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HEARITE CHANNEL: HEARING AID REVIEWS, HOW TO'S & MAINTENANCE UP CLOSE

Hearite Channel: Reviews, How To's, Maintenance Up Close

  

WEAR THE HEARING DEVICES AS MUCH AS YOU CAN

Wearing something on/in your ear can be bothersome at first.  It just takes some time to get used to them.  Consistent use of the hearing aids will help make the transition much smoother.  Try to wear the hearing aids longer and longer each day.  You won’t remember you are wearing them before long.   The biggest change will be for your brain to get used to working with your ears again!

YOUR OWN VOICE

With the hearing aids, your voice will have depth and may sound loud and like you’re in a tunnel.  This will go away as your ears and your mind adjust to your new voice.  You can help acclimate to these changes by reading aloud to yourself, allowing you to find the appropriate volume.  After a few days of wearing the new hearing aids, you will be accustomed and won’t even notice the change.  

 

BE PATIENT AND BE FAIR TO YOURSELF AND YOUR PROFESSIONAL

Hearing is not like vision.  When you put your new glasses on you will have perfect vision again.  With hearing, what is gone, is gone.  We can not bring back the hearing you have lost.  It will not be perfect again and you need to be realistic about this.  They will help you regain what you have been missing and help you exert less energy trying to hear.  It does take time.  You need to be patient and push through.  Your professional will be there along the way! 

 

STAY POSITIVE AND BE AWARE THAT THERE WILL BE ADJUSTMENTS

Hearing aids are not a set it and forget it medical device.  Your prescription will be programmed into the instruments.  It will be up to you to use the instruments daily and consistently.  You will want to take notes before your follow-up appointment so you can report your experiences to your professional.  They can then make programming changes based on those notes and experiences.  Be sure your family and friends are aware of your loss by sharing all the information you can about your hearing loss and hearing aids.  The transition will be much easier when you have people on your side wanting to see you succeed!

TAKE NOTES ON YOUR EXPERIENCE

The easiest way you can help your hearing professional make adjustments is by taking notes of your experience.  Every time you wear them in a different environment, note how well you hear or what problems you are having.  Do not be shy!  They are your ears and your hearing care professional expects changes to be made after the initial fitting.  Just remember, it takes time and practice to get used to your new devices.  You took the step of admitting you have a loss, so why give up!  Listening will become easier each passing day if you allow yourself and your hearing aid to help.  

 

WHAT TO THINK OF WHILE EVALUATING YOUR HEARING AIDS

 

Does the hearing aid fit well or is it comfortable in your ear?

 

The easiest adjustments made on hearing aids is the fit!  If they are not comfortable, you will not wear them.  If you have one that makes its way out of your ear or if it is making your ear uncomfortable, stop in right away so we can adjust the fit to make it comfortable for you.  

 

The environments you are often in:

 

After acclimating to your voice and after getting used to the new sound, try wearing the hearing aids to church, the grocery store, the mall--places that are typically noisier.  Wear it outside, wear it to the gym.  We encourage that you take notes of your situations and then when you return for your follow-up appointment, your specialist can make changes necessary.  

 

TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR NEW HEARING AIDS

 

Hearing aids are considered a medical device.  They are also an electronic device and could malfunction or stop working.  Most of the issues can be solved with a routine cleaning but occasionally the hearing aids will need to be serviced by your hearing care specialist.  If you experience any issues, here are some things you can do at home before you visit or call your provider:






THE HEARING AID IS WHISTLING OR FEEDING BACK WHILE BEING INSERTED INTO THE EAR:

 

Usually this means the hearing aids have not been inserted properly into the canal.  Try taking it out and re-inserting it again.  If you’re wearing a hat or a scarf, try taking them off.  They can obstruct sound and make it bounce back into the hearing aids causing what is called feedback.  If you are still getting whistling or “feedback”, it could be because the shape of your ear canal may have changed or it an accumulation of wax causing it not to fit snugly into your ear.  Again, just stop in to see us.  We can check the shape and check your ears for wax!

 

THE HEARING AID WORKS BUT THE SOUND IS LOW OR DISTORTED

 

If the sound doesn’t sound quite right coming from your hearing aids, it could be because it needs a good cleaning.  Using your cleaning kit, gently brush the microphone and the speaker to clear out any wax and/or debris that could be causing a blockage.  Sometimes the battery contacts will get dirty as well.  Use a cotton swab to wipe the contacts, making sure you do not bend them.  You can also clean the battery as well.  If it is not working, you may need to change out the wax guard.  

 

A buildup of moisture can also cause problems on a hearing aid.  If you have a receiver tube with your instrument, you may be able to see condensation in the tube.  If you do, place the hearing aid in a dehumidifier box or drying kit for a couple of hours to see if that helps.  You can also bring it into our office.  We have a dryer that will dry it in a hurry.  

 

The distortion could also be a sign that your hearing aid battery is dying.  Try changing the battery and listening again.  Do not go through multiple batteries.  At this point, stop into the office so your providers can troubleshoot.

 

DEAD HEARING AID

 

If one of your hearing aids is not working, take the battery out of the working hearing aid and put it into the non-working hearing aid.  If it does not fire up, there is something going on.  If neither of the hearing aids are working, replace both batteries, even if you just changed them.  Try using new batteries from a fresh pack.  It is possible to receive or buy a bad batch of batteries and they will not power your hearing aids properly.  Be sure you are using the correct size of battery.  Also, make sure you have removed the plastic backing and that it is inserted into the compartment correctly.  Lastly, check for any corrosion on the battery or in the battery contact area.  If you do see corrosion, you can gently wipe it clean with a cotton swab.  



THE BATTERY LIFE SEEMS SHORT

 

One of the main reasons you may get shortened battery life is simply a bad pack of batteries, but there are some things you can do it make sure you get the most out of each one.  

 

When the hearing aid is not in use, it should be turned off.  Please the hearing aids in a safe spot with the battery doors open.  This will minimize battery drainage and will allow any moisture to escape which will help the battery from corroding and damaging the hearing aid.  Store the hearing aid batteries at normal room temperature.  Finally, follow the new 5-minute rule:  Once you remove the plastic sticker from the back of the battery, allow the battery to sit for five minutes before you insert it into the hearing aid.  This will allow the battery to fully activate and increase the battery life by as much as 85 percent.

 

By following these troubleshooting tips, hopefully your minor hearing aid trouble will be rectified.  If not, stop in to see your specialist.  We can take a look at your hearing aid and most of the time fix it right here in the office.  If the hearing aid requires a more extensive repair, it will have to be sent to the manufacturer for repair.

 

CLEANING YOUR HEARING INSTRUMENTS

IN-THE-EAR, IN-THE-CANAL, COMPLETELY-IN-THE-CANAL (CUSTOM) HEARING AID CLEANING:

 

RECEIVER-IN-THE-CANAL HEARING AID CLEANINGSHearite Channel: Tutorials, Hearing Aid Reviews, Hearing Aid How To's, Maintenance

The care and maintenance of your hearing aids is very important--almost as

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

important as your hearing!   The dirtier the hearing aid, the less effective it will be in helping you hear.  You want to clean your hearing aid on a regular basis to help keep the small circuitry inside the hearing aid in good working condition.  A proper cleaning does not take much time but does require delicacy.  Cleaning your hearing aid daily and having it cleaned by your provider every three months will prolong the life of your instruments, ensure you’re hearing your best and protect you from ear infections.  

The important components of hearing aids are located within the shell or the case, protecting the computer inside from daily wear and tear.  The microphone, ports, vents, and any other crevices, however, can become clogged with hair, dirt, skin or earwax.

It is a good idea to look over your hearing aids in the morning each day to be sure there is no visible wax or debris.  Earwax is the most common problem with hearing aids and some people produce more than others and in turn, they will have to clean their hearing aids more often.  

The make and model of your hearing aids will determine your cleaning process.  First of all, be sure your hands are clean and dry and use a soft cloth with an approved cleaning agent.  Just remember it is a medical device, so it should not get wet.  Do not use water or let the device become too saturated with cleaning agents.  Custom hearing aids will require use of cleaning tools, like a small brush or a vent cleaner.  

Your hearing specialist will provide you with the cleaning tools necessary for your instruments at the time of your 

It is important to use the cleaning tools and supplies provided or approved by your hearing instrument specialist. When you purchase your device at a trustworthy hearing aid provider the specialist will teach you how to clean your hearing aid. They should also provide regular maintenance visit a few times a year at no charge. These visit allow the specialist to deep clean your device with a specially designed hearing aid vacuum and ensure that the device is in proper working order and you are hearing your best.

Though you should take certain precautions, cleaning your hearing aid is not difficult and should not take much of your time. Spending a few minutes a day cleaning your device could save you thousands in costly repairs in the long run.

You have to wear the hearing aid for many hours a day, so it should be comfortable. Ideally you shouldn't even know it is there. It may take a few days to get used to wearing something in or on your ear, but if the fit and style work with your life eventually you won't notice them.

Does it work well on the phone?

Using the telephone with your hearing aid can be very important and you don't want to have to deal with annoying feedback or being unable to hear. Some hearing aid models can connect directly with your telephone or offer a special telephone setting. Make sure you know how to use the option that comes with your device or talk with your hearing specialist about extra accessories that may help you.

 

TIPS FOR ADJUSTING TO HEARING AIDS

 

WEAR THE HEARING DEVICES AS MUCH AS YOU CAN

Wearing something on/in your ear can be bothersome at first.  It just takes some time to get used to them.  Consistent use of the hearing aids will help make the transition much smoother.  Try to wear the hearing aids longer and longer each day.  You won’t remember you are wearing them before long.   The biggest change will be for your brain to get used to working with your ears again!

YOUR OWN VOICE

With the hearing aids, your voice will have depth and may sound loud and like you’re in a tunnel.  This will go away as your ears and your mind adjust to your new voice.  You can help acclimate to these changes by reading aloud to yourself, allowing you to find the appropriate volume.  After a few days of wearing the new hearing aids, you will be accustomed and won’t even notice the change.  

 

BE PATIENT AND BE FAIR TO YOURSELF AND YOUR PROFESSIONAL

Hearing is not like vision.  When you put your new glasses on you will have perfect vision again.  With hearing, what is gone, is gone.  We can not bring back the hearing you have lost.  It will not be perfect again and you need to be realistic about this.  They will help you regain what you have been missing and help you exert less energy trying to hear.  It does take time.  You need to be patient and push through.  Your professional will be there along the way! 

 

STAY POSITIVE AND BE AWARE THAT THERE WILL BE ADJUSTMENTS

Hearing aids are not a set and forget it medical device.  Your prescription will be programmed into the instruments.  It will be up to you to use the instruments daily and consistently.  You will want to take notes before your follow-up appointment so you can report your experiences to your professional.  They can then make programming changes based on those notes and experiences.  Be sure your family and friends are aware of your loss by sharing all the information you can about your hearing loss and hearing aids.  The transition will be much easier when you have people on your side wanting to see you succeed!

TAKE NOTES ON YOUR EXPERIENCE

The easiest way you can help your hearing professional make adjustments is by taking notes of your experience.  Every time you wear them in a different environment, note how well you hear or what problems you are having.  Do not be shy!  They are your ears and your hearing care professional expects changes to be made after the initial fitting.  Just remember, it takes time and practice to get used to your new devices.  You took the step of admitting you have a loss, so why give up!  Listening will become easier each passing day if you allow yourself and your hearing aid to help.  

 

WHAT TO THINK OF WHILE EVALUATING YOUR HEARING AIDS

 

Does the hearing aid fit well or is it comfortable in your ear?

 

The easiest adjustments made on hearing aids is the fit!  If they are not comfortable, you will not wear them.  If you have one that makes its way out of your ear or if it is making your ear uncomfortable, stop in right away so we can adjust the fit to make it comfortable for you.  

 

The environments you are often in:

 

After acclimating to your voice and after getting used to the new sound, try wearing the hearing aids to church, the grocery store, the mall--places that are typically noisier.  Wear it outside, wear it to the gym.  We encourage that you take notes of your situations and then when you return for your follow-up appointment, your specialist can make changes necessary.  

 

TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR NEW HEARING AIDS

 

Hearing aids are considered a medical device.  They are also an electronic device and could malfunction or stop working.  Most of the issues can be solved with a routine cleaning but occasionally the hearing aids will need to be serviced by your hearing care specialist.  If you experience any issues, here are some things you can do at home before you visit or call your provider:






THE HEARING AID IS WHISTLING OR FEEDING BACK WHILE BEING INSERTED INTO THE EAR:

 

Usually this means the hearing aids have not been inserted properly into the canal.  Try taking it out and re-inserting it again.  If you’re wearing a hat or a scarf, try taking them off.  They can obstruct sound and make it bounce back into the hearing aids causing what is called feedback.  If you are still getting whistling or “feedback”, it could be because the shape of your ear canal may have changed or it is an accumulation of wax causing it not to fit snugly into your ear.  Again, just stop in to see us.  We can check the shape and check your ears for wax!

 

THE HEARING AID WORKS BUT THE SOUND IS LOW OR DISTORTED

 

If the sound doesn’t sound quite right coming from your hearing aids, it could be because it needs a good cleaning.  Using your cleaning kit, gently brush the microphone and the speaker to clear out any wax and/or debris that could be causing a blockage.  Sometimes the battery contacts will get dirty as well.  Use a cotton swab to wipe the contacts, making sure you do not bend them.  You can also clean the battery as well.  If it is not working, you may need to change out the wax guard.  

 

A buildup of moisture can also cause problems on a hearing aid.  If you have a receiver tube with your instrument, you may be able to see condensation in the tube.  If you do, place the hearing aid in a dehumidifier box or drying kit for a couple of hours to see if that helps.  You can also bring it into our office.  We have a dryer that will dry it in a hurry.  

 

The distortion could also be a sign that your hearing aid battery is dying.  Try changing the battery and listening again.  Do not go through multiple batteries.  At this point, stop into the office so your providers can troubleshoot.

 

DEAD HEARING AID

 

If one of your hearing aids is not working, take the battery out of the working hearing aid and put it into the non-working hearing aid.  If it does not fire up, there is something going on.  If neither of the hearing aids are working, replace both batteries, even if you just changed them.  Try using new batteries from a fresh pack.  It is possible to receive or buy a bad batch of batteries and they will not power your hearing aids properly.  Be sure you are using the correct size of battery.  Also, make sure you have removed the plastic backing and that it is inserted into the compartment correctly.  Lastly, check for any corrosion on the battery or in the battery contact area.  If you do see corrosion, you can gently wipe it clean with a cotton swab.  



THE BATTERY LIFE SEEMS SHORT

 

One of the main reasons you may get shortened battery life is simply a bad pack of batteries, but there are some things you can do to make sure you get the most out of each one.  

 

When the hearing aid is not in use, it should be turned off.  Please the hearing aids in a safe spot with the battery doors open.  This will minimize battery drainage and will allow any moisture to escape which will help the battery from corroding and damaging the hearing aid.  Store the hearing aid batteries at normal room temperature.  Finally, follow the new 5-minute rule:  Once you remove the plastic sticker from the back of the battery, allow the battery to sit for five minutes before you insert it into the hearing aid.  This will allow the battery to fully activate and increase the battery life by as much as 85 percent.

 

By following these troubleshooting tips, hopefully your minor hearing aid trouble will be rectified.  If not, stop in to see your specialist.  We can take a look at your hearing aid and most of the time fix it right here in the office.  If the hearing aid requires a more extensive repair, it will have to be sent to the manufacturer for repair.

 

HEARING AID FINANCING
At Hearite, we want to help our customers get the best experience possible. That is why, on top of offering the most affordable hearing aids from the top brands, we also offer financing options. If you qualify, we offer flexible payment options starting at 0% short-term financing, to long-term installments upto 60 months.
Choose a Care Credit finance term we offer and contact us with any questions. Thank you.


The care and maintenance of your hearing aids is very important--almost as important as your hearing! The dirtier the hearing aid, the less effective it will be in helping you hear. You want to clean your hearing aid on a regular basis to help keep the small circuitry inside the hearing aid in good working condition. A proper cleaning does not take much time but does require delicacy. Cleaning your hearing aid daily and having it cleaned by your provider every three months will prolong the life of your instruments, ensure you’re hearing your best and protect you from ear infections.

The important components of hearing aids are located within the shell or the case, protecting the computer inside from daily wear and tear. The microphone, ports, vents, and any other crevices, however, can become clogged with hair, dirt, skin or earwax.

It is a good idea to look over your hearing aids in the morning each day to be sure there is no visible wax or debris. Earwax is the most common problem with hearing aids and some people produce more than others and in turn, they will have to clean their hearing aids more often.

The make and model of your hearing aids will determine your cleaning process. First of all, be sure your hands are clean and dry and use a soft cloth with an approved cleaning agent. Just remember it is a medical device, so it should not get wet. Do not use water or let the device become too saturated with cleaning agents. Custom hearing aids will require use of cleaning tools, like a small brush or a vent cleaner.

Your hearing specialist will provide you with the cleaning tools necessary for your instruments at the time of your
It is important to use the cleaning tools and supplies provided or approved by your hearing instrument specialist. When you purchase your device at a trustworthy hearing aid provider the specialist will teach you how to clean your hearing aid. They should also provide regular maintenance visits a few times a year at no charge. These visits allow the specialist to deep clean your device with a specially designed hearing aid vacuum and ensure that the device is in proper working order and you are hearing your best.
Though you should take certain precautions, cleaning your hearing aid is not difficult and should not take much of your time. Spending a few minutes a day cleaning your device could save you thousands in costly repairs in the long run.

You have to wear the hearing aid for many hours a day, so it should be comfortable. Ideally you shouldn't even know it is there. It may take a few days to get used to wearing something in or on your ear, but if the fit and style work with your life eventually you won't notice them.

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