Included in our newest ratings are 17 places to buy hearing aids: Amazon, Audibel, Beltone, Connect Hearing, Costco Wholesale, Eargo, ENT or otolaryngologist offices, Hear.com, HearingLife, HearUSA, hospitals or clinics, Jabra/Jabra Enhance, MD Hearing, Miracle-Ear, Sam’s Club, TruHearing, and the Veterans Administration. Overall, 86 percent of members who bought a hearing aid said they were…
In collaboration with digital safety organization Tall Poppy, CR recruited 32 volunteers through its Community Reports program and attempted to remove their data from 13 of the most prominent people-search sites. Groups of four volunteers were each signed up for one of seven removal services—Confidently, DeleteMe, EasyOptOuts, IDX, Kanary, Optery, and ReputationDefender—and researchers tried to…
What Are Microphone Polar Patterns and Gain? Mics have what’s called polar patterns, which is a fancy way of saying directions of sound that they pick up and reject. Most microphones use what’s called a cardioid pattern, where it picks up what is in front of the microphone, but little to the back and sides….
We test 30- and 36-inch induction cooktops from such popular brands as Frigidaire, GE, Samsung, and Whirlpool. We also test pro-style induction cooktops from brands like Bosch, Monogram, and Thermador. Regardless of whether the cooktop is gas, electric smoothtop, or induction, each is tested at low and high heat. Just about any cooktop will fare…
The big draw of 2-in-1 laptops is that they can be used as both a laptop and a tablet. While in laptop mode, they’re generally comparable to any other clamshell laptop you’ll find. However, Windows and ChromeOS aren’t exactly the best touch-oriented operating systems out there, so you may find the touchscreen experience lacking. If…
In practice, this is the first 360 camera I’ve used where the video footage is still very sharp and clear, even when reframed to 16:9. You still have to deal with the stitch line, which is where the edges of the two lenses meet and software (imperfectly) fills in the gaps, but otherwise postproduction use…
Keith Flamer Keith Flamer has been a multimedia content creator at Consumer Reports since 2021, covering laundry, cleaning, small appliances, and home trends. Fascinated by interior design, architecture, technology, and all things mechanical, he translates CR’s testing engineers’ work into content that helps readers live better, smarter lives. Prior to CR, Keith covered luxury accessories…
Pain that can be felt inside the ear is sometimes the result of problems originating outside of the ear. Pinpointing the underlying issue is the first step toward effective treatment— and relief from discomfort. TMJ: Temporomandibular joint disorder, which involves problems with the joint where your lower jaw meets your skull, is one of the…
EVs have fewer moving parts to inspect than gas-powered vehicles, but you’ll want to check the tires. Because of their increased weight and instant torque, EVs tend to wear out tires more quickly than conventional vehicles. Bring a quarter to the dealership: If the top of George Washington’s head is just visible when placed head…
These extra steps, taken before you even open a can of stain, will help make your stain go on more easily and can help ensure a frustration-free experience and seamless results. Sand the wood. Smoothing out any blemishes, splinters, or splits goes a long way to ensure an even application. If your wood deck, fence,…