Wireless communication between personal electronic devices and hearing aids using high frequency audio and ultrasound.

Hearing aids continue to be the main intervention for hearing loss but ease of use and control is of concern due to the small size of these aids. While technological advances in Bluetooth Low Energy have allowed for improved wireless control, in particular between personal electronic devices, its use for communication with hearing aids is problematic due to limited battery life. This paper outlines the implementation of acoustic wireless communication between personal electronic devices and hearing aids using On-Off Keying (OOK) and Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) between the frequencies of 16 and 20 kHz.

Detection of pneumococci in blood cultures by latex agglutination.

Latex agglutination by use of the Pneumoslide test on clinical blood cultures detected 22 Streptococcus pneumoniae strains as the etiological agents in 47 streptococcal septic episodes. The other 25 isolates were identified as viridans streptococci or streptococci of groups A, B, D, or G. The test demonstrated 100% sensitivity, 92% specificity, and predictive values for positive and negative reactions of 91 and 92%, respectively.

Dermatophyte isolation media: quantitative appraisal using skin scales infected with Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum.

Various dermatophyte isolation media were quantitatively appraised by colony counts for their ability to support growth when suspensions of trypsin-treated infected-skin scales were used as inocula. Evaluation included guinea pig skin scales infected with a granular Trichophyton mentagrophyton mentagrophytes, and one trial was conducted using human skin scales infected with Trichophyton rubrum. No differences in the ability to support growth were observed among Taplin Dermatophyte Test medium, Dermatophyte Test Medium (Schering Diagnostics, Port Reading, N.