Hearing Technology Getting Started

Transcription

1 Hearing Technology Getting Started Jane Kukula, Au.D. and Ashley Spisak, Au.D. Clinical Audiologists

2 FRIENDS Options Make new memories Conversation YES! Hold your own Confidence Greater intimacy in relationships Agility SECURITY AWARENESS Gain Insight Social gatherings ENJOY! TUNE IN Opportunity PASSION Communication Balance Go for it! In touch Wellbeing Differences Hear the world No time like the present GRANDCHILDREN YES! Life Social ease INFORMATION CONVERSATION Discovery FAMILY

3 Hearing Technology Getting Started Our goal at Advanced Audiology Concepts, The Hearing Center, is to help you reconnect and rediscover your hearing. Please fill in the requested information and bring the booklet to your appointment. Life Sounds Great! And we want you to enjoy every moment.

4 Hearing Loss There are several types of hearing loss some of which are medically or surgically treatable. Typically, those who benefit from hearing aids, are those with nonmedically/surgically treated permanent hearing loss. Permanent hearing loss is usually due to damage to the hair cells (hearing nerve endings in the inner ear). The more damage to the haircells, the more difficult it is to hear. As a result of Haircell damage/nerve damage it may appear like people mumble or don t speak up. When conversation becomes hard to hear, people may change their behaviors to avoid confronting their perceived hearing challenges. If you are reading this booklet, most likely you or a loved one is experiencing difficulty hearing. Healthy Haircells Take a moment to reflect. Describe 3 environments in which you would like to be able to hear better:

5 Hearing Instruments The good news is hearing instruments can and do help put you back in touch with family, friends, loved ones and the world around you. While hearing devices do not repair the damage to your ears, they successfully stimulate the haircells to maximize your hearing ability. Extended Wear Lyric is the only extended wear hearing device. It is placed approximately 4 mm from the eardrum and for most people, stays in the ear canal for 6-8 weeks. However, it is approved by the FDA to stay in the ear canal for up to 4 months. It is purchased on a subscription basis for 1 to 3 years at a time. Lyric

6 Daily Wear There are four basic styles of daily wear hearing instruments, behind the ear (BTE), receiver in the canal (RIC), in the ear (ITE) and in the ear canal (ITC/CIC/IIC). These all come with disposable batteries. BTE The RIC and BTE styles are also available with rechargeable batteries. RIC Is there a style of hearing aid that appeals to you more than another? In anticipation of a hearing aid consultation, take a moment to reflect. Tell us 3 things you are looking to gain from your appointment: CIC Rechargeable Hearing Aids

7 Technology We live in a time of rapid developments in technology in all areas including hearing instruments. There are now devices you can adjust via an iphone. Please let us know if this is something that you re interested in. When it comes to technology, there are three main areas in which you gain as you increase technology. Fine tuning tools: these are used by your audiologist to adjust the devices to match your hearing ability. This impacts how well you hear and sound quality. Noise management: The noise management technology separates words from background sounds making conversation easier to understand in noisy places. Adaptability: the devices can listen and adapt to various environments automatically, maximizing your hearing at all times. For example, when they detect road noise, they can adapt to the car and focus on the person speaking. Your audiologist guides you in finding the right technology for your hearing and lifestyle. To better help us assist you to the best hearing solution, describe 3 weekly activities you look forward to, in which you experience some difficulty hearing

8 Adjusting to Aids Wear your hearing aids all the time, even when home alone. When you use hearing instruments, you not only stimulate the hair cells, you also stimulate the hearing center of the brain. This is important because we hear with our brains, not our ears. Just like muscles, if you don t use the hearing center of the brain it can become weaker. When this happens you can lose clarity for words causing more and more people to sound muffled. We hear with our brain, not our ears

9 Accessories and Hearing Assistive Technologies (HAT) When haircell damage is extensive, accessories and HAT can be utilized with your hearing aids to maximize your hearing ability. These devices can assist with hearing in noise, TV listening, telephone use, signaling and alerting, and when hearing at a distance is important. Bluetooth capability Hear the phone in both ears! Hear better in noise with FM/DM technology

10 Providers There are two types of providers that fit and dispense hearing aids, Audiologists and hearing aid dealers. The education and training of the two varies widely in most states. For example the requirements in the state of Ohio are as follows: Audiologist Doctoral degree that includes: Academic Instruction Clinical training 1 year externship Pass a national test Hearing aid dealer High School equivalency Pass a state test Be free of communicable diseases At Advanced Audiology Concepts you will work with a licensed Audiologist.

11 FRIENDS Options Make new memories Conversation YES! Hold your own Confidence Greater intimacy in relationships Agility SECURITY AWARENESS Gain Insight Social gatherings ENJOY! TUNE IN Opportunity PASSION Communication Balance Go for it! In touch Wellbeing Differences Hear the world No time like the present GRANDCHILDREN YES! Life Social ease INFORMATION CONVERSATION Discovery FAMILY

12 Diagnostic Audiologic Assessments Tinnitus Evaluation and Management Hearing Instruments Hearing Accessories Hearing Assistive Technologies 8897 Mentor Avenue Mentor, Ohio Phone: Fax: