Dan Gould

Kind of amusing to check Amazon's listing of the Mobley release. Gee do you think that pre-ordering person came from the Big O?

Larry, my understanding is that the brain does that, not the aids themselves. Yours sound very different but also similar. Mine are individually programmed to offset the hearing loss shown by the hearing test. The way they interact is that when I press the rocker button from the regular setting to the "noisy environment" setting, both hearing aids switch programming. But each works in the absence of the other. I actually have five possible settings, four of which are used: 1. Normal use 2. "Telephone" setting, which was very disappointing. It shuts the other hearing aid off and is supposed to boost the high range of the hearing aid in the ear I use. What I get is a high-pitch hum that obliterates the person on the other end of the phone line. I don't know if its a function of my hearing loss or what but in the original consultation I was led to expect that this would really solve one of the big problems at work. In the end we solved the problem by getting a phone amplifier which the state of Florida provides free to hearing-deficient residents. 3. Noisy environment - I know what Larry is referring to but maybe I use it in less noisy environments than he does - it works quite well for me. 4. "Music/TV setting" I have no idea what a fifth setting would be for, but iirc, there was a more expensive model with the capacity for seven settings. One place I never use them is in the car, where they only work to boost both road noise and the car stereo. Much better to just keep on cranking up what I want to hear - the music. Regarding the brain processing of sounds - my audiologist told me that after a long period of time with significant hearing loss, the brain loses some of the ability to process sounds. That seems true as, even with my much improved hearing, occasionally I still have to ask people to repeat themselves. I hear them but don't understand them immediately. After a year that still happens so my brain is slow or isn't really adjusting to more "normal" hearing capacity.

I'm not sure if they are binaural or just have two settings - directional and surround. But the "noisy environment" setting works really well most of the time.

I can't speak to the issue of hearing broad ranges of sounds simply because I do not try to tune in to things like ride cymbals. But I was found to have a hearing loss when I was quite young. I didn't exactly "keep up" with visits to the audiologist so who knows the exact rate of further decline but when I started my current job 18 months ago and was back in an office environment, on the phone and with a boss 20 feet away wanting to tell me something, just how non-functional I was became pretty apparent. Fortunately my bosses valued my work enough that they offered to pay a substantial amount of money toward hearing aids, which I have now had for just over one year. Seimens brand also and very pricy especially when you factor in $400 a year to keep the warranty active beyond the first year. But I know I couldn't do without them. Larry I am a bit surprised at your comment about foreground vs background sound. My Seimens model are also programmed to work together and for the specific hearing loss of each ear. I have a "noisy restaurant" setting on mine. It shuts out the directional microphone that hears behind me and keeps on only the one "aimed" at the front. Works wonders to hear my dining companions. I also have a setting for "music" listening that basically boosts the high and middle ranges but I never use it for music. Its my "they think I can't hear them if they talk softly" spy setting.

Very sad to hear. Loved his playing on records and one of the best south Florida shows I attended was Red backed by Eddie Higgins.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/24/mlb-to-appeal-braun-ruling-to-federal-court-good-luck-with-that/ Where you come up with this "oh well, we tried, what can you do" response by MLB is completely beyond me. if they really cared about this, they would have done something at some point during the last ten years to close these loopholes. Ultimately, the Ryan Braun situation is the result of MLB trying to maintain plausible deniability both now and throughout the history of steroid use in the game. All, I might add, on Bud Selig's watch. Now this is the most ridiculous thing you've said in a long time. Say whatever you want about the pre-testing era or the fact that Congress had to exert pressure on both the league and the players to make the testing/penalty regime serious. But seriously when it comes to the modern system, what the fuck are you talking about? 50 game, 100 game and lifetime bans are the penalties. Names big and small have been caught and paid the price. They've now added a blood test for HGH, ahead of any other organized league. They had to negotiate with the player's union the terms of the testing program, the protocol, and the method (arbitration) of disputes about test results. All the league cares about is plausible deniability? You are completely out of touch with reality. The facts are: Both of Braun's samples tested positive for synthetic testosterone. Braun's defense was "the rules weren't followed" - a false claim based on the article I posted earlier, but one that the arbitrator accepted. There's no appeal system, yet MLB still wants to penalize this cheater. And they are only paying lip service? If they wanted to sweep this under the rug, they'd say "Oh well, rules are rules, the arbitrator ruled and that's that. Hey everybody, its spring and you know what that means!"

What does the PA and drug testing agreements provide as a recourse against an adverse decision by a "mediator"? http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/24/mlb-to-appeal-braun-ruling-to-federal-court-good-luck-with-that/ Where you come up with this "oh well, we tried, what can you do" response by MLB is completely beyond me.

You actually get $65 of downloads for your $50 "credit" because every download is priced at the member's discount of 30%. I'm not sure why they don't pitch that little added incentive.

I don't what you are referring to, MLB has protested loudly against this ridiculous result. No one but Braun and his immediate family think this is "absolution".

From this article, I don't see how you determine the rules weren't followed. This article, to me at least, makes it clear that there was no violation whatsoever of the "rules". But it does remind me that the player's union has a long history of "winning" when they get in front of an "arbitrator". It seems this is another example.

Does it still make sense to buy CDs? When this is on its way in April I'd say HELL YES.* However, when it comes out on Rare Live Records in May, then HELL NO.

I like bacon but its not like I go out of my way to eat it - only rarely bacon on the burger, fer instance, and I know the kind of person who thinks bacon is the greatest thing in the world. But bacon-flavored milkshake goes beyond Its to the googleplex power.

Is it duo or onanistic? Jim says its two guys, I see other comments (elsewhere) that its the radio host pleasuring himself solo. Guess I'll find out if I decide to click on the link when I get home.

Nice to see you, AB. Stick around this time!

:party:

Hey I'll be shootin' to kill at the old Batteries 'R Us. And I'll be plenty happy with the sound out of the old boombox while you young 'uns with the I-pods will be crying about the crippled grid and how the heck are you going to recharge a dead lithium battery?

:party:

:party:

:party:

If I'm the seller, I am pimping this one with some actual details about it, why he says its "unreleased" and what makes it "Live" anyway? Is it a broadcast transcription? From what station or network? Where was it found? Instead just his usual BS claiming to be such a reliable seller. Of video game accessories. I don't think its worth anything close to $70 but I wonder if he'll find a taker.

Well this would explain why they dropped the PDF concept. Thanks for the info - I think I'll be downloading the software available here and start reading Pullman's masterwork soon.

Yeah, $80 for the cheapest Kindle plus $10 for the book. I have no idea about the law in the UK, but in the US no printer would copy and bind a copyrighted book.

Well Mr. Pullman has updated his web page about purchasing, and the implication isn't encouraging for those of us who don't have or intend to buy an e-reader: I've posted a comment asking about the PDF option - comments are moderated so perhaps this will trigger a reply confirming whether or not it will in fact be offered as a PDF file.

Shouldn't that be an Organissimo Forum Decoder ring?