2 We are hopeful that, in some small way, our book was partially responsible for this rise.ДЇigure 1. When our book was introduced to the professions, binaural hearing aids accounted for approximately one quarter (27%) of hearing aid fittings today, the percentages have almost flip-flopped with four in five (80%) of fittings being binaural (Figure 1). It also cannot be denied that-despite an attempt to present a balanced, even-handed approach-that our optimistic view and personal prejudices were apparent. It would be absurd to claim that this work contained all that might be said about binaural hearing and amplification. We were fortunate in drawing together 45 worldwide experts from diverse disciplines. Binaural Hearing and Amplification can be viewed as an early attempt to address this basic question. The basic question, however, was not whether two ears are better than one, but rather, вЂњAre two hearing-impaired ears coupled to two hearing aids better than one?вЂќ This question has generated a wealth of research and has absorbed a great deal of time and energy. The theoretical concept that binaural hearing for normal-hearing individuals enhances speech intelligibility and facilitates directional hearing was generally accepted then, as it is today. The literature was voluminous and complex. It soon became obvious that the task was formidable.

The original intent was to publish a short, easy-to-digest, 50-page monograph. The book that I edited in 1980, Binaural Hearing and Amplification, 1 was an attempt to bring together the current thoughts and вЂњstate of the artвЂќ concerning binaural hearing and amplification. He was also one of the first US distributors of equipment for conducting impedance measurements, ABRs, and probe microphones. Among his many inventions are the Libby Horn for BTEs, the first BTE electronic metronome for speech therapy, as well as programs for tinnitus relief. Upon graduating from the Pennsylvania State College of Optometry in 1943, he served as president of Associated Hearing Instruments in Upper Darby, Pa, for 62 years. Robert (Cy) Libby is a long-time hearing industry educator, dispenser, entrepreneur, and inventor.

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