HL ppt4- hearing aids

A hearing aid (HA) is an electronic amplifier that has, at a minimum, four main components:

1. microphone

2. amplifier

3. receiver

4. battery

HA is an ______________

electric amplifier

converts the acoustic signal into an electrical signal

HA microphone

boosts the electrical signal and delivers it to the receiver

HA amplifier

converts the electrical

signal back into an acoustic signal to

be delivered to the ear

HA receiver

powers the device

HA battery

1. microphone

2. amplifier (inside)

3. battery (inside)

4. receiver (covered by rubber dome that goes in ear canal)

1.

2.

3.

4.

sound into an HA:

sound -> _________ -> ________ -> __________-> _______

microphone, amplifier, receiver, ear

list the types of HAs:

(7)

1. behind the ear BTE

2. receiver in canal RIC

3. custom

4. in the ear ITE

5. in the canal ITC

6. completely in the canal CIC

7. invisible in the canal IIC

consists of two pieces - piece behind the ear and one in the ear (earmold or dome) - connected by wire or tubing

behind the ear BTE HA

all parts located in the body of the hearing aid; sound is sent through tubing to the ear- tubing is connected to earmold in the ear

traditional BTE

why is BTE used for children:

(4)

1. safest and most durable

2. children's ears grow as they age so they'll need a new earmold made almost every time they grow a size

3. earmolds attached to BTEs can be remade and changed as children grow

4. cost effective bc parents don't regularly have to purchase new ones

all parts except the receiver are located in the body of the hearing aid; a wire connects the device to the reciever that fits inside the ear with an earmold or dome

receiver in canal (RIC) HA

Consist of one piece that holds all the technology and fits inside

the ear

custom HA

All parts are housed in one device that fills the concha (or ½ the concha) of the auricle.

in the ear/ ITE HA

two types of ITE HA:

full-shell and half-shell

fill the entire concha bowl

Full shell ITE

only partially fill the concha bowl

half shell ITE

All parts are housed in one device that fills the outer portion of the ear canal. Only the faceplate is visible in the opening of the canal

in the canal / ITC HA

All parts are housed in one device that fits

completely in the ear canal. The faceplate is only partially visible to others

completely in the canal/ CIC HA

All parts are housed in one device that fits

completely in the ear canal, making it "invisible" to others

invisible in the canal / IIC HA

used to couple a hearing aid to the wearers ear

earmolds

earmolds can be used for ______ and _______ HAs

RIC and traditional BTE

Children are almost always fit with ________ earmolds

full shell

Earmolds can be made out of three different materials:

silicone, acrylic, or vinyl

Children almost always have _______ earmolds

silicone

Hearing aids can utilize r

____________ or

__________ as a power source.

rechargeable batteries, disposable batteries

Rechargeable Hearing Aids use a__________ (not removable by

patient)

Lithium ion battery

Disposable (Replaceable) Battery Hearing Aids Use ________

zinc-air batteries

signs the HA is on and functioning properly:

(4)

1. Indicator light is flashing to signal it is on (pediatric hearing aids)

2. Increased awareness of environmental sounds (doors, footsteps, voices)

3. The client turns to their name or soft sounds more consistently

4. The client will usually will respond more quickly to speech with less reliance on visual cues

signs the HA is off/ not working:

(4)

1. The indicator light is not on

2. Client reports: "I can't hear anything" or "It's not working"

3. No change in responsiveness compared to unaided condition

4. Misses sounds they typically detect when aided

signs of a good fit of a HA:

(8)

1. Device stays in place (does not fall out with head movement, talking, chewing)

2. Snug and comfortable (no pressure or tightness reported)

3. No gaps between earmold/dome and ear canal

4. Tubing/wire lays naturally along the ear (not pulling or sticking out)

5. Behind-the-ear part rests comfortably on the pinna (does not slip)

6. Skin looks normal (no redness, irritation, sores, or indentations)

7. Patient can wear it all day without discomfort

8. No feedback/whistling due to proper seal

signs of a poor fit of a HA:

(7)

1. Device is loose or falls out easily

2. Patient keeps adjusting or removing the hearing aid

3. Gap between earmold/dome and ear canal (poor seal)

4. Reports pain, pressure, or soreness

5. Redness, irritation, or pressure marks/indentations in ear

6. Tubing/wire sticks out or is too tight (leaves indentations)

7. Feedback/whistling when still or with talking, chewing, etc.

first step to insert a HA

Identify right vs left device

after the first step, what are the next steps to insert a BTE/RIC HA:

(3)

1. place device over top of ear

2. gently insert earmold/dome into ear canal

3. make sure it fits snugly and comfortably

after the first step, what are the next steps to insert a custom HA:

(1)

1. Align with ear canal and gently push/twist into place

first step to remove a BTE/RIC HA:

(1)

1. Gently pull earmold/dome out first, then lift device off the ear

first step to remove a ITE HA:

(1)

use fingertips or removal string (if present), then gently twist and pull out

after the first step, what are the next steps to removing a HA:

(2)

1. remove slowly and carefully

2. avoid pulling on tubing/wiring alone

Do a LING sound check to check if the hearing aids are working properly BEFORE _________ for children with hearing loss

EVERY SESSION

steps to doing a LING sound check:

1.make sure hearing aids are on, functioning, & properly inserted.

2. position yourself at ear level, about 3-6 feet from patient

3. eliminate visual cues by covering your mouth or sitting slightly behind/side

4. present sounds

5. having patient respond

6. if sound is missed, repeat it once to confirm

when you present LING sounds, make sure to:

(2)

1. say each sound clearly at normal convo level

2. use a random order

when having the patient respond for a LING sound check, make sure to:

(3)

1. repeat the sound

2. point to pic/object

3. raise hand when they hear (young children)

If a sound is missed, you repeat it once to confirm, and also make sure to:

(2)

1. check device (battery, placement)

2. if they continue to miss sounds, refer to their managing audiologist

list the LING sounds:

10

"ah, mmm, eee, ooo, sh, sss, nnn, zzz, j, h"