SLP 440 Aural Rehab Exam 1

What is audiological rehabilitation?

Audiological rehabilitation is defined as professional processes performed in collaboration with a client who has hearing loss to achieve better communication.

What is the goal of audiological rehabilitation?

The goal of audiological rehabilitation is to achieve better communication and minimize the resulting difficulties from hearing loss.

Does audiological rehabilitation include medical intervention?

No, audiological rehabilitation does not include closely related medical intervention.

Does audiological rehabilitation involve teaching academics to the deaf?

No, audiological rehabilitation does not include the teaching of academics to the deaf.

Who are the chief providers of auditory rehabilitation (AR)?

Audiologists

Which professionals also contribute significantly to auditory rehabilitation besides audiologists?

Speech pathologists and teachers of the deaf

Hearing loss is defined in terms of:

- Degree of loss

- Time of onset

- Type of loss

- Word recognition ability

Hard of hearing:

Those with milder forms of hearing loss

Deaf:

those with extensive hearing loss who cannot use hearing for the ordinary purposes of life

Deaf people...

do not use hearing aids

Prelingually deaf

those who are born deaf or acquire it in the first five years of life

Perilingually deaf

those who acquire deafness while acquiring a first language

Postlingually deaf:

those who acquire hearing loss after age 5 through the school years

Deafened

those who acquire hearing loss after their education is completed.

The most serious and primary consequence of hearing loss:

the effect on verbal (oral) communication, referred to as disability.

Normal Hearing

Precipitous hearing loss

-Shift of at least 20 dB for

successive octave frequencies

-This is also known as a ski slope hearing loss

Severe to profound hearing loss with no measurable hearing in the higher frequencies

Only hearing is in the bottom left corner of the audiogram

Corner Diagram

The secondary consequences of hearing loss:

handicap; includes social, emotional, educational, and vocational issues.

Only __ percent of those who could be using hearing aids obtain them.

25

What are the basic components of a hearing aid?

The microphone, amplifier, and speaker (receiver).

What is the purpose of algorithms in modern digital hearing aids?

To improve speech perception and individualize the fitting.

What does ITE stand for in hearing aids?

In-the-Ear

What type of hearing loss are ITE hearing aids designed for?

Mild to moderately-severe hearing loss

How are ITE hearing aids customized?

They are built into a custom-made shell obtained from an impression of the patient's ear.

Why must ITE hearing aids be replaced for children?

Because the ear grows, and ITE aids often are not selected for pediatric use.

What is a safety concern regarding ITE hearing aids for children?

The hard outer shell is not flexible and can injure the child's ear if hit during sports or rough play.

What does ITC stand for in hearing aids?

In-the-Canal

What type of hearing loss are ITC hearing aids suitable for?

Mild to moderately-severe hearing loss

Where do ITC hearing aids fit?

In the ear canal

Are ITC hearing aids custom fit?

Yes, they are custom fit

Why must ITC hearing aids be replaced over time?

Because the ear grows

Are ITC hearing aids often selected for pediatric use?

No, they are not often selected for pediatric use

When may ITC hearing aids be a viable option for children?

After the child's ear growth has slowed

What must be considered when using ITC hearing aids for older children?

The child's type and degree of hearing loss must be accommodated by an aid this size

What does CIC stand for in hearing aids?

Completely-in-Canal

What type of hearing loss are CIC hearing aids suitable for?

Mild to moderate hearing loss

How are CIC hearing aids made?

Built into a custom-made shell obtained from an impression

How do CIC hearing aids fit compared to in-the-canal hearing aids?

They fit farther into the canal and extend deeper toward the eardrum.

Are CIC hearing aids usually invisible?

No, they are often the least conspicuous or noticeable but not generally 'invisible.'

For whom may CIC hearing aids be appropriate?

Older children, considering ear wax production, severity of loss, and the child's dedication to maintenance.

What type of hearing loss are Receiver-in-the-Canal (RIC) hearing aids suitable for?

Mild to moderately-severe hearing loss.

Who are Receiver-in-the-Canal (RIC) hearing aids perfect for?

Older children with high frequency loss.

What feature of Receiver-in-the-Canal (RIC) hearing aids makes them more cosmetically appealing than traditional BTE?

Discrete receiver wire coupled with CIC mold.

What does BTE stand for in hearing aids?

Behind-the-Ear

Where is the BTE hearing aid located?

Behind the ear

What anchors the BTE hearing aid to the ear?

Customized earmold

What types of hearing loss are BTE hearing aids suitable for?

Almost all types and degrees of hearing loss (from mild to profound)

Who can use BTE hearing aids?

Persons of all ages

Why are BTE hearing aids the most appropriate style for infants and young children?

Due to rapid growth and the need to frequently replace earmolds

How often do infants and young children need new earmolds for BTE hearing aids?

Every 3 to 6 months

Why is it expensive to remake in-the-ear hearing aids?

Because they require custom fitting and cannot be easily adjusted like BTEs

What is a key advantage of BTE hearing aids for young children?

They can easily be attached to a new earmold

Bone Conduction Aids

Usually used because of a congenitally absent or

incomplete ear

For bone conduction aids, patients must have

normal or near normal bone conduction scores on the audiogram

individuals with Single-Sided Hearing Loss can benefit fro

CROS hearing aids or implantable bone-anchored hearing aids

When are CROS hearing aids used?

when the poorer ear cannot benefit from traditional amplification

What does BAHA stand for?

Bone Anchored Hearing Aid

Where is the vibratory portion of a BAHA implanted?

In the bone

What components are included in the external aid of a BAHA?

Microphone and amplifier

What type of hearing is required for a BAHA to be effective?

Relatively good cochlear hearing

Molding

all in-the-ear hearing aid shells

Who is a candidate for hearing aids?

individuals with hearing loss that cannot

be medically or surgically remediated.

What is a binaural fitting?

Wearing hearing aids in both ears.

Who benefits from binaural hearing aid fittings?

Most individuals with hearing loss.

What are the benefits of binaural hearing aid fittings?

Improved listening in background noise and better sound localization.

Special Hearing Aid Features

Telecoils

Directional Microphones

Noise Reduction

Data Logging

Multiple Programs

Telecoils

Picks up electromagnetic signal from the

telephone, and converts that signal back to

amplified sound.

Directional Microphones

enhance the ability to hear speech in the presence of background noise

Data Logging

Provides an electronic record of how and

when the patient uses the hearing aids and can give information on how loud the

noise is during their average day.

What are assistive listening devices used for?

They are helpful for people with hearing loss.

In what situations can assistive listening devices be helpful?

They can be helpful in difficult listening environments.

Give an example of a difficult listening environment where assistive listening devices can be used.

Watching television in an airport.

How can captions be used in conjunction with assistive listening devices?

They can be used to enhance understanding in challenging listening situations.

What is a cochlear implant?

A device that provides an alternative form of sound stimulation for individuals with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss.

Who is a candidate for cochlear implants?

Individuals with profound (sometimes severe) sensorineural hearing loss who receive little or no benefit from traditional hearing aids.

What must a patient demonstrate before being considered for a cochlear implant?

Little or no benefit from traditional hearing aids.

What is the purpose of a cochlear implant?

To provide sound stimulation when traditional hearing aids offer limited benefit.

What is an important part of the cochlear implant process?

Audiologic rehabilitation, including speech processor programming and training.

How can cochlear implants improve quality of life?

With training, they can improve hearing and communication for individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss.

How long does a patient typically heal after cochlear implant surgery?

4-6 weeks.

What happens after the healing period following cochlear implant surgery?

The patient begins rehabilitation, including programming and adjusting the device.

What is mapping in cochlear implants?

The process of programming and adjusting the cochlear implant's speech processor.

What type of rehabilitation is needed after cochlear implant surgery?

Rigorous audiologic rehabilitation involving mapping and training.

Who typically achieves the best results with cochlear implants?

Late-deafened adults with oral communication skills and recent memory of sound, and young children with highly malleable brains.

Why do late-deafened adults often benefit greatly from cochlear implants?

They have oral communication skills and a recent memory of sound.

Why do young children often benefit greatly from cochlear implants?

Their brains are highly malleable, allowing them to adapt to auditory stimulation.

What is the first step in how a cochlear implant works?

The microphone picks up sounds.

What happens after the microphone picks up sound?

The signal is coded into a special pattern of electrical pulses.

What happens to the electrical pulses after they are coded?

They are sent to the coil and transmitted across the skin to the implant.

What does the internal cochlear implant do?

It sends a pattern of electrical pulses to electrodes in the cochlea.

What does the auditory nerve do in a cochlear implant?

It receives electrical stimulation and sends signals to the brain.

How does the brain interpret signals from a cochlear implant?

The brain recognizes the signals as sound.

What are the 5 steps of how a cochlear implant works?

1. Microphone picks up sound. 2. Sound is coded into electrical pulses. 3. Pulses travel through the coil to the implant. 4. Implant stimulates electrodes in the cochlea. 5. Auditory nerve sends signals to the brain, which recognizes sound.

What are the main components of a cochlear implant?

An external speech processor with a battery source and a surgically implanted internal receiver-stimulator attached to an electrode array.

Where is the speech processor of a cochlear implant worn?

At ear level or on the body.

What is surgically implanted in a cochlear implant?

An internal receiver-stimulator attached to an electrode array.

Where is the electrode array of a cochlear implant placed?

Inside the cochlea.

How does the transmitter coil stay attached to the head?

A magnet holds it against the skin over the implanted receiver-stimulator.

Where is the transmitter coil positioned?

On the head over the skin where the internal receiver-stimulator is implanted.