Most humans hear sounds in the range of 20 to 20,000 Hz. Sensitivity vary as a function of frequency, with sounds in the middle frequencies being heard well.
1) Pure Tone Audiometry / Audiogram
2) Impedence Audiometry (Interaacoustic, Zarmany)
3) Speech Audiometry.
4) Behavioral Observation Audiometry (BOA)
Brainstem evoked response audiometry is a non invasive technique to determine the presence of hearing loss in children and adults. In BERA an individual does not require to respond to a sound but the test is automated and gives exact hearing thresholds.It also helps in testing the inner ear and auditory nerve function.
5) Conditioning Audiometry
6) LLR (Long Latency Response Potencial)
7) Oto Acoustic Emission (OAE) – (Biologic Company, USA)
8) Brainstem Evoked Response Potential (BERA) – (Biologic Company, USA)
9) Multiple Auditory Steady-State Response (ASSR) – (Biologic Company, USA)
10) Electrocochleorgraphy (ECochG) – (Biologic Company, USA)
11) Objective and subjective fitting of all companies of digital hearing aid(Swiss & USA combine technology)
12) Mapping & Telemetry
EARLY HEARING DETECYION AND INTERVENTION PROGRAMS(EHDI)
– Newborn Hearing Screening.
– Main Aims Are.
– Early Identification.
– Early Intervention.
– Reduce handicappness due to hearing loss.
What is EHDI?
The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (EHDI) is a program under the auspices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, this national program identifies newborns and infants and enrolls them in special programs to ensure they develop the language and cognitive skills. Many, but not all, states and territories have EHDI programs.
Newborns are given hearing screenings before hospital release. If a newborn does not pass, EHDI follows up. Follow up is important, because it is just a screening. It is NOT an official diagnosis of hearing loss.
EHDI has three key goals:
1) Screen babies before one month old.
2) Follow up on babies before they are three months old.
3)Begin providing early intervention services before the baby is six months old.
Through EHDI, families are provided information on communication choices.
EHDI Benefits for Families:
Through the online cd-rom guide “A Parent’s Guide to Hearing Loss,” I learned about Part C programs (not part of EHDI) and Individual Family Service Plans. Part C programs/IFSPs can help pay for hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other services/equipment for the infant or toddler.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BEHAVIORAL MANIFESTATIONS OF CAPD?
Below is a listing of some of the common behavioral characteristics often noted in children with CAPD. It should be noted that many of these behavioral characteristics are not unique to CAPD. Some may also be noted in individuals with other types of deficits or disorders, such as attention deficits, hearing loss, behavioral problems, and learning difficulties or dyslexia. Therefore, one should not necessarily assume that the presence of any one or more of these behaviors indicates that the child has a CAPD. However, if any of these behaviors are noted, the child should be considered at risk for CAPD and referred for appropriate testing. Definitive diagnosis of a central auditory disorder cannot be made until specialized auditory testing is completed and other etiologies have been ruled out.
1. Difficulty hearing in noisy situations.
2. Difficulty following long conversations.
3. Difficulty hearing conversations on the telephone.
4. Difficulty learning a foreign language or challenging vocabulary words.
5. Difficulty remembering spoken information (i.e., auditory memory deficits).
6. Difficulty taking notes.
7. Difficulty maintaining focus on an activity if other sounds are present child is easily distracted by other sounds in the environment.
8. Difficulty with organizational skills.
9. Difficulty following multi-step directions.
10. Difficulty in directing, sustaining, or dividing attention.
11. Difficulty with reading and/or spelling.
12. Difficulty processing nonverbal information (e.g., lack of music appreciation).
There are a number of behavioral checklists that have been developed in an effort to systematically probe for behaviors that may suggest a CAPD (Fisher, 1976; Kelly, 1995; Smoski, Brunt, & Tannahill, 1992; Willeford & Burleigh, 1985). Some of these checklists were developed for teachers, while others were designed for parents. These checklists can be helpful in determining whether a child should be referred to an audiologist for a central auditory processing assessment.
Central Auditory Processing Disorder Treatment: 3 Different Approaches. Central auditory processing disorder treatment has different approaches that aim at the same result.
Types of hearing aids.
There are many types of hearing aids, which vary in size, power and circuitry. Among the different sizes and models are:
New open fit invisible hearing aid :
Almost invisible and perfect sound quality, integrated Bluetooth, 100% digital haring aid.Esteem hearing implant
1) Completely invisible.
2) Uses the body’s natural anatomy to provide optimal hearing .
3) Esteem-Hearing ImplantT is not affected by acoustic feedback .
4) The device allows patients to live normal active lifestyles .
5) No occlusion effect (nothing in the ear) .
6) No maintenance or batteries for up to four years .
Hearing aid technology
1) Wireless (F.M.System); 1) Wireless (F.M.System)
Recent hearing aids include wireless hearing aids. FM listening systems are now emerging with wireless receivers integrated with the use of hearing aids and cochlear implant. The voice is transmitted wirelessly to the hearing aids or cochlear implant reducing the effects of distance and background noise. Many theatres and lecture halls are now equipped with assistive listening systems that transmit the sound directly from the stage; audience members can borrow suitable receivers and hear the program without background noise