Deña, Ellaine Jennel S.

Hearing Aid

A hearing aid is an electroacoustic apparatus which typically fits in or behind the wearer's ear, and is designed to
amplify and modulate sound for the wearer. Earlier devices, known as an "ear trumpet" or "ear horn, were passive
funnel-like amplification cones designed to gather sound energy and direct it into the ear canal. Similar devices include
the bone anchored hearing aid, and cochlear implant.

Types of Hearing Aid

 Body worn aids

This was the first type of hearing aid invented by Harvey Fletcher. These aids
consist of a case, an ear mold, and a cord. The case contains the amplifier
components. Today, body aids have largely been replaced by Behind-The-Ear (BTE)
instruments.
 Behind the ear aids (BTE)
BTE aids consist of a case, a tube and an earmold. BTEs can be used for mild
to profound hearing losses. BTEs have several advantages over other types of
hearing aids. One advantage is that they tend to be more durable. This is because
the electrical components are located outside the ear. This reduces the amount of
earwax and moisture that the electrical components are subjected to.
 In the ear aids (ITE)
These devices fit in the outer ear bowl (called the concha); they are
sometimes visible when standing face to face with someone. ITE hearing aids are
custom made to fit each individual's ear. They can be used in mild to some severe
hearing losses.
 Receiver In the Canal/Ear (RIC/RITE)
At a first glance, these devices are similar to the BTE aid. There is however
one crucial difference: The speaker ('receiver') of the hearing aid is placed inside the
ear canal of the user and thin electrical wires replace the acoustic tube of the BTE
aid.
 In the canal (ITC), mini canal (MIC) and completely in the canal aids (CIC)
ITC aids are smaller, filling only the bottom half of the external ear. You
usually cannot see very much of this hearing aid when you are face to face with
someone. MIC and CIC aids are often not visible unless you look directly into the
wearer's ear. These aids are intended for mild to moderately-severe losses. CICs are
usually not recommended for people with good low frequency hearing, as the
occlusion effect is much more perceivable.
 Invisible In canal hearing aids (IIC)
This type of hearing aid fitting is not visible when worn. This is because it fits
deeper in the canal than other types, so that it is out of view even when looking
directly in to the ear bowl (concha). A comfortable fit is achieved because the shell
of the aid is custom-made to an individual ear canal after taking a mould of the
patient’s ear.
 Extended wear hearing aids
Extended wear hearing aids are hearing devices that are non-surgically
placed in the ear canal by a hearing professional. The extended wear hearing aid
represents the first "invisible" hearing device. The concept was invented by Adnan
Shennib. These devices are worn up to several months at a time without removal.
They are made of soft material designed to contour to each user and can be used by
people with mild to moderately severe hearing loss.
 Open-fit devices
"Open-fit" or "Over-the-Ear" OTE hearing aids are small behind-the-ear type
devices. This type is characterized by a small plastic case behind the ear, and a very
fine clear tube running into the ear canal. Inside the ear canal, a small soft silicone
dome or a molded, highly vented acrylic tip holds the tube in place. This design is
intended to reduce the occlusion effect. Conversely, because of the increased
possibility of feedback, and because an open fit allows low frequency sounds to leak
out of the ear canal, they are limited to moderately severe high frequency losses.
 Personal programmable or consumer programmable
The personal programmable, consumer programmable, consumer
adjustable, or self programmable hearing aid allows the consumer to adjust their
own hearing aid settings to their own preference using any PC. Personal
programmable hearing aid manufacturers can remotely adjust these types of
hearing aids for the customer. Available in most hearing aid styles, these hearing
aids differ from traditional hearing aids only in that they are adjustable by the
consumer.
 Disposable hearing aids
Disposable hearing aids are hearing aids that have a non-replaceable
battery. These aids are designed to use power sparingly, so that the battery lasts
longer than batteries used in traditional hearing aids. Disposable hearing aids are
meant to remove the task of battery replacement and other maintenance chores
(adjustment or cleanings).
 Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA)
The BAHA is an auditory prosthetic which can be surgically implanted. The
BAHA uses the skull as a pathway for sound to travel to the inner ear. For people
with conductive hearing loss, the BAHA bypasses the external auditory canal and
middle ear, stimulating the functioning cochlea. For people with unilateral hearing
loss, the BAHA uses the skull to conduct the sound from the deaf side to the side
with the functioning cochlea. Individuals under the age of 5 typically wear the BAHA
device on a headband. Over age 5, a titanium "post" can be surgically embedded
into the skull with a small abutment exposed outside the skin. The BAHA sound
processor sits on this abutment and transmits sound vibrations to the external
abutment of the titanium implant. The implant vibrates the skull and inner ear,
which stimulate the nerve fibers of the inner ear, allowing hearing.
 Eyeglass aids
During the late 1950s through 1970s, before in-the-ear aids became
common (and in an era when thick-rimmed eyeglasses were popular), people who
wore both glasses and hearing aids frequently chose a type of hearing aid that was
built into the temple pieces of the spectacles.
What is a cast?
A cast holds a broken bone in place as it heals. Casts also help to prevent or decrease muscle contractions, and
are effective at providing immobilization, especially after surgery.
 
Casts immobilize the joint above and the joint below the area that is to be kept straight and without motion. For
example, a child with a forearm fracture will have a long arm cast to immobilize the wrist and elbow joints.

What are casts made of?

The outside, or hard part of the cast, is made from two different kinds of casting materials.
 plaster - white in color.
 fiberglass - comes in a variety of colors, patterns, and designs.
Cotton and other synthetic materials are used to line the inside of the cast to make it soft and to provide padding around
bony areas, such as the wrist or elbow.
 
Special waterproof cast liners may be used under a fiberglass cast, allowing the child to get the cast wet. Consult your
child's physician for special cast care instructions for this type of cast.

Type of Cast
Location
Uses

Short arm cast:

Applied below the elbow to the hand.
Forearm or wrist fractures. Also used to hold the forearm or wrist muscles
and tendons in place after surgery.
Long arm cast:
Applied from the upper arm to the hand.
Upper arm, elbow, or forearm fractures. Also used to hold the arm or elbow
muscles and tendons in place after surgery.
Arm cylinder cast:
Applied from the upper arm to the wrist.
To hold the elbow muscles and tendons in place after a dislocation or
surgery.

Shoulder spica cast:

Applied around the trunk of the body to the shoulder, arm, and hand.
Shoulder dislocations or after surgery on the shoulder area.
Minerva cast:
Applied around the neck and trunk of the body.
After surgery on the neck or upper back area.
Short leg cast:
Applied to the area below the knee to the foot.
Lower leg fractures, severe ankle sprains/strains, or fractures. Also used to hold the
leg or foot muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing.
Leg cylinder cast:
Applied from the upper thigh to the ankle.
Knee, or lower leg fractures, knee dislocations, or after surgery on the leg or knee area.
Unilateral hip spica cast:
Applied from the chest to the foot on one leg.
Thigh fractures. Also used to hold the hip or thigh muscles and tendons
in place after surgery to allow healing.
One and one-half hip spica cast:
Applied from the chest to the foot on one leg to the knee of the other
leg. A bar is placed between both legs to keep the hips and legs
immobilized.
Thigh fracture. Also used to hold the hip or thigh muscles and tendons
in place after surgery to allow healing.
Bilateral long leg hip spica cast:
Applied from the chest to the feet. A bar is placed between both legs to
keep the hips and legs immobilized.
Pelvis, hip, or thigh fractures. Also used to hold the hip or thigh muscles
and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing.

Short leg hip spica cast:

Applied from the chest to the thighs or knees.
To hold the hip muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing.

Abduction boot cast:

Applied from the upper thighs to the feet. A bar is placed between both legs to keep
the hips and legs immobilized.
To hold the hip muscles and tendons in place after surgery to allow healing.

TRACTIONS
In orthopedic medicine, traction refers to the set of mechanisms for straightening broken bones or relieving pressure on
the spine and skeletal system. There are two types of traction: skin traction and skeletal traction.

Skin traction- is one of two kinds of traction used for the treatment of fractured bones and the correction of orthopedic
abnormalities. Skin traction applies pull to an affected body structure by straps attached to the skin surrounding the
structure.

Skeletal traction - traction applied to the affected structure by a metal pin or wire inserted into the structure and
attached to traction ropes. Skeletal traction is often used when continuous traction is desired to immobilize, position,
and align a fractured bone properly during the healing process. Infection of the pin tract is one of the complications that
may develop with skeletal traction, and careful scrutiny of pin sites is an important precaution. Some common signs of
infection of the pin tracts are erythema, drainage, noxious odor, pin slippage, temperature elevation, and pain.
Superficial infection of pin tracts is often treated with antibiotic therapy. Deeper infections usually require pin removal
and antibiotic therapy.
Different Types of Tractions
 Bryant's traction
Etymology: Thomas Bryant, English physician, 1828-1914; L, trahere, to pull
- is an orthopedic mechanism used to immobilize both lower
extremities in the treatment of a fractured femur or in the
correction of a congenital hip dislocation. The mechanism consists
of a traction frame supporting weights, which are connected by
ropes that run through pulleys to traction foot plates. The traction
pull elevates the lower extremities to a vertical position with the
patient supine, the trunk and the lower extremities forming a right
angle. The weight applied to the traction mechanism is usually less
than 35 pounds.

 Buck’s traction
Etymology: Gurdon Buck; L, trahere, to pull
- is one of the most common orthopedic mechanisms by which pull is exerted on the lower
extremity with a system of ropes, weights, and pulleys. Buck's traction, which may be unilateral
or bilateral, is used to immobilize, position, and align the lower extremity in the treatment of
contractures and diseases of the hip and knee. The mechanism commonly consists of a metal
bar extending from a frame at the foot of the patient's bed, supporting traction weights
connected by a rope passing through a pulley to a cast or a splint around the affected body
structure.
 Dunlop’s traction

Dunlop’s Skin traction- an orthopedic mechanism consisting of

adhesive or nonadhesive skin traction that helps immobilize the upper
limb in the treatment of contracture or supracondylar fracture of the
elbow. The mechanism uses a system of traction weights, pulleys, and
ropes, usually applied unilaterally but sometimes bilaterally.

Dunlop’s Skeletal traction- an orthopedic mechanism that helps immobilize

the upper arm in the treatment of contracture or supracondylar fracture of
the elbow. The mechanism uses a system of traction weights, pulleys, and
ropes and may be accompanied by skin traction. Dunlop skeletal traction is
usually applied unilaterally but may also be applied bilaterally.

 Russell’s traction
Etymology: R. Hamilton Russell, Australian surgeon, 1860-1933; L, trahere, to pull along
- Is a unilateral or a bilateral orthopedic mechanism that combines suspension and traction to
immobilize, position, and align the lower extremities in the treatment of fractured femurs, hip
and knee contractures, and disease processes of the hip and knee. Russell's traction is applied as
adhesive or nonadhesive skin traction and uses a sling to relieve the weight of the lower
extremities subjected to traction pull. A jacket restraint is often incorporated to help immobilize
the patient.
Orthopedic Brace

An orthopaedic brace (also orthosis or orthotic) is a device used to:

 immobilize a joint or body segment,

 restrict movement in a given direction,
 assist movement,
 reduce weight bearing forces
 help with rehabilitation from fractures (post cast removal) , or
 correct the shape of the body.

TYPES:

Wrist Braces


Wrist Brace
Wrist braces come in various styles for the right or left hand. They can also be used for only the
wrist area or longer styles for stability and support of the forearm. Wrist braces are commonly
used after an injury, surgery, for movement restriction to reduce pain or protection.

Knee Braces


Knee Braces
Knee braces are used after surgery to stabilize the knee and reduce pain by restricting movement.
Athletes use knee braces while participating in a sport, again to stabilize the knee. Other
individuals will use knee braces during daily routines for knees that are weak or to prolong
surgery.

Back Braces


Back Brace
Back braces are used for low back pain , after surgery, during lifting to protect the back or to
control movement of the body. Back braces need to be specially fitted by size for the maximum
protection as individual body sizes are different. Most back brace designs will also have side
straps that can be adjusted for a more conforming fit.

Ankle Braces


Ankle Braces
Ankle braces are also specially fitted to an individual. Ankle braces are used during sporting
events, after surgery or injury which gives added support and stability. Different designs are
available depending on the type needed. For instance, use during a sporting event will usually
require a slimmer brace than one needed for a major surgical repair.