Hearing Loss

Why Youre Here

Even if you dont have a hearing

loss:

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

How We Hear
Understanding Hearing Loss
Getting Help
Getting Good
Technical Solutions
Hearing Loss Association of
America

Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh,

NC

Its 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

Whisper to Jet Plane (1 :

1,000,000)
Rumble to a Sizzle (20 to 20,000
Hz)
Localization

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

Lose some sounds (usually

consonants)
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Cant Hear in Noise
Loss of Localization

Dont Know Where Sound is Coming

From
Cant Suppress Unwanted Sounds

Can Affect
Your Life
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC

You Are Not Alone

Understanding Hearing Loss

U.S. population 270+ million

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 denialDeveloped by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC

Untreated Hearing Loss

Understanding Hearing Loss

Sadness and depression

Worry and anxiety
Paranoia
Less social activity
Emotional turmoil and insecurity

Source: National Council on the Aging, May

1999
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC

Treated Hearing Loss

Understanding Hearing Loss

Better relationships with their

families
Better feelings about themselves
Improved mental health
Greater independence and security

Source: National Council on the Aging, May

Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
1999

Types of Hearing Loss

Understanding Hearing Loss

Common Audiogram Curves

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 theDeveloped

Aging, May
by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
1999

Normal Hearing
Understanding Hearing Loss
No Loss

Consonants

Vowels

No Hearing

0 Hz
Source: National Council on theDeveloped
Aging, May
by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
1999

20000 Hz

Mild High Frequency Loss

Understanding Hearing Loss
Note: These are illustrations only
they are not meant to be precise.

No Loss

No Hearing

0 Hz
Source: National Council on theDeveloped
Aging, May
by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
1999

20000 Hz

Moderate High Frequency Loss

Understanding Hearing Loss
No Loss

No Hearing

0 Hz
Source: National Council on theDeveloped
Aging, May
by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
1999

20000 Hz

Moderate/Severe High Frequency

Loss
Understanding Hearing Loss
No Loss

No Hearing

0 Hz
Source: National Council on theDeveloped
Aging, May
by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
1999

20000 Hz

Severe/Profound High Frequency

Loss
Understanding Hearing Loss
No Loss

No Hearing

0 Hz
Source: National Council on theDeveloped
Aging, May
by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
1999

20000 Hz

Reverse Ski Slope

Understanding Hearing Loss
No Loss

No Hearing

0 Hz
Source: National Council on theDeveloped
Aging, May
by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
1999

20000 Hz

Cookie Bite Hearing Loss

Understanding Hearing Loss
No Loss

No Hearing

0 Hz
Source: National Council on theDeveloped
Aging, May
by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
1999

20000 Hz

Common Causes of Hearing

Loss
Understanding Hearing loss

Acoustic Trauma (Noise)

Age related
Genetic
Ototoxic Drugs
Illness (examples)

Autoimmune Disease
Menieres Syndrome
Acoustic Neuromas
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC

Start With Professionals

Getting Help: First Steps

Audiologist

CCCA
AuD

Its important to have a thorough

audiological workup; not just a
hearing screening.

Ear Doctor

Its 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

HLAA (www.hearingloss.org)
Internet (handout)

Web Pages
Listserves/Groups/Bulletin Boards/Chat
Sessions

DSDHH

(most states have programs for Deaf and Hard of

Hearing)

Regional Resource Centers

Equipment Distribution

Assistive Technology Program

(all states have)

Equipment Demonstration
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Free Consultations

Do Something
Getting Help: Help Yourself

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
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Pass on What
You Learn

Coping Skills
Getting Good

Dont Bluff
Explain, Dont 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

Microphone/Amplifier/Speaker
Selectively Make Things Louder
Can Make a Huge Difference
Wont Completely Correct Your
Hearing
Youll Likely Still Have Trouble

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

Audiologists/Hearing Aid Dealers

Facilities

Joint with Drs 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

Basic Styles

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

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

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
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC

Assistive Listening (ALDs)

Technical Solutions

Transmission

Hard Wired
Magnetic (loop)
FM
IR

User Interface

Hear Better:
Meetings/Classroo
m
In the car
Noisy Restaurants
Telephone
TV/Stereo

Solves
Movies
Headphones
Distance

Computer
NeckLoop and Silhouette
Noise
Direct Audio Input (DAI)
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC

Telephones
Technical Solutions

Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC)

CallerID
HAC
effectiveness
Volume Control
varies greatly
Ringer Volume Control on mainstream
High Frequency Boost phone.
Special phones
Flashing Lights
exist for Hard of
Jack (for ALDs)
Hearing people
FM and Bluetooth
for serious
features.

Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC

Beyond Telephones
Technical Solutions

Relay
IP Relay
CapTel

You

And, dont
forget, theres
FAX, Email
CA
Instant
Messaging, and
SMS now.
These are often
more
Other
convenient than
Party
telephones or
Relay.
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC

More Assistive Solutions

Technical Solutions

Flashers for Doorbell and Phone

Baby Criers
Vibrating Alerters and Bed Shakers
Alarm Clocks (Loud, Vibrating, Light
Flashing)
Fire Alarms with Strobe Lights
Captions

Closed
Open
SubtitlesDeveloped by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC

What is HLAA?
HLAA

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

HLAA (the National Organization)

HLA-xx (where xx = State Abbreviation)

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

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

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
Developed by HLA-Wake
NC
Helping yourself
County,
andRaleigh,
others

HLA-Wake County Chapter

HLAA

Formed in early 80s

You may have to
DRAG someone
you care about!
Averages about 40 members
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

Its Up To You
HLAA

Never Been a Better Time to be

HoH!
Theres plenty of help; youre not
alone.
Only you can accept that help
It can improve your life
It can put you back in control
Isnt it time?
Questions and
Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Answers