A Rigorous and Efficient Distillation Column Model for Engineering and Training Simulators

Purpose In 2011, the United Nations estimated there were between 180 and 220 million youth with disabilities living around the world, and 80% of them resided in developing countries. Over the last 6 years, this number has increased significantly, and now, over 1 million people live in the Caribbean with some form of disability such as communication disorders resulting in complex communication needs (CCN). Method This publication discusses the benefits of an exploratory, descriptive, nonexperimental study on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) classroom integration training for 8 special educators in the Bahamas who work with children with CCN. Results The results of this study revealed that 100% of the participants reported the study to be effective in increasing their knowledge and skill in the area of implementing AAC into their classrooms, enhancing their ability to team teach and incorporate AAC opportunities for all students with CCN within their classrooms, and increasing their knowledge and skill overall in the areas of AAC and CCN. Conclusion The findings highlight an important area of potential professional development and training that can be replicated in other English-speaking Caribbean territories focused on AAC classroom integration training program for special educators who teach students with CCN.

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A Qualitative Examination of User Perceptions of User-Driven and App-Controlled Hearing Technologies

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/2019_aja-19-0022 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 993-1005 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gitte Keidser ◽

Nicole Matthews ◽

Elizabeth Convery

Keyword(s):

Hearing Aids ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

New Technology ◽

Successful Implementation ◽

Semistructured Interview ◽

User Perceptions ◽

Template Analysis ◽

Training And Support ◽

And Training

Purpose The aim of this study was to examine how hearing aid candidates perceive user-driven and app-controlled hearing aids and the effect these concepts have on traditional hearing health care delivery. Method Eleven adults (3 women, 8 men), recruited among 60 participants who had completed a research study evaluating an app-controlled, self-fitting hearing aid for 12 weeks, participated in a semistructured interview. Participants were over 55 years of age and had varied experience with hearing aids and smartphones. A template analysis was applied to data. Results Five themes emerged from the interviews: (a) prerequisites to the successful implementation of user-driven and app-controlled technologies, (b) benefits and advantages of user-driven and app-controlled technologies, (c) barriers to the acceptance and use of user-driven and app-controlled technologies, (d) beliefs that age is a significant factor in how well people will adopt new technology, and (e) consequences that flow from the adoption of user-driven and app-controlled technologies. Specifically, suggested benefits of the technology included fostering empowerment and providing cheaper and more discrete options, while challenges included lack of technological self-efficacy among older adults. Training and support were emphasized as necessary for successful adaptation and were suggested to be a focus of audiologic services in the future. Conclusion User perceptions of user-driven and app-controlled hearing technologies challenge the audiologic profession to provide adequate support and training for use of the technology and manufacturers to make the technology more accessible to older people.

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Effect of Computerized Auditory Training on Speech Perception of Adults With Hearing Impairment

Perspectives on Aural Rehabilitation and Its Instrumentation ◽

10.1044/arri20.3.91 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 91-106 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Rachel Pizarek ◽

Valeriy Shafiro ◽

Patricia McCarthy

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Speech Perception ◽

Literature Review ◽

Low Cost ◽

Experimental Designs ◽

Auditory Training ◽

Hearing Impairments ◽

Communicative Disorders ◽

And Training

Computerized auditory training (CAT) is a convenient, low-cost approach to improving communication of individuals with hearing loss or other communicative disorders. A number of CAT programs are being marketed to patients and audiologists. The present literature review is an examination of evidence for the effectiveness of CAT in improving speech perception in adults with hearing impairments. Six current CAT programs, used in 9 published studies, were reviewed. In all 9 studies, some benefit of CAT for speech perception was demonstrated. Although these results are encouraging, the overall quality of available evidence remains low, and many programs currently on the market have not yet been evaluated. Thus, caution is needed when selecting CAT programs for specific patients. It is hoped that future researchers will (a) examine a greater number of CAT programs using more rigorous experimental designs, (b) determine which program features and training regimens are most effective, and (c) indicate which patients may benefit from CAT the most.

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