Hearing Aid Tips – for beginners
Digital hearing aids are highly advanced pieces of equipment (more like computers), that have a plethora of features within their sometimes tiny and almost invisible casings. Hearing aids are able to help people with a hearing loss and make them hear conversation better and feel very comfortable when worn in their day to day lives.
Hearing aids should last on average for 5 -7 years if maintained and looked after. Wax and moisture can sometimes get trapped in the hearing aid enabling it to work less efficiently. Here are some top tips to keep your hearing aids in good working order.
Make sure that your batteries are fresh: Most modern digital hearing aids make a beeping noise to let you know that they are running out of power. If you hear the beep or don’t get a jingle/start up tune when you place the hearing aid into your ear then you should change the hearing aid battery. Alternatively you could always close the battery door when the hearing aid is in your ear covering the hearing aid tightly with your hand. If you don’t hear a buzz or whistle, then the battery may need to be changed. You could alternatively use a hearing aid battery tester which will tell you straight away whether the battery is working. Battery testers can be purchased from your hearing aid supplier.
Always ensure that the batteries are inserted in the correct way: Most modern digital hearing aids are designed in such a way that you can’t close the batter door properly if the battery isn’t inserted properly. Make sure that you read your hearing aid instructions booklet on how to insert the battery and for any other tips. Be aware however that some manufacturers use generic books for all styles of a certain product, meaning that the pictures don’t always match your own hearing aid style.
Reduce the effects of moisture in getting inside the hearing aid : If you have an ITE (in the ear) CIC (completely in the canal) or RITE (receiver in the canal) hearing aid, leave the battery door open during the night or when the hearing aid is not in use. A dry-aid kit can be purchased from your hearing aid dispenser which contains a silica gel to remove any excess moisture from the hearing aid overnight. Otherwise try to store them in a dry place as at night moisture in the air can get in to your hearing aid.
If you have a BTE (behind the ear) hearing aid, which transmits sounds through tubing, via an ear mould into your ear then you may need to blow out the moisture trapped in the tubing via the ear mold. The tubing must be separated from the hearing aid before you do this. An air-puff blower makes the blowing moisture through the tubing easier. Don’t use your mouth to do this as your breathe contains moisture and will make it worse. Otherwise make a further appointment with your hearing aid audiologist to have the tubing replaced.
Check whether the mould or tubing is blocked by any wax: Small wax particles or difficult to see dry skin from inside your ear can get trapped in the hearing aid mould or filters which can stop it from working efficiently.
If you have an RIC (receiver in the canal) hearing aid then change the dome and filter which sits inside receiver.
If you have a RITE with a custom mould or ITE (in the ear)/ITC (in the canal)/CIC (completely in the canal) hearing aid then change the wax filter. This usually looks like a small white or sometimes red or blue dot which lies on the part of the hearing aid which enters your ear first. Take care to make sure that you are using the correct wax filters as they will vary in size and style depending on which hearing aid manufacturer you have purchased from.
It may be the case that your audiologist needs to change the tubing if it is blocked with unseen wax or if you have been shown, separate the mould from the hearing aid, wash the ear mould in warm, soapy water and allow to dry before reattaching to the hearing aid.
Select the correct program if you have semi automatic hearing aids: All hearing aids are set up differently. If you insert it into the ear then it is easy to change to program by using the hearing aid program button. Also be aware that sometimes the loop/Telecoil or mute settings may be switched on by mistake. Push the program button until you get it back to the normal programme.
A GREAT TIP FOR CHECKING IF YOUR HEARING AID IS IN THE “T LOOP PROGRAM” IS TO HOLD A QUARTZ WATCH TO THE MICROPHONE OF YOUR HEARING AID AND IF YOU CAN HEAR THE WATCH TICKING THEN YOU ARE IN THE TELECOIL PROGRAM. The reason for this that both devices work on the same technology principal of induction.
For further help and advice make sure that you visit http://www.hearingaidsattrade.co.uk/ today or
call 0800 0304 542
