Hearing loss is a condition that affects not only the person with the loss but also their loved ones. This is because hearing loss doesn’t simply make it difficult to hear. It changes how individuals with hearing loss feel in certain situations, altering their socialization and decreasing their confidence. Hearing loss is multi-faceted, as are the ways to help with hearing loss. We are committed to better hearing loss solutions at El Dorado Hearing by offering state-of-the-art hearing devices. Still, we also focus on helping to train the brain to understand and process sound effectively. Just like how hearing loss doesn’t only affect the person with the condition, there is more to sound than hearing. It’s about interpreting it as well.
Living with hearing problems can be frustrating, but many technological advances have improved communication for those with hearing loss. One of these breakthroughs is live speech mapping. This method allows people with trouble hearing to actively participate in conversations, interact with other people, and get a fuller sense of the world around them. Our skilled team used live speech mapping as a way to appropriately fit hearing aids and allow those with hearing issues and their loved ones to see the benefits right away. Continue reading to learn more about live speech mapping and how it can be used to provide a more well-rounded treatment for hearing loss.
What Is Live Speech Mapping?
Live speech mapping is a state-of-the-art method that lets people with hearing aids or cochlear implants see and analyze speech sounds in real-time. It uses special software and hardware to show the sound information of speech right on a computer screen. This lets both the person wearing the hearing aids and our team assess the settings of the hearing aids and make changes as needed. When the right care is taken during fitting, it can lead to a more personalized hearing experience.
The Process of Live Speech Mapping
During a live speech mapping session, a team member speaks into a microphone linked to a computer. This turns the speech sounds into a picture. The software turns these sounds into spectrograms in real-time. Spectrograms are graphs that show the frequency and volume of different parts of speech, such as vowels, consonants, and external sounds.
The spectrogram is then shown on a screen or monitor that the person with a cochlear implant or hearing aid can see. This instant visual feedback lets the wearer watch the screen and connect the sounds they hear to the patterns they see.
Benefits of Live Speech Mapping
Although technology is still evolving, there are many benefits that have already been seen, other than providing a more personalized approach to care.
Real-time Feedback: Live speech mapping lets people with trouble hearing see how their hearing aid or cochlear implant is set up immediately. This immediate reaction makes it possible to make precise adjustments that make the hearing aids work best for them.
Verification of Device Performance: Live speech mapping shows how speech sounds look, allowing our team to see if hearing aids or cochlear implants work correctly and competently in real-time. This check ensures that the devices give the wearer the right volume and clarity, improving their general hearing experience.
Increased User Involvement: Live speech mapping makes the user an active part of the process of fitting and adjusting. People who have trouble hearing can help fine-tune their hearing aids by looking at the spectrograms and making changes based on what they see. This makes hearing aids more personalized and improves overall happiness.
Enhancing Speech Perception: Live speech mapping helps people better understand speech sounds and rhythms, making it easier to pick out certain phonetic elements. This helps people communicate more clearly, understand language better, and listen with less effort. It also gives them more confidence in wearing their hearing aids, which is a common deterrent. This is significant since consistent use provides more success.
Better Support: Live speech mapping helps our team explain how hearing loss and devices work by giving our patients a visual picture of speech sounds. This visual aid clarifies hearing loss and helps patients learn more about how to improve their hearing, take care of their devices, and what to expect.
We Offer More Than Just Hearing Aids at El Dorado Hearing
Live speech mapping is an amazing technological development that helps people with trouble hearing in ways that can’t be overstated. By giving real-time visual feedback and optimizing the settings of hearing aids, this new method allows people to participate in conversations, interact with their surroundings, and live a fuller life. Live speech mapping also helps us get better at what we do, which makes it easier for us to do custom fittings and provide support. As technology keeps getting better, live speech mapping is likely to become an even more critical tool for helping people with hearing loss communicate better. Contact our team today if you’re curious about this technology and how it can help you or a loved one.
info@ElDoradoHearing.com
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