Download Audiology - General Information for New Hearing Aid Users

General Information for
New Hearing Aid Users
Audiology Department
__________________________________________________________________
Introduction
This information leaflet will provide you with practical information and
advice regarding your new hearing aid. There is lots of useful
information enclosed, so it is important that you take time to read this
leaflet in order to help you adapt to wearing your hearing aid.
Getting Used to Your Hearing Aid
It is normal for the hearing aid to sound strange at first. It can take a
number of months for you to get used to the sound of the hearing aid.
Common reports are that the hearing aid can sound hollow or tinny.
We normally recommend that you start wearing the hearing aid for just
a couple of hours a day, in an environment that you feel comfortable in,
such as around the house. This allows you some degree of control of
the sound level that you experience. Once you feel comfortable wearing
your hearing aid in this environment, it is important to increase the
hours that you use the hearing aid, as well varying the situations that
the hearing aid is worn. You should build up your usage of the aid over
the next couple weeks/months. Every time you use the hearing aid in a
new situation you are exposed to lots of different sounds. It is
important to continue to wear the aid in order to adapt to these new
sounds. Hearing aids cannot give you perfect hearing, but they should
help you hear everyday sounds and help you to follow what people are
saying much easier. You will find that one-to-one conversations, in a
quiet environment, are a lot easier. It is important to remember that
wearing the hearing aid in a noisier environment will take longer to get
used to.
When you are used to the sound of the hearing aid, it is best to wear it
as much as possible. This gives you the best chance of adapting to the
sound of the aid. The only times you shouldn’t wear the hearing aid are
when you go to bed and for any water-based activity (e.g. showering or
swimming).
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The way to adapt to a hearing aid quickly is to follow the 3 “Ps”
PRACTICE - PATIENCE - PERSEVERANCE
Using Your Aid in Noisy Places
In noisy places like high streets, pubs and restaurants, you may still find
it difficult to follow what people are saying. Most hearing aids are
designed to adjust automatically when there is a lot of noise.
Even with the best hearing aid, some situations may still be very
difficult. Here are some things that you can do to make it easier:Position yourself so that you can look directly at the person that
you are speaking to so that you can see their face.
Sit with your back to the worst of the noise and select a Noisy
Environments programme on your hearing aid (if applicable).
Make sure that the room is as well-lit as possible, and that the
person speaking knows that they should be facing you throughout
the conversation.
Wearing an aid in both ears will help you focus better on what you
want to listen to (if appropriate).
Hearing Aid Controls
The NHS uses several different models of hearing aid, each with slightly
different controls. Details of how your specific hearing aid works are
found in the hearing aids instruction sheet. If you do not have an
instruction sheet, please ask an audiologist for one. Please make sure
that you are familiar with the following:How
How
How
How
to
to
to
to
turn your hearing aid on and off.
select different hearing programs (if applicable).
use the volume control (if applicable).
change the battery.
You should have been shown how to insert and remove your ear mould
during your fitting appointment and given an opportunity to practise
this. It can take a little while to get used to putting your ear mould into
your ear. If, after a few weeks you are struggling to fit the ear mould
you can attend our repair clinics for further support.
Using Your Hearing Aid with a Telephone
How to use your hearing aid with a telephone will have been
demonstrated at your fitting appointment.
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You will need to hold the telephone earpiece near the microphone on
your aid, near the top of your ear.
Many telephones also work with your hearing aid’s loop system (if this
has been enabled on your hearing aid).
If you continue to have difficulty using the telephone, the Audiology
Department can recommend a suitable model of telephone to match
your hearing loss.
Care and Maintenance of your Hearing Aid
Cleaning your Hearing Aid
Clean the main part of the hearing aid by wiping it carefully with a soft,
dry cloth or tissue. Take care not to get it wet.
Cleaning your Ear Mould
Wipe the ear mould with a damp cloth or tissue every night. Use a pin
or similar item to remove any wax or debris that has got into the tube
going through the ear mould.
If you feel confident doing so, you can also wash the ear mould in soapy
water once a week. To do this, you need to detach the ear mould from
the hearing aid by holding the tube with one hand and the hook of the
aid with the other and tugging gently. Do not pull the tube out of the
ear mould as you will not get it back in again. Soak the ear mould for
10-15 minutes, rinse it well, blow down the tubing and allow it to dry
overnight in a warm place.
Cleaning your Open Ear fitting tubing
If - instead of an ear mould – you have an ‘open ear fitting’ you should
have been given a cleaning wire. Detach the thin tube from the hearing
aid by unscrewing it. Thread the cleaning wire through the tube and out
of the other side. This should clear any blockage in the tube. Re-attach
the thin tube by screwing it back onto the hearing aid.
Re-tubing Your Hearing Aid
The clear plastic tube linking your hearing aid to the ear mould and the
‘open ear fitting’ need to be changed every 4-6 months. This can be
carried out in our repair clinics.
The tube needs changing when it becomes discoloured and brittle.
If you would like to re-tube the mould yourself, please ask an
audiologist to show you.
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Replacement Batteries
Free replacement batteries are available from many clinics and hospitals
throughout the area. Battery recycling facilities are also available at
some clinics. Please ask a member of staff for your nearest clinic.
A postal service is also available. You have been issued with a battery
record book/card which has details of your hearing aid and the type of
batteries which it uses. You should post the book/card to the address
given in the front of the book/card and we will send new batteries within
2 days of receipt of your request. Please enclose a stamped,
self-addressed envelope for the return of your batteries.
Trouble-Shooting
If your aid doesn’t seem to be working:Check that the battery has been inserted correctly.
Try one new battery.
Check that the tubing is not blocked with wax or moisture. If you
are unable to clear this yourself, you can attend a repair clinic to
have the tube changed.
Check that the tubing is not twisted, squashed or split. If the tube
is damaged, it can be replaced at the repair clinic.
Whistling, squealing or buzzing noises are often caused by feedback.
The most common causes of feedback are:The ear mould not being correctly inserted in your ear. Check that
the ear mould has been fitted properly.
Your ear being blocked with wax. Your GP can arrange wax
removal, generally through the practice nurse.
A loose-fitting ear mould. You can attend a repair clinic to ask an
audiologist to check the fit of your ear mould.
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Hearing Aid Maintenance and Repairs
In order to help you maintain your hearing aid, or if you have any issues
or problems with your hearing aid, you should attend a repair session in
order to discuss your problem. We run repair clinics at the following
sites without the need to make an appointment:Hearing & Balance Unit
E Block
Royal Gwent Hospital
Monday – Friday: 9 am – 12.45 pm
Audiology Department
Nevill Hall Hospital
Monday – Friday: 9 am – 12pm
Audiology Department
Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr
Ystrad Mynach
Monday: 9.30am -12.15pm and 1.30pm - 4.30pm
Tuesday: 9.30am -12.15pm and 1.30pm - 4.30pm
Thursday: 9.30am -12.15pm
Routine repairs are carried out during these times. This includes
re-tubing the ear moulds, taking new impressions for ear moulds,
checking and replacing faulty hearing aids and providing general advice
about the care and maintenance of your hearing aid.
There are times when your reported problem cannot be resolved in the
repair clinic. If this is the case it may be necessary to arrange an
appointment with another member of staff to discuss the issues in more
detail. If this is the case, we will advise you in the repair clinic. There
are likely to be waiting lists for these appointments and you will be
advised of the wait time.
There are also weekly appointment-only repair clinics at Chepstow
Community Hospital and Cwmbran Clinic. Please ring:- 01633 - 234390
to arrange an appointment.
Limited repair clinics also operate at Monnow Vale Health Centre.
Please ring:- 01600 - 773113 to make an appointment this clinic.
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Hospital Telephone Numbers
If you need to contact the department by telephone, the direct dial
numbers are:Royal Gwent Hospital: 01633 234390
Nevill Hall Hospital: 01873 732800
Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr: 01443 802446
These phone lines are very busy throughout the day.
Fax Number for all hospital sites:
01633 - 656299
Please look after your hearing aid. We will repair or replace it
free of charge if it goes wrong. However, there may be a charge
if it is lost or damaged through misuse.
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