Expert Assistant

Expert Assistant is a tool to address patient complaints based on the actual wording a patient might use. There are two options available within Expert Assistant: Standard and Advanced. The logic provided by these two options is the same, however, the functionality and level of control varies.

An option exists to have the Media Player launch automatically with Expert Assistant. If Media Player is open, it will automatically change the available sound file to one that is appropriate for testing the improvement of the currently selected complaint.

Standard

On the Expert Assistant screen, you have the ability to have the Media Player launch automatically . Select the category and then complaint closest to the client’s complaint. Click Begin to start adjustments for the selected complaint. The Expert Assistant will make an adjustment which will be displayed in the Adjustment History box. Options will appear that let you continue to address the complaint based on the patient's comments.

Expert Assistant

	Clicking Improved will repeat the previous successful adjustment, if possible. If that specific adjustment is no longer available, it will make the next available recommended adjustment.
	Clicking Not Improved will undo the previous adjustment and make the next available recommended adjustment. The change will still appear under the adjustment history, however, it will be crossed out.

Advanced

The Advanced mode of Expert Assistant allows you to select a category view list of complaints. Each complaint can be expanded allowing you to select any particular adjustment and then apply it. You have complete control to use the recommendations in specific order like they would be done with the Standard mode or you can apply an adjustment in the order you prefer.

The available Categories and Specific Complaints are:

* Category and/or complaint only available on select products
** Category and/or complaint only available on select wireless products
Directionality*	Hearing In Noise	Loudness	Noisy*	Own Voice**
Directional switches too often	Background noise is too loud	All sounds are too loud	Distorted/Static	My own voice echoes
Directional switches too seldom	Can't hear speech well in noise	All sounds are too soft	Hearing device is buzzing	My own voice sounds hollow
	Hear distant sounds better than close sounds	Background noise is too loud	Hearing device is noisy	Own voice sounds like I'm in a barrel or tunnel
	Hearing device is fading in noisy environments**	Dishes clattering too loud**	Hearing device is pumping	Own voice sounds muffled
	Hearing device is pumping*	Dishes/Water/Paper too loud*	Hearing device is whistling
	Hearing device shuts down in noisy environments**	Hear distant sounds better than close sounds*	Makes a noise
		Keys rattling/Paper rustling too loud**
		Loud sounds are too loud
		Sounds are painful*
		Water running too loud**

* Category and/or complaint only available on select products
** Complaint only available on select wireless products
Sound Quality	Spectral iQ*	Speech	Whistling/Feedback	List All
All sounds are not clear**	/s/ sounds are too lispy	Own voice sounds muffled*	Hearing device is whistling	All complaints are available for selection
All sounds are tinny	/s/ sounds are unnatural	Sounds/Voices unnatural*
All speech sounds hollow**	Lisping is distracting	Speech is lispy**
Barrel/Echo*		Speech is too soft
Hearing device has static**		Speech not clear*
Hearing device is buzzing**		Speech sounds muffled or muddy**
Hearing device is chirping**		Speech sounds sharp or harsh**
Hearing device is fading in quiet environments**		Speech waffles or waivers**
Hearing device is noisy**		Voices are too loud
Hearing device is pumping
Hearing device is weak**
My ears feel plugged**
Not clear*
Plugged/Hollow*
Sounds are booming
Sounds are distorted**
Sounds/Voices unnatural*
Speech sounds sharp or harsh*

For more information about the research behind development of the Expert Assistant fitting tool, see the following article:

Jensted, L.M., Van Tasell, D.J., Ewert, C. (2003) "Hearing Aid Troubleshooting Based on Patient’s Descriptions," Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 14: 347-360.