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INFORMATION
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INFORMATION ABOUT HEARING AIDS.
There are many factors to be taken into consideration before committing to a hearing aid or hearing aids. It is often the case that people who can afford hearing aids buy many hearing aids and still feel dissatisfied with the result. All the hearing aids that are available should be considered and all options weighed up before making a final commitment. Some audiologists are prepared to allow a 2 week trial. Even a one week trial is preferable to none. Many of the options will be decided by your audiogram and your particular type of hearing loss, your financial restraints and your lifestyle. The range of hearing aids available is enormous. There are many hearing aid distributors. Some audiologists are attached to one company and only sell their range of models, others are attached to two or more and some even access a full range of hearing aid companies. It is therefore important to shop around and compare prices and features. Be sure that your audiologist is an accredited audiologist and try not to be pressured. If you feel relaxed and comfortable with your hearing aid that is a good sign. When buying a hearing aid it is also important to think of the future. It may be very nice to have an 'invisible' hearing aid, but if you are a borderline case with moderate hearing loss that is soon to be severe, it is better to think of the future and opt for a model that has more adjustment in terms of volume and output. A behind the ear hearing aid may last longer have more flexibility and be more comfortable in terms of how it performs. If you are aged sixty-five or over, you will be eligible for assessment with Australian Hearing Services. For an annual fee you will be assessed, fitted with a hearing aid which will be suited to you (usually digital) and have batteries, tubing replacement and new moulds whenever you need them. Some private hearing aid consultants are able to provide free hearing aissessments and hearing aid fittings under the Commonwealth Hearing Services Program. A voucher for this service can be obtained by telephoning 1800 500 726 or if using a TTY the number is 1800 500 496. Information on eligibility is and other matters relating to the scheme are available by looking at the website www.health.gov.au/hear ANALOGUE & DIGITAL HEARING AIDS.
The difference between digital and analogue is that digital converts the sound to numbers, permitting more specific and powerful manipulation without excessive increases in bulk. Analogue aids can usually be adjusted manually, but the digital ones are set up and adjusted by the hearing aid manufacturer or by an audiologist using an appropriate computer interface.   further information on Binaural Hearing Aids TYPES OF HEARING AIDS.
Behind the ear (BTE) hearing aids In the Ear (ITE) hearing aids In the Canal (ITC) hearing aids Body worn hearing aids Transposition Hearing aids BAHAR REFERRAL GUIDELINES
The BahaR System is the only implanted hearing treatment that works through direct bone conduction by combining a sound processor with a small titanium implant placed behind the ear. The system allows sound to be conducted through the skull bypassing the ear canal and middle ear. This process is known as direct bone conduction. The device helps to overcome many of the drawbacks of a conventional bone conduction hearing aid by providing a direct transmission pathway to the cochlea. How Hearing Works with a BahaR Implant
Guidelines for referral BahaR
A) Mixed & Conductive Hearing Loss - Unilateral or Bilateral Fitting
Baha Divino
Baha Cordelle
B) Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss/ Single Sided Deafness (SSDT)
 Please visit the Cochlear website for further information COCHLEARTM IMPLANT REFERRAL GUIDELINES
A cochlearTM implant is a routine medical option designed to help children and adults with at least a sensorineural moderate-to-profound sloping hearing loss, to communicate more easily. It is an option when attempts to improve hearing ability, with powerful hearing aids, no longer provide assistance. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound, a cochlear implant bypasses the damaged part of the ear and stimulates the hearing nerve directly. The degree of hearing loss and functional aided hearing (ie. speech perception) should form the basis for referral. Please use the following guidelines to make appropriate referrals to cochlear implant clinics. How Hearing Works with a CochlearTM Implant
Guidelines for referral CochlearTM Implant
 Images & information provided courtesy of Cochlear Ltd
Please visit the Cochlear website for further information VIBRO-TACTILE AID (VTA)
VTAs are very useful for people who lose all their hearing and cannot be given a CochlearTM Implant for some reason. They may also be used for suddenly deafened people temporarily while waiting for a CochlearTM Implant. The VTA gives information about environmental sound. A door knock is distinguishable from a telephone, for instance, and with practise the VTA is a very helpful aid to lipreading. Consonants that cannot be detected on the lips can be felt using the VTA. VTAs help profoundly deaf people establish a link with the world. EAR MOULDS
Ear Moulds are needed for all BTE and body worn hearing aids. There are many sorts of mould both in terms of shape and material. The shape of an earmould will often be determined by the hearing loss and type of hearing aid. Ear moulds have a very big effect on the acoustic performance of the hearing aid. The material the mould is made of will usually depend upon the shape. If you have allergic reactions from your earmould always tell your audiologist as there are several very good materials that can be used that can reduce irritation. TUBING
Tubing is required to connect the earmould to a behind the ear aid. Tubing is probably the prime cause (other than batteries not working), for hearing aids not functioning properly. Tubing should be flexible. Once it gets hard it should be changed. It also blocks easily and needs flushing through regularly by detaching the ear mould and tubing from the hearing aid and running them under the hot tap. Water, wax or condensation can block the tubing causing muffled sound or total lack of hearing. A small puffer is available from hearing aid suppliers with a nozzle that fits into the tubing that when puffed rids the tubing of any water or wax. So remember, if your hearing aid doesn't seem to be working, first check the battery and secondly check the tubing. LOOP SYSTEM
This equipment enables people to listen to a TV, lecture, film, church service, HiFi or a person talking without the interference of background noise. The loop may be a personal portable system or a fixed system in a living room or cinema or even a counter loop in a shop or railway ticket office. The loop may only be used when a person wears a hearing aid with a 'T' switch. This accesses the telecoil within the hearing aid and the microphone is switched off. Some loop systems have an additional microphone so that people can talk to the person using the loop at the same time as they are watching a television programme, for instance. Loops also have independent volume control so that people have the volume control of their hearing aid and the loop system in addition. This can be a very clear sound, depending on the hearing loss. |
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BTE hearing aids may be digital or analogue. They are useful for moderate to severe and sometimes profound hearing loss (to give clues to speech and control voice volume). They can be more powerful than smaller hearing aids so that if the hearing is deteriorating from a moderate hearing loss, it is well to consider a BTE. The controls are larger than on smaller aids making them favourable if there are dexterity problems. Some have remote control for volume and/or programmes.
ITE hearing aids may be digital or analogue. They may come with a 'T' switch or not. The controls are very small. Sometimes the aid is set up so that the only controls are the on/off switch. The aid is hardly visible. The casing of the aid has to be individually made to fit the ear canal. if the aid breaks down the whole thing often needs to be sent back to the manufacturer.
ITC hearing aids are very small and the casing is individually made. The aid has to be set up to individual requirements and there will be no adjustment without a visit to the audiologist. These hearing aids are fiddly to take in and out. They are invisible. They range in size to the completely in the ear canal which is very small indeed requiring a thread for removal.
Body worn hearing aids are about 60 mm x 80mm (some larger) and sit in a pouch or are attached to a belt. A wire goes from the hearing aid to the ear mould. The batteries are easy to put in and take out and the controls are large. They are useful for people who have poor dexterity or paralysis on one side.
These hearing aids bring the middle and high sounds down to low frequency level. All information is received at a lower level. This means that the person using the hearing aid needs to be capable of sorting out a huge range of sounds at low frequency. These aids are very expensive and require training to maximise benefit. They look like a BTE. Transposition hearing aids may be used for people who have very little hearing except at low frequency. They are not commonly used.
A Vibro-tactile Aid (VTA) consists of a receiver that collects sound and transmits it as a vibration via a wire to a vibrator either on the wrist or on the chest. There are several models on the market and they have either one channel , two or seven channels. The one channel VTA is used on the wrist and the two channel, that transmits high and low frequency information, is worn on the wrist or chest. The seven channel VTA is usually used for children and worn on the chest. The VTA requires a course of training to receive maximum benefit.