Hearing Aids Flashcards
What are the 3 Types of Aural Rehabilitation Technologies?
Primary Amplification
Hearing Assistive Technology
Other Assistive Technology
What are the 2 types of primary amplification?
Hearing Aids
Cochlear Implant
What are the 4 goals for a patient with hearing aids?
Make Speech Audible
Make/Keep Speech Comfortable
Deliver Undistorted Sound
Provide a Range of Loudness
What type of technology makes “gain” modulation possible?
Digital Hearing Aids
BTE
Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aid
The part of the hearing aid that goes inside the ear
earmold
How often does a HA battery have to be replaced?
Every 5-7 Days
Name the 6 main parts to a BTE, not including the earmold.
Receiver Microphone(s) Amplifier Battery/Battery Door Program Button Volume Control
What are some of the advantages of BTEs?
Include Telecoils House good power Flexibility Earmolds Easily Remade Less Problems with Feedback Sturdy
Bluetooth is currently being used with Hearing Aids as a ________________.
“Gateway”
A Hearing Aid without an ear mold is referred to as ____________________
“open fit”
A BTE that cannot be seen
Micro BTE
RITE
Receiver in the Canal
What is the biggest disadvantage of Micro BTEs and RITE designs?
Smaller design means not all advanced features are available.
When making an earmold, what must be done prior to injecting silicone mold into the ear canal?
“Otoblocks” must be inserted (attached to long string for removal) to prevent silicone from coming into contact with TM.
What are some advantages to All-in-the Ear Hearing Aids?
Reduced Wind Noise
Assists Localization
Less Affected by Sweating
What are some disadvantages to All-in-the Ear HAs?
Size of Ear can dictate size of HA
May be limited in power
May not be compatible with FM systems
ITC
In-the-Canal Hearing Aid
Red printing on the label of an ITC HA indicates what?
Right Ear
What is the only advantage to an ITC HA?
Cosmetically Appealing
What are some of the disadvantages of an ITC HA?
Wax in sound port Not appropriate for more severe HL Difficult to handle Tiny Battery requires frequent changing No T-coil or other advanced options
What is the main complaint with CIC hearing aids?
CIC: Completely in-the-canal make wearers feel “plugged up.” Sound ports get occluded.
What are some advantages to CIC hearing aids?
Mild to Mod HL can be successful Inconspicuous Microphone location reduced wind noise can use headphones over CIC Improved localization
What are some disadvantages to CIC hearing aids?
Remote control needed No T Coil Cannot be paired with FM systems Plugged up feeling High maintenance (ear wax) FB can happen if fit is wrong
Analog, extended wear HA that is deeply inserted into the ear canal
Lyric Hearing Aid
How long does a Lyric Hearing Aid last before it is discarded (battery dies)?
120 Days
What are some advantages to the Lyric Hearing Aid?
Improved directionality and Localization Reduced sense of occlusion and feedback High frequency gain Reduced wind noise Less distortion Don't need T coil comfort Easy to maintain
What are some disadvantages of the Lyric Hearing Aid?
When battery dies, you must return to the dispenser
Cost- not cheap
Not compatible with FM devices
Power is limited
What is a new option for someone who cannot wear HAs because they have a sensitivity to plastics, exzema, etc
Middle Ear Implants
These use mechanical energy to stimulate the structures of the inner ear
Middle Ear Implants
Vibrant Soundbridge is one of these
Middle Ear Implant