Audiology Roles in Army ROTC Advanced Camp Physical Examinations
COL Richard Danielson
This presentation will summarize the process and outcomes of audiometric testing conducted in support of physical exams of 4,469 ROTC cadets reporting for the 2001 ROTC Advanced Camp at Fort Lewis, WA. After initial audiometry, 4.4% of the cadets required further evaluation and review by an audiologist to determine if the cadets met standards of fitness. Moreover, 6.3% of these cadets had cerumen removed prior to audiometric testing (and otoscopy by their physician). These data are consistent with those obtained in a 1992 study of a similar group. When processing large groups of other military personnel, military audiologists might use similar approaches to quickly accommodate rapid deployments or readiness actions. We integrated earplug fitting and a straight-talking health education brief into the audiometric station, which directly benefited hearing conservation in their subsequent training (and careers as military officers).
Measures of Speech Production in Noise With and Without HPDs
Jennifer Tufts, Ph, D.
This study examined the speech of talkers in noise with and without HPDs. Overall and 1/3 octave band SPL measurements were obtained for 32 talkers producing connected speech while wearing foam, flange, or no earplugs in quiet and in pink noise at 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 dB SPL. The attenuation and the occlusion effect produced by the earplugs were measured. The SII was calculated to determine if the amount of speech information available to listeners changed as a function of wearing the earplugs and noise level. Talkers wearing earplugs produced lower speech levels, SNRs, and Sit values, and showed less pronounced changes in spectral shape, than talkers without earplugs. The attenuation and occlusion effect produced by the earplugs accounted for the changes that occurred in the speech of talkers wearing earplugs. Overall, the results indicate that talkers who wear earplugs in noise provide less speech information to listeners.
Air Force
The Wilford Hall Cochlear Implant Program
Col Ben Sierra
Maj Draw Horlbeck, M.D.
This presentation will discuss the current process and procedures for referral, evaluation and candidacy assessment for Cochlear Implants at the 59 MDW (Wilford Hall Medical Center), Lackland AFB. Although cochlear implantation of the hearing impaired is not new to the military the program at WHMC has been recently re-energized in many ways. The presentation will provide detailed discussion on current FDA criteria, candidacy assessment, medical/surgical aspects, devices used, the role of the 59 MDW Cochlear Implant Board and military patient management/retention. Read more…
The Veterans Administration Foreign Medical Program (FMP): Win/Win for the Disabled Vet and Your MTF
LtCol Craig Jordan
This presentation will provide information about the VA FMP that provides medical coverage for veterans with VA disabilities residing overseas. This program provides the veteran with the opportunity, if they have service connected hearing loss or tinnitus, to be reimbursed for purchase of hearing aids under the retiree hearing aid purchase program (RHAPP/RACHAP). Not only will the VA reimburse the veteran for his hearing aid but also your clinic can receive reimbursement for your services.
Mission Romania: Humanitarian Medical Mission
LtCol Craig Jordan
This is an example of a humanitarian medical mission that complied with the emphasis on light and lean medical deployments. A team of eight AF medics traveled to Romania and provided basic treatment, teaching and health screening to about 350 Romanian children. Most members carried their own supplies and equipment for the mission and commercial transportation was used. An eight-minute video will be part of the presentation.
Success Over Stress, or “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, and It’s All Small Stuff”
LtCol Carolyn Bennet
Dr. Hans Selye “father of stress research” defines stress as a natural reaction of the body to any demand upon it, It is the fight-or-flight syndrome. Electrical and hormonal changes mobilize the energy needed for the body to deal with an emergency—such as the tiger about to jump us.
Today stress generally does not come from the “Fight or Flight” type of emergency but our bodies still react to the psychological stress in the same way that they did in primitive times facing the tiger. Stress can be used as a tool to help us achieve out goals. Moderate stress gives purpose and meaning to life, motivates people. High stress can, however, interfere with a person’s ability to function and cause a disease including:
- Headache
- Backache
- Ulcers
- Nausea
- Over/under eating
- Excessive Sleeping
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Frequent Colds
- Anger/Irritability
- Sweating
- Indigestion
- Skin problems
- Distractibility
- Alcoholism
- Hypertension
- Stroke
Overcoming the negative aspects of stress is a decision-making process. “There’s nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.” William Shakespeare. Three major ways we can deal with stress: alter it, avoid it, or accept it by building our resistance or changing our perception.
I Got A Cochlear Implant, and I Want To Stay on Active Duty—Uncle Sam, May I? A Case Report
Lt Jennifer Tay
Lt Nicole Cioni
A case report on a 37-year-old active duty MSgt, with sudden bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss. The implant process and program at Wilford Hall Medical Center are explained, as well as the discussion about whether to keep the patient on Active Duty via medical waiver. Read more…
Other
Live Speech Mapping—Advancing to the REAR?
Mr. Michael Poe
Real Ear Measurements are essential for verifying hearing aid fittings. The enhanced features in new real ear measurement instrumentation also provide exceptional tools for the Dispenser.
Today’s presentation provides a quick review of Real Ear Measurements, an update on Loudness Scaling, and an introduction to the NEW dynamic features in current instrumentation. A real ear measurement protocol will be recommended.
ANSI Terminology—reviewed
- REUR
- REAR and RESR
- REIR and REIG
- REOR
- Occlusion Effect
Loudness Scaling
- Current procedures—IHAFF and RELS
- How to use Loudness Scaling results to set compression kneepoint and ratio, when fitting WDRC nonlinear hearing aids, using Real Ear Input/Output measurements.
- Instrumentation for Real Ear Measurements and Loudness Scaling
- Standard functions: REUR, REIR/ REIG, REAR, RECD, REOR
- Enhanced features: Integrated Loudness Scaling and Real Ear Measurements, “Random Stimulus” options for measuring adaptive circuits in hearing instruments; .real time” Live Speech input mode; Automated Occlusion Effect task; real ear measurements in “real time” while making hearing aid programming changes.
A Real Ear Measurement Protocol
- REUR
- REAR using “Live Speech” on the Aided Speech Spectrum target
- Mapping the Auditory Area for patient’s with tolerance problems
- Matching Gain To Comfort levels
- Limiting Output to below Uncomfortable levels
- Use the REIG and prescriptions as a guide and start point