Year: 2010

Don’t Miss Holiday Memories Because of Hearing Loss

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Hearing loss is a fact of life. Approximately 36 million Americans suffer from some form of hearing loss, much of it undiagnosed. What’s more, only about a quarter of Americans with hearing loss use a hearing aid. Undiagnosed hearing loss, a lack of hearing assistance, and loud holiday gatherings can create a perfect storm that can lead to mis-communication and… Read the rest

Earphones, Earbuds, Canalphones: What’s the Difference?

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In a previous post, I examined the differences between headphones and headsets. Like many terms in the pro and consumer audio universe, headphones and headsets are rather nebulously defined, and rampant contradictions in usage can be found all over the web. Likewise, people often use the terms earphones, earbuds, and canalphones interchangeably. But in fact, all three of these… Read the rest

What Are Headphones, Headsets & Earphones?

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Headphones, Headsets & Earphones: How to Tell the Difference Headphones, headsets, earphones: These terms are freely tossed around the internet with little regard for accuracy. What exactly do they mean, anyway? First the bad news: There is little (if any) consensus as to precise meanings for these terms. Now the good news: AudioLinks has unilaterally concocted our own definitions for… Read the rest

Got Game? Choose Your Ideal Gaming Headset

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Great Games Deserve a Great Headset The entertainment industry has weathered dozens of seismic shifts in the 21st century- and none of these shifts has been more decisive than the rise of gaming. Once confined to kids, hobbyists, and geeks, gaming is now a massive industry with revenues that rival Hollywood, and dwarf that of an ailing music business. Along… Read the rest

This 300 Watt PA Won’t Break Your Back

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Portable stereo PA systems have come a long way since the bulky monsters that strained the backs of musicians (and the shocks of Econoline vans) during the 70’s and 80’s. A few years back, Fender sparked something of a  portable PA arms race with the introduction of their Passport PA systems. Now Samson has entered the fray with their modular… Read the rest

How To Save Your Voice & Help Kids Learn

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How Wireless Assistive Listening Systems Benefit Kids & Teachers It seems obvious: kids learn better when they can hear their lessons. Classroom PA systems are a great way to overcome acoustical challenges for students with unimpaired hearing. But how can you improve the classroom experience for students with mild hearing impairment? Good educational practices- not to mention ADA requirements –… Read the rest

Need Help Choosing a Back-To-School Sound System?

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6 Questions to Help You Choose a Portable Sound System for Your Classroom A portable classroom PA system is an affordable, easy-to-use system that allows teachers to amplify their lessons. Why do you need a PA system for your classroom? The answer is simple: the proper sound reinforcement system allows  a teacher’s voice to reach all corners of the class,… Read the rest

Jackboxes Turn Media Players into Classroom Listening Centers

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How to choose a jackbox for your classroom listening center Classroom listening centers enhance visual lessons with audio. Listening centers (or learning centers) consist of three components: a media player, headphones, and a hub to distribute audio signals to multiple listeners. Although wireless transmitters or outputs on the media player itself often suffice for a hub, an easy way to… Read the rest

Classroom Learning Centers Use Sound To Enhance Learning

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6 Features to Consider When Purchasing A Classroom Learning Center From pre-K through adult education or even for home schooling, many students find learning enhanced by listening rather than looking. That’s why learning centers, which use sound to help you teach, are standard classroom AV equipment. Learning centers not only reinforce and enhance visual learning, but also help students with… Read the rest

Are Loud Media Players Causing Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Teens?

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Study: Cranked Earbuds Contribute to Spike in Teen Hearing Loss For today’s teens, dangling earbuds are as ubiquitous as facial jewelry. But a recent study shows that unlike adornments, they could be far from harmless. An article in the August 18, 2010 issue of JAMA concludes that one in five American adolescents experienced hearing loss from 2005-2006. What’s more, this… Read the rest