What to fit When? How to Choose the Right Product without Getting Dizzy!?! Laura Griffith, Au.D.,...
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Transcript of What to fit When? How to Choose the Right Product without Getting Dizzy!?! Laura Griffith, Au.D.,...
What to fit When?
• How to Choose the Right Product without Getting Dizzy!?!
• Laura Griffith, Au.D., Customer Trainer (CO, AZ, NM, UT, WY)• Andrea Gerlach, Au.D., Customer Trainer (TX, LA, OK)
Product Options
Exelia Art
Versata
Epoq
AzureS Series
TouchTek Ziga
Velocity
Axio
Dot
Touch 9
Shift
Nios
Audeo Yes
Dual
Essence
Reach
Zon
Naida
Vector
Vigo Pro
Shift
Pure
Be
Delta
Passport
Sumo
Certena
Savia
So…..What do you want to fit?
• Multiple manufacturers• Multiple hearing aid options• Multiple accessories
• You’re the professional. It’s your job to make the appropriate recommendation. How can you if you’re confused?
What to fit?
• There are several things factors to take into consideration when choosing a hearing aid.– Patient considerations:
• Audiological Needs• Previous Instrument History• Cost• Ease of Use/Control• Accessory options needed• Lifestyle needs• Cosmetics
*These are just general things to consider. Remember each patient is unique and you must find out their specific needs by asking questions.
What to fit?
• There are several things to take into consideration when choosing a hearing aid.– Hearing Aid Considerations:
• Gain/MPO• Programming flexibility• Program options• Level of technology/Features• Control• Accessory options available
*Again this is just to name a few. It’s your job to figure out what will work best for your patient.
What to Fit?
• Let’s start by looking at all the different hearing aid styles.– CIC– ITC– ½ shell– Full shell– Mini-BTE– BTE– Receiver-in-the-canal BTE
There are benefits and limitations to all hearing aid styles.
What to fit?
• What style is best for your patient?• Take into consideration:
– Patient preference. – Best audiological choice– Ease of use/Controls on aid
• By asking questions at the beginning by the time you get to selection you should know what the patient wants.
• Don’t make things complicated. Recommend what works audiological and meets their personal needs.
What to fit?
• When choosing style it’s also important at this time to take into consideration previous instrument history.– Do they like their current hearing aid style?– Why or Why not?– Keep patient questions focused on style/fit issues.
Remember it is not always necessary to change a patient to a different style hearing aid to receive benefit. While open fit BTE’s are very popular they are not always the best option for everyone.
What to fit?
• Patient Lifestyle needs• Start asking questions at beginning of
appointment to identify issues patient is encountering on a daily basis.
• Very important for recommendation of technology level to understand what environments the patient encounters on a daily basis.
• BE SURE TO ASK OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS!
What to fit?
• Patient Lifestyle Needs• For previous hearing aid users ask questions
about current set of aids.– How have they worked for you?– What situations would you like to do better in?
What to fit?
• Ease of Use/Control• Ask questions to find out what options they might
need/want.• Would you prefer the ability to change your
hearing aids or something that works automatically?– VC, program button, etc.
• Remember previous user may prefer to have something similar to their current hearing aids
What to fit?
• Accessory options• FM, Bluetooth, loop system?• If patient reports issues with television, phone,
background noise keep in mind you might want to start or add accessories.
What to fit?
• Audiological Needs • Gain/MPO• Hearing aid software provides you with gain/MPO
parameters of the hearing aid.• Also typically provides fitting range of hearing aid
What to fit?
• Level of Technology/Features• This will relate back to the patient consideration
of lifestyle needs.
SoundFlow Standard
digital AudioZoom
WhistleBlock Technology
NoiseBlock (6 channels)
QuickSync
SoundFlow Advanced
VoiceZoom (12 channels)
WhistleBlock Technology
NoiseBlock (16 channels)
QuickSync
WindBlock Management
Real Ear Sound
SoundFlow Premium
VoiceZoom (33 channels)
WhistleBlock Technology
NoiseBlock (20 channels)
QuickSync
WindBlock Management
Real Ear Sound
SoundRecover
SoundRelax
DuoPhone
ZoomControl (DirectTouch)
EchoBlock System
Exélia Art CerténaVersáta
CORE Portfolio
What to fit?
• As a professional it’s important to understand how hearing aid features relate to patient benefit for the situations they describe.
• VoiceZoom (Multichannel directional)Benefit to patient is ability for aid to block out multiple noises.
• WindblockBenefit to patient is better comfort and hearing in outdoor environments
Case #1
• 57 year old business man• No previous hearing aid experience• Concerned about cosmetics• Lots of difficulties on his cell phone• Does not want to think about his hearing aids• Very busy and in multiple listening situations
Case #1
• Recommendations:• Style options• Lifestyle needs• Ease of Use/Control• Accessory Options• Audiological Needs• Technology/Features
Case #2
• 78 year old female.• Previous ITE user. Aid had VC control• Struggles with television• Current aids are not loud enough without
feedback.• Mostly at home and only group settings are with
her family.
Case #2
• Recommendations:• Style options• Lifestyle needs• Ease of Use/Control• Accessory Options• Audiological Needs• Technology/Features
Conclusions
• Picking the right hearing aid for a patient can be challenging with all the options available.
• To find the right aid you must:– Take into consideration the patient needs/wants– Hearing aid option consideration
• When you recommend and hearing aid to a patient be sure you relate why you are choosing this option. Relate back to them the needs they expressed and why what you recommend is the best option.