Poster Session #2: UC South Ballroom

Presentation Type

Poster

Faculty Mentor’s Full Name

Al Yonovitz

Faculty Mentor’s Department

Communicative Sciences and Disorders

Abstract / Artist's Statement

Depression and cognitive decline has been shown to be significantly associated with hearing difficulties. Current digital technology has advanced hearing rehabilitation dramatically and provided new opportunities for improved communication and consequent well-being of the occupational therapy patient. Also, digital signal processing provides greater opportunities for enhanced speech reception in both noise and other difficult listening environments. Wireless technology including Bluetooth products now provides a significant rehabilitative asset to those with limited mobility, dexterity and cognition. The relationship between audiologic practice and occupational therapy practice becomes an active process that is transdisciplinary. It is no longer only a matter of providing amplification for hearing deficit. It is an active process, whereby the patient is provided with connectivity options for a large array of audio devices. More importantly, audio products that hearing aid wearers want to listen to are being made with digital wireless embedded technology. Audio devices are then easier to connect to hearing aids, wirelessly. Hearing aids now include a wireless receiver so that the hearing aid wearer can listen to television audio that is not subject to room reverberation and at an appropriate level for the listener. Patient benefit will produce evidence when new technology is introduced and will become more commonplace. A survey of this knowledge-base for occupational therapists in Montana has provided a view of available resources. Hearing aid technology and rehabilitation is no longer a matter only for audiologists, but is now a part of the occupational therapy rehabilitative and normalization process for the patient.

Category

Health and Medical Science

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Apr 28th, 3:00 PM Apr 28th, 4:00 PM

Hearing Connectivity Solutions for OT Patients

UC South Ballroom

Depression and cognitive decline has been shown to be significantly associated with hearing difficulties. Current digital technology has advanced hearing rehabilitation dramatically and provided new opportunities for improved communication and consequent well-being of the occupational therapy patient. Also, digital signal processing provides greater opportunities for enhanced speech reception in both noise and other difficult listening environments. Wireless technology including Bluetooth products now provides a significant rehabilitative asset to those with limited mobility, dexterity and cognition. The relationship between audiologic practice and occupational therapy practice becomes an active process that is transdisciplinary. It is no longer only a matter of providing amplification for hearing deficit. It is an active process, whereby the patient is provided with connectivity options for a large array of audio devices. More importantly, audio products that hearing aid wearers want to listen to are being made with digital wireless embedded technology. Audio devices are then easier to connect to hearing aids, wirelessly. Hearing aids now include a wireless receiver so that the hearing aid wearer can listen to television audio that is not subject to room reverberation and at an appropriate level for the listener. Patient benefit will produce evidence when new technology is introduced and will become more commonplace. A survey of this knowledge-base for occupational therapists in Montana has provided a view of available resources. Hearing aid technology and rehabilitation is no longer a matter only for audiologists, but is now a part of the occupational therapy rehabilitative and normalization process for the patient.