Home → VA Prosthetics → VA Handbook 1173.7 - Audiology and Speech Devices → Definitions
7.3. Definitions
a. Audiology and Speech Pathology Clinic. An Audiology and Speech Pathology Clinic is a VA or contract facility that is specially staffed and equipped to provide audiological and speech services.
(1) Independent Hearing Aid Dispensing Programs. Independent Hearing Aid Dispensing Programs are designated by the Director, Audiology and Speech Pathology Service, and provide services in a defined geographical area (generally the primary service area of the medical center). These services include examinations for compensation and pension claims, assessment of social efficiency, audiological and hearing aid evaluations, the provision of hearing aids and other supplementary devices associated with hearing health care, special medical-diagnostic evaluations, and aural rehabilitation. These clinics maintain a stock of hearing aids and accessories which are furnished and replenished through a centralized distribution program by the Denver Distributing Center (DDC), Denver, CO.
(2) Basic Audiology and Speech Pathology Clinics (satellite clinics). Basic Audiology and Speech Pathology Clinics (satellite clinics) provide services for patients from a more restricted geographical area. These have a smaller audiology and/or speech pathology staff and usually serve only inpatients and other veterans for whom travel might be a hardship. Veterans who require special procedures, which cannot be provided at these clinics, are referred to Independent Hearing Aid Dispensing Programs.
b. Hearing Aid Evaluation (HAE). A HAE is a procedure used by an audiologist to determine the extent of hearing impairment and the selection of an appropriate corrective instrument.
c. Cochlear Implant. A Cochlear implant is a surgically implanted device which stimulates the auditory cochlea directly. The unit consists of a speech processor which stimulates the electrodes which have been implanted into the cochlea. NOTE: This item is only implanted at authorized medical centers.
d. Assistive Listening Devices. Assistive listening devices are items used to assist a person to hear or amplify sound. Telephone amplifiers, personal amplifiers, infrared television amplifiers are examples of these devices.
e. Assistive Device. Examples of assistive devices used in daily living activities are: telephone or door bell signaling devices, telecaption television decoders, bed vibrators, strobe lights.
f. Artificial Larynx. An artificial larynx is an electronic device which provides external vibration for phonation.