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Hearing Loss. 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
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Hearing Loss 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
It’s a Miracle How We Hear Semi Circular Canals Ossicles Nerve Ear Drum Cochlea
Amazing Capability (when it works) 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
Serious Impact (when it fails) 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
You Are Not Alone 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
Untreated Hearing Loss 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
Treated Hearing Loss 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
Types of Hearing Loss 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
“Normal” Hearing Understanding Hearing Loss No Loss Consonants Vowels No Hearing 0 Hz 20000 Hz Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999
Mild High Frequency Loss 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
Moderate High Frequency Loss Understanding Hearing Loss No Loss No Hearing 0 Hz 20000 Hz Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999
Moderate/Severe High Frequency Loss Understanding Hearing Loss No Loss No Hearing 0 Hz 20000 Hz Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999
Severe/Profound High Frequency Loss Understanding Hearing Loss No Loss No Hearing 0 Hz 20000 Hz Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999
Reverse Ski Slope Understanding Hearing Loss No Loss No Hearing 0 Hz 20000 Hz Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999
Cookie Bite Hearing Loss Understanding Hearing Loss No Loss No Hearing 0 Hz 20000 Hz Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999
Common Causes of Hearing Loss Understanding Hearing loss • Acoustic Trauma (Noise) • Age related • Genetic • Ototoxic Drugs • Illness (examples) • Autoimmune Disease • Meniere’s Syndrome • Acoustic Neuromas
Start With Professionals 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.
Learn From Others 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
Do Something 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
Coping Skills 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)
Hearing Aids 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
Hearing Aids (How to Buy) 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
Hearing Aid Types Technical Solutions • Basic Styles • BTE • ITE • ITC • CIC • Middle Ear Implantable • Bone Conduction/BAHA • CROS/BiCROS • Disposable
Hearing Aid Features (Quick Tour) Technical Solutions • Volume Control • Telecoil • Multiple Microphones (Noise Control) • Programmable • Feedback Control • Compression/Clipping • Digital vs. Analog • Direct Audio Input • Remote Controls • FM
Cochlear Implants 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
Assistive Listening (ALDs) 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
Telephones 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.
Beyond Telephones 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
More Assistive Solutions 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
What is HLAA? 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.
Non-Profit Organization 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 Helps You Learn About 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
HLA-Wake County Chapter 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!
It’s Up To You 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