Severe to Profound Hearing Loss
Sangate Hearing specialises in managing adults with severe and profound hearing loss. The first ever international guidlines for managing this group of clients was recently published and we’re pleased to find that many of their recommendations have already been adopted in our current protocol.
widely understood
vs.
Severe and profound hearing loss:
little guidance available
Definition2:
Severe hearing loss: average 61 – 80 dB HL
Profound hearing loss: average > 81 dB HL
2/10
adults seeking treatment have
severe to profound hearing loss3
The key recommendations are…..
Those with severe and profound
hearing loss need….
Counselling is important to find out special needs that cannot be met with hearing devices.
Extra consideration when selecting
and fitting hearing aids
In order to maintain audibility and support aided speech recognition,
fitting approaches beyond the standard ‘initial fit’ are required.
Immediate consideration of remote
microphones
Remote microphone technology should be considered at the same time as selection of hearing aids and/or cochlear implants.
Communication training
and strategies
Beyond hearing technology, communication abilities can be enhanced with auditory skills training and communication strategies.
Early focus on
tinnitus
Approximately 50% of these individuals report tinnitus and addressing the hearing loss is the starting point for treatment.
Other considerations such as cochlear implant referral and selecting appropriate tinnitus masking noise level are crucial to the treatment outcomes.
To discuss a treatment for your hearing problem, please contact us 3603 1370 or email us
Kathy@sandgatehearing.com.au for an appointment.
1 Turton, L. (editor), Souza, P., Thibodeau, L., Hickson, L., Giff ord, R., Bird, J., Stropahl, M., Gailey, L., Fulton, B., Scarinci, N., Ekberg, K., Timmer, B. (2020). Guidelines for Best Practice in the Audiological Management of Adults with Severe and Profound Hearing Loss. Seminars in Hearing, 41(3), 141–245.
2 World Health Organization (WHO) (2012). Promoting ear and hearing care through CBR Community-Based Rehabilitation. World Health Organinzation. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/about/licensing/copyright_form/en/index.html, accessed July 26th 2019.
3 Carlsson P, Hjaldahl J, Magnuson A, Terneval E, Eden M, Skagerskarand A, & Jonsson R (2014). Severe to profound hearing impairment: quality of life, psychosocial consequences and audiological rehabilitation. Disability & Rehabilitation, Early Online: 1-8.
