ReSound’s Global Audiology team will be presenting a variety of sessions at AudiologyNOW!
It Starts With The Fitting – How to Make Sure Your Hearing Aid Fittings Result in Positive Outcomes
With Laurel Christensen
Hearing aid fittings can result in positive outcomes where the patient becomes a successful user or negative outcomes where the hearing aid isn’t worn or is returned. The negative consequences of untreated hearing loss include irritability, fatigue, stress, withdrawal, depression, reduced job performance, and lower earning power. When a person with hearing loss is fit with hearing aids and subsequently has a negative outcome, they are unable to experience the benefits of amplification and overcome these negative consequences. This session will outline why some fittings have negative outcomes and will suggest ways to increase the likelihood of positive outcomes.
LEARNING MODULES
A Clinical Perspective on Working with Wireless (LM237)
With Charlotte T. Jespersen & Brent C. Kirkwood
All technology connecting hearing instruments to sound sources or other people has one major functional goal – to improve the signal to noise ratio making speech easier to discriminate especially in the presence of background noise. Contemporary hearing instruments offer such connectivity through wireless streaming and wireless accessories. This talk will cover currently available wireless options and how to take into account the needs and lifestyle of the individual user when making a selection.
The Mild Misnomer Diverse Needs for Mild Hearing Impairment (LM031)
With Charlotte T. Jespersen & Kimi N. Moeller
Mild hearing losses are clouded by the misnomer used to classify these levels of hearing impairment. The term ‘mild’ suggests little to no experienced impairment or handicap, resulting in a low priority for rehabilitation and amplification of the hearing-impaired individual – the consequences of which can be severe. This talk will cover the common misconceptions associated with mild hearing losses and provide tools for effective rehabilitation and motivation of people in this category.
How Do You Verify “Binaural Processing” in Hearing Aids? (LM209)
With Stephen Hallenbeck & Tammara Stender
Hearing aid manufacturers are increasingly offering technology that claims to improve sound quality, hearing in noise, spatial awareness and automatic changes for directional microphone modes. While the benefits may be gleaned through subjective evaluation, objective verification of these features requires new protocols for real-ear and test box measures. This session will offer attendees concepts, demonstrations and tools to objectively verify binaural features in hearing aids across a variety of manufacturers.
A Deeper Look into Tinnitus: Unique Case Studies (LM238)
With Michael Piskosz
Tinnitus is a concern for many people, and affects approximately 15% of the population. As hearing loss is increasingly identified and diagnosed, this trend is most likely to continue and grow. Many clinicians feel overwhelmed and uncertain about tinnitus and what can be done. This session will review unique case studies and discuss the distinctively varied approaches in regards to tinnitus management. Different tinnitus paradigms, counseling methods and sound therapy options will be discussed.
Running a Successful Tinnitus Clinic (LM232)
With Michael Piskosz
Tinnitus affects approximately 15% of the population, and roughly 80% of tinnitus sufferers also have some treatable hearing loss. As hearing loss is increasingly identified and diagnosed, this trend is most likely to continue and grow, therefore putting tinnitus on the horizon of standard audiology practice. Still, many clinicians feel overwhelmed about tinnitus and what can be done. This session will review strategies and practices of organizing and running a successful tinnitus clinic.
Practical Tips for Open Fittings (LM 248)
With Jennifer Groth & Erica Koehler
Open fit hearing instruments can be fit with a multitude of solutions for coupling to the ear canal. Manufacturers have different strategies for accounting for these solutions, and it may be unclear to clinicians what the result of choosing different parameters in fitting software is. We will discuss making appropriate choices for open and occluding fittings, and provide an overview of the different manufacturers’ ways of correcting for these choices.
21st Century Waves Using Induction and Antennas (LM201)
With Rena Appleby & Stephen Hallenbeck
An interesting and unexpected trend has occurred. Many assumed that telecoil (induction loop) utilization would decrease with the introduction of digital wireless hearing aids and accessories. However, installations for induction loops are at an all time high in the United States. Why is this trend occurring and what are the advantages and disadvantages to the use of induction loops versus wireless hearing aid accessories to improve hearing in multiple listening environments?