17/12/2022
Tips and Advice on Care and Maintenance of Hearing Aids
Let’s learn the right way to care for your child's hearing aids!
As a parent of a child with hearing impairment, you play a crucial role in your child’s overall development. You will play an essential part in helping your child adjust to hearing aids. You should be aware of different hearing aid types, parts of the hearing aids, and tips for care and maintenance of hearing aids for your child’s better hearing. Practice and patience will make you more comfortable as you learn how the aids work and how to care for them.
What is a Hearing aid?
A hearing aid is a small, electronic device that allows a person to hear sounds and understand speech clearly. The Behind-The-Ear Hearing Aid (BTE) is the most commonly used type of hearing aid. It has a plastic case that can be placed behind the ear. Typically, children wear behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids as they are more durable and can be flexibly adjusted than in-the-ear styles.
Parts of Hearing aid
The following table shows various components of a hearing aid and their functions:
| Hearing aid components | Function |
|---|---|
|
Battery |
It gives power to the hearing aid. It is at the bottom of the hearing aid. |
|
Microphone |
It collects sound waves and changes them into electrical signals. It is usually on the top of the BTE hearing aid where the hook meets the hearing aid case. |
|
Amplifier |
It makes the electrical signal larger and sends it to the receiver. |
|
Receiver |
It changes the electrical signal back into sound waves which are sent to the ear. |
|
Volume |
It controls loudness. The audiologist usually sets the volume on the hearing aid so that it stays at that level. |
|
Ear mold
|
It directs sound into the ear, keeps the hearing aid in place, and prevents any leakage of sounds. It is made to perfectly fit the shape of your child’s ear and must be replaced as your child grows. |
|
Ear mold tubing |
It is the part of the ear mold that connects the ear mold to the hearing aid hook. |
How to take care of your child's Hearing aids?
Caring for your child’s hearing aids prevents damage and allows them to last longer.
1. How to take care of your child's Hearing aids?
- Make sure the hearing aids are turned off.
- Gently pull the earmold out slightly. Do not pull on the earmold tubing to remove the earmold as it may come out of the earmold. When your child is not using the hearing aids, keep them in a safe, dry place, such as the hearing aid case or other protective box
2. Keep the hearing aids clean and safe
- Clean the hearing aid with a clean and dry cloth, and handle the hearing aid with clean hands. You can use the cleaning tool brush- that was given in the hearing aid box to remove any dust or dirt on the hearing aids so that the microphone does not get blocked with dirt. When not in use, store the aids in the box, remove the batteries, and open the battery door for ventilation.
- Avoid exposure to colder temperatures and heat sources such as stoves, open flames, and direct sunlight, it can harm the internal components of the hearing aid and ear mold.
- When hearing aids are in the water, it causes high humidity and water condensation, which over time damage its electronic components, hence do not allow your child to bath with the hearing aid on. Humidity caused by sweat can be easily removed by placing only the hearing aids in the dry aid kit. Do not keep the batteries in the dry aid kit.
- For molds, use the cleaning or wax loop to remove dirt from the mold. Clean the ear mold with water and mild detergent after removing them from the hearing aid. Ensure the ear mold is dry before attaching it to the hearing aid.
- Younger children as well as pets are very curious about small batteries and aids, they may put it in their mouth which is hazardous. Hence, it’s advisable to keep the hearing aids and their batteries in a safe place.
3. Avoid dropping the hearing aids
- Hearing aids can be damaged if they hit hard surfaces when dropped
- Hold the hearing aids over a soft surface while cleaning the hearing aids or changing batteries.
- Teach your child the importance of taking good care of hearing aids.
- Use Hearing aid hookies and hearing aid retention clip or safety line to keep the hearing aids in the ears.
4. Visit the Audiologist regularly
- Regularly visit your Audiologist to check the functioning of the hearing aids and clarify your doubts.
Troubleshooting your child’s BTE Hearing aid
| Problem | Possible causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
|
The hearing aid whistles when the child wears it |
Ear mold not placed in the ear properly |
Place the ear mold properly |
|
Crack in the ear mold tubing |
Change the ear mold tubing |
|
|
Ear mold too small |
Get a new ear mold |
|
|
Problem with the connection between hook and hearing aid. |
Get a new hook or Hearing aid that needs repair. |
|
|
Wax build-up in the ear or ear mold |
Go to the ENT doctor and clean the ear.
Use cleaning tools to clean the ear mold.
|
|
|
The hearing aid sounds soft |
Weak battery |
Put a new battery |
|
Ear mold plugged with wax. |
Use cleaning tools to clean the ear mold. |
|
|
Ear hook blocked |
Clean the ear hook or get a new hook |
|
|
Tubing twisted or partly blocked |
Change the ear mold tubing |
|
|
The hearing aid does not work |
Dead battery/no battery |
Put a new battery |
|
Battery incorrectly inserted |
Place the battery correctly. The positive side facing upwards. |
|
|
Ear mold plugged |
Use cleaning tools to clean the ear mold |
|
|
Internal components are malfunctioning |
Visit your audiologist |
|
|
The hearing aid works intermittently |
Corrosion on the battery or in the battery compartment/ battery is weak. |
Put a new battery |
|
On/off switch not working properly |
Visit your audiologist |
|
|
Internal components are malfunctioning |
Visit your audiologist |
It is imperative that you listen with care. Proper functioning hearing aids are vital for your child’s hearing and development. It is very important for your child that the hearing aids are working and being used properly. Do not hesitate to contact your audiologist if you are facing any problems with your child’s hearing aids.
Watch our video for detailed understanding of hearing aid care and maintenance.
You could also visit us at Montfort Care Early Intervention Centre, Dadar (W), Mumbai. We provide audiological services for hearing testing (Pure tone audiometry, BERA, Immitance audiometry) and rehabilitation (Hearing Aid Trial & Fitting, Auditory Verbal therapy) . Visit our centre and get a free screening for hearing loss.
This blog was prepared by Augustina Noel Z, and supported by Nissy Sunil, Slesha Jain and Shivani Prabhu.
References
- Vyas, D. (2021). Involvement of parents of children with hearing impairment in care and maintenance of hearing aids. International Journal Of Speech And Audiology, 2(1), 01-04. DOI: 10.22271/27103846.2021.v2.i1a.4
- Northern, J. L., & Downs, M. P. (2002). Hearing in children. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Cochlear Europe Ltd, 2011.
- Elfenbein, Jill L. 2000. Batteries Required: Instructing Families on the Use of Hearing Instruments
- Diagram of dierent hearing aid styles
- Hearing aids batteries