Artificial intelligence (AI) is embedding itself into various facets of our everyday lives, from personal entertainment recommendations to controlling our home environments. Now, one of its most impactful applications is unfolding within the realm of hearing health. ...
I hear from patients all the time about how frustrating it can be to have to remove hearing aids whenever they want to take a shower or go swimming. With waterproof hearing aids, however, they can enjoy these activities without the hassle of constantly removing and...
A large part of my duty to residents of New England is ensuring you have access to the latest technology. Many companies make hearing aids, but they are not all created equal. Here’s an in-depth look at Oticon, one of the largest hearing aid companies in the world....
As of August 16, the FDA gave the final ruling on over-the-counter hearing aids. OTC refers to hearing aids that can be bought online and in stores. This ruling allows over-the-counter hearing aids to be distributed directly from stores or online retailers without any...
There are many different types of hearing aids on the market today, and it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss all the different styles of hearing aids and provide you with information on each one. We...
Last August, Jabra announced their intention to bring a new kind of hearing device to the market, calling it the Jabra Enhance Plus and describing it as “miniaturized 3-in-1 earbuds for hearing enhancement, music and calls.” This product has now been released. Jabra...
If you have ever asked yourself, “Why do I need help with my hearing?” and your loved ones tell you that it is simply to hear better, then your solution may be over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. Ever since President Biden gave his executive order to allow...
A few comments from the AVI desk of Dr. Natan Bauman. Hearing should be considered as the most important sense for our survival or at least should be considered one of the most important senses. Better hearing goes beyond just improving what we hear by improving our...
If you have recently made the life-changing decision to treat your hearing loss with hearing aids – we applaud you. Research suggests it takes the average person over ten years to seek treatment for their hearing loss, and within this time, millions of people go...
PERSONAL DATA
Name: Natan Bauman
Address: 3447 WhitneyAvenue
Hamden, CT 06518
Telephone: (475) 227-0842
Status: Married
EDUCATION
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Audiology, 1983
Teachers College, Columbia University
New York, NY
Master of Science (M.S.) in Audiology, 1975
Teachers College, Columbia University
New York, NY
Master of Science (M.S.) in Electroacoustics – Acoustics (Minor in Electronics)
Wroclaw Polytechnic Institute
Poland
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Founder and co-owner, Auditory and Vestibular Institute of New England 2021 – present
Hamden, Connecticut
Founder, Tinnergy Group, LLC
Hamden, Connecticut 2010 – present
Founder, Tinnitus Practitioners Association
Hamden, Connecticut 2009 – present
Founder, Hearing Aid Laboratories of New England
Hamden, Connecticut 2006 - 2017
Vice President, Professional Affairs, Vivatone Hearing Systems, Inc.
Shelton, Connecticut 2004 – 2008
Founder New England Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Clinic
Hamden, Connecticut 1996 - 2021
Founder, Hearing, Balance & Speech Center
Hamden, Connecticut 1988 - 2021
Director, Hearing, Speech and Language Center
Yale New Haven Hospital
New Haven, Connecticut 1980 - 1988
Clinical Audiologist, St. Michael’s Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada January 1978 - August 1980
Department Head, Audiology, Lincoln Hospital
Bronx, NY August 1977 - January 1978
Clinical Audiologist, Misericordia Hospital
Bronx, NY September 1975 - August 1977
Research Assistant, Teachers College, Columbia University
New York, NY September 1976 - July 1977
School Audiologist, St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf
Bronx, NY September 1973 - September 1975
Acoustical Engineer, Paso Electronics
New York, NY January 1972 - September 1973
Acoustical Engineer, Precision Acoustic Lab, Hearing Aid Instruments
New York, NY September 1970 - January 1972
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Adjunct Professor, University of Rhode Island Spring, 2001
Graduate Program, Course entitled, “Electrophysiology”
Assistant Clinical Professor, Yale University School of Medicine
Department of Surgery
New Haven, Connecticut September 1980 - December 1990
Teaching Instructor, Teachers College, Columbia University September 1973 - September 1974
New York, NY January 1975 - July 1975
AWARDS
Small Business of the Year 2014, Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce
Hearing Review’s Best of 2013 Hearing Healthcare Professionals
Fellowship for Clinical Audiology, Teacher’s College, Columbia University
New York, NY
Spencer’s Foundation Award
Who’s Who in Engineering
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION & LICENSURE
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A)
State of Connecticut Department of Health Services
License in Audiology (#000115)
Connecticut Hearing Aid Dealers Association License (#000221)
American Academy of Audiology
Fellow (F-AAA)
TINNITUS RELATED PRESENTATION
Invited presentation to Clinical Psychiatry at Yale Psychiatry Rounds
Tinnitus and Sound Sensitivity Treatments November 2020
Invited presentation to the New Haven Symphony Orchestra concert
“Ludvik Van Beethoven Affliction of tinnitus and deafness
on his compositions” November 2018
Streamline tinnitus treatment in your busy practice, Annual ADA Conference October 2018
Invited Keynote Speaker at the XIII JORNADAS INTERNACIONALES, ARGENTINA,
BONSAIS AIRES Conference, Tinnitus-Hyperacusis-Misofoni
Five presentations: 1. Understanding tinnitus a clinical approach,
2. Blame it on the caves; Tinnitus, Hyperacusis, Phonophobia, Misophonia,
3. Understanding Misophonia,
4. Treatment Approaches – CHaTT (Cognitive Habituation Tinnitus Therapy)
5. Role of the TCQ (Tinnitus Concern Questionnaire) August 2018
Tinnitus Concern Questionnaire, Annual AAA Conference April 2018
Associate Course by invitation SIEMENS/SIGNIA December 2016
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate and Fellow courses from 2015 – present
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, Maui, Hawaii, January, 2015
Tinnitus: The Proverbial Pain in the Ears; A neuro-philosophical look at tinnitus,
Annual AAA Conference April 2015
3rd International Misophonia Conference, Phoenix, Arizona, February 2015
What Aristotle knew about misophonia? The power of “THE WILL”
3rd International Misophonia Conference, Phoenix, Arizona, February 2015
From Aristotle to Levitin
Invited guest speaker at the Chinese Otolaryngology Annual
Conference September 2014
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, Harrisburg, PA August 2014
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Fellow Course, San Francisco August 2014
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, Chicago, IL June 2014
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Fellow Course, St. Louis, MO April 2014
8th Tinnitus Research Initiative Conference, Invited Guest Speaker
“CHaTT: Cognitive Habituation Therapy”, Auckland, New Zealand March 2014
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Misophonia Conference February 2014
Atlanta, GA
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, Mesa, AZ December 2013
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Fellow Course, Las Vegas, NV October 2013
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, Panama, FL September 2013
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, Hartford, CT August 2013
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, Seattle, WA June 2013
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, Richmond, VA May 2013
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Misophonia Conference, Mesa, AZ February 2013
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, New Orleans, LA December 2012
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Fellow Course, Charleston, SC October 2012
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Fellow Course, Chicago, IL July 2012
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, Baltimore, MD June 2012
Audiology Now 2012, “Loudness Considerations that Play a Crucial
Role in Acceptance of Applications”, Anaheim, CA April 2012
Audiology Now 2013, “Considerations for Providing Misophonia
Care in Your Practice”, Anaheim, CA April 2012
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, April 2012
San Francisco, CA
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, Salt Lake City February 2012
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, “Misophonia Theory and Research”
Mesa, AZ February 2012
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Fellow Course, Maui, HI January 2012
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, Orlando, FL December 2011
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, Austin, TX October 2011
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Fellow Course, Nashville, TN July 2011
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, Detroit, MI June 2011
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, Newark, NJ March 2011
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Fellow Course, Maui, HI January 2011
5th International TRI Tinnitus Conference, “The Neuroscience of
Tinnitus”, Grand Island, NY. August 2010
X International Tinnitus Seminar, “Tinnitus on my Mind”
Florianapolis, Brazil. June 2010
4th International TRI Tinnitus Conference, “Frontiers in Tinnitus
Research”, Dallas, TX. June 2010
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, New Orleans, LA October 2010
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, Norfolk, VA July 2010
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Fellow Course, Mesa, AZ March 2010
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, Mesa, AZ March 2010
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, Minneapolis, MN December 2009
Tinnitus Practitioners Association, Associate Course, Minneapolis, MN September 2009
Invited guest speaker at the East Asia Otolaryngology Conference November 2007
*Two day presentations
CONTINUING EDUCATION
American Academy of Audiology Annual attendance
Professional development seminars:
Diagnostics of hearing aids/tinnitus/vestibular issues
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy for the
Management of Tinnitus and Hyperacusis
Dr. Pawel Jastreboff 1997
Evaluation and Management of the Patient
With Balance Disorders 1991
Programming Digital Hearing Aids 1989
Cochlear implants 1988
Course in science and the clinical application of the
Xomed audiant bone conductor 1987
Nicolet Pathfinder Mapping Course 1986
School for Electronic Responses Audiometry
Toronto, Ontario, Canada 1978
Special Study Institute on Impedance Audiometry 1975
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Founder, Tinnitus Practitioners Association
Founding Member of the Connecticut Academy of Audiology
Acoustical Society of America
American Speech-Language-Hearing-Association
Fellow, American Academy of Audiology
Academy of Dispensing Audiologists
Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology
American Auditory Society
The New York Academy of Sciences
American Tinnitus Association
International Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Society
American Hearing Aid Associates
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Bauman, N., AAA presentation, Another Look at Tinnitus: Qualia and Prediction, April 2021
Bauman, N., AAA presentation, Using Real Ear Measurements in the Treatment of Tinnitus and Sound Sensitivity Disorders, July 2020
Bauman, N., ADA presentation, Streamline Tinnitus Treatment in Your Busy Practice, November 2018
Bauman, N., Eldridge, M. “Tinnitus Practitioner Association Associate, Fellow and Misophonia Education Courses.” Various Locations, 2009 – present. AAA CEU Approved. Two day Presentation. See list above.
Bauman, N, “Tinnitus: The Proverbial Pain in the Ears; A neuro-philosophical look at tinnitus”, AAA AudiologyNow, 2015, CEU Approved. Presentation.
Bauman, N, “Auditory issues in musicians” 2014, Online
Hepp, R. “Open Fit Hearing Aids: What You Need to Know.” ADVANCE for Speech & Hearing. 24 February, 2014. Online.
“No Point Without Passion.” The Hearing Review. December 2013. Vol. 26 No. 13 Pg. 71. Print.
Cohen, J. “Rare Sensitivity Triggers Undue Rage, Hamden Audiologist Explains.” New Haven Register. 29 March, 2012. Print.
“The Use of Real Ear Measurements in Tinnitus Clinics.” 5th International TRI Tinnitus Conference “The Neuroscience of Tinnitus”. Grand Island, NY. August 2011. Presentation.
“Case Study: Hyperacusis with Phonophobia.” ADVANCE for Hearing Practice Management. 23 May 2011: 14. Print.
“Tinnitus on My Mind.” AudiologyNow! 2011. Chicago, IL. April 2011. Presentation.
“Let’s CHaTT about Tinnitus Treatment.” AudiologyNow! 2011. Chicago, IL. April 2011. Presentation.
Bauman N., Dauman N., McKenna L. “Cognitive Aspects on Tinnitus.” X International Tinnitus Seminar. Florianopolis, Brazil. March 2011. Roundtable Presentation.
Mullarkey, C. “Cover Story: Entrepreneurial Excellence/Inside Dr. Natan Bauman’s Practice.” ADVANCE for Audiologists. 22 September 2010: 25. Print.
“The Audiologist’s Obligation to Tinnitus Care and Prevention.” AudiologyNow! 2010. San Diego, CA. April 2010. Presentation.
“TPA: Simple Solution For Success.” ADVANCE for Audiologists. 25 August 2009: 14. Print
“Rite Vs Rita Instruments: the Debate Continues.” Hearing Journal. July 2008:6. Print.
Bauman, N. “Vertigo, Dizziness, and Balance (Chapter 11).” New Frontiers in Aging, Olga Brom Spencer, PhD. Praeger Publishers. Westport, CT. 2008.
“Tinnitus Treatment with Open-Ear R.I.T.E Amplification.” Hear Matters. Dallas, Denver, Chicago, Phoenix, Seattle, 2008. AAA CEU Approved. Presentation.
“New Trends in Amplification with New Clinical Applications.” TeamBest Annual Conference. Taipei, Taiwan. November 3, 2007. Presentation.
“Use of NAL Targets Questioned for Open Fittings.” Hearing Journal. April 2007: 8. Print.
“How to Reduce Returns for Credit.” Mid-Atlantic Hearing Expo Annual Conference. Gettysburg, PA. March 31, 2007. Presentation.
“Tinnitus: An understanding of what it is, how it can be treated, and where today’s technology has taken it.” West Virginia Speech – Language – Hearing Association Spring Convention. Lakeview Resort, Cheat Lake, WV. March 23, 2007. Presentation.
Newman, C., Sandridge, S., Bauman, N., “Tinnitus Learning Lab: Setting Up a Tinnitus Management Clinic in Your Practice.” AudiologyNow! 2007. Denver, Colorado. April, 2007. Presentation.
Bauman, N., Bray, V., Pisa, J., Fabry, D., Olson. L. “Roundtable: Open Fittings Parts 1 & 2.” ADA Annual 2006 Convention. Scottsdale, AZ, October 2006. Roundtable Presentation.
“Open Fittings.” PHHA-Mid Atlantic Expo. Gettysburg, PA. March 2006. Presentation.
“Improved Tinnitus Management Using An Open Ear Device.” VIIIth International Tinnitus Seminar. Pau, France. September 2005. Presentation.
“Open Ear Fittings: Past, Present and Future.” Florida Academy of Audiology. Palm Beach Gardens, FL. August, 2005. Presentation.
“The Role of the Limbic Sysyem.” Hearing Journal. July 2004: 56. Print.
“Encountering Issues in the Everyday Practice.” Oticon Conference. Costa Rica.
November, 2003. Presentation.
“Taking Your Practice to New Heights: Building a Comprehensive Audiology Facility with Successful Management of Tinnitus.” Oticon. Costa Rica. November, 2003. Presentation.
“Tinnitus Instrumentation.” ADA Conference. Sanibel Island, FL. October 2003. Presentation.
“Tinnitus: Building a New Practice.” Oticon Conference. Denmark. May 2003. Presentation.
“Hearing”; Public Radio Documentary Series The Infinite Mind, February 2003. Radio.
“ Tinnitus Facts, Myths and Treatments Revisited.” Dr. Robert Levine’s Tinnitus Self-Help Group. Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Cambridge, MA. February 2003. Presentation.
“Failure in Hearing Aid Fittings Due to Loudness Tolerance Problems: Hyperacusis, Misophonia, Phonophobia.” Academy of Dispensing Audiologists (ADA) Annual Conference. Palm Springs, CA. October 2002. Presentation.
“Transcranial CROS Fittings in Hearing Improvement and Tinnitus Management.” Academy of Dispensing Audiologists (ADA) Annual Conference. Asheville, North Carolina. October 2001. Presentation.
“Tinnitus Facts, Myths and Treatments.” SHHH National Convention, (Self-Help for Hard of Hearing People). Cherry Hill, New Jersey. June 2001. Presentation.
“Tinnitus Facts, Myths and Treatments.” Siemens Twelfth International Symposium. Paris, France. June, 2000. Presentation.
Tinnitus Seminar. Helix Group. Montreal, Canada. May, 2000. Presentation.
“Real-Ear Measurement of the Sound Levels Used By Patients During Tinnitus Retraining Therapy.” Sixth International Tinnitus Seminar. Cambridge, U.K. Sept. 1999. Presentation and Published in the proceeding of the Sixth International Tinnitus Seminar.
“Tinnitus: Old Problem, New Treatment.” Hearing Health Sept/Oct 1997. Print.
Howard, J., Bauman., N., Braemer, M. “Using a CIC Hearing Aid in Transcranial Cross Fittings.”
Hearing Journal March 1996. Print.
Howard, J., Bauman., N., Braemer, M. “Audiological Approach to Managing Otitis Media.” Pneumatic Otoscopy and Otitis Media Conference. St. Raphael’s Hospital, New Haven, CT. 1995. Presentation.
“Update on Hearing Aid Technology/Programmable Hearing Aids.” Connecticut Hearing Aid Dispensing Organization. 1995. Presentation.
“Application of the CIC Loaner Program in the Office of the Dispensing Audiologist.” Siemens. 1995. Presentation.
“Vestibular Rehabilitation, Audiological Perspective.” Physical Therapy Conference. 1994. Presentation.
“CIC Hearing Aids.” Siemens International Conference. Hong Kong, China. 1993. Presentation.
“Audiological and Vestibular Studies in a Successful Otolaryngology Practice.” Dept., of Otolaryngology, W.W.Backus Hospital, Norwich, Connecticut. 1991. Presentation.
“Brain Mapping: A Quantitative Topographic Approach to Electrophysiology.” University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI. 1998. Presentation.
Bauman, N., Moya, F., Perez, A. “In Support of Wave III in the Neonate.” Connecticut Speech and Hearing Assn. 1985. Presentation.
Moya, F., Bauman, N., Chambelin, M., and Hoder, L.E. “Auditory Brainstem Evoked Responses (ABR) in Newborns with Neonatal Narcotic Abstinence Syndrome (NNAS).” Society for Pediatric Research Conference. 1984. Presentation.
Smith, N.J. and Bauman, N. “Brainstem Evoked Response in Brainstem Trauma, A Longitudinal Study.” American Speech and Hearing Association Convention. Cincinnati,1983. Presentation.
Sasaki, C.T., Buchalter, J.A., Virapongse, C., Bauman, N. “Pulsatile Tinnitus Arising from Jugular Megabulb Deformity: A Treatment Rationale.”American Laryngological Rhinological & Otological Society. New York. January 1983. Presentation.
Bauman, N. and Ventry, I. “Effect of a Pre-Test Listening Exposure on the Ascending-Descending Gap at Most Comfortable Loudness Levels.” Ear Hear No.4, 1983. Print.
“Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry.” Connecticut Speech and Hearing Assn. Convention. March 1981. Presentation.
“Effects on Pre-Test Listening Exposure on the Intersubject Variability at MCL.” ASHA Convention. Toronto. 1979. Presentation.
Lucker, J., Grzybmacher, N., Ventry, I. “Effects of Instructional Set on the Comfortable Loudness Range.” Journal of Speech and Hearing Dis., No. 43, 1978. Print.
Grzybmacher, N., Ventry, I. “Suprathreshold Levels of Pure Tone and Speech.” ASHA Convention. Chicago, 1977.
PATENTS
August 7,2018 Variable sound attenuator with a hearing aid. Patent 10045133 (Bauamn, N., Campagna, R.) A device combining a variable sound attenuator with a hearing device, (such as a hearing aid or tinnitus device) that allows a user to adjust the amount of attenuation of environmental sound in a variable, continuous fashion or in a discrete controlled fashion from zero attenuation to maximum attenuation without removing the device from the ear. The attenuator includes a housing having a passageway, the passageway allowing for sound to pass through the housing and a variable control, the variable control able to control the size of the passageway through the housing and the device including a second passageway for transmitting amplified sound from the hearing device into the ear of the wearer.
Decenber13, 2016 Variable noise attenuator with adjustable attenuation, Patent 9521480 (Bauman,N Camagna, R.). A variable ear protection system/device to allow the user to adjust the amount of attenuation (protection) in a noisy, loud environment from no attenuation to maximum attenuation without removing such device from the user’s ear.
May 10, 2016: Variable sound attenuator, Patent 9,333,116 (Bauman, N., Camagna, R.). A sound attenuator that allows a user to adjust the amount of attenuation in a variable, continuous fashion or in a discrete controlled fashion from zero attenuation to maximum attenuation without removing the device from the ear. The ear attenuator includes a housing having a passageway, the passageway allowing for sound to pass through the housing and a variable control, the variable control able to control the size of the passageway through the housing and the amount of attenuating material located within the passageway through the housing.
July 6, 2010: Open ear hearing aid system. Patent 7,751,580 (Bauman, N.) The present invention relates to a system for improving a user's hearing and more particularly to a receiver system used in the system. In one embodiment, the receiver system has a housing and a plurality of arms extending from the housing for positioning and suspending the receiver within the ear canal of a user. Each of the arms may be formed from a flexible, plastic material or a bendable wire. In a second embodiment, the receiver system is surrounded by a disc formed from a sound filtering material. When installed in a combination instrument, the receiver is separated from the microphone. When installed in a tinnitus/hyperacusis device, the receiver is separated from the body of the instrument.
May 18, 2010: Hearing Aid System. Patent 7.720.245 (Bauman, N., Shikhman, O., Campagna, R.) An exemplary hearing aid system includes a receiver unit configured and positioned within the user's ear canal so as to minimize insertion loss and/or occlusion effect.
September, 2, 2008: Hearing Aid System, Vivatone®. Patent 7,421,086 (Bauman, N., Shikhman, O., Campagna, R.) An exemplary hearing aid system includes a receiver unit configured and positioned within the user's ear canal so as to minimize insertion loss and/or occlusion effect. This patent includes 81 claims encompassing unique features of open fit, receiver-in-the-ear R.I.T.E. hearing aids.
July 11, 2006: Hearing Aid System. Patent 7,076,076 (Bauman, N. ) The present invention relates to a system for improving a user's hearing and more particularly to a receiver system used in the system. In one embodiment, the receiver system has a housing and a plurality of arms extending from the housing for positioning and suspending the receiver within the ear canal of a user. Each of the arms may be formed from a flexible, plastic material or a bendable wire. In a second embodiment, the receiver system is surrounded by a disc formed from a sound filtering material. When installed in a hearing aid system, the receiver is separated from the microphone. When installed in a tinnitus/hyperacusis device, the receiver is separated from the body of the instrument.
April 11, 2000: Apparatus and method for an open ear auditory pathway stimulator to manage tinnitus and hyperacusis. Patent 6,048,305 (Bauman, N., Juneau, R.) An open-in-the-ear auditory pathway stimulator device includes a noise generator in the device for generating noise and controls in the device for adjusting the volume of the noise. The device is preferably open ear. The device is preferably programmable. The device can also include a hearing aid for amplifying ambient sounds. Preferred method of treatment in 90% of tinnitus cases in the U.S.
November 9, 1999: Ear wax collection device for a hearing aid. Patent 5,982,908 (Bauman, N. ) An in-the-ear hearing aid in accordance with the present invention has a housing shaped to fit within a user's ear, and a sound passageway within the housing. The sound passageway includes a fixed tube communicating with a receiver. The sound passageway further includes a removable tube whose interior end abuts the fixed tube and an ear wax trap adjacent the interior end. In a preferred embodiment, the ear wax trap is formed from a mesh material. In accordance with the present invention, the removable tube with its integral ear wax trap may be removed as needed to clean the trap. After cleaning, the removable tube with its ear wax trap may be reinserted into the hearing aid.