Hearing Loss
Why You’re Here
Even if you don’t have a hearing loss:
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You probably care about someone who
does
Your odds of having a hearing loss in the
future are pretty good.
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Hearing Loss
An Introduction
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How We Hear
Understanding Hearing Loss
Getting Help
Getting Good
Technical Solutions
Hearing Loss Association of America
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
It’s a Miracle
How We Hear
Semi Circular Canals
Ossicles
Nerve
Ear Drum
Cochlea
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Amazing Capability
(when it works)
How We Hear
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Whisper to Jet Plane (1 : 1,000,000)
Rumble to a Sizzle (20 to 20,000 Hz)
Localization
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Know Where Sound is Coming From
Automatically Suppress Unwanted Sound
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Serious Impact
(when it fails)
How We Hear
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Lose some sounds (usually consonants)
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Can’t Hear in Noise
Loss of Localization
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Don’t Know Where Sound is Coming From
Can’t Suppress Unwanted Sounds
Can Affect Your Life
Can Affect Those Around You
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
You Are Not Alone
Understanding Hearing Loss
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U.S. population 270+ million
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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
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Untreated Hearing Loss
Understanding Hearing Loss
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Sadness and depression
Worry and anxiety
Paranoia
Less social activity
Emotional turmoil and insecurity
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Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Treated Hearing Loss
Understanding Hearing Loss
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Better relationships with their families
Better feelings about themselves
Improved mental health
Greater independence and security
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Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Types of Hearing Loss
Understanding Hearing Loss
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Common Audiogram Curves
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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 1999Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
“Normal” Hearing
Understanding Hearing Loss
No Loss
Consonants
Vowels
No Hearing
0 Hz
20000 Hz
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Audiograms Varies
Understanding Hearing Loss
No Loss
No Hearing
0 Hz
20000 Hz
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Common Causes of Hearing Loss
Understanding Hearing loss
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Acoustic Trauma (Noise)
Age related
Genetic
Ototoxic Drugs
Illness (examples)
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Autoimmune Disease
Meniere’s Syndrome
Acoustic Neuromas
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Start With Professionals
Getting Help: First Steps
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Audiologist
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CCCA
AuD
Ear Doctor
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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.
ENT
Otologist
Otolaryngologist
Otorhynolaryngologist
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Learn From Others
Getting Help: Next Step
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HLAA (www.hearingloss.org)
Internet (handout)
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DSDHH
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Web Pages
Listserves/Groups/Bulletin Boards/Chat Sessions
(most states have programs for Deaf and Hard of Hearing)
Regional Resource Centers
Equipment Distribution
Assistive Technology Program
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(all states have)
Equipment Demonstration
Free Consultations
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Do Something
Getting Help: Help Yourself
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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
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Coping Skills
Getting Good
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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)
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Hearing Aids
Technical Solutions
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Microphone/Amplifier/Speaker
Selectively Make Things Louder
Can Make a Huge Difference
Won’t Completely Correct Your Hearing
You’ll Likely Still Have Trouble
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In Noise
At a Distance
Both of these can be
overcome with ALDs
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Hearing Aids (How to Buy)
Technical Solutions
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Audiologists/Hearing Aid Dealers
Facilities
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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
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Hearing Aid Types
Technical Solutions
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Basic Styles
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BTE
ITE
ITC
CIC
Middle Ear Implantable
Bone Conduction/BAHA
CROS/BiCROS
Disposable
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Hearing Aid Features (Quick Tour)
Technical Solutions
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Volume Control
Telecoil
Multiple Microphones (Noise Control)
Programmable
Feedback Control
Compression/Clipping
Digital vs. Analog
Direct Audio Input
Remote Controls
FM
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Cochlear Implants
Technical Solutions
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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
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Assistive Listening (ALDs)
Technical Solutions
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Hear Better:
Transmission
Meetings/Classroom
Hard Wired
Magnetic (loop)
FM
IR
In the car
Noisy Restaurants
Telephone
TV/Stereo
User Interface
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Headphones
NeckLoop and Silhouette
Direct Audio Input (DAI)
Movies
Computer
Solves
• Distance
• Noise
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Telephones
Technical Solutions
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Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC)
CallerID
HAC effectiveness
varies greatly on
Volume Control
mainstream
Ringer Volume Control phone.
High Frequency Boost
Special phones
exist for Hard of
Flashing Lights
Hearing people
Jack (for ALDs)
for serious
FM and Bluetooth
features.
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Beyond Telephones
Technical Solutions
Relay
 IP Relay
 CapTel
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You
CA
Other
Party
And, don’t forget,
there’s FAX, Email
Instant Messaging,
and SMS now.
These are often
more convenient
than telephones or
Relay.
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
More Assistive Solutions
Technical Solutions
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Flashers for Doorbell and Phone
Baby Criers
Vibrating Alerters and Bed Shakers
Alarm Clocks (Loud, Vibrating, Light Flashing)
Fire Alarms with Strobe Lights
Captions
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Closed
Open
Subtitles
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
What is HLAA?
HLAA
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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.
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Non-Profit Organization
HLAA
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HLAA (the National Organization)
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HLA-xx (where xx = State Abbreviation)
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Education and Advocacy
$25 Membership (Join at www.hearingloss.org)
Great Magazine and National Convention
Discounts
State-Level Associations of HLAA
Coordination and Advocacy at the State Level
Established in many states, now
Local Chapters
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In many cities across the country
Real “End-User” Support through volunteers
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
HLAA Helps You Learn About
HLAA
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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
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
HLA-Wake County Chapter
HLAA
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Formed in early 80’s
You may have to
DRAG someone
Averages about 40 members you care about!
All volunteer
My Wife Dragged Me!
No dues; everyone welcome
Funded by Donations (including SAS)
Meets monthly
Third Thursday every month
Cary Senior Center
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
It’s Up To You
HLAA
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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
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC