Edgar M. Villchur died on October 17, 2011. In addition to developing the prototype of the first multi-channel compression hearing instrument and devoting much of his life to acoustical and hearing aid research, Mr. Villchur was an author, educator, and philanthropist.
In 1954 he invented the acoustic suspension loudspeaker that revolutionized stereo equipment by providing high-fidelity sound in a much smaller package than was available at the time. Several other inventions and patents followed, including the dome tweeter and the AR-3 speaker (on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institute). He authored three books (Acoustics for Audiologists, Reproduction of Sound, Handbook of Sound Reproduction), and over 150 articles on acoustics, sound reproduction, and hearing aid technology. In 2006, Hi-Fi News named him #1 on their list of "Most Important Audio Pioneers". In addition to the professional legacy he left, Mr. Villchur was known for his philanthropy work with music and art organizations in his community of Woodstock, NY.
Mr Villchur's contributions to the fields of acoustics, sound engineering, and audiology are too numerous to detail here. Please take a moment to visit www.edgarvillchur.com to read more about this true pioneer and innovator whose work has forever changed our profession as well as the lives of our patients who wear hearing aids.
Edgar M. Villchur, Audio Pioneer, In Memoriam
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