Lecture 10 Flashcards
Regardless of the technology level or hearing aid features selected, our goals in hearing aid features should align with the following:
- Speech spectrum should be amplified to an audible and comfortable listening level
- Maximum output of the hearing aid should not exceed the patient’s loudness discomfort levels
During counselling and setting patient expectations, we need to look at performance in what 3 areas?
- Performance in quiet
- Performance in noise
- Performance at a distance
How should soft, average, and loud sounds be perceived?
- Soft sounds (-50 dB) should be perceived as soft
- Average level sounds (-60-65 dB) should be perceived as comfortable
- Loud sounds (80 dB) should be perceived as loud, but OK
How should earmolds and domes feel?
Earmolds/shells, and domes should be physically comfortable, and should not create feedback- ideal for a full day of wear
Patient’s voice should be ____ to them
Comfortable
Microphones work up to about ____ feet
10
What 3 questions should we ask when selecting basic electroacoustic characteristics?
- How much gain will be provided at each frequency?
- Will the amount of gain vary dependant of the input (i.e. WDRC or Linear processing)?
- What will the Maximum Power Output of the hearing aid be (comfort and safety)?
What is dynamic range?
Area in dB HL between detection and level of discomfort in normal hearing sensitivity listeners can be upwards of 100 dB
With sensorineural hearing losses, the dynamic range is ____. What setting is used?
Reduced. Compression setting is used.
With conductive hearing losses, the dynamic range is ____
Generally unchanged
With mixed losses, the dynamic range can be ____
Variable
How is a compression strategy chosen?
It is important to import all audiometric information into Noah and subsequently the manufacturer’s software to determine what compression strategy will be best for a given hearing loss
What 8 questions should we ask when selecting features and models?
- What style will be fitted? Will an impression be required? What earpiece will we select (venting)?
- Will we select entry, mid-level, or advanced technology? These are the software chips in the HA (may see limitations of features in entry-level HAs)
- Will the hearing instrument have volume control?
- Will the hearing aid have a telecoil?
- Will the hearing aid have directional microphones?
- Will the hearing aids have multiple program memories?
- Should we consider Bluetooth capabilities?
- Should we consider accessories?
Why does WDRC reduce the need for volume control?
Compression should manage peaks that are uncomfortable for high level sounds
Who will likely prefer VC?
- Experienced users who have used VC in the past
- Patients who want VC in their hearing aids where WDRC does not provided preferred gain settings
How is VC achieved in today’s technology?
- Toggle wheels, switch (red, right, raising the volume)
- Can activate or deactivate
- Handhold remote control (good for dexterity issues)
How does VC work in a HA?
Volume control can raise the volume in both HAs (but can also adjust each HA individually if different HLs in both ears)