Aural Rehabilitation and Hearing Technology Flashcards

Flashcards covering aural rehabilitation statistics, WHO definitions, ICF concepts, hearing aid components, hearing aid styles, and verification procedures.

According to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data in the lecture notes, what percentage of adults report difficulty hearing across different age groups?

$6\%$ aged $18\text{--}39$, $19\%$ aged $40\text{--}69$, and $43\%$ aged $70+$.

How long do individuals with hearing loss typically wait from the first signs before seeking assistance?

An average of $7\,\text{years}$.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) 2020 estimates, what is the gap between hearing aid need and actual use?

There is an $83\%$ gap, meaning only $17\%$ of those who could benefit from a hearing aid actually use one.

What components make up the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework shown in this diagram?

The framework includes Health Condition, Body Functions & Structures, Activity, Participation, Environmental Factors, and Personal Factors.

What terminology does the WHO prefer over "disability" and "handicap"?

The WHO prefers "Activity limiting" instead of disability, and "Participation restriction" instead of handicap.

How is Aural Rehabilitation defined in the lecture?

An ongoing, facilitative process aimed at optimizing participation in activities that have been limited as a result of an extended range of auditory disorders.

What are the three core components of Evidence Based Practice (EBP) in aural rehabilitation?

Research Evidence, Clinical Expertise, and Patient Values.

What are the core functions of the microphone, amplifier, and receiver in a hearing aid?

The microphone converts sound into an electrical signal; the amplifier increases the intensity of the electrical signal; and the receiver converts the amplified electrical impulses back into an acoustic signal.

What is the function of an earmold in Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aid models?

It funnels sound into the ear canal, and modifications can be made to shape the sound for enhanced listening benefit.

What are the clinical indications for recommending a hearing aid?

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), conductive hearing loss (CHL) that cannot be corrected, communication disability, patient motivation, and support from family, friends, or staff.

What specific requirement must be met before fitting a hearing aid on a patient under 18 years old?

They must have medical clearance from a physician.

What are the primary pros of a Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aid style?

It is the most flexible (fits any degree of hearing loss and connects to DAI), most durable (ideal for children), offers larger external controls for patients with dexterity issues, provides longer battery life, and is less susceptible to moisture or earwax damage.

How does a Receiver in the Canal (RIC) hearing aid differ from a traditional BTE hearing aid?

In a RIC, the receiver is housed directly in the ear canal and connected to the device using a thin wire rather than a plastic acoustical tube.

What are the pros and cons of Completely-In-Canal (CIC) hearing aids?

Pros: Smallest and least visible, good for localization, and reduces wind noise. Cons: Uses small batteries requiring frequent changes and good dexterity, and is susceptible to cerumen issues.

What distinguishes an Invisible in the Canal (IIC) device from other canal styles?

It is custom-fitted and inserted deeper into the ear canal than other styles, making it completely invisible in most ears and improving sound quality and self-voice naturalness.

What are three common prescriptive fitting methods/formulas used to set hearing aid gain targets?

NAL-NL1, NAL-NL2, and DSL.

What is the Speech Intelligibility Index (SII)?

A percentage-based index representing the proportion of speech information that is audible based on frequency region importance, primarily used for hard of hearing children.

What is the clinical indication and purpose of CROS and BiCROS hearing aid systems?

They are used for asymmetrical hearing loss to route signals contralaterally, allowing the patient to hear sound coming from the poorer side in their better ear.

When are Bone-Conduction or Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA) used?

For patients who cannot hold traditional devices in place or who have conductive hearing loss, by vibrating the bone to bypass outer or middle ear issues.

What key parameters and targets are displayed on an SPL-o-gram fitting display?

Target values for $65\,dB$ speech, tone audiogram threshold in dB(SPL), Longterm Average Speech Spectrum (LASS), amplified speech region, result of maximum output measurement (MPO), and estimated Uncomfortable Loudness Level (UCL).

What is the Speech Banana on an audiogram?

A banana-shaped region on an audiogram where all the phonemes of the world's languages fall.