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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
 Digital
 Programmable
 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 Canal - ITC
 In The Ear - ITE
 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
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
Remote Receivers
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.