Use of FM Systems Outside
the Classroom
What’s missing on the
Audiogram?
Why are Assistive Devices a low priority in
clinical services to persons with
hearing loss?
Preferred Practice Patterns for the
Profession of Audiology
Of the 23 audiological practices
2 address specifically ALDs
(20.0 Product Dispensing and 22.0
Assistive Listening System/Device
Selection) and
5 that include practices related to
assessment for and use of ALDs.
• A survey of audiologists regarding
rehabilitation services revealed that over
80% were providing information regarding
ALDs (Prendergast and Kelley, 2002).
Lip-Service??
There are no data on the methods of
information delivery…..
assessments of need?
demonstrations and trials?
as recommended in the Preferred Practice
Pattern
Four Concepts re: Service Delivery to
Maximize benefit from Technology!
1) a broader notion of what hearing technology
may be offered to an individual by the
audiologist,
2) the seamless interfacing of new technology with
the personal systems,
3) the effect of standardization of evaluation
techniques on the dispensing process, and
4) the need for AuD programs to incorporate
experiences with technology beyond the hearing
aid.
Four Concepts re: Service Delivery to
Maximize benefit from Technology!
1) a broader notion of what hearing technology
may be offered to an individual by the
audiologist,
2) the seamless interfacing of new technology with
the personal systems,
3) the effect of standardization of evaluation
techniques on the dispensing process, and
4) the need for AuD programs to incorporate
experiences with technology beyond the hearing
aid.
THE TELEGRAM
A TOOL TO USE IN EVERY AUDIOLOGICAL
EVALUATION TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO
MAXIMIZE COMMUNICATION
Intended to be a communication assessment that
can be plotted for efficient summarization.
Thibodeau, L. (2004). Maximizing Communication via Hearing Assistance Technology:
Plotting beyond the Audiogram! Special Issue: Assistive Listening Devices.
Hearing Journal, Vol. 57.
TELEGRAM
Telephone
Employment
Legislation
Entertainment
Groups
Recreation
Alarms
Members of House
CASE STUDY
Retired gentleman
Moderate-to-severe bilateral sensorineural hearing
loss
He has needs in the areas of
phone communication
hearing at church,
bingo games
volunteering at the hospital.
He is also in need of a flashing smoke alarm
in various places in his house, because he
cannot hear the high-pitch signal of his
current alarms.
Although he does not attend new public
venues often, he has limited knowledge of
accommodations that could be provided in
public places and became interested in
finding out the options for the concert series
he used to regularly attend.
CASE STUDY
For this individual, the audiologist may suggest a
trial with an FM Receiver integrated into a BTE
aid in conjunction with a multi-microphone FM
Transmitter.
Using the combination of the AUDIOGRAM with
the TELEGRAM would allow the audiologist to
explain the sensory loss along with a broad
assessment of communication needs that may
be addressed with assistive technology.
1
0
0
4
4
7
4
6
11
11
1
7
2
10
7
Summer
Intensive
Aural
Rehabilitation
Conference
SIARC
UTD
CALLIER
AHRC
-
What was SIARC?
SIARC is a week long opportunity for adults
with hearing impairment and their
communication partners to experience the
benefits of cooperative learning in a social
environment.
Participants
Adults with hearing loss
AuD Students
Aspiring AuD Students
Conference Highlights
• Dr. Mark Ross Lectures
• Personal Hearing Aid Check
• Complete Audiological
Evaluation
• New Technology Update
• Trials with New Technology
• Strategies for Listening
• Coping Strategies
• Assistive Listening Devices
(ALDs)
Daily Schedule
09:30 – 09:50 a.m.
10:00 – 10 :50 a.m.
11:00 – 11:50 a.m.
12:00 – 12:50 p.m.
01:00 – 01:50 p.m.
02:00 – 02:50 p.m.
03:00 – 04:00 p.m.
04:00 – 05:00 p.m.
05:15 – Evening
Dr. Mark Ross Lecture
Technology Update
Comm. Skills or Audio. Evals
LUNCH
Comm. Skills or Audio. Evals
Coping Skills
Optional Lectures
BREAK
Evening Activities
Audiological Evaluations and
Hearing Aid Checks
In addition to the
courses, participants
and their partners
received complete
audiological evaluations
performed by graduate
students for clinical hrs.
To ensure effective communication,
participants also received personal hearing aid
checks.
Clinician - Graduate Students
New Technology Update and
Trials
One of the main goals of SIARC was
“EARS-ON” experience.
Participants were
encouraged to
evaluate new
technology such as
digital,
programmable,
and disposable
hearing aids.
Listening/Communication
Strategies
Key to any rehabilitation class is the
education of communication strategies- not
only for the HOH listener but also for their
communication partners.
Resources
1. CID CR-ROMS
2. CPHI and Interpretation\
3. Learning to Hear Again
by D. Wayner and J. Abrahamson
ALDs and Experiences
Keeping with the “EARS-ON” idea, attendees
were not only educated about ALDs, but they
were also used during all classes, activities, and
evening outings.
1) FM Technology
2) Infrared
3) I-Communicator
4) Soundfield
5) Telecoil
Coping Strategies
Drs. Thibodeau & Ross co-taught the “Coping
Strategies” course on 4 of the 5 course days.
Drs. Thibodeau & Ross
Resource Room
A Resource Room was made available during
the entire conference. Videos, books, and
pamphlets were provided as well as
information on relaxation techniques.
Guest lecturers
Carol and Richard
Wagner made
presentations in the
room throughout
the conference.
Evening Activities
•
•
•
•
There were special evening activities each
night of the conference to utilize the skills
learned throughout the week and to test out
some of the ALDs in real-life situations.
Wheel of
Fortune Dinner
Dallas Summer
Musical
Myerson Tour
Arboretum
SAMPLE SIARC WEEK
Wheel of Fortune and Fajita
Dinner
On Monday Night, the participants were
entertained with a rousing game of Wheel
of Fortune and a delicious Fajita Dinner
from On The Border.
Dallas Summer Musical
Tuesday Evening the attendees and
volunteers enjoyed dinner at Fair Park and
Cinderella the Musical.
Keeping with the
“EARS-ON” idea,
Cinderella was
presented with RT
captioning on
laptops.
Tour of the Myerson
On Wednesday Afternoon, the SIARC
attendees took a tour of the Myerson
Symphony Center. As a special bonus, they
were able to play the 4,535-pipe organ.
In addition,
the group
enjoyed real
Dallas cuisine
at Celebration
Restaurant.
Dallas Arboretum
Finally, Thursday Evening found the
participants at the Dallas Arboretum for
dinner and a tour.
The conference
was winding
down just when it
was beginning to
heat up.
How did we do?
A SIARC Evaluation Form was filled out by the
participants on the last day of the conference.
67% thought all the classes were absolutely clear
and relevant.
85% found the material presented to be very
helpful.
75% felt the conference meet their needs and
expectations.
How did we do?
77% would be interested in taking additional
training in effective communication techniques.
77% plan to take further action to investigate and
improve their hearing and communication ability.
92% felt that the information learned will be
helpful to them in the future.
100% would recommend the conference to their
friends.
SUMMARY
• A possible reason that assistive devices are not
used more often by adults is because of their
lack of experience in realizing the benefits
• All adults with hearing loss should be offered a
trial with assistive devices according to their
needs as identified on the TELEGRAM
• Group experiences facilitate acceptance and
problem solving and strengthen the trial
experience