Hearing Loss - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Why You’re Here

Even if you don’t have a hearing loss:

• You probably care about someone who does
• Your odds of having a hearing loss in the future are pretty good.

Hearing Loss

An Introduction

How We Hear

Understanding Hearing Loss

Getting Help

Getting Good

Technical Solutions

Hearing Loss Association of America

How We Hear

Semi Circular Canals

Ossicles

Nerve

Ear Drum

Cochlea

How We Hear

• Whisper to Jet Plane (1 : 1,000,000)
• Rumble to a Sizzle (20 to 20,000 Hz)
• Localization
• Know Where Sound is Coming From
• Automatically Suppress Unwanted Sound

How We Hear

• Lose some sounds (usually consonants)
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Can’t Hear in Noise
• Loss of Localization
• Don’t Know Where Sound is Coming From
• Can’t Suppress Unwanted Sounds
• Can Affect Your Life
• Can Affect Those Around You

Understanding Hearing Loss

• U.S. population 270+ million
• 2 million Deaf
• 26 million Hard of Hearing
• 1 of every 10 people has a hearing loss
• Over age 65, 1 in every 3 persons has some degree of hearing loss
• 80% of hard of hearing people are in denial

Understanding Hearing Loss

• Sadness and depression
• Worry and anxiety
• Paranoia
• Less social activity
• Emotional turmoil and insecurity
• Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999

Understanding Hearing Loss

• Better relationships with their families
• Better feelings about themselves
• Improved mental health
• Greater independence and security
• Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999

Understanding Hearing Loss

• Common Audiogram Curves
• High Frequency Loss (Ski Slope)
• Low Frequency Loss (Reverse Ski Slope)
• Mid-range Loss (Cookie Bite)
• Flat Loss
• Sensorineural, Conductive, Mixed
• Timing Gradual/Sudden/Fluctuating

Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999

Understanding Hearing Loss

No Loss

Consonants

Vowels

No Hearing

0 Hz

20000 Hz

Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999

Understanding Hearing Loss

Note: These are illustrations only

they are not meant to be precise.

No Loss

No Hearing

0 Hz

20000 Hz

Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999

Understanding Hearing Loss

No Loss

No Hearing

0 Hz

20000 Hz

Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999

Understanding Hearing Loss

No Loss

No Hearing

0 Hz

20000 Hz

Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999

Understanding Hearing Loss

No Loss

No Hearing

0 Hz

20000 Hz

Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999

Understanding Hearing Loss

No Loss

No Hearing

0 Hz

20000 Hz

Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999

Understanding Hearing Loss

No Loss

No Hearing

0 Hz

20000 Hz

Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999

Understanding Hearing loss

• Acoustic Trauma (Noise)
• Age related
• Genetic
• Ototoxic Drugs
• Illness (examples)
• Autoimmune Disease
• Meniere’s Syndrome
• Acoustic Neuromas

Getting Help: First Steps

• Audiologist
• CCCA
• AuD
• Ear Doctor
• ENT
• Otologist
• Otolaryngologist
• Otorhynolaryngologist

It’s important to have a thorough

audiological workup; not just a

hearing screening.

It’s important to have a doctor

determine whether there are any

treatable medical conditions;

some are life threatening.

Getting Help: Next Step

• HLAA (www.hearingloss.org)
• Internet (handout)
• Web Pages
• Listserves/Groups/Bulletin Boards/Chat Sessions
• DSDHH (most states have programs for Deaf and Hard of Hearing)
• Regional Resource Centers
• Equipment Distribution
• Assistive Technology Program (all states have)
• Equipment Demonstration
• Free Consultations

Getting Help: Help Yourself

• You have a hearing loss: Get Over It!
• Polish Your Coping Skills
• Help Your Friends and Family
• Buy and Learn How to Use Hearing Aids
• Take Advantage of Assistive Technology
• Pass on What You Learn
• Advocate

Getting Good

• Don’t Bluff
• Explain, Don’t Just Say “Huh”
• Choose Your Situation (noise/position/lighting)
• Plan Ahead
• Confirm Understanding
• Keep Your Sense of Humor
• (See Detailed Tips on Handout)

Technical Solutions

• Microphone/Amplifier/Speaker
• Selectively Make Things Louder
• Can Make a Huge Difference
• Won’t Completely Correct Your Hearing
• You’ll Likely Still Have Trouble
• In Noise
• At a Distance

Both of these can be

overcome with ALDs

Technical Solutions

• Audiologists/Hearing Aid Dealers
• Facilities
• Joint with Dr’s Office vs. Private Practices
• “House Brands” vs. Multi-Brand
• Big Box Stores
• Web
• Fitting is an art … not like glasses
• At least 30 day trial period
• Your #1 PRIORITY is Better Hearing

Technical Solutions

• Basic Styles
• BTE
• ITE
• ITC
• CIC
• Middle Ear Implantable
• Bone Conduction/BAHA
• CROS/BiCROS
• Disposable

Technical Solutions

• Volume Control
• Telecoil
• Multiple Microphones (Noise Control)
• Programmable
• Feedback Control
• Compression/Clipping
• Digital vs. Analog
• Direct Audio Input
• Remote Controls
• FM

Technical Solutions

• Surgically Placed Electrode
• Directly Stimulates Cochlea
• External Processor with Microphone
• Only for VERY Serious Losses
• Amazing Successes
• Some Moderate Successes
• Very Few Complete Failures
• Most Likely Destroys Residual Hearing

Technical Solutions

• Transmission
• Hard Wired
• Magnetic (loop)
• FM
• IR
• User Interface
• Headphones
• NeckLoop and Silhouette
• Direct Audio Input (DAI)

• Hear Better:
• Meetings/Classroom
• In the car
• Noisy Restaurants
• Telephone
• TV/Stereo
• Movies
• Computer

• Solves
• Distance
• Noise

Technical Solutions

• Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC)
• CallerID
• Volume Control
• Ringer Volume Control
• High Frequency Boost
• Flashing Lights
• Jack (for ALDs)
• FM and Bluetooth

HAC effectiveness varies greatly on mainstream phone.

Special phones exist for Hard of Hearing people for serious features.

Technical Solutions

• Relay
• IP Relay
• CapTel

And, don’t forget, there’s FAX, Email Instant Messaging, and SMS now. These are often more convenient than telephones or Relay.

CA

You

Other

Party

Technical Solutions

• Flashers for Doorbell and Phone
• Baby Criers
• Vibrating Alerters and Bed Shakers
• Alarm Clocks (Loud, Vibrating, Light Flashing)
• Fire Alarms with Strobe Lights
• Captions
• Closed
• Open
• Subtitles

HLAA

• Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), formerly Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH)
• A new organization (started 1979).
• A new name (starting in 2006)
• Mission: to open the world of communication to hard of hearing people by providing education, information, support, and advocacy.
• Grassroots network of over 250 chapters/groups across U.S.

HLAA

• HLAA (the National Organization)
• Education and Advocacy
• $25 Membership (Join at www.hearingloss.org)
• Great Magazine and National Convention
• Discounts
• HLA-xx (where xx = State Abbreviation)
• State-Level Associations of HLAA
• Coordination and Advocacy at the State Level
• Established in many states, now
• Local Chapters
• In many cities across the country
• Real “End-User” Support through volunteers

HLAA

• Hearing loss in general
• Latest developments in hearing aids, Cochlear Implants and assistive technologies
• Latest advances in medical research
• Relevant legislative issues
• Getting your life back
• Helping yourself … and others

HLAA

• Formed in early 80’s
• Averages about 40 members
• All volunteer
• No dues; everyone welcome
• Funded by Donations (including SAS)
• Meets monthly
• Third Thursday every month
• Cary Senior Center

You may have to

DRAG someone

you care about!

My Wife Dragged Me!

HLAA

• Never Been a Better Time to be HoH!
• There’s plenty of help; you’re not alone.
• Only you can accept that help
• It can improve your life
• It can put you back in control
• Isn’t it time?

Questions and Answers