How to use your hearing aid Information for patients Delivering the best in care UHB is a no smoking Trust To see all of our current patient information leaflets please visit www.uhb.nhs.uk/patient-information-leaflets.htm
Contents Your hearing aid 3 Advice for getting used to your hearing aid 4 Correct insertion of your hearing aid 6 Looking after your hearing aid 8 Trouble shooting 9 Aftercare 10 2 PI17_1298_03 How to use your hearing aid
Your hearing aid Your hearing has been tested and we have used the results to provide you with a prescription. This allows us to programme your hearing aid with the correct level of volume. It is important that you do not mix your hearing aids up or use someone else s. Hearing aids cannot give you perfect hearing. However, they will make listening to everyday sounds and conversation easier. To achieve this takes time and practice, and for some people this will be quicker than others. The audiologist will have advised you on the best way for you to become accustomed to your aid. Your hearing may seem dull after taking the aid off; this is because you ve become accustomed to hearing better with your aid in. Your hearing aid has not made your hearing worse. If you encounter any problems with the hearing aid there is a trouble shooting guide for common problems at the end of this leaflet. PI17_1298_03 How to use your hearing aid 3
Advice for getting used to your hearing aid Even with a hearing aid some situations may still be difficult. Here are a number of ideas which may help: Quiet situations will be easier than noisy ones so reduce any background noise if possible. Try conversations indoors or watching the television first Tell others about your hearing loss and how best to communicate with you Ask people to face you, speak clearly but not to shout Good lighting allows people s expressions and gestures to be seen clearly An ideal distance between you and the speaker is between 3 and 6 feet (1 to 2 metres) Don t be afraid to ask people to repeat themselves or rephrase something to stop you losing the thread of the conversation A loop programme might help in public buildings (see the section on telecoil) You may find it helpful to discuss these tips with your family and friends. 4 PI17_1298_03 How to use your hearing aid
Telecoil The telecoil is an optional setting that will have been offered to you at your fitting appointment. It is a system which is available in public spaces e.g. theatres, banks, train stations or anywhere that displays the sign below. This system allows you to listen to a performance, bank clerk, or a public address system more easily. Tips for using the telephone 1. Try holding the phone receiver at the top of your ear and slightly away from your head. 2. Some people like to use the phone when it is set to hands free or speaker. If you have a telephone that is telecoil compatible, select the telecoil programme on your hearing aid and it will directly link into the telephone. PI17_1298_03 How to use your hearing aid 5
Correct insertion of your hearing aid Depending on the type of hearing aid you have been given you need to ensure the dome or mould is fitted correctly. How to insert an open fit and hearing aid 1 Place hearing aid behind your ear. Hold bend of tube between thumb and finger. Gently push the dome into your ear canal until the tube sits close to the side of your head. 2 3 If you have a retention cord curl it into the bowl of your ear. 6 PI17_1298_03 How to use your hearing aid
How to insert a mould and hearing aid 1 Hold the mould at the back with your finger and thumb. Place the tip of the mould in your ear canal and make sure the top part of the mould is pushed behind and under the inner fold of your ear. 2 3 Press the mould in and tuck the hearing aid behind your ear. Incorrect insertion, top part of the mould is not underneath the fold of your ear. X 4 The audiologist may have shown you a different method, but whichever method you use, you need to end with the mould in correctly as shown in picture 3. PI17_1298_03 How to use your hearing aid 7
Looking after your hearing aid Cleaning the hearing aid Wipe your aid every night with a dry tissue. Cleaning a mould 1. Wipe mould only with a damp piece of kitchen towel at least 2 times a week. 2. Alternatively, detach the tube from the hook of the hearing aid one at a time and wash the mould as advised by the audiologist. Rinse soap off with clear water. Shake or leave to dry. Reattach mould to tube ensuring that no moisture remains in the tubing. Cleaning a thin tube and dome: 1. Detach tube from aid, one at a time, as you were shown and use the cleaning wire supplied. 2. Push from the end that joins to the aid. 3. Wash cleaning wire. Your tubes will need changing every 4 months. We can do this for you by appointment or we can teach you to do it yourself. 8 PI17_1298_03 How to use your hearing aid
Trouble shooting If the tips below do not work, please contact us for a repair appointment. My hearing aid is uncomfortable It may not be inserted correctly (see picture in inserting ear mould section) Tubing has gone hard and discoloured replacement is required No sound Switch hearing aid on Change the battery; make sure it is the correct way round Disconnect aid from tube, if aid works now the tube is blocked try blowing through it or cleaning it Check it is not set on the loop programme My hearing aid is whistling when I m wearing it Check your earmould or dome is in your ear correctly Have your ears checked for wax at the GP surgery Your mould may be loose, requiring a new one to be made Buzzing Check you are on the correct programme and not the telecoil Hearing is unclear Try turning your hearing aid down Change the battery Try reading the Advice for getting used to your hearing aid Bring your hearing aid in for a change of tube (and or filters) Hearing aid is quiet Change the battery Check aid is not on loop programme Check tube is not blocked with wax or condensation Have your ears checked for wax at your GP surgery PI17_1298_03 How to use your hearing aid 9
Aftercare Repairs Walk in clinic at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Audiology Centre 09:30-12:00 weekdays no appointment necessary. If you are unable to attend during these times, please contact us for an appointment or post your hearing aids to the department for repair. You will find our contact details on the back of this leaflet. Obtaining new batteries These can be obtained at a centre local to you (see the leaflet your audiologist gave you). You will need to take your hearing aid and battery issuing record book (brown book), this will have been given to you at your hearing aid fitting appointment. Your hearing aid is provided on loan and remains NHS property. If you lose or damage your hearing aid you may be liable to a charge. If the hearing aid is no longer required please return it to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Audiology Centre. 10 PI17_1298_03 How to use your hearing aid
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The Trust provides free monthly health talks on a variety of medical conditions and treatments. For more information visit www.uhb.nhs.uk/health-talks.htm or call 0121 371 4957. Queen Elizabeth Hospital Audiology Centre Ground Floor, Nuffield House Mindelsohn Way, Edgbaston Birmingham, B15 2TH Telephone: 0121 371 7100 Fax: 0121 371 7101 e2text: 07939 988 871 Textphone: 0121 371 7105 Email: Audiology@uhb.nhs.uk www.uhb.nhs.uk/qehac PI17/1298/03 UHB/PI/1298 (Edition 3) Author: Gwawr Jones Date: November 2017 Review date: November 2019