Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants

All Hearing Aids Are Alike Introduction to Hearing Aid Features by Steve Barber, HLAA-Wake Chapter 2 1.Sound goes in the Microphone. 2.Sound gets amplified. 3.Sound comes out the Speaker into your Ear

All Hearing Aids Are Different Introduction to Hearing Aid Features by Steve Barber, HLAA-Wake Chapter 3 Style (Small is best? … not always) Technology (Digital is the way to go? … probably) Features (More is better? … sometimes) Settings (your ‘prescription’ … a starting point)

Style Introduction to Hearing Aid Features by Steve Barber, HLAA-Wake Chapter 4 Body Behind The Ear (BTE) Mini BTE In The Ear (ITE) In The Canal (ITC) Completely In the Canal (CIC)

Video

Parts of the Cochlear Implant Diagram

Cochlear Implant Video

CI facts Available in 1985 for adults and 1991 for children - FDA approved Requirements for eligibility: Must be healthy Must have severe to profound hearing loss Must have used hearing aids Must be 12 months or older (in the U.S.)

Cochlear Implant Process Vetting – getting info. About process and about deafness and available resources Physical – including CT scan Surgery Post-op healing time 4 weeks Attachment of external elements Speech/language therapy – months to years

cost Average cost for a pair of hearing aids = $4,500 Average cost for a single cochlear implant = $40,000

Auditory Brainstem Technology