Part 1, Presentation 2 July 2001 Georgia State University Series: Early Intervention with Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing Part 1, Presentation 2 July 2001

Technology Orientation

Audiogram An audiogram is a graphic representation of a person’s hearing or auditory responses, specifically thresholds or the “softest” sound detected 50 percent of the time. Across the horizontal plane of an audiogram are frequencies in Hertz (Hz), or “pitch” information of the sounds presented during a hearing evaluation. On the vertical plane of the audiogram are labels for “loudness,” measured in decibels (dB)

Speech Banana The audiogram to the right demonstrates different sounds and where they would be represented on an audiogram. The yellow, banana-shaped figure represents all the sounds that make up the human voice when speaking at normal conversational levels.

Interpretation This represents the hearing of an individual with normal hearing in the low frequencies sloping to a severe high frequency hearing loss in the left ear ( blue Xs)and a moderate to severe hearing loss in the right ear(red Os).

Results The listener is able to hear all the low and mid speech sounds but is not able to hear the high pitch speech sounds in the left ear. The listener is not able to hear any normal speech sounds in the right ear. This person would rely on the left ear for speech understanding and would experience difficulty hearing in noisy environments.

Hearing Aid Basics Hearing aids are powered by batteries and feature: Internal controls which are set by your audiologist. These controls determine which frequencies are amplified (frequency response) and the loudest sound the hearing aid can make (saturation response). External controls which are set by the hearing aid user. They may include a switch that can be set on M (microphone), M-T (microphone + telecoil), T (telecoil), or O (off).

Basics continued A Telecoil switch which allows the hearing aid to be used with a telephone and some assistive listening devices. A volume control, a small wheel which can be adjusted to increase or decrease the loudness of sound. On some hearing aids the volume control is combined with the on/off switch.

Personal Aids Analog Programmable Digital Daily Living

Analog Aids The most basic type of hearing instrument. A conventional (or traditional) hearing aid is different from a programmable analog aid because the sound of the instrument is not easily adjusted by a computer program. Conventional hearing aids have a microphone that gathers sound, an amplifier that increases the volume of sound and a receiver that transmits this amplified sound to your ear. These instruments have a manual volume control for the user.

Programmable Aids There are a wide array of digitally programmable hearing aids. They come in all of the various hearing aid styles. A programmable hearing aid can give you a chance to hear better in various listening situations. A programmable hearing aid relates to a "conventional" aid in some ways like a modern CD player relates to a standard record player - it is a major technological advance in both quality and convenience.

Digital Hearing Aids Digital hearing aids process sound digitally. This means that the sound that you hear will be clear and free from distortion. Digital hearing aids represent the most advanced technology available today allowing the most precise prescriptive fitting available. Digital processing can shape your amplification (volume and clarity of signal which you hear through the aid) across changing pitches and changing volumes.

Hearing Aid Types Behind the Ear - BTE In The Ear - ITE In the Canal - ITC Completely in the Canal - CIC

BTE - The Behind-The-Ear Hearing Aid Works well for all degrees of hearing loss. This is usually the type recommended for children's use.

BTE (Continued) Safety is the overriding concern for the choice of behind-the-ear (BTE) vs. in-the-ear hearing aids for children. BTE hearing aids can be used with earmolds made of soft material as a safety precaution with physically active children. In general, BTE hearing aids also require fewer repairs than in-the-ear hearing aids, and they are more compatible with assistive devices such as FM auditory trainers. Although assistive devices are not typically used with infants and toddlers, many children with hearing loss use FM auditory trainers and other assistive devices when they begin school.

ITE The In-The-Ear Hearing Aid Works well for all but the most severe hearing losses. Some of these have been designed so well that they blend in with skin tones to become nearly invisible.

ITC In-The-Canal Hearing Aid A very small type of hearing aid and works well for those with mild to moderate hearing losses. Because of its size, it is best for people who have good finger dexterity.

CIC Completely-In-the-Canal Hearing Aid   Works well for mild to moderately severe hearing loss. It fits deeply inside the ear canal so it's out of sight. It also offers a more comfortable fit and acoustical benefits that can't be achieved with larger aids. Almost invisible in the ear, it is the smallest hearing aid style available.

Daily Living Sound Wizard Outstanding Personal Amplifier that can be used anywhere. A directional microphone with an angle adapter lets you focus on the conversation you want to hear. Up to 40 dB gain & True High Frequency Boost gives you the maximum help. Personal Assistive Listening Personal listening devices pick up a sound through a microphone, amplify the sound and direct the sound to the ears through ear buds, headphones, or a neck loop for listeners with "T-coils" in their hearing aids.

Daily continued Television Assistance & Accessories Television listening systems using infrared technology help people hear the television better. Also, you will find products to make TV viewing more enjoyable. FM Assistive Listening Systems FM Systems use a specific radio frequency (generally 72-76 MHz) to carry sound from the transmitter to the receiver. Versatile and portable. Both the user and speaker have complete mobility. Ideal for classrooms and meetings.

Portable TTY                                                         

Signalers   Remote Receivers   Daily Living Aids Remote Horn   75 decibels. Plug it anywhere in the house. Works with Telephone, Doorbell, and Baby Cry  Signalers.  Lamp Flasher  Flashes a lamp in another room. Works with Telephone, Doorbell, and Baby Cry Signalers

Doorbell Signaler Flashes a lamp when doorbell is rung Doorbell Signaler  Flashes a lamp when doorbell is rung. Your lamp plugs into outlet on this device. Alarm Clock   Flashes a lamp and/or activates bed shaker when alarm goes off. Your lamp plugs into outlet on the clock.

Additional Testing Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Automated Brainstem Response (ABR)

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) The internal mechanism of the healthy ear creates sound vibrations, and your "ear sounds" or OAEs can be recorded by a microphone probe fitted to your ear! When active OAEs are found it proves that the cellular vibration boosting mechanism is there and working. With newborns, it's a great help to know the inner ear looks (or sounds) normal.

Automated Brainstem Response (ABR) For very young infants, the auditory brainstem response test (ABR) may be used. Electrodes are placed on the child's scalp using an adhesive, then as the child sleeps, sounds are played through earphones. Responses to the sounds are used to determine the degree of hearing loss.