Module 13: Wireless Accessories and ALDs Flashcards

1
Q

What are some uses for wireless technology in hearing aids?

A

-Hearing aid to hearing aid
-Hearing aid to hearing aid specific proprietary accessory (remote control, streaming device)
-Hearing aid to ALD (loop systems, infrared systems)
-Hearing aid to smart phone (audio, phone call, app functionality)

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2
Q

What is wireless transmission?

A

1-way or 2-way transmission of data over short or long distances

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3
Q

What is Radio Frequency (RF)?

A

-Low frequency electromagnetic wave propagated using an antenna
-RF can be built into HA

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4
Q

What are the 2 types of wireless transmission?

A

-Near-Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI)
-Far-field transmission

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5
Q

Near-Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI)

A

-Lower frequency band: 3 to 15 MHz
-Short transmission distance (1 meter ideally)
-Can pass around/through objects (e.g., human head)
-Typically no interference from other devices due to its short transmission range
-Small antenna – NFMI can fit in small hearing aids (some models may not have this technology)

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6
Q

NFMI Applications

A

-Hearing aid to hearing aid processing (e.g., synchronization of volume control, programs, polar plots)
-Binaural telephone reception
-Remote control for hearing aids
-Communication between neck-worn streamer and hearing aids

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7
Q

Far-Field Transmission

A

-Higher frequency bands: 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz
-Longer transmission distance

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8
Q

3 Stages of Bluetooth

A

-Discovery: 2 devices are set to Bluetooth findable mode so they can find each other
-Pairing: the devices exchange coordinates so they can communicate securely every time they are within range of each other (done once but can lose connection)
-Connecting: the paired devices transfer auditory information back and forth (2.4 GHz radio frequency)

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9
Q

Bluetooth devices transfer auditory information back and forth using a ___ radio frequency

A

2.4 GHz

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10
Q

Advantages of Classic Bluetooth

A

-Wireless transfer of information over a secure connection
-Reduced interference with other wireless devices operating in the 2.4 GHz band through frequency “hopping” between channels
-Several Bluetooth devices can be paired with a HA streamer or to hearing aids directly (smart phone, iPad, tablet, etc)

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11
Q

Limitations of Classic Bluetooth for HAs

A

-Bluetooth has a delay (30-150 ms)
·May be tolerable when streaming music or phone, but can be problematic when streaming from the TV or face-to-face communication
-Classic bluetooth has high power consumption

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12
Q

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

A

-Simplified version of classic bluetooth designed for low power consumption
-Shorter delay than classic bluetooth
-Operates in 2.4 GHz band (same as classic)
-Cannot stream audio signals

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13
Q

New chip fabrication processes claim to have solved the ____ issue of Classic Bluetooth

A

Power consumption

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14
Q

What does it mean that streamers are proprietary?

A

Streamer and HA have to be from the same HA manufacturer

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15
Q

Streamer features

A

-Can be paired to multiple bluetooth devices (cell phone, iPad, laptop, etc)
-Antenna may be worn around the neck
-Some streamers also serve as a remote control

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16
Q

Remote mic technologies tackle problems of ___ (3 things)

A

Distance, noise, and reverberation

17
Q

Features of remote mics

A

-Cost friendly
-Good applications for adults
-Not universal (HA and mic from same manufacturer)

18
Q

Features of FM/DM systems

A

-Expensive
-More versatile than remote mics
-School applications
-Universal

19
Q

With reverberation, energy of vowels is ___ and ___ which may mask the following consonants

A

Prolonged, repeated

20
Q

What reverberation time is generally desirable for persons with hearing loss?

A

< .4 sec

21
Q

Remote mics/FM/DM systems improve S/N ratio by approximately ___ dB

A

6-20 dB

22
Q

T/F: remote mics/FM/DM systems may be beneficial to those with auditory processing deficits

A

True

23
Q

Remote microphones can work via a ___, while others send the signal directly to the HA

A

Streamer

24
Q

FM/DM system components

A

-Transmitter with mic picks up a speaker voice and transmits it to the listener wearing a receiver either attached or integrated into hearing aids
-In classic FM, transmitter and receiver were “tuned” to the same channel (similar to a radio station)

25
Q

Transmitter mics

A

-Different kinds (e.g., body worn transmitter with external mic, mic built into transmitter, conference/table mic, pen mic, etc)
-May be omni or directional

26
Q

Important tips for speakers wearing transmitter mics

A

-Wear mic as close to mouth as possible for best S/N
-Do not wear mic under clothing

27
Q

Who may be an ideal candidate for FM/DM?

A

-Poor speech understanding in noise
-Auditory processing disorders
-Patients who express they need more assistance when trying to hear over distance
-Patients who express they need more assistance than hearing aids alone in challenging listening environments
-Not necessarily dependant on hearing loss alone as per the audiogram!

28
Q

Classification of Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)

A

-To overcome the problem of listening in adverse conditions (listening devices, television devices, telecommunication devices)
-To alert the person with hearing loss of important environmental sounds (alerting or signalling devices)

29
Q

PockeTalker

A

-Sound amplifying device
-Set of headphones, a microphone, and amplifier to adjust volume
-Doesn’t replace hearing aids because the wire provides limited distance and it is not prescriptive

30
Q

Loop systems

A

-Wire around a room, connected to a mic-amplifier system, generates magnetic energy
-Magnetic energy is picked up by a HA telecoil
-Can loop a room, char, or neck
-Commonly used in places of worship; some drive-thru venues

31
Q

Advantages & disadvantages of loop systems

A

-Low cost (compared to other technologies)
-Stronger response if HA user is close to loop
-Can be accessible by many users
-Interference

32
Q

TV connectivity options

A

-Proprietary (HA & TV link from same manufacturer)
-Some send TV signal to streamer, then to HA
-Some send TV signal directly to HA

33
Q

What is a CaptiView?

A

System borrowed from movie theatres that provides closed captions

34
Q

Alerting devices alert those with hearing loss to important environmental sounds through cues that are ___, ___, or ___

A

Auditory, visual, tactile

35
Q

T/F: the majority of residential smoke detectors emit a 85 dBA alarm at ~3200 Hz

A

False: ~3100 Hz

36
Q

Residential smoke detectors have found to wake up what percentage of people with mild to severe hearing loss & severe to profound hearing loss?

A

-Mild to severe HL: 57%
-Severe to profound: 0%

37
Q

520 Hz alarm woke up ___ % of people with mild to moderately-severe HL

A

100

38
Q

Examples of Alerting Devices

A

-Amplified, lower frequency, or visual display (light flashing) of: telephone ringer, doorbell, door knocks, alarm clocks
-Bed or pillow shaker