DEAFNESS RESOURCE CENTRE LIMITED Registered Charity No. 1128148, Company Limited by Guarantee 6807282, Registered in England and Wales

32-40 Dentons Green Lane, St Helens, WA10 2QB Tel: 01744 23887 (Voice / Minicom) Fax: 01744 611540 Chairman of Committee: Mr J E Clark Hon. Treasurer: Mr P Harvey Chief Officer: Ms H Fitzgerald

HEARING AIDS

A hearing aid is an electronic device that consists of a microphone, amplifier, loudspeaker, and a battery.

If someone has a hearing impairment, they may be able to wear a hearing aid. A hearing aid does not cure a

hearing impairment, but it increases the volume of sound entering your ear so that you may be able to hear

things more clearly.

Modern hearing aids are very small and discreet and can be worn outside or inside your ear. The microphone

picks up sound which is made louder by the amplifier. Hearing aids are fitted with devices that can distinguish

between background noise, such as traffic, and foreground noise, such as conversation.

NHS hearing aids

In the UK, both analogue and digital hearing aids are commonly used. Most hearing aids that are prescribed

through the NHS are now digital. Instead of having moving parts, digital hearing aids contain a very small

computer that processes sounds. This enables the hearing aid to be programmed to suit different environments,

such as a small quiet room or a large, noisy workshop.

Digital hearing aids that are available through the NHS are usually the behind-the-ear (BTE) type.

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids usually have an ear

mould which sits inside your ear. The rest of the hearing

aid is connected to the ear mould and lies behind your

outer ear.

Some types of BTE hearing aids have two microphones

that enable you to listen to sounds in the general vicinity

or to focus on sounds that are coming from a specific

direction. This can be particularly useful in noisy

environments.

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are like an ear mould. They fill the area just

outside your ear canal and fill the opening of your ear canal. The working

parts of the hearing aid are either located in a small compartment that is

attached to the ear mould or inside the ear mould itself.

DEAFNESS RESOURCE CENTRE LIMITED Registered Charity No. 1128148, Company Limited by Guarantee 6807282, Registered in England and Wales

32-40 Dentons Green Lane, St Helens, WA10 2QB Tel: 01744 23887 (Voice / Minicom) Fax: 01744 611540 Chairman of Committee: Mr J E Clark Hon. Treasurer: Mr P Harvey Chief Officer: Ms H Fitzgerald

DAILY CARE FOR HEARING AIDS

Hearing aids require special care to ensure that they function properly!

1. PERFORM LISTENING CHECKS Listen to the hearing aid every day. You can use a listening tube, or you can ask the owner to listen to the

hearing aids to be sure that they sound clear and not weak or scratchy.

Method of testing: If you cover the microphone (see picture overleaf) you will hear feedback

confirming the hearing aid is at least functioning at minimum.

2. CHECK BATTERIES

Batteries should last about 1 or 2 weeks. You can use a battery tester, or you can check that the batteries are

working by using the method mentioned above. Hearing aids with fresh batteries will work at peak

performance. Always keep spare batteries at hand. Store them in a cool, dry place and dispose of them

properly.

Where to get batteries for NHS hearing aids: You can obtain new batteries for free from

the Deafness Resource Centre, your local drop in centres or at the hospital Audiology Departments.

(Don't forget to bring your brown medical book with you!)

3. CLEAN HEARING AIDS REGULARLY WITH A SOFT DRY CLOTH

Check for dirt and grime. Ear moulds can be removed from the hearing aids and cleaned with a mild soap

solution. You can dry them using a forced air blower (not a hair dryer). Be sure they are completely dry before

reattaching them to the hearing aids.

4. MINIMISE MOISTURE

This is important for proper function. DO NOT get the hearing aids wet! A hearing aid box will help keep

moisture from building up inside the hearing aids and will lengthen their life. Take the batteries out of the

hearing aid before placing them in the box.

5. AVOID FEEDBACK

Feedback is the whistling sound that can be heard from the hearing aid. It occurs when amplified sound comes

out of the ear mould and re-enters the microphone. You should not be hearing feedback if the hearing aid is

securely seated in the ear. Hearing feedback may suggest that the ear mould is too small and needs to be

replaced or that there is too much earwax in the ear canal. Both of these problems are very common.

• Talk to the GP for a referral to Audiology when you start hearing feedback frequently

• Turning down the volume of the hearing aid will cut down on the feedback but will also not

allow you to hear important sounds.

Regular audiology visits are important for hearing testing, to check the performance

of the hearing aid, and to make necessary adjustments!