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

TelephoneEmploymentLegislationEntertainmentGroupsRecreationAlarmsMembers of House

CASE STUDYRetired 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.

PILOT

DATA

From

SIAR

C

N=5

7 4 6 11 11 7 10 7

1 0 0 4 4 1 2

-

SIARC

SummerIntensiveAuralRehabilitationConference

UTDCALLIERAHRC

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. Dr. Mark Ross Lecture10:00 – 10 :50 a.m. Technology Update11:00 – 11:50 a.m. Comm. Skills or Audio. Evals12:00 – 12:50 p.m. LUNCH01:00 – 01:50 p.m. Comm. Skills or Audio. Evals02:00 – 02:50 p.m. Coping Skills03:00 – 04:00 p.m. Optional Lectures04:00 – 05:00 p.m. BREAK05:15 – Evening 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.

Resources1. CID CR-ROMS2. CPHI and Interpretation\3. Learning to Hear Againby 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 Technology2) Infrared3) I-Communicator4) Soundfield5) 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

• Wheel of Fortune Dinner

• Dallas Summer Musical

• Myerson Tour• Arboretum

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.

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