Personal Amplification Technologies
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are available in a variety of styles and are recommended based upon individual hearing levels, audibility requirements and individual preferences.
Considerations:
- Audiometric configuration
- Style
- Features
- Monaural vs Bilateral
- Usage
- Compatibility with RM access technology
- Individual expectations and limitations
- Outcome measures
Styles of Hearing Aids:
- Behind-the-ear (BTE)
- In-the-ear (ITE)
- In-the-canal (ITC)
- Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)
- Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE or RIC)
Features of Hearing Aid Technology
- Advanced features in hearing technology are now available to improve audibility. These features can be enabled by the audiologist
- Directionality
- Noise reduction
- Datalogging
- Feedback management
Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants are for individuals who cannot benefit from hearing aids and who meet specific candidacy requirements.
While hearing aids deliver an acoustic signal, a cochlear implant delivers an electrical signal.
Considerations:
- Monaural vs Bilateral
- Individual expectations and limitations
- Usage
- Compatibility with RM access technology
- Outcome measures
RESOURCES
What are cochlear implants and how they help children’s hearing.
www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/700childrens/2019/01/what-are-cochlear-implants
Cochlear implants in the classroom
www.acialliance.org/page/CIsClassroom/Cochlear-Implants-for-Kids-in-School.htm
Bone Conduction Devices
Hearing aids may not appropriate due to anatomical differences, active middle ear disease or single sided deafness and a bone conduction device is a reasonable option.
These devices transmit sound directly to the cochlea via skull bone vibrations.
Considerations:
- Style – headband (external) or implanted
- Usage
- Individual expectations and limitations
- Compatibility with RM access technology
- Outcome measures
RESOURCES
Overview of bone conduction devices
www.babyhearing.org/devices/auditory-osseointegrated
Treatment and procedures
www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/b/bone-conduction-devices
Bimodal
Bimodal is a combination of using a hearing aid with acoustic input on one ear and a cochlear implant and electrical input on the other ear.
Considerations:
- Individual expectations and limitations — combining acoustic and electric input can improve sound quality, music perception, and localization, but benefit varies
- Compatibility with RM access technology, including bimodal streaming/synchronization between the hearing aid and cochlear implant processor
- Outcome measures — use validated tools (e.g., speech-in-noise testing, sound source localization, questionnaires) to document bimodal benefit and guide device programming over time
RESOURCES
Overview of bimodal fittings, flowchart, information sheet
www.oticon.ca/professionals/training-and-fitting/fitting/bimodal-fitting
Research Articles
www.acialliance.org/page/BinauralHearing
CROS
Hearing technology for individuals with normal hearing and unaided hearing in the other ear.
The hearing aid transmitter picks up sound on the unaidable ear and delivers it to a hearing aid receiver on the good ear.
Considerations:
- Individual expectations and limitations — CROS routes sound rather than restoring hearing in the unaidable ear, so localization stays limited
- Compatibility with RM access technology, especially for classroom or personal remote mic systems
- Outcome measures — use validated tools (e.g., speech-in-noise testing, APHAB/SSQ) to document benefit and reassess over time
RESOURCES
An individual’s experience with CROS
www.healthyhearing.com/report/52981-My-new-ear-experiences-with-a-cros-hearing-aid
CROS hearing aids for children with SSD
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165587622002579
Hearing Loss Simulator
Visit Clinique Auditive to hear simulations of common hearing losses from light hearing loss up to severe.
Here’s a preview of what you’ll find at Clinique Auditive.
Light hearing loss of approximately 35 dB HL
Moderately severe hearing loss
Severe hearing loss of 70 dB HL