Download Care & Usage of Hearing Instruments in a Skilled Nursing Facility

Care & Usage of
Hearing Instruments in a
Skilled Nursing Facility
Statistical Information
• As many as 70-80% of nursing home
residents may have some degree of
hearing loss.
• In residents with hearing aids,
approximately 50% will have hearing aids
that are malfunctioning or are in need of
repair.
Role of the CNA
• As the caregiver who has the most frequent
contact with the resident, it is important that
the CNA:
– recognize the symptoms of hearing loss
– understand how a hearing aid works
– know how to keep hearing aids working
– learn how to troubleshoot hearing aid
problems
– know how to effectively and appropriately
communicate with the hearing impaired
resident
Lesson Instructions
• Use the Table of Contents on the next two
slides to hyperlink to the various
components of this lesson. Click on the
icon next to each topic.
• When you have completed the lesson, see
your instructor in order to complete the
practical demonstration and the written
test.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
(continued)
Anatomy of the Ear
Three parts of the human ear:
• Outer ear
• Middle ear
• Inner ear
Anatomy of the Ear
Outer Ear
Middle Ear
Inner Ear
Outer Ear
• Auricle or pinna
• External auditory canal
Outer Ear
Auricle (pinna)
External auditory canal
Middle Ear
• Tympanic membrane (ear drum)
• Three bones:
– Malleus
– Incus
– Stapes
Middle Ear
Tympanic membrane
Inner Ear
•
•
•
•
•
Semicircular canals
Cochlea
Auditory nerve
Round window
Eustachian tube
Inner Ear
Semicircular canals
Auditory nerve
Round window
Eustachian tube
Anatomy of the Ear
Auricle (pinna)
Semicircular canals
Auditory nerve
External auditory canal
Tympanic membrane
Round window
Eustachian tube
Return to Table of
Contents
Types & Causes of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can occur in any or all parts
of the ear.
Types of Hearing Loss
• Conductive
– problem with conduction, or the transfer of
sound, through outer or middle ear
• Sensori-neural
– dysfunction of inner ear; involves problem
with nerve and/or sound interpretation
• Mixed
– combination of conductive and sensori-neural
hearing loss
Some Causes of
Conductive Hearing Loss
• Debris blocking ear canal
(example: wax or other foreign objects)
• Fluid build-up behind ear drum
(example: otitis media)
• Perforated ear drum
Some causes of
Sensori-neural Hearing Loss
• Dysfunction of inner ear related to:
–
–
–
–
aging process (presbycsis)
chronic noise exposure
toxic medications
viral infections
(mumps; meningitis)
Example of Mixed Hearing Loss
• Hearing loss related to aging, plus hearing
loss related to infection and fluid behind
the ear drum.
Return to Table of
Contents
Symptoms of Hearing Loss
•
•
•
•
High volume on TV, radio
Talking loudly
Frequently asking to have things repeated
Complaints of not understanding what has
been said
• Intently watching face of speaker
More Signs of Hearing Loss
• Cupping the ear
• Lack of response to questions
• Frequent inappropriate or incorrect
answers to questions
• Frustration; anger
• Confusion
• Withdrawal
Return to Table of
Contents
Types of Hearing Aids
•
•
•
•
Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)
In-the-canal (ITC) (half shell)
In-the-ear (ITE) (full shell)
Behind-the-ear (BTE)
In the ear
(half shell)
(full shell)
Behind the ear
Return to Table of
Contents
How a Hearing Aid Works
• Power source = battery
• Microphone - receives sound wave and converts
it into an electrical signal
• Amplifier - increases intensity of incoming sound
• Receiver - converts electrical signal back into
audible sound wave that can be heard
Return to Table of
Contents
Identifying Parts
of the Hearing Aid
Behind-the-ear
ear-piece
Volume control
Tubing
OTM switch
Battery door
Canal
portion
Ear mold
(body)
Identifying Hearing Aid Parts
• O-T-M switch -- turns hearing aid on and off, and
adjusts for use on telephone.
O=Off
T=Telephone
M= (microphone) On
• Volume Control - permits the user to increase or
decrease loudness of sound
Return to Table of
Contents
Care of Hearing Aids
• Store in a labeled
• Cleaning
container, away from
– Clean regularly
moisture/heat
– Wipe off accumulated
debris from ear mold
• Remove battery when
with kleenex
not in use for
– Use wax pick ,
extended period of
toothpick or small
time
brush to remove ear
wax
• DO NOT DROP
Care of Hearing Aids
• Test hearing aid
battery at least every
2 weeks.
• Battery should
register 1.4 on the
tester.
• Replace battery as
needed.
• A “listening check” of
hearing aid should be
done regularly.
To reduce risk of
choking, swallowing,
KEEP BATTERIES OUT OF
RESIDENT’S REACH
Return to Table of
Contents
Troubleshooting
Hearing Aid Problems
Potential Problems
• No amplification or sound
• Weak/reduced sound
• Whistling
• Buzzing
• Static
Troubleshooting
Hearing Aid Problems
•
•
•
•
•
Turn OTM switch to “M”
Adjust volume
Check battery position
Test battery
Replace battery, if
needed
• Clean / Remove wax
• Check hearing aid for
damaged/broken
parts
• Notify your supervisor
Return to Table of
Contents
Communicating with the
Hearing Impaired
• Speak at slightly
•
greater intensity.
DO NOT YELL.
• Speak at normal pace
-- not too rapidly.
• Speak from a distance
•
not greater than 6
feet; but, preferably,
not less than 3 feet.
Make sure you are
visible to resident
when speaking so that
your facial expressions
and gestures can be
seen.
Try to reduce
environmental noise.
Communicating with the
Hearing Impaired
• NEVER speak directly into • Rephrase, rather than
person ‘s ear. (Clarity
just repeat, your
may be lost as loudness
statement or question
is increased; and
when it appears that a
resident can’t make use
resident doesn’t
of visual cues.)
understand.
• Do not over-articulate.
• Treat all residents with
This distorts sound as
courtesy and respect.
well as facial
expressions.
End of Presentation
• You have now completed the Lesson on
Care & Usage of Hearing Instruments in a
Skilled Nursing Facility.
• See your instructor for a practical
demonstration on hearing aids, and to
complete the written test.