Balance Assessment

Course introduction

The inner hair cells (IHCs) are the transducers of the cochlea; they convert mechanical vibrations to neural activity. When the IHCs, neurons, or synapses between IHCs and neurons are non-functioning over a certain region of the cochlea, this is referred to as a dead region. A Dead region can be defined in terms of the characteristic frequencies of the IHCs immediately adjacent to the dead region. Dead regions can be detected, and their limits can be determined, by measurement of psychophysical tuning curves (PTCs), including “fast” PTCs or using the “TEN” test; the latter involves the measurement of detection thresholds for pure tones in threshold-equalizing noise (TEN). Both fast PTCs and the TEN test can be used to assess children as young as 7 years of age. The diagnosis of dead regions can be important for predicting the likely benefit of hearing aids, the fitting of hearing aids to both adults and children, selection of signal processing in hearing aids (e.g. the use of frequency compression or transposition), and assessment of the suitability of a patient for a cochlear implant or combined acoustic-electric stimulation.

Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this seminar the participants will be able to:
• Describe the Dead Region
• Discuss how to diagnose a Dead Region and define its extent
• Describe the extent of a Dead Region in relation to to the Fitting of Hearing Aids
• Discuss the extent of a Dead Region to the selection of signal processing in hearing aids

El Head Impulse Test o HIT es una maniobra moderna de gran utilidad que revolucionó el universo de la otoneurología. Haremos un abordaje en los aspectos fisiológicos, clínicos e instrumentales de esta herramienta.

Learning Objectives:
Al final de este seminario, los participantes:

• Conocer la fisiología del reflejo vestíbulo-ocular
• Entender la utilidad del HIT en la evaluación en diferentes escenarios clínicos
• Obtener los aspectos técnicos para la correcta realización
• Comprender la utilidad del impulso cefálico fuera del diagnóstico
• Obtener los fundamentos para la realización e interpretación del V-HIT

With the healthcare delivery model in constant evolution, hearing healthcare providers have the opportunity to develop an innovative fitting approach to proactively engage their patient in the fitting process. This presentation discusses clinic setup, equipment considerations and economics of expanding business services integrating verification and 3D digital ear scanning in the fitting process to improve patient experience and satisfaction.

This course is valid for 0.1 CEU  (1 contact hour)

Natus Medical Incorporated is approved by the American Academy of Audiology to offer Academy CEUs for this activity. The program is worth a maximum of .1 CEUs. Academy approval of this continuing education activity is based on course content only and does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedure, or adherence of the event to the Academy’s Code of Ethics. Any views that are presented are those of the presenter/CE Provider and not necessarily of the American Academy of Audiology.

Patients may not fully appreciate the value of the services offered by an Audiologist. This presentation focuses on several key strategies and tools available to the Audiologist that translate into value added services for the patient.

This course is valid for 0.1 CEU  (1 contact hour)

Natus Medical Incorporated is approved by the American Academy of Audiology to offer Academy CEUs for this activity. The program is worth a maximum of .1 CEUs. Academy approval of this continuing education activity is based on course content only and does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedure, or adherence of the event to the Academy’s Code of Ethics. Any views that are presented are those of the presenter/CE Provider and not necessarily of the American Academy of Audiology.

Learn how 3D ear scanned ear images are used as a tool during hearing aid consultations to engage, educate, motivate, potentially improve outcomes, communicate value and differentiate your practice.

This course is valid for 0.1 CEU  (1 contact hour)

Natus Medical Incorporated is approved by the American Academy of Audiology to offer Academy CEUs for this activity. The program is worth a maximum of .1 CEUs. Academy approval of this continuing education activity is based on course content only and does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedure, or adherence of the event to the Academy’s Code of Ethics. Any views that are presented are those of the presenter/CE Provider and not necessarily of the American Academy of Audiology.