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HEARING AID (HA) SELECTION for SNHL, Screenshot 2023-11-06 091017 - Coggle…
HEARING AID (HA) SELECTION for SNHL
HA Coupling Method
Standard open-fitting
- BTE/RIC + Ear mold with vent/ open dome
Standard occluded fitting
- BTE/ RIC + earmold/close dome
Type of ear molds
Hard molds
Durability (Easier to keep clean)
Easier to wear / insert compared to soft mould
Better sounds quality (able to reflex all the sounds in to the middle ear)
Soft molds
Seal the ear canal better
More comfort
Attenuate the amplified high frequencies sounds (suitable for those with profound high frequencies loss - to reduce feedback)
Types of HA
RIC (Receiver-in-Canal)
Can fit 'open' - allows for more natural sound quality of wearer's voice
Speaker more susceptible to earwax and moisture clogging
Smaller and discreet than BTE, less discreet than custom
Cosmetically appealing
Not ideal for people with profound HL
Advantages and Disadvantages
Offers manual control options
Available with rechargeable battery
Features directional microphones
BTE (Behind-the-Ear)
Larger battery size provides longer battery life
Benefits elderly with dexterity issues
Size - easy to hold & adjust
Bigger size provides more durability & allows more features
Advantages and Disadvantages
Offers greater amplification
May be available with a rechargeable battery
Has directional microphone
More vulnerable to wind noise than other HA
Affordable
A bit of a challenge for people who wear glasses
Custom made hearing aid
Beneficial for people who concern about cosmetic appearance
Custom fit
Can be made full or half shell or totally inside the ear canal
Beneficial for people who wear glasses or participate in lots of physical activities
Advantages and Disadvantages
Not applicable for people with very small ear canal
Easier to manage and comfortable
Susceptible to earwax that can cause the speaker to clog
More visible in the ear than other HA (Comparing ITE vs RIC)
More expensive than other options
Limited features compared to larger HA
Has multiple alternatives for rechargeable batteries & uses larger battery for a longer battery life
Things to Consider
Budget / financial status
Lifestyle
How they live their life?
How they spend their days?
Patient's habit in daily life?
Support
Family members & audiologist
Lifetime aftercare
Cleaning, fittings, repairs/services, changing batteries/charging HA
HA features
Rechargeability
Directional microphones
Programmability
Comfort and Fit
Size and weight
Feedback management
Essential factors for successful hearing aid usage
Severity / Level of hearing Loss
Mild to moderate
Moderate to severe
Profound
Outcome Assessment (6 weeks after fitting)
Validation
Questionnaires
Speech Spatial Qualities Scale
(SSQ)
designed to measure a range of hearing disabilities across several domains
Speech perception
Spatial
Sound quality
Abbreviation Profile of HA Benefit **
(APHAB)**self-report questionnaire in which individuals rate their frequency of problems in various situations
Background noise
Reverberation
Aversiveness of sounds
Ease of communication
Client Oriented Scale of Improvement
(COSI)
Identify client's specific needs
Hearing-in-Noise-Test (HINT)
6 Ling sounds
Speech test: Mandarin Fricative-Affricate (MFA)
Aided pure tone audiometry
