How to Use Hearing Aids: A Comprehensive Guide 2023
Updated: Feb 25
© 2023 Brian James
If you have recently been fitted for a hearing aid, congratulations! With proper use and care, your hearing aid can greatly enhance your quality of life. But, for many people, using a hearing aid for the first time can be intimidating and confusing. To help you get the most out of your hearing aid, we've put together this comprehensive guide on how to use hearing aids.
Introduction
Hearing aids are designed to help those with hearing loss to hear sounds from the environment more clearly and loudly. They work by using microphones to collect sounds from the environment and amplifying them, which are then delivered into the ear. All hearing aids use the same basic parts, and most are digital, powered by a traditional hearing aid battery or a rechargeable battery. In this article, we'll go over the basics of how to use hearing aids, including how to turn them on and off, how to insert and remove them, how to clean and maintain them, and how to get the most out of them.
Powering On and Off Your Hearing Aid
One of the first steps in using your hearing aid is to turn it on and off. To turn your hearing aid on, you will typically need to press and hold a button. To turn it off, simply press and hold the button again. The specific instructions for turning on and off your hearing aid will vary depending on the make and model of your hearing aid, so be sure to consult your user manual for more information.
Inserting and Removing Your Hearing Aid
Once you have turned your hearing aid on, the next step is to insert it into your ear. The proper way to insert and remove your hearing aid will depend on the make and model of your hearing aid. It's important to follow the instructions provided by the specialist who fitted you for the hearing aid or consult your user manual. To ensure that you are inserting and removing your hearing aid correctly, it's recommended to practice with your audiologist present.
Maintaining Your Hearing Aid
It's important to clean and maintain your hearing aid regularly to keep it in good working order. Here are some tips for maintaining your hearing aid:
Clean the microphone and speaker regularly to remove any earwax or other debris.
Store your hearing aid in a dry place when not in use.
Avoid exposing your hearing aid to extreme temperatures, moisture, or direct sunlight.
Replace the batteries regularly, as needed.
Take your hearing aid to a specialist for routine maintenance.
Getting the Most Out of Your Hearing Aid
To get the most out of your hearing aid, it's important to become familiar with its features and functions. Take some time to read the user manual to find out how your particular model works and what special functions you should know. It's also recommended to wear your hearing aid regularly to help you adjust to it, and to practice putting it in and taking it out, cleaning it, and changing the batteries