|
|
Basin Audiology | |
Welcome Page
Fall Open House
Hearing Test
Products & Services
Meet the Experts
Contact Us
Locations & Phone Numbers
Hearing
Aid Trouble Shooting
If you or someone you know is having problems with a hearing aid, try following the steps in this article. If you're still having problems, please contact the office. To find out how to easily contact the office, click email or locations & phone numbers.
A troubleshooting guide for your hearing aid patients and families
Some patients need a lot of help with their hearing aids. The following troubleshooting guide is for hearing aid patients and their spouses, family members, and/or care givers. If you like it, simply cut off this paragraph, photocopy the rest or rewrite on your letterhead, and give it to your patients when they the hearing aids.
TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR HEARING AIDS
If a hearing aid is not working, check these items:
1. Battery. Put a brand new battery in the hearing aid. Be sure the battery is the right size and is inserted correctly. Note: If you have a lot of trouble with batteries, we can equip you with a battery tester. These are not usually necessary; however, some people are more comfortable testing the battery. Don't save batteries once they have been used; they tend to get mixed up with new ones.2. Battery door. Be sure the battery door is closed completely (snapped shut) when the hearing aid is being used.
3. Wax. Look at the canal end of the hearing aid and find the little white sound tube. Check to see if the hearing aid is plugged up with wax. You will need to use a bright light ( a lamp or flashlight) to see into the sound tube. If the tube is plugged, use the little wire tool provided with the hearing aid and carefully pick the wax out. Be careful not to push the wax down into the tube. Ember that there is a microphone at the other end of the tube, so do not go too far into the hole with a pin, paper clip, or other sharp object.
4. Correct positioning. Be sure that the hearing aid is positioned in the ear correctly and pushed firmly, but not forcefully, down into the ear canal. Look at the top ridge of the outer ear ( the helix) and be sure the top of the aid is tucked in behind the skin. Look at the bottom of the ear and make sure the hearing aid is inside the notch.
*Sometimes a hearing aid hurts the ear and people try to avoid the problem by pulling the aid out of the ear a little. Don't do this. If the hearing aid hurts, ask us to fix the problem.
*Sometimes it helps to put a little baby oil in the ear and on the hearing aid; this makes the aid slippery so it goes in more easily. Apply the oil with a Q-tip, being careful not to go very far into the ear canal. Use oil only if you need it, and use only a small amount.
*Be sure the hearing aid is in the correct ear. Some aids have red marking for the right ear, blue for the left.
5. Switching settings. If there is an on/off switch on the hearing aid (some have one, many do not) be sure the switch is on "M" for "Microphone." It should not be on "T" for "Telephone" or "O" for "Off."
6. Tubing. If the hearing aid is a behind-the-ear type, check to be sure the tubing is not twisted or plugged. Hold it up to the light and look for drops of moisture in the tubing. Be sure the tubing has not become hard or cracked, and that is is still firmly attached to the earmold.
7. Volume control. The volume control should be set correctly . If you need help finding the correct volume, we can mark the volume control with two little red dots. Be sure they are touching each other. Otherwise, be sure the control is set on the correct number. It should not be all the way off, and usually should not be all the way on. Forward or up is louder, backward or down is softer.
8. Whistling. If the hearing aid whistles:
A. Be sure the aid is inserted correctly (see item #2).B. Be sure the volume is not turned up too high (see item #7).
C. Be sure there is no wax in the patient's ear canal.
9. Booklets. Read the instruction booklets that come with the hearing aid.
Some tips for better Communication
The people closest to the hearing aid wearer can help him or her communicate better by following a few simple rules:
1. Look at the hearing aid wearer when you talk to him or her. Don't talk behind the person or when you are walking away.2. To get the wearer's attention, call him or her by name or "honey" or what ever you normally call the person. Do not speak until you are sure he or she is listening.
3. Use the mute button on the TV remote control and turn off the sound before you speak.
4. Don't talk when the dishwasher is running.
5. How you speak is very important in communicating with the hearing aid use. speak distinctly and don't mumble, but don't exaggerate, either. Talk more slowly, but not more loudly.
6. Don't talk with food in your mouth or when your face is behind a newspaper.
7. Remember, by wearing hearing aids, many hard-of-hearing people can communicate effectively, especially if they are talking to someone within 3 feet of them.
What do you think? Did I miss anything? Please fax your suggestions on how to make this list better to David Kirkwook, editor, The Hearing Journal, (212)595-9214.
Robert L. Martin, PhD holds a doctorate in audiology from the University of Tennessee. Formerly a faculty member at San Diego State University, he has dispensed hearing aids privately in the San Diego area for more than 20 years. Correspondence to Dr. Martin at 1109 Third Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91911