Ear Impedance measurement and it's diagnostic capabilities.

Here

Oto-toxic effects of painkillers - Article

Interesting article from the Digital Journal on a combined study into the side effects of certain painkillers: here

New: Widex Dream........

The day after the launch there's a few things that have stuck in terms of what's new and what's the same.

Compass has had a full overhaul and is a cleaner looking interface with better workflow.

16- bit sampling over a 96 dB range is claimed (17-113dB)

New mic technology combined with switch mode DC to increase the voltage means that the noise floor of the mics is now at 17dB rather than 23-24dB. And the circuit doesn't sample any of this noise, which is quite clever. So, no hiss at all even if you have very low thresholds at several points and want to try an aid. The added benefit it that as you increase the voltage, you reduce the amps needed to do the job and therefore decrease the losses through heat etc. Stated battery life improvements were a fraction vague, but better.

The chip is completely new and can do xzillion more FlOps than the old one.

The audibility extender program can now be overlaid onto any existing program to improve higher frequency understanding.

The range has been widened 110-440, 3-15 channel

Apparently the feedback manager technology is the same as before though, and there's no binaural mic array. The Super range is unchanged: they do not exist on the Dream platform.

Oticon go to the top of the tree - with the Alta & Alta Pro

Oticon Alta, the latest and greatest hearing aid from them....Agil replacement.

Linky