Most
communication partners want to understand the effects of hearing loss.
One
way to provide that understanding is to simulate hearing loss, that is,
to reproduce the sound qualities that a person hears through impaired ears.
Most
communication partners want to understand the effects of hearing loss.
One
way to provide that understanding is to simulate hearing loss, that is,
to reproduce the sound qualities that a person hears through impaired ears.
It
is hard to imagine the experiences
of a person with impaired hearing, but it is possible to simulate
hearing loss.
HELOS
is based on a simple 3-part model of hearing loss:
Minimum requirements: PC with Windows XP operating system; 1.8 GHz; 1 GB RAM; USB 2.0 port. A USB 2.0 audio adapter (external sound card) is strongly recommended for input and output connections.
(1)
Load HELOS software onto your computer.
(2) Select “Threshold” (sensitivity), “Low-pass” (slope frequency), and “Distortion” (clarity). Adjust the three sliders to vary speech intelligibility from 0 to 100%.
(3) Listen through HELOS and experience:
Modify the sound quality of video tapes or DVDs. Simulate hearing loss during face-to-face conversation.
(1) Watch television through HELOS
Connect television, USB audio adapter, computer, and headphones as shown.
(2) Make a DVD. Then play the audio through HELOS to demonstrate effects of hearing impairment
Record someone speaking to the camera, a conversational situation, etc. - from the point of view of a child or adult with impaired hearing. Play your DVD through a television (the audio signal goes through HELOS). Connect your DVD player, USB audio adapter, computer, and television as shown.
(3) Train communication partners to produce clear speech and language
Communicate through a window that separates two rooms (e.g., a glass panel in a door). Connect microphones, amplifiers, USB audio adapter, computer, cables, and earphones as shown.
Most audiology clinics contain a 2-room test suite separated by a double-glazed window. Connect microphones, USB audio adapter, computer, and headphones to the audiometer/talkback system as shown.
Or, you may assemble a closed-circuit video system between two rooms. Connect microphones, USB audio adapter, computer, amplifier, headphones, and cameras/televisions as shown.
In each case, the person on the right listens through HELOS and experiences a simulated hearing impairment. The person on the right also can experience a simulated vision impairment by looking through a thin sheet of rough-surfaced plastic that diffuses images.
Select HELOS audiogram shape, threshold, and distortion settings. The person on the left may speak words (e.g., cat), phrases (e.g., "4 ripe tomatoes"), sentences (e.g., "My bicycle has a flat tire."), or narrative (e.g., topic: "my birthday party"), and the person on the right attempts to understand. The two people may conduct a brief conversation (topics: family, travel, food, pets, etc.).
The person who simulates sensory loss requests clarification and provides feedback. Both participants practice with communication strategies (e.g., repetition, clear speech, contextual cues) and different amounts of hearing and vision loss. The communication partner learns to produce clear speech and language.
[For more details, see Erber, 2008]
Q: What is the expected outcome of
communication training with HELOS?
A: Awareness, empathy, and/or behavioural
change.
Awareness of
the effects of hearing loss on communication
Awareness of the effects of distance and poor environment on communication
Empathy for communication difficulties of
a hearing-impaired child/adult
Awareness of
the benefits of visual cues on communication
Awareness of
the benefits of hearing aids/cochlear implants on communication
Awareness of
the benefits of clear speech and language
Awareness of
the benefits of short distance and control of the
environment
Awareness of proactive/reactive communication strategies
Ability to produce clear speech and language during conversation
Ability to apply proactive/reactive strategies
during conversation
Increased fluency of conversation with a hearing-impaired child/adult
Q: Can I play/demonstrate a CD, videotape, or DVD
through HELOS?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I play back a DVD on the same
computer that contains HELOS software?
A: Not at the present time.
If your computer uses a Microsoft Windows operating system (e.g., Windows
XP), you must play back DVDs on a separate DVD player.
In the future, however, it may be possible to play back DVDs on the same computer
that contains HELOS software.
Q: Where can I get a videotape or DVD for demonstration through HELOS?
A: Several organizations sell videotapes
that use HELOS to demonstrate the effects of hearing loss on communication.
It is not difficult, however, to make your own videotapes/DVDs.
Q: How can I make a videotape or DVD for demonstration?
A: Record communication in a familiar
situation: doctor’s office, classroom, playground, home, bank,
restaurant, etc.
Place the camcorder at the point of view of the adult/child with
impaired hearing.
Q: How can I use HELOS as part of the
demonstration?
A: Produce a video recording (videotape or
DVD) from the
point of view of the child/adult with impaired hearing.
Play it back with the audio signal passed through HELOS.
Q: You strongly recommend a USB 2.0 audio input-output adapter.
What is this?
A: A USB 2.0 audio input-output adapter is a
small external sound card. It allows you to send sound signals to/from your computer
via a USB port.
Q: Why do you recommend that I use a USB
audio adapter with HELOS, rather than the sound input/output connectors on my computer and the
audio system within my computer?
A: Computers contain different sound cards,
audio systems, and controls for input and output.
Some are very difficult to use. A USB audio adapter is very easy to use and reduces variation in audio function
between computers.
Q: How can I increase the volume of my
computer’s loudspeakers when I present a DVD/HELOS demonstration to a large
group?
A: Connect a USB audio adapter to a
USB port on your computer.
Connect the iMic OUT socket to: (a) amplified loudspeakers; or (b)
“Audio line in” of your television.
Q: What equipment do I need to demonstrate
DVDs through HELOS?
A: DVD player, computer/HELOS, USB audio adapter, television, connector cables.
Q: I want to demonstrate the effects of
hearing loss to a group.
Can I connect a microphone to my laptop/HELOS (via the iMic IN socket),
and speak live through amplified loudspeakers?
A: Yes, but: (a) the audience probably will
also hear your unmodified speech; (b) feedback squeal probably will occur if the
microphone is near the loudspeakers.
We recommend that you speak from a separate room (via closed-circuit TV)
for this type of demonstration.
Q: I want to carry my laptop/HELOS and
experience hearing loss in familiar communication situations.
Can I connect a microphone to my laptop/ HELOS (via the IN socket of the
USB audio adapter)
and listen through earphones (via the OUT socket of the USB audio adapter)?
A: We think so, but you probably will need
to listen through in-the-ear earphones (“earbuds”) and cover your ears with
earmuffs: (a) to exclude unmodified external sounds; and (b) to avoid feedback
squeal.
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