Written in an engaging, easy-to-read format by three of the industry's leading experts, Speech Mapping and Probe Microphone Measurements is an essential clinical companion for all practitioners fitting and dispensing hearing aids. The key to successful hearing aid fittings is the patient-specific programming of gain and output. As outlined in all Best Practices Guidelines, the cornerstone of this process is the real-ear verification. Although speech mapping and probe-microphone measures have been used clinically for decades, new techniques and procedures continue to emerge. This is the first handbook to be published in 25 years that is dedicated to this critical clinical measure. Starting with an emphasis on evidenced-based practice, and the need to develop a well-researched gold standard, Speech Mapping and Probe Microphone Measurements takes you through the process of conducting valid and reliable speech mapping testing. Following a review of the basics of signal types, presentation levels, and patient and probe positioning, the chapters flow to the patient-centered real-ear verification process. In addition to extensive step-by-step guidelines regarding the routine testing and adjustment of gain and output, protocols for the evaluation of special features and fittings also are outlined. As a bonus, the authors provide a review of how speech mapping findings can be used with other measures that are part of the overall hearing aid fitting protocol.

Modern Hearing Aids: Verification, Outcome Measures, and Follow-Up focuses on the selection and fitting of hearing aids and the outcome procedures and measures that follow. The world-renowned authors provide guidance for selecting prescriptive fitting approaches and detailed protocols for the use of behavioral measures and real-ear speech mapping to both verify the fitting and assess special hearing aid features. Extensive discussion is included regarding the techniques, procedures, and test protocols for probe-microphone measures. The authors have included numerous postfitting tests that can be conducted along with step-by-step protocols for their administration and scoring. Follow-up care and auditory training options also are reviewed. Written in an accessible and easy-to-read style, this text includes not only reference information, but also tools supported by research and clinical experience. The information is presented in a way that is both accessible to clinical students with little experience in the field and with enough depth for even the serious hearing aid researcher. Key features include Brief paragraphs identified as "Technical Tips," "Key Concepts," "Things to Remember," "Points to Ponder," and "Soapbox" for quick reference"Endnotes" at the back of the book--interesting tidbits of information not quite relevant enough to include in the chapters, but too good to toss asideHumor infused throughout

The third edition of Fitting and Dispensing Hearing Aids provides clinical audiologists, hearing instrument specialists, and graduate students with the latest in practical information reflecting current clinical practice standards. Authored by two of the industry's leading authorities on adult amplification and audiology practice management, the book is sequenced to match the patient's journey through a clinical practice. Its 12 chapters are packed with the latest commercial innovations in hearing aids, basic hearing assessment procedures, patient-related outcome measures, and innovative counseling techniques. Experienced clinicians will also find the updated chapters on help-seeking behavior and hearing aid features and benefits to be valuable to their continued professional development. Hearing aid dispensing always has been a technology-driven profession, heavily dependent on the expertise, thoughtfulness, and good judgment of the licensed professional. Over the past few years, even as technology has continued to evolve at breakneck speed, these skills have become more relevant than ever in the delivery of high-quality patient care, especially to the rapidly aging Baby Boomer population. This bestselling text is required reading for those studying to obtain their hearing aid dispensing license or audiology or speech pathology students looking for the latest in dispensing and fitting hearing aids in a succinct, entertaining format. Because each chapter is written around a specific theme–like wine tasting, travel, baseball, country music, and more–this succinct and entertaining textbook is actually fun to read! New to the Third Edition: * The chapters devoted to fitting modern hearing aids have been thoroughly updated * Thoroughly updated chapter on connectivity * Material on over-the-counter hearing aids and automated real ear measures * Information on newer outcome measures and updated approaches to counseling patients * Information on hearables, self-fitting hearing aids, over-the-counter hearing aids, and personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) * Complete review of all special features with case study examples * Revised appendix with several up-to-date industry resources

Essentials of Modern Hearing Aids: Selection, Fitting, and Verification is a comprehensive textbook, ideal for graduate-level amplification courses in audiology programs. It also is the ultimate go-to reference for anyone fitting and dispensing hearing aids. This is truly an "A to Z" textbook, with topics including audiologic prefitting testing, needs assessment and treatment planning, hearing aid selection, verification, orientation and counseling, post-fitting follow-up, and real-world validation. Moreover, a substantial portion of the book reviews the underlying up-to-date design and function of digital hearing aid components, circuitry and processing, the wide assortment of hearing aid features, and the many algorithms that make these features work successfully. The world-renowned authors have included numerous prefitting and post-fitting tests that can be conducted along with step-by-step protocols for their administration and scoring. They also review the selection of hearing aid styles and fitting arrangements, explain the process of obtaining an ear impression, and making critical decisions regarding earmolds and hearing aid plumbing. Essentials of Modern Hearing Aidsprovides guidance for selecting prescriptive fitting approaches and detailed protocols for the use of behavioral measures and real-ear speech mapping to both verify the fitting and assess special hearing aid features. Follow-up care and validation options also are reviewed, with detailed guidelines for using a wide range of outcome measures. Key Features Included throughout the text are short paragraphs identified as "Technical Tips," "Key Concepts," "Things to Remember," "Points to Ponder," and "Soapbox" for quick reference.The text covers both foundation and direct clinical application.The veteran authors have over 100 years of combined experience in day-to-day patient care and clinical research.The book is infused with humor throughout! Written in an accessible and easy-to-read style, this text includes not only reference information, but also tools supported by research and clinical experience. The information is presented in a way that is both accessible to clinical students with little experience in the field and with enough depth for even the serious hearing aid researcher. The text is also appropriate as a handy companion for busy clinicians - a friendly resource where they can quickly find critical information needed for the next patient. *Disclaimer: Please note that ancillary content (such as documents, audio, and video, etc.) may not be included as published in the original print version of this book.

Binaural interference occurs when the speech input to one ear interferes with the input to the other ear during binaural stimulation. The first published study on binaural interference twenty-five years ago demonstrated that some individuals, particularly older individuals, perform more poorly with two hearing aids than with one and/or more poorly with binaural than monaural stimulation on electrophysiologic as well as behavioral measures. Binaural interference is relevant to every audiologist because it impacts the successful use of binaural hearing aids and may explain communicative difficulty in noise or other challenging listening situations in persons with normal-hearing sensitivity as well as persons with hearing loss. This exciting new book written by two highly respected audiologists first traces the history of its study by researchers, then reviews the evidence, both direct and indirect, supporting its reality. This is followed by a discussion of the possible causes of the phenomenon and in-depth analysis of illustrative cases. The authors outline a systematic approach to the clinical detection, evaluation and amelioration of individuals who exhibit binaural interference. Suggestions are furnished on improved techniques for evaluation of the binaural advantage in general and on sensitized detection of the disorder in particular. The book ends with recommendations for future directions. Given the adverse impact of binaural interference on auditory function and its occurrence in a significant subset of the population with hearing loss, as well as in some individuals with normal-hearing sensitivity, research on binaural interference only recently has begun to flourish, and adaptation of audiologic clinical practice to identify, assess, and manage individuals with binaural interference has yet to become widespread. The authors intend for the book to provide impetus for pursuing further research and to encourage audiologists to explore the possibility of binaural interference when patient complaints suggest it and when performing audiologic evaluations. The book is intended for practicing clinical audiologists, audiology students, and hearing scientists.

Hearing aid technology changes at a rapid pace. For speech-language pathologists who work with individuals using hearing instruments, keeping up with the new technology can be challenging, and sometimes even intimidating. Hearing Aids for Speech-Language Pathologists is designed to remove the mystery and the confusing high-tech terms of the many hearing aid algorithms and features, by simply laying out the need-to-know aspects in an organized, easy to read and understand manner. The core of this text focuses on how modern hearing aids work, and the tests associated with the fitting of these instruments. Attention is given to both the school age and adult hearing aid user. Recent developments such as situation detection, rechargeability and wireless connectivity are reviewed in detail, as well as the popular use of smartphone apps to allow the user to control the processing. Amplification is not just hearing aids, and therefore chapters also have been dedicated to implantable amplification strategies, FM and Bluetooth solutions. Hearing aid fitting cannot be studied in isolation, but rather, how it fits into the complete treatment of the patient with hearing loss, including the audiologic rehabilitative process. For this reason, the beginning chapters of the book are devoted to a review of the basics of the modern audiologic evaluation and the associated auditory pathologies. Readers will also find portions of the book that address hearing screening in the schools, rehabilitative techniques and auditory training. Practicing speech-language pathologists and graduate students will find that this text provides the latest in concise and practical information in the areas of hearing aids and rehabilitative audiology. Hearing Aids for Speech-Language Pathologists is authored by two of the industry's leading authorities on adult amplification, who have carefully crafted a text that provides speech-language pathologists with the essential information to work comfortably with hearing instruments and their accessories for individuals of all ages.

The loss of hearing - be it gradual or acute, mild or severe, present since birth or acquired in older age - can have significant effects on one's communication abilities, quality of life, social participation, and health. Despite this, many people with hearing loss do not seek or receive hearing health care. The reasons are numerous, complex, and often interconnected. For some, hearing health care is not affordable. For others, the appropriate services are difficult to access, or individuals do not know how or where to access them. Others may not want to deal with the stigma that they and society may associate with needing hearing health care and obtaining that care. Still others do not recognize they need hearing health care, as hearing loss is an invisible health condition that often worsens gradually over time. In the United States, an estimated 30 million individuals (12.7 percent of Americans ages 12 years or older) have hearing loss. Globally, hearing loss has been identified as the fifth leading cause of years lived with disability. Successful hearing health care enables individuals with hearing loss to have the freedom to communicate in their environments in ways that are culturally appropriate and that preserve their dignity and function. Hearing Health Care for Adults focuses on improving the accessibility and affordability of hearing health care for adults of all ages. This study examines the hearing health care system, with a focus on non-surgical technologies and services, and offers recommendations for improving access to, the affordability of, and the quality of hearing health care for adults of all ages.

The third edition of Clinical Audiology: An Introduction provides a comprehensive enhancement of all the introductory material available in previous editions of this stimulating textbook. Students can gain an understanding of the scope of the field of audiology and feel prepared to dive deeper into the subject as they progress through their courses. This essential book, now with even more exciting content and features, focuses on the clinical nature of audiology to familiarize students with the many challenging questions encountered by an audiologist. This textbook is intended primarily for beginning-level students in the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology. It is intended for the first major courses in audiology, whether it be at the undergraduate or graduate level. Whether your goal is to pursue a career as an audiologist or a speech-language pathologist, Clinical Audiology: An Introduction, Third Edition is the most comprehensive, accessible book available to provide you with the clinical understanding to advance in your chosen field. New to the Third Edition: * New coauthor: Virginia Ramachandran, MSW, AuD, PhD * Two new chapters on implantable hearing technology and hearing assistive and connectivity technologies * Updated descriptions of hearing disorders and their causes * Expanded focus on diagnostic approach strategies * Expanded audiological treatment section * Updated hearing aid technology and verification approaches * An introduction to vestibular system assessment Key Features: * Learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter preview the concepts to be discussed. * End of chapter discussion questions aid students in applying concepts. * End of chapter summaries outline the key points from the chapter improve retention * Margin notes provide key terms and definitions. * Clinical notes describe particular techniques students might consider using * Comprehensive glossary and index