Hearing Instrument Fitting Process Flashcards
The process used is called…
Real ear verification
What does the “real ear machine” consist of?
- a speaker
- 1/2 internal microphones
- probe tube
- test box
What are the two different type of Coupler Microphones
HA 2 and HA 1
- used to mimic the acoustics of the “average” ear canal
Hearing instruments that attach to HA1
ITE, ITC, CIC, open fit BTE with custom molds
Hearing instruments that attach to HA 2
Traditional BTE
What are the two ways to verify the hearing instrument
- Verify in the test box
All instruments except for those without custom molds (open fit behind the ear) - Verify on the ear
Benefits to TEST BOX
Microphones dont move
Minimal artifacts from ambient noise
Good for children
Disadvantages to TEST BOX
Does not include patient in process
Benefits to ON THE EAR
Patient is included in process
Can be used as a way of troubleshooting
Disadvantages to ON THE EAR
Requires patient to stay still and quite
Artifacts from room noise
Difficult for children
Before the patient comes…
- make sure microphones are calibrated
- measure your probe tubes accordingly
- enter the hearing threshold into real ear machine
- preset hearing instrument in test box if possible
Once patient has arrived…
- otoscopy to check for wax
- place probe microphone on ear and probe down ear canal
- set them as close as possible to external speaker (5 feet from any walls)
What does speech mapping do?
Gives us an idea of over or under amplification
Speechmap: Audiometry
- where we insert hearing thresholds
- RECD compares size of individuals ear canal to the “average” for a more accurate fitting
Speechmap: Verification
- defines how we are measuring the hearing aid performance (test box vs real ear)
- Style of hearing aid
