[Nfbf-l] VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND HEARING DEVICES

[Alan Dicey]

Dear Friends,
I found this article in a List I am on.
As requested, I removed the name of the writer.
With Best Regards,
God Bless,
Alan
Plantation, Florida

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND HEARING DEVICES
Many of us who have interacted and socialized with our fellow blind people 
over the years, have discovered that some of them, especially if we grow 
older, suffer from mild to severe hearing impairment.  If sighted people 
start losing their sense of hearing, they are able to lip read and 
consequently their hearing impairment is less evident.
Since my birth, I suffered from a mild hearing loss.  However, it did not 
prevent me from qualifying and practicing as a physiotherapist.  During a 
flight from Johannesburg to Welkom in 1988, while landing at the airport, my 
ear drums burst.  After specialized surgery, I recovered partially, but for 
the purpose of optimal functioning I commenced using a hearing aid.  For the 
last 25 years I developed an intense interest in basic audiology and the 
application of hearing devices.  With this background in mind, I was 
motivated to sharing some of my experiences with you, praying and hoping 
that someone somewhere will benefit in a small way from my advice.
The most important objective is to consult a qualified and registered 
audiologist for an audio frequency test.  After analyzing the results of the 
audiogram, the audiologist will recommend the appropriate hearing device. 
Please ask if you can use the recommended device for at least a week, 
testing it under all circumstances.  Make sure that you can hear good and 
quality sound, such as the sound of running water, the opening and closing 
of doors, the sound of a moving vehicle, the sound of crockery rattling and 
people speaking to you individually and in groups.  In fact, for the last 
two upgrading, I requested that the sound engineer of the company 
responsible for distributing the device should be involved with the final 
tuning.  Only accept your hearing device if you are absolutely and 
definitely satisfied that it will improve your ability to function 
optimally. The biggest lesson I learnt was to maintain a good relationship 
with an audiologist as well as the supplying commercial company providing 
the type of device that I prefer.  I believe it is essential that visually 
impaired person should use devices that can operate effectively and 
efficiently.  Depending on the cause of your problem, it is possible that 
your hearing can improve significantly.  For instance, when suffering from 
neurological deafness, no hearing device will improve your ability to hear 
substantially.
Some of us still think that the analogue hearing aid was an excellent 
device, however, if effectively adjusted and finely tuned, modern digital 
technology can be of tremendous benefit towards enhancing quality and 
satisfactory hearing.  Just a warning, according to my personal opinion, 
does not be persuaded into accepting a hearing piece with a little cable 
being inserted into the canal of your ear. Insist on the complete hearing 
piece filling the full shell of your ear.
I can honestly pay tribute to audiologists who rendered a service to me, 
because they respected my input and requirements.  A good audiologist will 
go out of their way to deliver an efficient service to blind and partially 
sighted persons.
Remember, audiologists are insulted if a hearing aid is not used and left in 
a drawer.  That is why I recommended the careful steps to be taken before 
finally accepting the correct device.  Two years ago I returned four hearing 
aids before finally accepting the appropriate device. As I explained to the 
audiologist, hearing is of paramount importance to visually impaired 
persons, because we depend on quality hearing in order to function 
independently.
Prices of hearing devices range from cheap to highly expensive.  Be aware of 
the fact that the most expensive equipment is not always the best.  I have 
met several people who obtained devices costing up to
$2,000 , testifying that their hearing did not improve satisfactorily. 
There are a variety of hearing devices commercially available on the market, 
but the audiologist will support you to select the appropriate one which is 
suitable for your hearing condition.
Most of the top medical aids provide coverage for a good range of devices. 
My advice is that you consult with your medical aid before embarking on 
acquiring your equipment.  It is preferable to consult an ear, nose and 
throat specialist for an accurate and correct diagnosis of your hearing 
condition, before going to your audiologist.  In general I found that there 
is good co-operation between the two professions.  For instance, if there is 
fluid in your middle ear the results of the audiogram may be wrongly 
interpreted.  Audio equipment is expensive and it is necessary that we 
receive the correct hearing device first time round.  I am reliably informed 
that state health services budget for the provisioning of hearing aids for 
those who are not covered by medical aids, but the budget is limited.  For 
further information, please contact your nearest district hospital.  Before 
borrowing or spending money on hearing equipment.  A small number of ear, 
nose and throat specialists perform cochlear implants, but I recommend that 
you contact academic hospitals and E.N.T. specialists for further expert 
information.
In conclusion, it is vitally important for us to obtain the most appropriate 
devices for the enhancement and improvement of our hearing, because without 
the ability to see, hearing plays a huge role in maintaining independence in 
our daily lives.  The acquisition of a good quality hearing device impacted 
positively and conductively on my life, because I could continue practicing 
my profession from 1988 to 2006, participating successfully at committee 
meetings and in general socialising effectively with family and friends.  I 
personally give glory to God for the invention and development of hearing 
devices.  .

Real tears are not those that fall from your eyes and cover your face, but 
that fall
from your heart and cover your soul. - Unknown