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Questions and Answers
What is the pressure method?
What is the substitution method?
What does REDD stand for?
Real ear to dial difference
How is the real ear saturation response defined?
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What does speech mapping concepts involve?
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What is a coupler?
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What does RECD stand for?
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What test box measurements are taken to check a hearing aid's operation?
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What curve is typically measured in test-box to represent a hearing aid's maximum output?
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What does REAR mean?
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What does REAG mean?
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What is REIG?
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Why is insertion gain different from coupler gain?
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What factors can lead to incorrect measurement of real-ear gain?
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When does feedback oscillation occur?
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Describe the HA1 coupler.
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Describe the HA2 coupler.
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List ways 2cc couplers and ear simulators can produce inaccurate results.
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What is functional gain?
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What are in-situ measures?
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What does REUR stand for?
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What does REUG refer to?
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What is REIR?
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What is REOR?
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What is speech mapping?
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What happens when REUR equals REOR?
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If the acronym ends in 'R', what does it mean?
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What happens if you choose unilateral/bilateral inappropriately?
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What do you do if you are undershooting high targets?
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What is REDD?
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What are the two main concepts when prescribing amplification?
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When prescribing gain, what should you consider?
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What is linear processing?
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What is non-linear processing?
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What is expansion in hearing aids?
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What is WDRC?
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What is output limiting?
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What is peak clipping?
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Describe mirroring the audiogram.
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Describe the half gain rule.
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What is the historical context of hearing loss amplification?
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What prescriptions are available for non-linear processing?
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What does DSL I/O stand for?
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Describe NAL.
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Describe DSL 5.
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Study Notes
Hearing Aids: Key Concepts and Measurements
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Coupler: A small cavity connecting the hearing aid sound outlet to a measurement microphone.
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RECD (Real Ear to Coupler Difference): Canal SPL minus Coupler SPL; crucial for infants due to differing ear canal sizes.
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Test-box Measurements: Include checks for distortion, internal noise, and response to magnetic fields to ensure hearing aids meet specifications.
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Output Frequency Curve: Measured with a 90 dBSPL pure tone input to determine the maximum output capability of a hearing aid.
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REAR (Real Ear Aided Response): Sound level in the patient’s ear canal, derived from coupler response plus several factors including RECDs and vent effects.
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REAG (Real Ear Aided Gain): Difference between sound level in the ear canal and the input level near the patient; calculated using coupler gain and other effects.
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REIG (Real Ear Insertion Gain): Level of sound in the ear canal with hearing aid minus level without; calculated as REAR minus REUR.
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Insertion Gain vs. Coupler Gain: Insertion gain is impacted by the resonance effects of the unaided ear, forming a baseline for measurement.
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Factors Affecting Real-Ear Gain Measurement: Probe positioning errors, probe blockage, background noise, and hearing aid saturation can lead to inaccurate results.
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Feedback Oscillation: Occurs when amplification exceeds the attenuation of sound leaking from the output back to the input of the hearing aid.
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HA1 Coupler: Used for ITE and ITC hearing aids; connects via putty, suitable for certain BTEs without ear molds.
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HA2 Coupler: Includes an ear mold simulator, connects to BTEs, and is used primarily for traditional BTE fittings.
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2cc Couplers and Ear Simulators: Can produce inaccuracies due to poor sealing or wear; Zwislocki coupler simulates average SPL with aid inserted.
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Omnidirectional Mic Testing: Important to maintain proximity between control mic and HA mic to avoid acoustical shadowing.
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Directional Mic Testing: Requires sound from the loudspeaker to hit the hearing aid at the appropriate angle as when worn.
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Functional Gain: The difference between aided and unaided thresholds, verified through sound booth testing.
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In-situ Measures: Measurements taken with hearing aids in place within a person's ear for accuracy.
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REUR (Real Ear Unaided Response): Measurement of ear response with the probe mic only inserted.
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Speech Mapping: A method to visualize REAR, with output measured on SPL y-axis; assists in fitting adjustments.
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Complications with Fits: Choosing unilateral or bilateral fittings improperly can lead to overshooting or undershooting targets.
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Amplification Goals: Maximize speech intelligibility and ensure sounds are audible yet comfortable.
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Linear vs Non-linear Processing: Linear processing uses the same gain curve for all inputs, while non-linear processing specifies varied gain responses for different input levels.
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Wide Dynamic Range Compression (WDRC): Fits inputs into a smaller dynamic range and broadens overall dynamic range.
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Peak Clipping: A form of output limiting causing distortion, it can exceed the output level of compression limiting.
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NAL and POGO Prescriptions: These frameworks guide amplification practices based on speech intelligibility and specific hearing losses.
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DSL Versions: Over time, these have evolved to cater to both adult and pediatric use, incorporating unique adjustments based on trends in audiology.
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Importance of Test Box Measurements: Essential for assessing the performance of hearing aids when patient reports indicate issues; a standardized approach helps maintain quality and function verification.
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REDD (Real Ear to Dial Difference): Measures the discrepancy between received transducer output and what reaches the eardrum.
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Real Ear Saturation Response: Measured using LDL for reference, helps determine the maximum output level of hearing aids under specified conditions.
These notes highlight the mechanisms and considerations involved in hearing aid fittings and testing, providing a framework for understanding the various concepts essential for audiologists and hearing care professionals.
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Description
Test your knowledge on hearing aids with this exam covering Real Ear to Coupler Differences (RECDs) and other essential concepts. Learn about couplers, test-box measurements, and their significance, especially in infants. Perfect for students in audiology or hearing science courses.