1. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Hearing Loss Even if you don’t have a hearing loss: You probably care about someone who does Your odds of having a hearing loss in the future are pretty good. Why You’re Here

2. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Hearing Loss How We Hear Understanding Hearing Loss Getting Help Getting Good Technical Solutions Hearing Loss Association of America An Introduction

3. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC It’s a Miracle How We Hear Nerve Ossicles Ear Drum Semi Circular Canals Cochlea

4. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Amazing Capability (when it works) Whisper to Jet Plane (1 : 1,000,000) Rumble to a Sizzle (20 to 20,000 Hz) Localization Know Where Sound is Coming From Automatically Suppress Unwanted Sound How We Hear

5. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Serious Impact (when it fails) Lose some sounds (usually consonants) Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Can’t Hear in Noise Loss of Localization Don’t Know Where Sound is Coming From Can’t Suppress Unwanted Sounds Can Affect Your Life Can Affect Those Around You How We Hear

6. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC You Are Not Alone U.S. population 270+ million 2 million Deaf 26 million Hard of Hearing 1 of every 10 people has a hearing loss Over age 65, 1 in every 3 persons has some degree of hearing loss 80% of hard of hearing people are in denial Understanding Hearing Loss

7. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Untreated Hearing Loss Sadness and depression Worry and anxiety Paranoia Less social activity Emotional turmoil and insecurity Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999 Understanding Hearing Loss

8. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Treated Hearing Loss Better relationships with their families Better feelings about themselves Improved mental health Greater independence and security Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999 Understanding Hearing Loss

9. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Types of Hearing Loss Common Audiogram Curves High Frequency Loss (Ski Slope) Low Frequency Loss (Reverse Ski Slope) Mid-range Loss (Cookie Bite) Flat Loss Sensorineural, Conductive, Mixed Timing Gradual/Sudden/Fluctuating Understanding Hearing Loss Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999

10. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC “Normal” Hearing Understanding Hearing Loss Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999 0 Hz20000 Hz No Loss No Hearing Vowels Consonants

11. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Mild High Frequency Loss Understanding Hearing Loss Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999 0 Hz20000 Hz No Loss No Hearing Note: These are illustrations only they are not meant to be precise.

12. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Moderate High Frequency Loss Understanding Hearing Loss Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999 0 Hz20000 Hz No Loss No Hearing

13. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Moderate/Severe High Frequency Loss Understanding Hearing Loss Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999 0 Hz20000 Hz No Loss No Hearing

14. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Severe/Profound High Frequency Loss Understanding Hearing Loss Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999 0 Hz20000 Hz No Loss No Hearing

15. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Reverse Ski Slope Understanding Hearing Loss Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999 0 Hz20000 Hz No Loss No Hearing

16. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Cookie Bite Hearing Loss Understanding Hearing Loss Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999 0 Hz20000 Hz No Loss No Hearing

17. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Common Causes of Hearing Loss Acoustic Trauma (Noise) Age related Genetic Ototoxic Drugs Illness (examples) Autoimmune Disease Meniere’s Syndrome Acoustic Neuromas Understanding Hearing loss

18. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Start With Professionals Audiologist CCCA AuD Ear Doctor ENT Otologist Otolaryngologist Otorhynolaryngologist Getting Help: First Steps It’s important to have a thorough audiological workup; not just a hearing screening. It’s important to have a doctor determine whether there are any treatable medical conditions; some are life threatening.

19. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Learn From Others HLAA (www.hearingloss.org) Internet (handout) Web Pages Listserves/Groups/Bulletin Boards/Chat Sessions DSDHH (most states have programs for Deaf and Hard of Hearing) Regional Resource Centers Equipment Distribution Assistive Technology Program (all states have) Equipment Demonstration Free Consultations Getting Help: Next Step

20. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Do Something You have a hearing loss: Get Over It! Polish Your Coping Skills Help Your Friends and Family Buy and Learn How to Use Hearing Aids Take Advantage of Assistive Technology Pass on What You Learn Advocate Getting Help: Help Yourself

21. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Coping Skills Don’t Bluff Explain, Don’t Just Say “Huh” Choose Your Situation (noise/position/lighting) Plan Ahead Confirm Understanding Keep Your Sense of Humor (See Detailed Tips on Handout) Getting Good

22. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Hearing Aids Microphone/Amplifier/Speaker Selectively Make Things Louder Can Make a Huge Difference Won’t Completely Correct Your Hearing You’ll Likely Still Have Trouble In Noise At a Distance Technical Solutions Both of these can be overcome with ALDs

23. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Hearing Aids (How to Buy) Audiologists/Hearing Aid Dealers Facilities Joint with Dr’s Office vs. Private Practices “House Brands” vs. Multi-Brand Big Box Stores Web Fitting is an art … not like glasses At least 30 day trial period Your #1 PRIORITY is Better Hearing Technical Solutions

24. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Hearing Aid Types Basic Styles BTE ITE ITC CIC Middle Ear Implantable Bone Conduction/BAHA CROS/BiCROS Disposable Technical Solutions

25. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Hearing Aid Features (Quick Tour) Volume Control Telecoil Multiple Microphones (Noise Control) Programmable Feedback Control Compression/Clipping Digital vs. Analog Direct Audio Input Remote Controls FM Technical Solutions

26. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Cochlear Implants Surgically Placed Electrode Directly Stimulates Cochlea External Processor with Microphone Only for VERY Serious Losses Amazing Successes Some Moderate Successes Very Few Complete Failures Most Likely Destroys Residual Hearing Technical Solutions

27. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Assistive Listening (ALDs) Transmission Hard Wired Magnetic (loop) FM IR User Interface Headphones NeckLoop and Silhouette Direct Audio Input (DAI) Technical Solutions Hear Better:  Meetings/Classroom  In the car  Noisy Restaurants  Telephone  TV/Stereo  Movies  Computer Solves Distance Noise

28. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Telephones Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) CallerID Volume Control Ringer Volume Control High Frequency Boost Flashing Lights Jack (for ALDs) FM and Bluetooth Technical Solutions HAC effectiveness varies greatly on mainstream phone. Special phones exist for Hard of Hearing people for serious features.

29. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Beyond Telephones Relay IP Relay CapTel Technical Solutions And, don’t forget, there’s FAX, Email Instant Messaging, and SMS now. These are often more convenient than telephones or Relay. You Other Party CA

30. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC More Assistive Solutions Flashers for Doorbell and Phone Baby Criers Vibrating Alerters and Bed Shakers Alarm Clocks (Loud, Vibrating, Light Flashing) Fire Alarms with Strobe Lights Captions Closed Open Subtitles Technical Solutions

31. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC What is HLAA? Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), formerly Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH) A new organization (started 1979). A new name (starting in 2006) Mission: to open the world of communication to hard of hearing people by providing education, information, support, and advocacy. Grassroots network of over 250 chapters/groups across U.S. HLAA

32. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC Non-Profit Organization HLAA (the National Organization) Education and Advocacy $25 Membership (Join at www.hearingloss.org) Great Magazine and National Convention Discounts HLA-xx (where xx = State Abbreviation) State-Level Associations of HLAA Coordination and Advocacy at the State Level Established in many states, now Local Chapters In many cities across the country Real “End-User” Support through volunteers HLAA

33. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC HLAA Helps You Learn About Hearing loss in general Latest developments in hearing aids, Cochlear Implants and assistive technologies Latest advances in medical research Relevant legislative issues Getting your life back Helping yourself … and others HLAA

34. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC HLA-Wake County Chapter Formed in early 80’s Averages about 40 members All volunteer No dues; everyone welcome Funded by Donations (including SAS) Meets monthly Third Thursday every month Cary Senior Center HLAA You may have to DRAG someone you care about ! My Wife Dragged Me!

35. Developed by HLA-Wake County, Raleigh, NC It’s Up To You Never Been a Better Time to be HoH! There’s plenty of help; you’re not alone. Only you can accept that help It can improve your life It can put you back in control Isn’t it time? Questions and Answers HLAA