All items tagged with Andrew Bellavia (10)

Perception, Stigma, and Ergonomics in Hearing

October 3, 2024 by Joao Martins

Perception, Stigma, and Ergonomics in Hearing

Let’s address the stigma "thing." Is it "awkward" to wear standard consumer earbuds (e.g., AirPods) to compensate for hearing loss? Are standard hearing aids a visible sign to informs others that a person has a disability? Are we supposed to have to explain that "these things are actually hearing aids"? This article discusses product design, hearing aids, the stigma associated with its use, and how that could complicate the ongoing convergence with consumer-oriented hearing assistance and enhancement.

OTC Hearing Aids One Year Later – Mission Accomplished?

November 3, 2023 by Andrew Bellavia

OTC Hearing Aids One Year Later – Mission Accomplished?

The White House blog of August 2022 announcing the FDA’s release of the Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aid rule, which would take effect that October, highlighted the rationale for its creation: “Drive down costs, increase access, and open up a market space for creative innovation.” Andrew Bellavia (AuraFuturity) writes about the first year of the Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aid rule. It seems that just 2% of those with hearing difficulties purchased an OTC hearing aid in this time.

ALTI-Expo and Conference 2023. Largest Focused Event for the Loudspeaker Industry and Audio Product Developers

May 1, 2023 by audioXpress Staff

ALTI-Expo and Conference 2023. Largest Focused Event for the Loudspeaker Industry and Audio Product Developers

The traditional Audio & Loudspeaker Technologies International (ALTI) Association annual gathering has long been the highest quality networking event for any audio industry professional, particularly for brands, manufacturers and its suppliers. The upcoming ALTI-Expo and Conference 2023, will be held June 11-12 at the DoubleTree by Hilton at Universal Studios, in Orlando, FL, and will combine a highly focused exhibition with the largest ever conference program for audio product developers.

OTC Hearing Aids: Is Innovation Leaving the Rule Behind?

February 15, 2023 by Andrew Bellavia

OTC Hearing Aids: Is Innovation Leaving the Rule Behind?

A wave of new developments promises to solve the most pressing need for people with milder hearing loss, allowing mass-market hearables to supplant Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids with less stigma. Andrew Bellavia suggests the FDA’s OTC hearing aid rule (October 2022) includes assumptions that are quickly becoming obsolete as recent developments illustrate. This must read article was originally published in audioXpress, January 2023.

Hearables in 2023: Comfort Must Come First

January 5, 2023 by Andrew Bellavia

Hearables in 2023: Comfort Must Come First

Predicting what trends we’ll see in hearables in 2023 seems like a fool’s errand. With the release of the OTC hearing aid rule in the United States, these are predicated on devices that can be comfortably worn for long stretches of the day in a form factor that people are willing to wear in social settings. Without that foundation, these interesting and useful applications will not achieve mass-adoption. Anticipating CES 2023, Andrew Bellavia looks for the Next Big Thing in Hearables and the Multiple Sides of Comfort.

Find the Best Way to Kickstart Your Audio Developments in audioXpress January 2023

December 12, 2022 by audioXpress Staff

Find the Best Way to Kickstart Your Audio Developments in audioXpress January 2023

Multiple perspectives to inspire you in the new year. A Market Update on Bone Conduction Transducers, an article on the development of the Taction Transporter haptic transducer, and a valuable article by Hans W. Gierlich explaining an effective approach for testing structure-borne sound applied to in-ear developments. Andrew Bellavia writes about why the FDA’s OTC hearing aid rule could be quickly obsolete, Adam Levenson introduces the new Audio Foundry automotive audio development platform, and René Christensen makes its debut with audioXpress, writing about simulation techniques

The Acoustical Challenges of Designing True Wireless Earphones

June 28, 2022 by Andrew Bellavia

The Acoustical Challenges of Designing True Wireless Earphones

Expanding the perspective on the evolution toward hearables, this article explores the current trends as well as the acoustical challenges and solutions for designing true wireless earphones. The article explains the enabling technologies currently converging as the TWS market continues to grow and use cases multiply, with more consumers using wireless earbuds for a diverse and varied set of applications, from listening to podcasts and audiobooks to Internet meetings and interacting with voice assistants. This article was originally published in audioXpress, April 2022.

The Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook 2022 Is Now Available

June 10, 2022 by audioXpress Staff

The Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook 2022 Is Now Available

The 2022 Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook (LIS) is now available online and print copies are on the mail! Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook provides a comprehensive guide of manufacturers and their products and services, not only with its annual printed publication, but also with its dedicated, always-online directory available. View the 2022 edition now thanks to this year's cover sponsor: Tectonic.

ALTI Expo 2022 and the Return of the ALMA Awards, June 5–6

May 2, 2022 by Joao Martins

ALTI Expo 2022 and the Return of the ALMA Awards, June 5–6

ALTI Expo 2022, the conference and showcase promoted by the Audio & Loudspeaker Technologies International (ALTI) Association is right around the corner, set for June 5–6 at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. As planned, it will take place a few days before the InfoComm 2022 show, which takes place June 8—10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center - and offers an education schedule starting June 4—10. Don't miss the great technical presentations and quality networking with professionals in the loudspeaker industry and the related signal chain.

Voice for True Wireless Earbuds, GaN, and More Exciting Audio Frontiers in audioXpress April 2022

March 11, 2022 by audioXpress Staff

Voice for True Wireless Earbuds, GaN, and More Exciting Audio Frontiers in audioXpress April 2022

The April 2022 issue of audioXpress offers an overview of voice for true wireless stereo earbuds with contributed articles from Knowles and Fluent.ai. Stuart Yaniger reviews the possibilities with GaN amplifiers, and Steve Temme explains the evolution of Rub & Buzz measurements and the latest perceptual algorithms. Ethan Winer designs a sample & hold circuit for a guitar-controlled, all-analog synthesizer project, Richard Honeycutt explores the meaning of “frequency response” as applied to rooms, and Mark Driedger explains why and how to test tubes.