Masking Level Difference Test
AUDiTEC™, St Louis, has released another version of the Masking Level Difference test, employing tones instead of speech. The product follows a simple design that allows quick assessment of the degree of release from masking. The tones are imbedded in narrow bands of noise that have as their center frequency the same frequency of the tone. Signal-to-noise ratio is randomized from + 4 dB to – 30 dB SNR. The test consists of two frequencies, 500 and 1000 Hz in two trials, one with both the noise and the tone in phase, and the second with the tone 180 degrees out of phase while the noise remains in phase. The test is scored by noting the number of tone detections and multiplying by two.

Personal Listening Device
HARC Mercantile Ltd, Kalamazoo, Mich, introduces the Ameriphone PL40 Personal Listener. Lightweight and compact enough to fit into a shirt pocket, the amplifier has both volume and tone controls. A detachable unidirectional microphone has advanced noise filtering technology to filter unwanted background noise and a 12 foot extension cord for TV listening. An additional microphone is built into the case. A padded high performance earbud provides quality sound and listening comfort. Drop-in style charger is designed for quick and easy battery charging in the unit.

Wireless Hearing System
Hal-Hen, Garden City Park, NY, introduces the Dynalife II Infrared Wireless Hearing System. This personal listening system, which provides for more comfortable radio and TV listening, features automatic on/off switching functions, 40-foot operating range, a remote pickup microphone functioning up to 115 dB SPL, a built-in charger located in the base unit transmitter, and tone control and base cut control on the receiver.

Tactile Hearing Aid
Audiological Engineering Corp, Somerville, Mass, introduces Tactaid 7, a tactile hearing system that gives the user coded sound information by way of seven vibrators. These coded patterns provide information on a variety of speech characteristics, including voice-voiceless sounds, inflection, intensity, temporal cues, and vowel recognition. The information is transmitted through the vibrators through place of vibration, strength, movement, and duration. The product also allows for distinction of environmental sounds and has a built-in circuit that operates automatically to reduce steady background sounds. Web site: www.tactaid.com.

Battery Tester
FECOM Corp, Dayton, NJ, introduces its new digital battery tester, complete with a built-in compartment to house spare batteries. The product is built to test extremely small batteries, and is available in a variety of colors and with a variety of cases. The company has been supplying similar testers to the hearing aid manufacturing community since 1992, and can be contacted for a sample of this tester. To purchase the tester or to order a free sample, contact Fecom or its local distributors: www.femacorp.com.

Fitting System
The MedRx OtoMaster LS™ contains the key features of the OtoWizard™ to create a dynamic and affordable fitting system. This compact system operates with NOAH™ and can be coupled to existing fitting platforms. The OtoMaster LS™ highlights Live Speech Mapping (LSM), which an independent study reportedly shows that the system reduces the need for post fitting follow-ups and lowers practice costs. LSM can be used to demonstrate directional microphone effects, compression features, and multiple memories. Tympanometry, video otoscopy, hearing loss simulator and master hearing aid are included.