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Why is it that even when wearing my hearing
aid I don't hear everything all the time?
even people with normal hearing do not hear everything all the time TERM 2
Why does the hearing aid not work as well in
noisy environments?
DEFINITION 2 ambient noise interferes more with hearing aids than with normal hearing TERM 3
When should I change my hearing aid
batteries?
DEFINITION 3 before they die, based on a marked calendar TERM 4
Contact the Audiologist
DEFINITION 4 what do i do if: i have difficulty understanding how to use my hearing aid or if the manual is unclear to me. i do not succeed when trying to change the batteries. the hearing aid begins to sound funny TERM 5
Microphone
DEFINITION 5 converts acoustic signal to electrical signal
Amplifier
increases signal level; this is called "gain" TERM 7
Receiver
DEFINITION 7 converts electrical signal back into acoustic energy TERM 8
Optional Features
DEFINITION 8 on/off switch, volume control, remote control, audio input (directly connects the aid to an appliance (e.g. TV, CD player) and used with hardwired ALDs) and telecoil (a special circuit, enhances telephone communication, may be used with induction loop systems (a type of ALD)) TERM 9
Which personal amplification device converts
an electrical signal to a mechanical signal?
DEFINITION 9 none: all begin with an acoustic signal TERM 10
Which ALD is designed to enhance telephone
communication?
DEFINITION 10 telecoil
ITE and ITC Aids
Most widely used in US market (85%). Advantages: useful up to severe loss. Compared to BTE: less visible, tubing and earmold not required, enhanced sound quality, especially for high frequencies and less gain is required. Disadvantages: not useful for profound losses, custom fit required, subject to cerumen build up and difficult to clean TERM 17
CIC Aids
DEFINITION 17 Advantages: virtually invisible. Compared to larger styles: tubing and ear mold are not required, better sound quality: lack of "occlusion effect," less feedback, better sound localization, less electronic gain required, no wind noise and may use phone without ALD. Disadvantages: most expensive, custom fit required, not useful for profound losses, subject to cerumen build up and difficult to clean TERM 18
Middle Ear
Implants
DEFINITION 18 Surgically implanted. Not widely used. Converts sound signals into mechanical vibration. Transmits directly to ossicular chain. Advantages: good for patients with chronic otitis media and/or cerumen build up. Disadvantages: high cost and risk of surgery TERM 19
Hearing Aid Considerations (cost, durability,
gain and dexterity)
DEFINITION 19 Cost: least visible are the most expensive. Durability: least visible are least durable. Gain: less visible produce less gain. Dexterity: least visible require most dexterity TERM 20
Hearing Aid Considerations (hygiene,
cerumen, otitis media, sound quality)
DEFINITION 20 Hygiene: less visible are easier to keep clean. Cerumen: cerumen build-up differs from person to person. models that don't occupy the canal are recommended if person is prone to excessive cerumen. Otitis Media: otitis media differs from person to person. models that occupy the canal are not recommend if person has a history of otitis media. Sound Quality: less visible models may have better sound quality
Hearing Aid Considerations (risk of surgery)
only middle ear implant has risk of surgery TERM 22
Hearing Aid Considerations: Personal
Preferences
DEFINITION 22 How much are you willing to pay? How much gain do you need? How much time are you able to invest in care and cleaning? How important is invisibility? How agile are your fingers? Do you suffer from middle ear infections or cerument build-up? TERM 23
General Care Information
DEFINITION 23 Tubes: replace cracked tubes and if clogged: detach, clean and reattach. Batteries: test at end of every day, using a battery tester; replace when showing sings of weakness; mark calendar each time you change the battery. Follow cleaning instructions. Sleeping with hearing aids in the ear can case pain. TERM 24
What hearing aid complaints is likely to be
caused by wearing a hat?
DEFINITION 24 feed back; the hat changes the location of the pinna which changes the shape of the ear canal, which moves the ear mold that results in feedback TERM 25
What should you check if the hearing aid is
dead?
DEFINITION 25 battery compartment door, battery size, battery strength, etc...
Feedback
ear mold may not be in all the way or may fit too loosely. check for cerumen in the canal (interferes with seal). Check tubing it may be cracked. If the ear mold is vented, the vent may be too large. Gain (volume control) may be turned up beyond the original fitting. This may happen if hearing has changed. See an audiology. Hats and headgear may cause feedback TERM 32
Buzzing
DEFINITION 32 battery may be low TERM 33
Distorted
DEFINITION 33 battery may be weak. battery compartment door may not be completely closed. internal failure (see audiologist) TERM 34
Too Loud
DEFINITION 34 may need an internal adjustment (see audiologist) TERM 35
Too Weak
DEFINITION 35 battery may be weak. cerumen may be blocking the canal. hearing might have changed (see aud). hearing aid settings may need to be changed (see aud)
Dead
check on/off switch and volume control, battery: weak, dead, improperly placed. battery door may not be completely closed. battery contacts may be corroded. sound port may be plugged with cerumen. battery size may be incorrect TERM 37
Physical
Discomfort
DEFINITION 37 ear mold may be too large, or may be seated improperly in the ear. person may have been sleeping in the hearing aid. check for irritation in the canal TERM 38
Wireless Systems: FM Systems
DEFINITION 38 speaker wears the mic. listener wears the receiver TERM 39
Wireless Systems: Infa-Red Systems
DEFINITION 39 similar to FM. Uses infa-red to transmit sound TERM 40
Wireless Systems: Induction Loop Systems
DEFINITION 40 loop of wire placed around the room. person sits within the wire. telecoil must be activated
