Second Observation 9-12-07

My second observation of the semester was scheduled to observe hearing conservation client. The client came in earlier in the day, so I missed the session. I asked my supervisor if it would be a good idea to have the connections between the clinician and the client's booth diagrammed to show which transducers were connected to which wires. I drew a diagram showing the configuration of both the suite's configuration as well as the the single booth's. The reason for doing this was in the event someone, maybe a child, happened to unplug a few of them, referring to the diagram would eliminate the guess and check method of figuring out which transducer goes where. This would also cut down on the need to have to go back and forth from the booths if the connector were unplugged for maintenance purposes. As you look inside either booth, there is a panel for several different inputs. The suite's panel is different than the single booth's panel in number and types of connections. Internally, the panels are different too. The suite's configuration is straight through. I use that term because when you plug in a connector on one side of the panel, it connects straight through to the panel on the other side. Example, the top left jack in the clinician's booth becomes the top right jack on the client's side. In the single booth, the connection configuration stays the orientation whether you are in the clinician or the client's view. Example, the top left jack on the clinician's side is also the top left jack while you are in the booth experiencing the client's view.
Just in case you ever need it, I believe my supervisor put it in the the dark, plastic folders hanging on the clinician's side of the the suite booth.

First Observation 9/5/07

I observed the same client as Chrissy. My observation slot was directly following Chrissy's, and I was allowed to observe with her. The client I observed was a female in her sixties or seventies. Her chief complaint was the loudness of her own voice, from the occlusion effect. The client was in the clinic to receive her new hearing aids. She previously had bilateral HAs, but she did not always use the both of them at the same time. The clinician used the Quick SIN test. Quick SIN's goal is to determine the clients ability to hear with varying levels of noise while listening to speech sentences. Each sentence contains keywords the clinician is looking for the client to repeat. This test was performed aided and unaided during the session.
Next, the client received her new HAs. Her previous set of HAs and her new set of HAs are in the ear HAs. The client's HAs were hooked to the computer to be programmed accordingly. The software used to program the hearing aids was Oticon Tego Pro. The programming or prescription consisted of trial and error to get the HAs the way the client wanted them. After the Rx was completed, the HAs were hooked to the computer again for a feedback test. The Feedback Manager uses various tones and can auto-correct the feedback issues one ear at a time. The client was retested with her new HAs and Rx. To her delight, the client said the new HAs were, "Really different".
Then, clinician explained how to use the new HAs as they had a three memory function for different listening situations. The first setting was for everyday listening, the second was for noisy environments, and the third was to be used while on the telephone. Next, the clinician explained the cleaning and care of the HAs. The clinician knew the client was familiar with HAs, but did it as a refresher or a review.
Next, the clinician performed the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) test. This test consist of several questions of everyday experiences regarding her HAs and then the client's scores will be compared to previous APHAB test and kept on record for future APHAB test.
Finally, the session finished with the contract of the HAs. This includes the trial period allowed in case the client decides she does not like them.

I linked an article/website allowing ng anybody to download the APHAB test. There are files of the test as well as how to score them. I never heard of the test, so I assumed most of you have not either, which is why I thought it would be a good resource.

http://www.ausp.memphis.edu/harl/aphab.html

Abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit (APHAB). (n.d.). Retrieved September 9, 2007, from http://www.ausp.memphis.edu/harl/aphab.html

First Post

Using blogger for my EBL.