|
Oct 16, 2018
Dr. Richard Luekenga
|
If you had to conjure one image evoking autumn, it would be brightly-colored leaves falling from the trees. If you don't use care, however, you may see your hearing aids fall out this season, right along with the foliage.
Fallen hearing aids can easily become lost or damaged, with common mishaps including having a hearing aid land on a hard surface, fall into the toilet, or get chewed on by a curious pet. Considering hearing aids can be pricey as well as necessary"”making them both valuable and invaluable"”our specialists atHearing & Balance Doctorswould like to share some tips for keeping these tiny devices safely in your ears.
Learn The Right Way To Put On Your Hearing Aids
Keeping your hearing aids in your ears starts with putting them on correctly. If they're too loose, they may fall out. If they're jammed in too tightly, the discomfort can prompt you to fiddle with your hearing aids, creating agitation that can loosen your hearing aids and put you at risk for them falling out.
We know inserting hearing aids can be tricky at first, so when your new hearing aids arrive our doctors of audiology always teach you to put on your hearing aids correctly.
Make Sure Your Hearing Aids Are Comfortable
If your hearing aid feels uncomfortable upon insertion, you've probably put it on wrong. You need to remove the hearing aid and put it on correctly. If your hearing aids regularly cause you discomfort, you may be using a model that doesn't work for you. At Hearing & Balance Doctors, we carry a number ofhearing aid styles, including:
Behind-The-Ear (BTE)
Completely-In-Canal (CIC)
In-The-Canal (ITC)
In-The-Ear (ITE)
Invisible-In-Canal (IIC)
Receiver-In-Canal (RIC)
Receiver-In-The-Ear (RITE)
We help patients decide on their best option, weighing comfort and usability, and always check to make sure new hearing aids fit properly.
Get A Better Fit With Custom Earmolds and Hearing Aid Shells
Many people who wear BTE hearing aids have custom earmolds made to help their hearing aids stay put. We create an impression of your ear and then send it to a lab that will create soft, dome-shaped earmolds tailored expressly for you.
Other hearing aid wearers decide to use a hearing aid shell"”likewise custom-sculpted in a lab"”for even greater ear-retention.
Some people derive security from their earmolds or ear shells while other people don't like the feel of these devices. It's important you choose the style of hearing aid that's right for you.
Accessories Can Help Keep Your Hearing Aids In Your Ear
Hearing aids can easily fall out when they're worn by an energetic child or an adult who's especially physically active. If you or your youngster fall into this category, consider one of the hearing aid retention accessories on the market, including headbands, straps or clips. For instance, Oticon Safeline attaches your hearing aid to your collar using a clip, giving you confidence your hearing aids won't be lost or damaged amid the whirl of activity.
Here are a few more tips:
If you're wearing a hat, headband or beanie, be careful when taking off your headwear. Check to make sure your BTE hearing aids haven't gotten caught, causing them to come out of your ear.
If you take your hearing aids out in the bathroom, lay a towel over the counter. That way if you drop one of your hearing aids, it will cushion the fall.
If your hearing aids feel too loose, you can get a better fit by enlarging the shell or making the dome on your earmolds larger. Your audiologist may also opt to add a retention wire for added grip.
If you're ready to get hearing aids that fit your needs and your ear,contact ustoday to make an appointment at Hearing & Balance Doctors.
