Rehabilitative Strategies: Amplification Devices and Aural Rehabilitation

A comprehensive set of question-and-answer flashcards covering key concepts about hearing aids, candidacy, technology, fitting, verification, validation, pediatric considerations, and assistive devices from the lecture "Rehabilitative Strategies: Amplification Devices and Aural Rehabilitation."

For what percentage of hearing-loss cases are hearing aids the only treatment option?

More than 90 % of all degrees and types of hearing loss.

What proportion of adults who need hearing aids actually use them?

About 20 %.

What is a communication disability?

A loss of function caused by hearing loss.

What is a communication handicap?

The social or functional disadvantages that result from a communication disability such as hearing loss.

Name two common motivational factors that lead adults to seek amplification.

Cosmetic concerns and encouragement from a spouse/significant other.

How does binaural amplification affect sound localization?

It makes it easier to localize sound by providing the brain with cues from both ears.

Why can binaural hearing aids often be set to lower volume levels than monaural aids?

Because signals from both ears provide better clarity, reducing the need for higher gain and minimizing distortion and listening fatigue.

List three types of custom hearing aid styles.

Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC), In-the-Canal (ITC), and In-the-Ear (ITE).

Which behind-the-ear variation places the receiver in the wearer’s ear canal?

Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) BTE.

What hearing aid style uses ultra-thin almost invisible tubing?

Slim-tube BTE (open-fit).

Give two examples of non-auditory assistive devices.

Alerting alarm clocks and TTY (text telephone) devices.

What implantable device is indicated for permanent conductive hearing loss or single-sided deafness?

Bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA).

For which level of hearing loss are cochlear implants generally considered?

Severe-to-profound or profound hearing loss with poor word recognition and little residual hearing.

At what minimum FDA-approved age can an infant typically receive a cochlear implant?

12 months (younger in special circumstances such as post-meningitis ossification).

What is the main power source for a hearing aid?

A zinc-air battery.

Which battery size has the blue tab?

Size 675.

What is the typical battery life of a size 10 (yellow-tab) battery?

Approximately 2–3 days.

What are the three basic internal components common to all hearing aids?

Microphone, amplifier (or digital signal processor), and receiver.

What does a directional microphone system do?

Uses two microphones to improve speech understanding by focusing on sounds coming from in front of the listener.

How does automatic sound processing treat soft versus very loud sounds?

Soft sounds are amplified more; very loud sounds are amplified little or not at all.

What DSP feature reduces hearing-aid whistling?

Feedback cancellation (phase-inversion of the feedback signal).

Name two benefits of wireless technology in modern hearing aids.

(1) Synchronizes binaural features, (2) Allows streaming from external devices such as cell phones.

What is self-learning technology in a hearing aid?

A system that monitors user adjustments and automatically adapts gain or program settings over time.

What is the purpose of real-ear (probe-tube) measurement?

To verify that hearing-aid gain/output matches prescriptive targets at the eardrum for soft, moderate, and loud sounds.

Give one commonly used validation questionnaire for adult hearing-aid benefit.

Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB).

Why are frequent audiometric evaluations critical in pediatric amplification?

To adjust amplification as the child’s hearing and ear canal change, preventing over- or under-amplification.

What style of hearing aid is most often fitted to infants and young children?

Bilateral Behind-the-Ear (BTE) aids with custom ear molds.

Which pediatric accessory allows direct signal input from a teacher’s microphone?

FM or other classroom amplification systems coupled to the child’s BTE hearing aids.

What term describes the maximum output level a user can tolerate?

Uncomfortable Loudness Level (UCL).

Which audiometric measure assesses the softest level amplified speech should be set to for comfort?

Most Comfortable Loudness Level (MCL).

How has miniaturization affected hearing-aid technology over time?

It has produced smaller, faster, more programmable, and fully digital devices.

What are two key patient lifestyle factors an audiologist considers when selecting hearing aids?

Level of activity (active vs. sedentary) and typical listening environments where improvement is desired.

Why is cost a significant barrier to hearing-aid adoption in the U.S.?

Hearing aids cost roughly $2,000–$7,000 per pair, and they are not covered by Medicare or many private insurance plans.

What counseling goal helps avoid the 'ITD' (in-the-drawer) outcome?

Ensuring patients choose devices they will actually wear through informational and personal-adjustment counseling.

Define verification in the hearing-aid fitting process.

Objective testing (e.g., real-ear measurement) to confirm acoustic performance meets targets.

Define validation in the hearing-aid fitting process.

Outcome measures that determine whether hearing aids provide subjective benefit to the user.

Name one surgical stage required for BAHA implantation.

Placement of a titanium fixture (osseointegration stage).

In a cochlear implant, where is the electrode array placed?

Inside the scala tympani of the cochlea.

What is bimodal stimulation?

Using a cochlear implant in one ear and a hearing aid in the other ear.

List two large-area assistive listening technologies used in auditoriums.

Infrared systems and induction loops.

What classroom amplification system distributes sound evenly through loudspeakers for all students?

Sound-field amplification.

Which switch position on a BTE corresponds to telephone use?

The 'T' position on the M-T-O switch.

What is the function of a program button on a digital hearing aid?

Allows the user to switch between preset listening programs (e.g., quiet, noise, music).

Why might an RIC be preferred cosmetically over a conventional BTE?

Its receiver is in the canal, allowing a smaller housing behind the ear.

What advantage does thin-tubing provide in open-fit BTEs?

Greater comfort and reduced occlusion ('plugged-up') sensation.

Name two non-hearing-aid auditory assistive devices.

Personal audio amplifiers and TV listening systems (e.g., infrared).

What does COSI stand for and what is it used for?

Client Oriented Scale of Improvement; used to validate hearing-aid benefit based on individual listening goals.

Why are bilateral implants often preferred for infants?

One surgery reduces anesthesia risk and provides balanced auditory input early for language development.

Give one example of a patient control found on the exterior of many hearing aids.

Volume control wheel or rocker switch.

What is the major difference between linear and nonlinear amplification?

Linear adds equal gain across input levels, whereas nonlinear varies gain depending on input intensity.

Explain the principle of noise reduction in DSP.

Steady-state background noise is identified and its gain is reduced to improve listening comfort.

Which hearing-aid component converts acoustic energy to electrical energy?

The microphone.

Which hearing-aid component converts processed electrical signals back to sound?

The receiver (loudspeaker).

What color code is associated with size 312 batteries?

Brown.

What hearing-aid style is usually appropriate for profound losses?

Full-size conventional BTE due to higher power output.

What is HINT and why is it used?

Hearing In Noise Test; assesses speech recognition in more 'real-life' noisy conditions to aid fitting decisions.

Why might an audiologist choose a soft silicone ear mold material?

Better seal and comfort for high-gain fittings, reducing feedback.

What does 'DAI' stand for, and where is it commonly used?

Direct Audio Input; used with BTEs, especially in educational settings for FM systems.

What type of listening program might an audiologist set for a patient who enjoys concerts?

A 'music' program optimized for wider dynamic range and spectral fidelity.

How long do typical size 13 (orange-tab) batteries last?

About two weeks.