In-ear monitors (IEMs) are special earpieces worn by musicians that enable them to hear a select mix of vocals and instruments during a live performance. This is beneficial for the performer as it allows them to hear and therefore monitor their own performance over and above that of any of the other band members.
Traditionally, this was achieved by each band member having their own sound coming from a speaker positioned in front of them on the stage. However, there are disadvantages to this system. The musician must stand close to the speaker in order to monitor their performance and not that of the band member next to them (which is coming from the next speaker). This limits the performer’s movement on the stage. Also, as some instruments are louder than others, there is a tendency for each performer to increase the volume of their monitor in an effort to hear their own sound over the other monitors. This “competitive monitoring” can lead to too much overlap of sound and a general increase in noise level on stage, which can be a risk to the performer’s hearing.
As IEMs are personal devices worn by each performer they allow total freedom of movement without the risk of overlapping with other performers’ mixes. They also reduce the need for competitive monitoring as the sound is fed directly into each performer’s ear, rather than out into the open air. IEMs have another significant advantage. They also reduce the ambient sounds for the wearer by around 25 decibels thereby acting as hearing protection.
In a live performance situation, a sound heard through IEMs has come from a sound engineer who has mixed the optimal sound necessary for the performer. This will include a mix of the performer’s own voice and/or instrument and that of other performers, and it may also include a direct feed from staging crew (for instructions, security etc). The mixed sound is usually sent wirelessly via a transmitter at the mixing desk, to a receiver that is worn on the body and connected via a cord to the IEMs.
IEMs can be customised to the shape of the individual’s ear. An audiology appointment is necessary for impressions of the ears to be made. These are then sent to the IEM manufacturer where they are made to the exact shape of the wearer’s ear. Custom IEMs are more comfortable than “off the shelf” monitors, and they have the added advantage of being able to reduce the ambient sounds enough to provide significant hearing protection.
For further information about IEMs see www.uniqemelody.com.au. Please contact Melbourne Audiology Centre for an appointment if you require impressions for IEMs.
Clinical trials are currently underway looking into the use of umbilical cord blood derived stem cells in children with sensorineural hearing loss. It is hoped that this type of therapy will be able to treat hearing loss in the future.
The human body has over 200 different types of mature cells (eg. inner ear hair-cells), each with their own specialised function (eg. sensing that a sound is present). Once these cells are damaged they are often no longer able to perform their special function, and many of them cannot regenerate resulting in a permanent disability. Stem cells however, are different to mature working cells in that they are able to replicate and even form into different types of mature cells. This is why they are considered potentially very important in the future of medical science. If we can harvest the stem cells, develop them into the type of cells or tissue that is damaged, and deliver them to the site in the body where they are needed, it is hoped they will be able to perform the function that is lost as a result of the damage.
In recent studies, animal models treated with cord blood stem cells have shown significant healing to the damaged sensory hair cells of the inner ear. As a result of this there is now a trial looking at the use of cord blood in children with hearing loss that was acquired or present at birth.
Source: Cell Care Newsletter – October 2011
Most people who wear hearing aids have experienced “whistling” from their hearing aids at some stage or another. It sometimes occurs when the hearing aid is covered by a hand or hat, when giving someone a hug, or when in close proximity to a hard surface such as a wall or headrest. Acoustic feedback, or “whistling” of hearing aids occurs because some of the amplified sound that comes out of the hearing aid, leaks out of the ear canal and finds its way back to the hearing aid microphone. Once detected by the microphone the sound is made louder by the amplifier, after which it exits the hearing aid again, only to leak out from the ear canal further. This leaked sound is then detected by the microphone once more, and the cycle continues until the hearing aid wearer experiences a loud high pitched whistling sound.
Over the years, hearing aid manufacturers have struggled to reduce acoustic feedback. The first approach was to turn down the sounds that are more likely to cause feedback. The trouble is, high frequency sounds which are more likely to cause feedback, are also the sounds that most people with hearing loss have difficulty hearing. In turning them down, less feedback resulted, but also less clarity from the hearing aid was experienced.
Then hearing aids became smarter and started to be able to identify and analyse sounds within the amplified signal that were more likely to be feedback. Once these were identified and analysed it was easier to eliminate them specifically. This was done by applying an equal and opposite sound to the feedback signal (phase cancellation), but again, high frequency volume reduction was often an unwanted side effect, and sometimes other important sounds were incorrectly identified as feedback and eliminated (such as music).
In more recent times, hearing aids have begun to identify, analyse and monitor feedback sounds much more accurately. Now there are feedback reduction systems that manage to eliminate feedback in most cases before it is even heard by the hearing aid wearer without compromising the comfort or clarity of the hearing aid. This means in many cases high frequency sounds can be increased to meet the patient’s requirements without the annoying and sometimes embarrassing whistling of the hearing aids.
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that is now built into a wide range of devices. From enabling hands free mobile phone conversations in the car, to printing a photo from your laptop while in a different room, to monitoring your blood pressure, its uses are vast. As Bluetooth works wirelessly, it’s a quick and convenient way of connecting different devices without the hassle of cables. It uses short wavelength radio transmission signals to send information anywhere from 1 to 100 meters away depending on the device. Since the signal used is a radio frequency, devices do not need to be in direct visual line of each other. Continue reading →
With the end of year fast approaching, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate with family and friends. However, for some, it can be quite challenging having to communicate in a noisy environment, like a Christmas party.
- Here are some tips to improve communication at noisy celebrations:
- Choose a setting which is well lit with soft furnishings if possible
- Reduce any unwanted background noise if possible
- Select a seat where you can easily see those who you wish to speak with
- Try to have your back to the greatest noise source
- Find out the topic of conversation
- Ensure your hearing aids are working optimally
For more information, speak to your audiologist at Melbourne Audiology Centre. Our clinics re-open on Monday 10th January 2011. Until then, enjoy the festive season!
There is some controversy over whether dental drills can cause hearing loss in dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants. In particular, the sound emitted by the high-speed air turbine has been investigated and identified as the loudest noise source in a dental clinic. These drills have advanced immensely over the past 10 years and are now quieter than before. While some studies suggest that the noise produced by these drills is below a damaging level due to the loudness and duration of use, other studies suggest that the noise dose can vary depending on the equipment. Specifically, there is evidence that used equipment produces a greater level of noise compared to brand new equipment. Therefore the risk of hearing loss due to noise exposure from dental equipment cannot be ruled out. While more research is necessary, earplugs can effectively reduce any risks in the meantime.
Please view more information here –> Melbourne Audiology Centre
Ear candling is the technique of burning a hollow candle inside the ear canal. It is thought that a vacuum effect is created by the burning candle and this sucks wax and debris out from inside the ear. Continue reading →
Royal Auto Magazine
It’s getting harder to get though to adolescents. Hearing loss in 12-19 year olds has jumped in the US by a third in the past 20 years, and it’s likely to be the same in Australia. Continue reading →
Who can wear them: Babies and Children aged from 6 months to 3 years
Why wear them: Children’s hearing is very sensitive and it is important to protect it from an early age so they have the best chance of healthy hearing throughout their lives.
Some places where earphones may be beneficial are:
- In the presences of loud music (i.e. Concerts and Festivals)
- Motor Racing Events
- Fireworks displays
- Around loud machinery
Continue reading →
Thomas Maugh, Los Angeles
Reprinted in The Age August 19, 2010
TEENAGERS aren’t necessarily tuning out adults; they simply might not be able to hear them. Continue reading →
