Before you can learn how to take care of your hearing aid,
you need to know a little bit more about how hearing aids
work. Although hearing aids differ with special features,
volume control, amplification, size, and design, they all
have the same basic components. All Hearing aids have a
microphone, an amplifier, a receiver and a battery.
There are several different styles of hearing aids with
their own design and comfort. Some of the different styles
of hearing aids are the in-the-canal hearing aid, the
in-the-ear hearing aid and the behind-the-ear hearing aid.
You will also find a few other hearings aids that have a
specific purpose such as bone conductive hearing aids
(BAHA) for those who do not have an outer ear or ear canal
and the hearing aid that moves the sound from one ear to
the other ear. Custom-made hearing aids can even be built
into eyeglasses for convenience and comfort.
There are three basic types of technology used in hearing
aids: The analog programmable hearing aid, conventional
hearing aid and the digital programmable hearing aids.
Most people find that digital hearing aids are far superior
to any other type of hearing aid. Some hearing aids have
special features such as a telephone switch (T-coil) for
switching between normal hearing and talking or listening
on a telephone. Most T-coils today are automatic and can
sense when a telephone is placed near the ear. Directional
microphones are a new feature that enable you to pick up
sounds in front of you while automatically reducing sounds
from behind you to help with conversations in noisy places
such as restaurants.
Keeping the hearing aid clean is the number one thing you
can do to ensure that it lasts a long time and works
properly. One product that I highly recommend to protect
your new investment is called a Dri Aid kit. Hearings
aids are just like any other electronic device: they need
to stay dry! If the sensitive electronic equipment inside
the aid gets wet, it will cease to function. With Dri Aid
kit, you can you extract moisture out of the hearing aid by
keeping it in a pouch or canister while you sleep at night.
The desiccant materials in the container absorb the
moisture that has entered the hearing aid through daily use.
To clean the hearing aid, you will need a brush and wire
loop and a Kleenex. The hearing aid usually comes with the
wire loop and a brush, but if not, you can use an old
toothbrush if you have nothing else. You need to wipe off
the part of the hearing aid that fits into the ear canal
very gently with a Kleenex and use the brush or wire pick
to remove any earwax that may be found by the opening of
the hearing aid that fits into the ear. Make sure you open
the door to the battery and turn off the hearing aid before
putting it in the case for the night.
If you have a behind the ear hearing aid, you can gently
and carefully wash the earmold with warm water and a mild
soap. Be very careful not to saturate the hearing aid with
water or soap. The tubing on this type of hearing aid does
need to be replaced every three or four months. This is
because the material becomes hard and will not conduct the
sound as well. You should never use alcohol or any other
solvent to clean the hearing aids. There are sprays that
are specially made to clean hearing aids and they do not
breakdown the materials used to make the hearing aid.
Some simple tips to remember when cleaning your hearing
aids are not to drop it on a hard surface. Do not expose
the hearing aid to direct heat and do not get the hearing
aid wet. Also keep in mind that pets LOVE to chew on small
shiny objects. Keep them out of their reach! If you
remember these tips and keep your hearing aid clean, you
hearing aid should last you for a very long time.
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Kelly C. Calkins, AuD., has practiced audiology for over 20
years. For more information about hearing aids or to find
the nearest hearing professional to you, call us today at
877-777-1710 or visit our website at http://www.aidright.com
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