Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

Microtia

Connexin 26 (Cx26)

Presbycusis

Either on the footplate of the stapes or at the junction of the incus and stapes

Mild, conductive progressive hearing loss

Inherited, acquired

Surgical treatment: cochlear implant or BAHA

Medical treatment: sodium fluoride, hearing aid

Tympanic membrane can bulge inward, interfering with normal vibration of the TM and ossicles

Can result in fluid build up in the middle ear due to blocked tube, as well as otitis media

Sensations include muffled hearing, feeling of fullness, and pressure or pain in the ears

Acquired

Surgical treatment: Ear tubes

Medical treatment: Dilation via balloon, antihistamines

Often accompanied by atresia, whereby the external auditory canal is either malformed or completely absent

Mild to profound conductive hearing loss

Can be inherited but is usually randomly occurring, congenital

Reconstruction surgery or prosthetics available for both cosmetic and audiological reasons

Includes the 6 sounds listed above as well as no sound, and some additionally test for /p/, /f/, /k/.

• Conductive

  • abnormal AC and normal BC levels indicate issues in the middle and outer ear functioning

  • significant air-bone gaps

• Sensorineural

  • abnormal AC and BC levels indicate issues in middle and/or outer ear and inner ear function

  • no significant air-bone gaps

• Mixed

  • abnormal AC and BC levels indicate issues in middle and/or outer ear and inner ear function

  • significant air-bone gaps

Degrees of Hearing Loss

• Note that slight hearing loss begins at 16dB HL (not 20dB HL) for children

• May experience greater difficulty in language development skills and the ability to pay attention in the classroom

• Early intervention is crucial to avoiding long-term issues

Use of stethoset, which attaches firmly to hearing aid ear mold, for a person with typical hearing to assess performance of devices.

Perform visual inspection, checking for gapping, cracking, or moisture

Cup in hand to ensure there is no feedback

Test battery life with battery tester

Maintenance

• Leave battery door open at night

• Brush microphone ports upside down

• Clean ear molds daily with brush and dry loop

• Clean hearing aid casing daily with a dry cloth

• Perform Ling 6 sound test

• Check battery, on/off status, visual display/indicator lights, program and settings

• Assess integrity and security of cables, cords

• Use device-specific monitor earphones

• Roger touchscreen

• Pass-around mic (with stand)

• Roger pen

• Roger select (just released)

Farther-range

• Roger DigiMaster 5000 and 7000

• Roger Mylink

• Receivers (and audio shoes) for cochlear aimplants and hearing aids

• Individual level

• Securing of services within legal right (e.g., ASL interpreter at doctor's office or at a job that receives federal funding)

• Ensuring of equal communication access

Systemic Advocacy

• System-level changes that improve access to services

• Result in updates to policy and services in the name of human rights

• Requires legislation efforts and responses, joining deaf and hard of hearing consumer groups, and participating as a member in organizations that serve the

• Interpreters

• Speech-to-text

• Closed captions

• Note taking

• Hearing Assistive Technology

• Academic Accomodation