Validity, Reliability, and Efficiency of the Signia AutoFit Procedure

Joachim Baumann, Dipl.-Ing. (eq. M.Sc.)

Joachim Baumann started his career in 1989 as a developer for electronic circuits for cochlea implants and wireless charging technology for a fully implantable hearing instrument. In 1998, he became responsible for functional testing during surgery and post-operative care and fitting of the implants during clinical studies in cooperation with the ENT Clinic of the University of Tübingen.

He joined Siemens Audiologische Technik (now Sivantos GmbH) Corporate Product Management team in 2001 and took over the Product Management for Diagnostic Measurement System Unity and other equipment. He was responsible for the global launch of the Unity 2 system in 2004 and the successor product Unity 3 in 2014. He collaborates with the HIMSA, IMC2 working group.

Joachim holds a diploma ( Dipl.-Ing. equivalent to MSc) in Electronic engineering, Electroacoustics and Psychoacoustics from the Technical University of Munich, Germany.

Thomas A. Powers, Ph.D.

Thomas A. Powers, Ph.D., is the Managing Member of Powers Consulting, LLC, providing management consulting to the hearing health industry.   Dr. Powers serves an expert audiology consultant for the Better Hearing Institute, and as a Senior Consultant for Sivantos, Inc. Dr. Powers received his B.S. from the State University of New York at Geneseo, and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Audiology from Ohio University.  He began his career as a partner in an Audiology private practice, and has over 35 years of experience in the hearing health care industry. Prior to his current role, Dr. Powers was Vice-President, Government Services and Professional Relations for Sivantos, Inc.

Eric Branda, AuD, PhD

Dr. Eric Branda is an Audiologist and Director of Research Audiology for Sivantos in the USA. For over 20 years, Eric has provided audiological, technical and product training support around the globe. He specializes in bringing new product innovations to market, helping Sivantos fulfill its goal of creating advanced hearing solutions for all types and degrees of hearing loss. Dr. Branda received his PhD from Salus University, his AuD from the Arizona School of Health Sciences and his Master’s degree in Audiology from the University of Akron.