Title: 7.2 Lesson Seven Lecture
Course: 14SU-HIS-230-GH101-ADVANCED AUDIOMETRY > Section: Lessons

Lesson Seven Lecture

We are nearing the end.  This week it is time to put everything together and make sure you are starting to understand how the complete hearing evaluation can be used to recommend amplification.  Having a solid understanding of the type, configuration and possible causes of the hearing loss your client is experiencing will better equip you to make good amplification recommendations and appropriate medical referrals.

When you read the chapters in the Martin book don’t try to memorize every potential cause you see listed.  The most important take away for you is to get an idea of the significant medical causes that can happen and how important it is to make a referral when you see any of the eight red flags.  Most of the statistics on hearing loss agree that approximately 80% of hearing loss isn’t medically or surgically treated.  As you graduate and begin your career as a hearing instrument specialist you will test a lot of clients who have gradually sloping sensorineural hearing loss.  To the point you may expect that type of hearing loss almost every time you test someone.  While that may be the majority I have always been surprised at how many consumers with potentially significant medical issues will come into a free standing hearing aid office rather than seeking medical attention.  In a retail hearing aid office I have seen impacted wax, eardrum perforations, infected draining ears, fungus infections, Meniere’s Disease, Otosclerosis, fluid in the middle ear and that is just sitting here thinking about it for a few minutes!  I am sure there is more.  That is why it is so important for you to have a working knowledge of what can happen so you are prepared to know what to do in those situations.

Outer Ear & Ear Canal

You will read about what can happen to the outer ear, ear canal and up to the tympanic membrane.  The most common disorder you will see is excessive cerumen.  However it is possible you will see some of the other disorders discussed.

Middle Ear Disorders

As you read about the middle ear disorders that are possible keep the following in mind:

1. You will usually see a flat, low frequency HL configuration.  Or that is the most common.
2. There will usually be a significant air/bone gap that meets the criteria for referral.
3. These conditions are usually medically or surgically treatable or at least should be referred for consideration before proceeding with recommendations for amplification.
4. You need to be careful what you say to the client about the potential cause of their hearing difficulty.

Inner Ear Disorders

1. Most of the time you will see sensorineural hearing loss caused by aging or aging and noise exposure.  There are a few other causes that can be in there but this will be a lot of the people you see.  Recommending amplification for these individuals is appropriate because sensorineural hearing loss isn’t medically or surgically treatable.
2. Beware when you see a difference between the ears.  One is significantly different than the other or there are other symptoms present including tinnitus in one ear, dizziness (usually described as a spinning or has movement) or an unbalanced feeling.  In these cases there is something else going on that needs medical attention.
3. While it is important for you to know what could be going on again it is important that you be careful what you say to the individual about potential causes of their hearing difficulty.

Dr. Fernandez is going to host a collaborate session for both sections of this course Tuesday evening.  Anyone who attends the session live will automatically receive 30 additional points.  Those who watch the recorded session and e-mail Dr. Fernandez will receive the additional 30 points as well.  This is it!  Only one week to go.  Review and the final.  You all are doing great.

Attached Files: | - Lesson Seven Lecture(2).docx