Audiologists play a critical role in guiding patients through expanding hearing care technologies and ensuring solutions fit their individual needs to improve their hearing experience.
Andy Lundin
Since the FDA approved the sale of over-the-counter hearing aids, the amount of hearing aid products beyond prescription hearing aids has continued to grow and become more diverse as the over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid market continues to expand.
This makes it more important than ever for patients in need of hearing care solutions to understand the nuances of the myriad hearing technologies and assistive listening devices (ALDs) available. Ultimately, the knowledge and support of an audiologist is essential to maintaining a patient's hearing health. Here are some tips on how to support your clients.
More information: OTC Hearing Aids: Access, Affordability, and Advancements
Knowledge about hearing aids is very important
For example, when it comes to OTC hearing aids, Jagadish M. Swamy, AuD, owner of Clear Sound Audiology, a private practice in Gainesville, Fla., says the technology is creating unnecessary confusion among new consumers entering the market. That's what I think. They do not understand how to successfully use over-the-counter hearing aids to achieve satisfactory results and may lose interest in the idea of hearing aids altogether.
“Many people who have traditionally avoided this technology may find new devices difficult to use,” Swamy says. He points out that trying to set up and use the device on their own can lead to frustration as buyers lack prior knowledge and deep research into the product. “They don't have a good experience and are just wearing hearing aids and saying, 'I knew hearing aids weren't for me,' even though it would have actually been beneficial if they had more knowledge about hearing aids.” You might say in your heart,” Swamy says.
While many people try to set up and use OTC hearing aids on their own and may give up after having a bad experience, others visit an audiology clinic for help. For such patients, Swamy takes the opportunity to talk about what went wrong with the device and discuss finding a solution that will work. They may not be aware of all the options available to them.
Considering that OTC hearing aids are only a small portion of the variety of commonly available hearing aids, hearing patients can greatly benefit from a better understanding of hearing aids. Mr. Swamy will explain to patients who will listen how they can use and benefit from technology such as hearing loop systems, infrared systems, FM systems, personal amplifiers, among others. We are proposing.
For example, consider a customer's understanding of the difference between a personal sound amplification product (PSAP) and an over-the-counter hearing aid. Although both serve the purpose of amplifying sound for the user, PSAPs are not classified as medical products (1) and are used as an alternative to other devices for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. You shouldn't. To clarify the difference, Swamy explains to patients that OTCs have a better background noise reduction program, whereas PSAPs primarily amplify noise in specific environments. Sharing charts that show the differences between available options helps clients understand what works for them and why.
“Hearing aids and personal sound amplification devices (PSAPs) are not the same thing,” emphasizes Katie Corbell, MClSc, audiologist and senior manager of audiology at HearingLife Canada. She feels it is important to explain to her clients: “If a patient has already been diagnosed with hearing loss and is wearing a hearing aid, PSAP provides no additional benefit to the patient. PSAP only amplifies noise in certain environments, regardless of whether the patient has normal hearing or hearing loss. or for those who want to be restrained.”
While ALD and other hearing aids can improve your hearing experience, it is important to recognize that each individual's unique needs must be addressed and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Therefore, it is essential to understand the similarities and unique qualities between these devices, especially as advances in technology introduce new solutions such as OTC hearing aids to the market.
However, Kobel points out that misinformation can be a problem and urges clients to be cautious when seeking new hearing care technology as there are products on the market that can be misleading. We recommend that you be warned.
“Many hearing aid scams plague the U.S. market, with false claims and misleading advertising that further cloud the decisions of people seeking treatment for hearing loss,” she says. This is another reason why the conversation between audiologist and client about finding the right device is even more important.
Know your client's needs
In fact, the expertise of an experienced audiologist is critical to identifying the best technology for an individual's unique hearing care needs.
“While ALD technology improves, it will still fall short of the hearing experience provided by prescription hearing aids without personalization by an experienced clinician to meet each individual's unique hearing needs,” Koebel said. say.
Swamy cites a recent experience at his clinic that emphasizes the importance of customized solutions that consider all of a client's needs. He met a patient who had difficulty understanding speech due to a congenital ear disease. In response, he encouraged her to employ the use of multi-mic her ALD to address her unique challenges. He could have encouraged her to buy her new hearing aids, but recognized that it might not be her best option for her.
“I told her she needed to seriously consider purchasing a multi-microphone,” he says, adding that given her situation, this technology was appropriate and more affordable to improve her hearing care. It was pointed out that it works as a good alternative. “I told her that if she didn't want to buy new hearing aids, another way she could see immediate improvement was to get her ALD, a multi-mic for hearing aids.”
More information: Helping children and teens benefit from assistive listening technology
Technology beyond ALD
However, ALD may not fit every hearing care challenge a client is experiencing, so learning more about a patient's needs can help audiologists suggest additional solutions such as captioning techniques .
When experiencing conversations over the phone, small speakers have their limitations, and you can't see the other person's visual cues, which can make it much more difficult to understand the audio. Captioning technology, available from a variety of manufacturers, provides another avenue of support for clients with hearing loss.
These technologies can help people living with hearing loss, but they often go hand in hand with addressing the hearing loss experienced by older adults. Therefore, many audiologists already include these options when examining patients in the elderly population. Experts say many older people are feeling increasingly isolated due to loss of family and friends, living alone, and limited mobility, so finding ways to maintain social connections is essential. Using technology to subtitle phone conversations can help in this regard.
But there's no need for young people to miss out on the benefits of captioning technology, especially considering the abundance of smartphone apps that offer essentially the same functionality. Even if it is due to prejudice or ignorance of its availability. To bridge this gap, it's often important for hearing care professionals to make clients aware of what technology can do and guide them through the steps to sign up and gain access. Many people may not know that phone subtitles are free.
These technologies are evolving. However, many traditional technologies remain essential to the market, especially to older generations, which helps ensure continued relevance.
For example, telecoil technology has been around since the 1940s and is still commonly used today by hearing-impaired patients using telecoil-enabled hearing aids, especially in public settings with compatible loop systems and telecoil-enabled devices. It's technology. However, the types of technology that hearing patients are accustomed to will continue to evolve, and manufacturers have stated that they are prepared to adapt as hearing loss patients' needs, desires, and comfort levels change over time. are doing.
The current state of evolving hearing care
This recognition of the need to adapt to technology can equally be applied to the broader hearing care equipment landscape.
While older technologies such as the aforementioned auditory loop technology still serve a fundamental, practical purpose, newer solutions like Auracast, which utilizes Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), are having a major impact on the field. It is now becoming part of an audiologist's auditory tool belt. Care technologies that can be used to support customers on their hearing care journey. Keeping new and returning clients informed of these advances and how to take advantage of them will help improve their hearing experience and increase patient retention.
“Auracast technology provides better sound quality at a lower cost for people with and without hearing loss. Whether they're connecting to a signal using headphones, earbuds, or hearing aids, everyone can You can benefit from a higher quality sound experience,” says Koebel. Future innovations in hearing aid products and ALD that she foresees include a focus on enhanced noise cancellation, improved speech recognition, and integration with smart devices for seamless connectivity. Masu.
But no matter what the future holds for the hearing aid market, the guidance and expertise of audiologists will play a vital role in helping customers navigate the wide variety of ALD and other hearing aid products. And the essence of personalized care remains paramount to all of it.
Original citation for this article: Lundin A. Helping patients Parse Hearing Technology Beyond Hearing Aids. Hearing review. 2024;31(3): 08-13.
Featured image: Jennifer Larmann, AuD from Clear Sound Audiology, explains hearing technology to patients. Photo courtesy of Clear Sound Audiology.
References:
- US FDA. Hearing aids and personal sound amplification products: What you need to know https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/hearing-aids-and-personal-sound-amplification-products-what-know.
