Hearing Aids 1 Flashcards
List the types of HA’s
- IIC
- CIC
- ITE
- ITC
- BTEs
- RITA
3, RIC - OTC/PSAPs
List the components of a HA and what each one does.
- Receiver: Delivers sound
- Amplifier: Changes signal to desired level and form
- Microphonee: Picks up sound
Define the Occlusion Effect.
When LF sounds get trapped in the back of our throats, but HF sounds move to our mandible via BC, but turn into AC due to vibrations of low frequency sound of the cartilaginous portion of the ear canal. Since a hearing aid is present, LF sounds cannot naturally escape, so the trapped sound is reflected back to our eardrum and transmitted to our cochlea via AC. Thus enhancing the sound the person hears.
What is the primary function of the electronic components and sound processing of HA?
To work together to increase the amplitude in a frequency-specific manner.
Occlusion effect increases…
Low frequency sounds of the occluded ear by 20-30dB
How is sound routed for BTE?
From the receiver to the earhook
List advantages of BTE
- It’s design, earmold, tubing, and earhook can all be used to modify frequency response of a signal
- Microphone port is near TM and the HA is positioned on top of the pinna so this allows for directional cues
- Larger sizes allow for various technologies
- Great for children still growing
- Improved durability due to separation of electronic components
What are the components of RIC
- Receiver is in the canal
2. Thin wire is attached to external receiver
Advantage of RIC
- Reduces feedback
- Less occlusion effect
- Allows for larger fitting
List disadvantages of RIC
- Receiver gets plugged with cerumen
- Smaller, harder for patients to handle
- Limited amount of controls
Who would be a good candidate for CROS HAs?
Someone with no useable hearing in one ear and normal or minimal hearing in the other ear.
What’s the goal for CROS?
The patient to have two-sided hearing when true bilateral hearing is not possible
What’s the advantage of CROS
User can use their good ear to hear signals from the impaired side that was attenuated by the head shadow effect
What is the goal of BiCROS?
The HA picks up sound from the transmitter and plays it in the better ear
When would a BiCROS be recommended for a patient?
When they have a HL in their better ear
What does BiCROS & CROS help improve?
Hearing & SNR due to head shadow effect
List the battery size & colors for HAs.
- 312 -Brown
- 13 -Orange
- 10 -Yellow
- 675 -Blue
When would you use acrylic EM?
- Those with insertion problems
2. Those with soft ears
What are the pros for vinyl EM?
- Comfortable
2. Easier to insert
When would you use silicone EM?
- For children
2. Severe - Profound HL
List the type of EMs & their range in softness.
- Silicone - Soft
- Vinyl - Middle
- Acrylic - Hardesr
List pros for acrylic
- Easy to modify
2. Durable
What do Silicone & Vinyl have in common regarding cons?
They are both hard to modify
List one con for Silicone & Vinyl
Silicone: Harder to insert
Vinyl: Less durable
What is the benefit of a custom HAs?
Improves directionality due to Pinna Effect
List benefit of BTE/RIC.
- Multiple coupling options
- Wide fitting range
- Rechargeable
- Wireless compatibility
When would you consider BAHA
- CHL
2. SSD
When would you consider a CROS v BiCROS?
CROS: No hearing in one ear and close to perfect in the other
BiCROS: No hearing in one ear and moderate HL in the other
What are the EM styles?
- Skeleton
- Full Shell
- Half Shell
- Semi-Skeleton
- Canal
- Canal Lock
- CRos
- Hollow Sleeve
- Solid Sleeve
- Shell
What is the purpose of EM?
- Retain HA on the pinna
- Provide good acoustic seal
- Acoustically modify the signal coming from the HA
Which freq does venting affect?
Low
What are the types of Acoustic Venting Options?
- Parallel
- Side Branch
- Trough
- SAV
What is the goal of venting?
Allow LFs sound to leak out of the ear
When would we consider a Side Branch vent option?
To cut HFs
When would we consider Trough vent option?
For an open fitting
What are the venting options for RIC & BTEs?
- Closed Domes
- Open Domes
- Power Domes
What does open domes aid in?
- Allows for some natural noise to enter EC
2. Allows some LFs to dissipate
What does closed domes aid in?
- Block more of the ear canal
2. Amplify LFs
What type of HL does open domes benefit?
Mild-Moderate HL
What type of HL does closed domes benefit?
Moderate HL
What type of HL does power domes benefit?
Severe-Profound HL
What does power domes aid in?
- Full seal around ear canal
2. Maximum sound amplification with minimal sound dissipation
What is the goal of dampers?
To smooth out the peaks in frequency response of the HA that leads to acoustic FB or poor sound quality
When would we typically use dampers?
For BTEs with earhook
Dampers focuses on which frequenies?
Mid
Horn effect focuses on which frequency?
HF
What does a horn effect do?
Change the shape of the sound bore to either increase or decrease HF
A Horn would …
Increase HF
A Reverse Horn would…
Decrease HF
What are the consequences of untreated HL?
- Irritability, negativism, and anger
- Fatigue, tension, stress, depression
- Avoidance/Withdrawal from social situations
What is TU’s protocal for HAE?
- MCLs
- UCLs
- QuickSIN
- Questionnaire/Scale
