Why Miss a Decibel of Life? Phone: +49 9131 84 0

Local Contact Information

Siemens contact House number and street name City and postal code Country Phone: +XX-XXX-XXX-XXXX www.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The information in this document contains general descriptions of the technical options available, which do not always have to be Global Business Unit present in individual cases and are subject to change without prior notice. Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH Gebbertstrasse 125 The required features should therefore be 91058 Erlangen speciﬁ ed in each individual case at the time of Germany conclusion of the respective contract. Phone: +49 9131 308 0

Global Siemens Headquarters Global Siemens Legal Manufacturer Healthcare Headquarters Siemens AG Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH Wittelsbacherplatz 2 Siemens AG Gebbertstrasse 125 80333 Muenchen Healthcare Sector 91058 Erlangen Germany Henkestrasse 127 Germany 91052 Erlangen Germany Why miss a decibel of life? Phone: +49 9131 84 0 www.siemens.com/healthcare

Enjoy the beauty of sound again.

www.siemens.com/decibel www.siemens.com/decibel

Order No. A91SAT-00808-99C1-7600 | Printed in Germany | © 04.2009 Siemens AG

SSAT_decibel_brochure_bulb.inddAT_decibel_brochure_bulb.indd 12-112-1 222.04.20092.04.2009 18:36:3418:36:34 UhrUhr If you are concerned about your hearing, we’re here to help.

What does a decibel of sound mean to The next step, of course, is to become you? Is it a whisper of gossip? Is it your fully informed about your options so that wife’s spontaneous words of affection? you can choose a solution that suits you Or your husband’s same old joke you best. In the following pages, we aim to still laugh at? Your grandson’s first clumsy give you the guidance and inspiration and adorable words? Or your grand- you need to start you on your journey daughter’s tireless questions about the towards regaining the beauty of sound. world? Whatever sounds move you, there’s no denying the importance of The information included in this brochure is for hearing. We all want to live with the full informational purposes only and is not intended appreciation of sound – even with a to be a substitute for a professional consultation hearing impairment. with a hearing healthcare provider.

The fact is, the great majority of people who suffer from hearing impairment don’t have to. Thanks to modern technology, there is a variety of discreet and stylish hearing systems that help people regain their confidence in hearing and in themselves. Hearing problems can be solved, but the first step is to accept them.

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Hearing loss is a problem that can If you answered yes to any of these develop at any time. Most often, it is questions, there is a chance that you may gradual and painless. You may not realize have some degree of hearing loss. We for several years that this problem is urge you to have a hearing test conducted affecting you because it develops so by a Hearing Care Professional. slowly, nevertheless it can inhibit your ability to experience the sounds and voices around you. And this affects your You’re not alone own life and the lives of those around If you do have hearing loss, then it helps you. to know that you’re not alone. In fact, you’re one of about 500 million people If you think your hearing might be worldwide. In most countries, this means impaired, answering these questions more than 1 in 6 people have some is the right place to start: degree of hearing impairment. But it‘s reassuring to know that a properly fitted • Do people always comment that the hearing instrument can improve commu- volume on your TV or radio is too loud? nication for at least 90% of people with • Have you missed visits and calls from hearing impairment. This means you can people because you didn‘t hear the be quite confident that there is a solution doorbell or telephone ringing? for you. • Do you have trouble following conversations in crowded or noisy settings? • Do people tell you that you speak too loudly?

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SSAT_decibel_brochure_bulb.inddAT_decibel_brochure_bulb.indd 4-54-5 222.04.20092.04.2009 18:37:2118:37:21 UhrUhr How we hear. Hearing loss.

To understand hearing loss, it helps to The middle ear The nerve fibers then send electrical im- Hearing loss can occur in Causes of hearing loss Effects of hearing loss understand how hearing works. Your ear is an air-filled cavity separated from the pulses along the auditory nerve to the either one of two ways There are many factors that may affect Hearing loss affects a great number of is an amazing organ that can perceive outer ear by the eardrum. The middle ear brain, which interprets these impulses as your hearing, including: people around the world. And it affects sounds from barely audible to very loud contains the three smallest bones in the sound. (or a combination of both): them in a variety of ways. Over time, and can pinpoint the direction of a sound human body, the ossicles. These bones • Long-term exposure to noise hearing loss can lead to anxiety, depres- source to an amazing degree of accuracy. vibrate along with the eardrum and con- • Heredity sion, isolation, and loneliness. So by vert sound waves into mechanical energy. The loudness Types of hearing loss • Illness leaving hearing impairment untreated, of sound is measured in units called • Reactions to medications a physical condition may also become a The human ear consists of three parts: The inner ear decibels, abbreviated “dB”. The hearing is Conductive hearing loss • Injury psychological one. This is why it is so contains the cochlea, which is a snail- displayed in a chart called “audiogram”. results from diseases or disorders that • Ear wax important to seek a solution at an early The outer ear like organ filled with fluid and contains An audiogram expresses the relative limit the transmission of sound through • Aging stage. includes the visible part of the ear (pinna) thousands of tiny nerve fibers. The intensity of sounds on a scale from zero the outer or middle ear. This hearing and the ear canal. Sound waves in the air, mechanical action of the ossicles creates for the average least perceptible sound loss can often be treated medically or Degree of hearing loss collected by the pinna travel down the ear movement in the fluid and stimulates to about 100 dB, which is near the level surgically. In some cases, a hearing Different levels of hearing loss are canal to the eardrum (tympanic membra- the nerve fibers. most people find uncomfortably loud. instrument can provide sufficient hearing referred to as degrees, depending on ne). The sound waves set the eardrum improvement. the severity of impairment. into vibration. Sensorineural hearing loss affects the inner ear or neural pathways. In this case, sound is transmitted through Degree of Hearing Threshold Ability to Hear Speech the pinna collects Hearing (in decibels, dB) environmental sounds the outer and middle ear, but the inner Loss the cochlea converts the mechanical ear is less efficient in transmitting the malleus vibrations into neural impulses sound, usually due to damages to the fine stapes None 0 – 25 dB No perceptible difficulty. incus haircells inside the cochlea. This leads sound travels through the ear canal to reduced perception of sound intensity Difficulties with hearing soft speech and conversations, and quality. This type of hearing loss is Mild 26 – 40 dB but can understand in quiet environments. usually compensated with a hearing instrument that amplifies sound to over- Difficulties with understanding speech, especially in the come the decrease in hearing sensitivity. Moderate 41 – 55 dB presence of background noise. Higher volume levels are needed for hearing TV or radio.

Moderate Clarity of speech is considerably affected. Speech must be 56 – 70 dB to severe loud. Possible difficulties in group conversations. the tympanic perception the auditory nerve membrane vibrates of low conducts the signal in response to sound frequencies to brain Normal speech is inaudible; therefore comprehension is only at the end of the Severe 71 – 90 dB ear canal possible through extremely loud or amplified speech. perception of high frequencies Profound 91+ dB Even amplified speech is unclear and even inaudible.

outer ear middle ear inner ear collects airborne sounds conductive mechanism conversion into neural impulses

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SSAT_decibel_brochure_bulb.inddAT_decibel_brochure_bulb.indd 6-76-7 222.04.20092.04.2009 18:37:2818:37:28 UhrUhr There are numerous state-of-the-art The good news. hearing instruments available, but they The beauty of technology. all have certain characteristics in common. They are made to selectively increase the volume of the sounds you want to hear. They can make soft sounds A hearing instrument becomes a part audible, while at the same time making of you in more ways than one. Firstly, loud sounds comfortable, thus providing of course, it enables you to enjoy the relief in both noisy and quiet situations. Micro CIC Mini ITE beauty of sound. But, just as importantly, No hearing instrument can solve every it should also reflect your personality hearing problem or restore normal and style, so that you are both physically hearing, but they are designed to provide and emotionally comfortable wearing it. selective amplification so that you can That’s why at Siemens we put as much hear and understand better. care into the design of our products as we do into their technology. A hearing instrument is basically a miniature amplification system with On the one side are products so minute, the following components: with tubes so thin, transparent and ITE Concha comfortable, that were it not for your • Microphone improved hearing, you wouldn’t even • Amplifier (most employ digital notice they were there. At the other end signal processing) of the spectrum there is a wide variety • Miniature loudspeaker called a receiver of colors and attractive designs that • Battery make your hearing instrument almost look like a fashion accessory.

The different styles Together with your Hearing Care There are several different styles of Professional you will find the right hearing instruments, not to mention the BTE Conventional BTE Open fitting hearing instrument that is cosmetically multiple design and color options. Each pleasing in appearance and that fits hearing instrument is designed and fitted your hearing needs. to each person’s hearing needs.

RIC Open fitting In the crest

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Surely by now you feel more informed help your Hearing Care Professional find Have your ear impression made Learn to enjoy sound again and prepared to address your hearing a solution to suit your particular needs. If you have a custom hearing instrument, Learning to listen with hearing instruments concerns. You may now feel motivated Don’t hesitate to ask questions and try then you will be scheduled for an ear takes time and a degree of patience in to take your next steps. The longer you to be as open and relaxed as possible. impression, which is an exact duplicate the beginning. You may need to learn to wait, the more difficult it gets: The more your Hearing Care Professional of the contours of your ears. You will not filter out unwanted sounds, just as you knows about you, the better he or she need to do this for BTE and RIC open used to do with normal hearing. It‘s also • Your ease of adapting to hearing instru- will be able to help you. fitting, or crest instruments. Your ear important to be realistic and not to expect ments is lowered over time, because you impression is sent to hearing aid manu- 100-percent hearing in every situation. are no longer accustomed to normal Choose your hearing system facturers such as Siemens to make Siemens provides additional support by sounds – the brain simply forgets how Depending on your test results, your your hearing instrument. At Siemens, eARena, an interactive auditory training it is to hear. Hearing Care Professional will give you a impressions of your ears are carefully DVD, which will help you adapt to and recommendation of hearing solutions replicated with laser accuracy for the enjoy your hearing system in the least • Your emotional and psychological state best suited to your hearing and personal best fit pos sible. This usually only takes possible time. may be further affected. needs. Feel free to do your own research a few days. as well on the solutions available. You We wish you success and confidence may also want to check with your health Schedule your fitting on your journey to better hearing and if To guide you through your next steps, insurance to find out how much of the Your next appointment will be for your you need extra support along the way, below is a checklist of what you need costs will be covered. Your Hearing Care Hearing Care Professional to optimally we’ll be there. Don’t hesitate to contact to plan for and consider: Professional knows what you need best, adjust your hearing instrument. The us via our website: but the ultimate decision is up to you. adjustments are done with a computer www.siemens.com/hearing Make an appointment for your based on an audiogram and your own hearing test comments. Your audiologist will teach This could be done by an audiologist, you how to operate your hearing Hearing Care Professional, otolaryngo logist instrument, and how to benefit best in or an otologist. Most offer the hearing different environments. You will also test at no cost, so check before hand. practice inserting and removing your hearing instrument and learn how to The Hearing Care Professional will clean and care for them. examine your ears for possible physical causes like excessive wax build-up, Follow up visit(s) infection, or growth. He will also give Wear your new hearing instrument for advice, if further medical diagnosis is a few days in your regular surroundings. necessary. A hearing test will also be You may want to keep a diary to record performed to measure your ability to your impressions of the sounds you hear. detect sounds at various frequencies or Based upon how well you can hear in pitches. The entire process may take your everyday surroundings, your Hearing about an hour. It doesn‘t hurt and will Care Professional may make additional adjustments to your hearing instrument if necessary.

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