AudioBlogical

Happy Independence Day !

2007-07-04T18:17:00.001-04:00

Best wishes for a contented Independence Day.
We pay honor to those men and women, present and past, who sacrificed so that we may all enjoy our freedoms and lifestyle.
Dr. Scott

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.

~ Thomas Paine ~

Adapting to New Hearing Aids; it's a Process

2007-07-04T18:00:00.000-04:00

Anyone using hearing aids for the first time, or updating from old to new technology, should realize that it takes time to adapt to the new sound. Studies have shown that it takes approximately 6 weeks for your brain to adapt to the new sounds that you are hearing.
During the first 2-3 months with your hearing aids your audiologist will increase the level of sound until they are finally set at the level best matched for your hearing. However, this does require time -- and patience. It is common for the sound to initially be set lower than what you need, sometimes 50% lower. Over several weeks the volume is increased until it finally gets to the appropriate level. The level of sound is adjusted based on your comments about sound level, quality, and the benefit that you're receiving.
If you're not doing well then you must tell your audiologist so proper adjustments can be made. Using hearing aids for a few days and deciding they aren't working for you isn't a fair trial. Do yourself a favor and ask for adjustments to address the problems that you're experiencing.
Dr. Scott

Adaptation of Open Fit with CRT

2007-07-02T10:23:00.000-04:00

The last post detailed the benefits of Open Fit technology. There are limitations; 1) feedback because of too much sound leaking out of the ear canal, and 2) a traditional Open Fit device is not able to give enough gain to satisfy those with a moderate or severe hearing loss - the result can be feedback (see #1). Open Fit technology using new Canal Receiver Technology (CRT) puts the receiver down into the eartip located deep in the ear canal. This allows the sound to enter deeper in the canal and reduces the likelihood of feedback. Other sizes of generic eartips and even custom earmolds can be made around the canal receiver to achieve an even better fit and acoustic seal. The benefit is that someone with greater degrees of hearing loss can now use the smaller Open Fit devices without having to resort to larger, more noticeable behind-the-ear devices.
These devices are made under names like Phonak MicroPower, Unitron Moxi, ReSound Azure, Sebotek, and others.

New Open Fit hearing aid technology

2007-06-25T19:28:00.000-04:00

A frequent complaint of traditional hearing aids is that they occlude the ear canal partially or almost completely. This may cause the ear to feel full, increase awareness of your voice, and ultimately prevent you from hearing some sounds that you would otherwise hear naturally. Open fit technology, an innovation from 2005, is finally making an improvement in all these areas.

A very small lightweight hearing aid rests comfortably behind-the-ear with a small tube routed into the ear canal. This small tube directs the sound deep into the ear without blocking the ear canal. The hearing aid can then be programmed to provide appropriate amplification in the high frequencies and let the low frequencies pass through normally, unamplified. This results in better clarity, less noise, and a better solution for your hearing needs.

This technology is most appropriate for high frequency hearing loss, the most common problem resulting from noise exposure.

Many technology developments are often improvements on what is already available. Open Fit technology is a truly unique innovation.

Welcome to AudioBlogical

2007-06-22T16:46:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my discussion of technology related to hearing, hearing loss, and hearing science. Several times weekly I hope to post relevant insight about innovations, developments, and even identify advances that are nothing more than redressing of an old technology.
Some posts will be focused on the business of audiology and hearing care.

Stay tuned for new information or let me know topics about which you'd like more information .

Dr. Scott