Hearing Aids Flashcards
Aural rehabilitation
improve communication abilities after hearing loss, including hearing aids and speech therapy
Assistive Learning Device
devices to amplify sound in specific settings, like theaters or classrooms
unilateral
hearing loss in one ear
bilateral
hearing loss in both ears
monaural
hearing or using one hearing aid
binaural
hearing or using hearing aids in both ears
symmetric
hearing loss that is the same in both ears
asymmetric
hearing loss that differs between ears
impairment of structure
physical issues in ear anatomy leading to hearing loss
impairment of body function
problems with the ear’s physiological processes
activity limitation
difficulty performing tasks due to hearing loss
participation restriction
reduced ability to engage in life situations due to hearing loss
Digital hearing aids
hearing aids with computer chips for precise sound processing
analog hearing aids
older hearing aids with basic sound amplification
acoustic feedback
a whistling sound from sound looping to the microphone
occlusion
ear canal blockage, often from a hearing aid or earmold
occlusion effect
enhanced perception of one’s voice with canal block
hearing aid effect
social stigma or bias against wearing hearing aids
linear hearing aids
amplify all sounds equally, regardless of initial volume
nonlinear hearing aids
adjust amplification based on sound volume, more gain for softer sounds
earmold
custom-fit piece that directs sound and secures hearing aids
earmold impression
process of molding the ear to create a custom earmold
output
the amplified sound level from a hearing aid
gain
the amount of sound amplification by the hearing aid
frequency response
range and pattern of frequencies a hearing aid amplifies
verification
testing to ensure hearing aid meets performance standards
validation
assessing if a user benefits from the hearing aid in real-life
real ear measurement system
device measuring hearing aid amplification in the ear canal
hearing aid test box
tool for measuring a hearing aid’s technical performance
calculate pure tone average (PTA)
average the hearing thresholds at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz
compare PTA to SRT
check if PTA and speech recognition threshold (SRT) match (within 10 dB) to verify test reliability
Identify impairments and limitations
impairment of structure
body function impairment
activity limitation
participation restriction
contextual factors
personal and environmental
formal
standardized
COSI, HHIE-A
gives reliable data
informal
not standardized, flexible
conversations, observations
allows natural assessment but less consistent
provide examples of situations where prognosis for benefit from hearing aids might be limited
cochlear dead regions
Ménière’s disease
not enough/too much hearing loss
to assess treatment needs, what information should be obtained
gather info on listening demands, finances, physical abilities (dexterity), and lifestyle
how could these factors contribute to the selection of appropriate hearing aid
these factors guide choices in hearing aid type, features, and style for better user satisfaction and functionality
describe the typical process for getting hearing aids
assessment, selection, fitting, orientation, and follow-up
what are the basic/major components of a hearing aids
microphone, amplifier, receiver, controls, battery
BTE (behind the ear)
durable, powerful, larger, and visible
ITE (in-the-ear)
easy, handling, moderate power, visible but compact
CIC (completely-in-canal)
discreet, fits mild-to-moderate loss, may have feedback issues due to small size
discuss features available in current hearing aids
directionality, feedback control, speech in noise, multiple memories
directionality
enhances desired sounds
feedback control
minimizes whistling sounds
speech in noise
enhances speech clarity in noisy environments
multiple memories
allows switching between listening programs
describe what features should be included in a hearing aid orientation
covers basic use, care, maintenance, insertion, controls, warranty, and troubleshooting
ensures users know how to operate and care for device
what are appropriate expectations for hearing aid use?
hearing aids amplify sounds but dont restore normal hearing.
what is the importance of setting appropriate expectations?
Setting realistic expectations helps with user satisfaction and adjustment
when is hearing aid use judged to be successful?
determined by improved communication, comfort, and overall user satisfaction in daily listening environments
what are the benefits in binaural hearing?
improves sound localization, enhances speech understanding, and provides a natural, balanced sound
name limitations of hearing aids?
reduced effectiveness in noisy environments, battery life, feedback issues, limited power for severe loss and cost
how is a hearing aid fitting verified?
objective tests confirm device meets standards
how is a hearing aid fitting validated?
subjective feedback ensures user feels benefit in the real world situations
what are the disadvantages of the hearing loss classification system?
may not reflect functional impact on daily life
what are the advantages of the hearing loss classification system?
clarifies severity, aids in treatment planning
how can you most effectively communicate the impact of hearing loss to teachers or parents?
use relatable examples of daily challenges, explain the audiogram, and discuss strategies to support the individual in various settings
