The author provides users of the newer wide-band hearing
instruments with important instructions to help them
successfully adapt to their new hearing aids. Reader
inquiries may be directed to
digicare@aol.com
or by faxing to (719)676-6882.
DigiCare Hearing Research & Rehabilitation
User Monograph: How to Make the Most of
Your New PT6AGC-D & PT8AGC-D Post Auricle Instruments
by Max S. Chartrand, M.A.,
DigiCare Hearing Research & Rehabiliation
Your new PT6AGC-D or PT8AGC-D instruments have several
features, which if used properly, could significantly
improve your communicative ability. These models feature
advanced analogue technology utilizing low input
impedance, high fidelity Class D circuit, and active
filters to help maintain clarity in changing listening
environments. This User Monograph serves as an addendum
to your User Instruction Manual and is in addition to
other instructions provided by your Dispenser. Please,
take some time to study and practice the following
suggestions:
UNDERSTANDING HOW AGC WORKS. The PT6AGC-D and
PT8AGC-D models feature an advanced Automatic Gain
Control (AGC) that is manually programmed with active
filters. Your Dispenser will program at which point
(called the 'Kneepoints') loudness growth is slowed down
for you. This is set to expand your 'listening range'.
In this way, the growth of loudness is slowed enough so
that you may hear the softest sounds without the loudest
sounds becoming uncomfortable. These models are designed
to maintain comfort for severe hearing losses in any
listening environment in which normal ears are
comfortable. In case of uncomfortably loud environments,
you may either reduce your Volume Control (VC)
significantly, or, if that is not enough, wear ear
protection.
SETTING THE VOLUME CONTROL. Your volume control
(VC) does not change only loudness. When you turn the VC
up, it also raises output, which makes it easier to hear
at distances. When you turn the VC down, it lowers
output to make your instrument more comfortable in
noise. You should ALWAYS set your VC to your own voice
first, so that it sounds natural and clear when you
speak at normal conversational levels. Then, you may
'fine-tune' to other sounds and voices as needed. Be
aware that your hearing is not as sharp in the evening
as it is in the morning. For that reason, you may have
to slightly increase your VC in the evening. However. Be
prepared to reduce your VC when you again wear your
instruments in the morning! Throughout the day, your
hearing level will remain fairly constant, and should
require very few changes.
TELEPHONE USE. There are two ways you can use
these instruments on the telephone:
1) If you use the telephone switch, simply switch to
'T', place the telephone receiver against the top side
of your outer ear, and turn up the VC to the desired
level. MAKE SURE THAT THE PHONE'S AMPLIFIER IS TURNED
DOWN OR YOU MAY EXPERIENCE INTERNAL NOISE OR DISTORTION.
This method is particularly helpful for using public
telephones in noisy places, for it also cuts down
outside noises so that most of what you hear is coming
through the telephone. Some phones are not compatible
with this feature.
2) The method used by most users is to simply, place the
telephone over the microphone at the top of your outer
ear. This method may require you to reduce VC position
slightly to reduce either feedback (whistling) or
resonant distortion (a static effect). When using
cellular phones, you will likely need to reduce your VC
even more due to the high amplitude peak in cellular
signals.
NOISE FILTER SWITCH. In PT6AGC-D models you will
have an 'A' switch. When the noise of traveling at
highway speed in a vehicle, or noises in a busy
restaurant, or perhaps a loud social function, you
simply reach back and flip your control switch to 'A',
which is filter that reduces signals that are not in the
primary speech range. Some users with particularly
difficult speech discrimination problems prefer to use
this switch at all time while in public. But in doing
so, they will not hear the rich, high fidelity sound of
this special circuit. The 'M setting is designed for
over-all listening. (*Note: The PT8AGC-D does not
feature the 'A' switch, because the AGC feature kicks in
automatically at a preset level when in the presence of
noise that interferes with speech).
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF WIDE RANGE SPATIAL SEPARATION AND
IMPROVED SIGNAL-TO-NOISE ABILITY. Your new hearing
instruments are designed to offer the widest range
fidelity possible, so that you can 1) localize sounds,
both in depth perception and direction, 2) Separate one
sound from another, and 3) Enjoy a fuller, richer sound
environment without distortion or discomfort. But to
truly enjoy these benefits requires time and practice.
Usually, your neurological system requires 90-120 days
to adjust to the listening format, and does not follow a
straight path of improvements. Instead, research shows
that during the first 30 days, you may see little
improvement in speech discrimination ability, for that
entails a cognitive 'learning curve' that will come over
several months. So, plan instead to focus on these
exercises:
1) SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT. To develop better central
processing ability, practice for about 10-15 minutes
standing outside in your front yard, or somewhere safe
but near passing traffic, and listen to the sounds
around you. Close your eyes and notice the position of
passing cars. As a car comes toward you the noise it
causes rises in pitch; as it passes you the pitch will
lower. This is called the 'Doppler effect'. Now, notice
other sounds around you: can you hear the dog barking,
the plane overhead, a couple of fellows talking across
the street? Of course, these are hypothetical
situations, but the point is to practice identifying
both the source of each of sound and its position.
2) CENTRAL PROCESSING IN SIGNAL-TO-NOISE. If you
are still having difficulty understanding in the
presence of noise or when several are talking at once,
try this simple 20 minute exercise with your new hearing
aids on a daily basis for at least a week:
a) Place a TV and radio at opposite ends of your living
room.
b) Turn each one to a news program at approximately the
same volume.
c) Then, sit equidistant between them, facing first the
TV.
d) Listen to the TV for 2 minutes, blocking out of your
mind the sound of the radio. Try to understand as many
words and phrases by the TV announcer as possible. Do
not worry about whether you are getting everything or
not, and please, do not get frustrated. This is only an
exercise to expand your brain's ability to utilize a
wider band of amplification.
e) Then, turn toward the radio for about 2 minutes,
blocking out of your mind the TV announcer. It is
important both sound sources be of equal volume, and
that you sit halfway between the two.
f) After about 10 minutes of this back and forth, spend
another 10 minutes listening to one or the other,
excluding to the best of your ability the sound of the
one you’re not listening to.
g) Practice this for 7-10 days continuously, and you
should find your central processing ability dramatically
improved when you go into noisy situations with your new
hearing aids.
3) FURTHER EMPOWERMENT. You will also need to
learn about the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
(ADA) and the large array of devices and helps available
when you are in public places or traveling. It is most
unfortunate that these wonderful resources are not more
utilized by the hearing impaired public. It is one of
our major objectives to assure that our patients know of
the empowerment of this law, and that they intelligently
take advantage of the resources that can make their life
easier and less stressful.
4) BEYOND HEARING AID USE. Coupled with the above
is a working knowledge of assistive devices and coping
strategies. In your program we will cover those items
that may have importance to your degree of impairment
and lifestyle. When in doubt of how to best overcome a
given communicative challenge, please consider us your
best source of information and assistance. |
|
|
|
