Type of Hearing Aids, It's Care & Maintenance
- Type of Hearing Aids, It's Care & Maintenance
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Tips on Hearing Aid Selection
- Solar Battery Charger
Types of Hearing Aids
Pocket Model:
Worn in a pocket or harness at chest level. It consists of the body of the hearing aid containing the microphone, amplifier and controls. A cord transmits the electrical output to a receiver, which converts this signal into sound. The receiver is attached to a mould, which holds it in place.
Behind the Ear (BTE):
The body of the instrument is worn behind the ear. It ‘hooks’ over the pinna. It is attached via plastic tubing to an earmould, which holds it in place in the ear.
In the Ear (ITE):
The complete hearing aid is in the ear or ear canal. The hearing aid is housed in a hard plastic shell which is often custom made by taking an ear impression.
Spectacle Type:
The hearing aid components are incorporated within a spectacle frame. It is useful for persons who require glasses along with hearing aids.
Bone Conduction (BC) hearing aid:
This is used when the ear canal is blocked or in cases where conventional amplification as described above cannot be given. A BC vibrator is placed on the mastoid bone behind the ear. It converts the amplified electrical signal into vibrations. BC vibrator can be used with body level, BTE or spectacle hearing aids.
Hearing aids should always be used with custom-made ear moulds. Ear moulds are devices, which couple the hearing aids to the ear. Ear moulds can be of hard or soft material.
| Sr. No. | Types of Hearing Aids | – | Range of approximate cost Rupees per piece as on October, 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Body level types | – | Rs.900/- to Rs.9900/- |
| 2 | Ear level types | Behind the ear (BTE) | Rs.4000/- to Rs.20,500/- (Non Programmable) |
| Spectacle Type | Rs.14,000/- To Rs.17,500/- | ||
| 3 | In the Ear | ITE (Non programmable) | Rs.8000/- to Rs.13,200/- |
| In the Canal (ITC)(Non programmable) | Rs.8500/- to Rs.20,000/- | ||
| Completely – In the canal (ITC)(Non programmable) | Rs.9500/- to Rs.21,000/- |
Please Note:
- Hearing aids have different ‘Powers’ and ‘features’. The hearing aid which has the ‘right’ power and features for a particular user will provide maximum benefit. Therefore, hearing aids should always be purchased after under going a trial.
- Hearing aids can be worn in one ear or both ears according to the hearing loss.
- The best performance of the hearing aid can be obtained only when you use the hearing aid with ear moulds made for your ears.
- The hearing aids may be simple ‘analog’ type or they may be digital. Digital hearing aids are much more expensive.
- Hearing aids run on batteries. The life span and cost of different types of batteries are as follows:
| Type of Cell | Estimated average battery life | How many per month, if used during the working hours | Approximate cost/piece |
|---|---|---|---|
| i. Pen torch cell (for body level aids) | 100 hrs | Every week | Rs.7/- |
| ii. Button Cell | 300 hrs. | Twice a month | Rs.30/- to Rs.50/- |
| a. 675 High power (mercury) | 330 hrs. | – | – |
| b. 675 High power (Zn 02-Varta) | 25 hrs. | – | – |
| c. 312 | ITE 415 with Zinc Air 285-330 | Every week | Rs.40/- |
| d. 13 | 288 hrs. with Zinc-Air | Every 4/5 days | Rs.40/- |
Care & Maintenance of Hearing Aids
Tips For Hearing Aids Care:
- Prevent it from falling down
- Don’t spill liquids on the hearing aid
- The hearing aid should be fitted well – pocket model aid in a harness and BTE with appropriate moulds and retainers if needed.
- Cords should not be twisted or knotted.
- Protect it from dust, dirt & heat.
- Remove the battery from the hearing aid when it is not in use.
- Remember to detach the earmould from the receiver before washing the mould. The receiver should not come in contact with water.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No out put from the hearing aid | Battery is drained | Change battery |
| Battery inserted wrongly | Reverse + ve & -ve | |
| Mould blocked with wax | Clean mould by washing | |
| Faulty receiver | Change receiver | |
| Faulty switch | Send for repairs | |
| Electronic fault | Send for repairs | |
| Broken battery contacts | Send for repairs | |
| Broken/faulty cords | Replace cords | |
| Aid is working but gives only a sound of rushing air | Aid switched to 'T' Position. | Set it to 'M' position |
| Damaged microphone or connection | Send for repairs | |
| Low output or distorted sound | Low battery | Change battery |
| Crack in receiver | Change receiver | |
| Partially blocked mould | Clean the mould | |
| Faulty switches or volume control | Send for repair | |
| Works intermittently | Faulty cords | Replace cords |
| Loose connections/Sockets. | Send for repair | |
| Faulty/dirty switches | Send for repair | |
| Inappropriate battery contact | Use battery of correct size. If problem is not rectified send for repair | |
| Air ‘rattles’ when shaken | Loose microphone | Send for repairs |
| Loose screws | – | |
| Aid gives feedback signal when worn | Poorly fitting moulds | New moulds needed |
| Earmould not worn properly | Fit properly | |
| Cracked receiver | Replace receiver | |
| Missing washer on receiver | Put new washer | |
| Volume kept on maximum | Reduce volume to correct level. | |
| High necked clothes which cause mould to come out. | Rectify |
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No out put from aid | Battery is drained | Change battery |
| Battery inserted wrongly | Reverse + ve & -ve | |
| Mould blocked with wax | Clean mould | |
| Faulty switches | Send for repairs | |
| Electronic fault | Send for repairs | |
| Flat or twisted tubing | Change tubing | |
| Broken battery connections | Send for repairs | |
| Aid works but gives only a gushing sound | Aid switched to ‘T’ | Switch to M |
| Mic damaged or broken | Send for repairs | |
| Poor or distorted sound output | Partially blocked mould | Clean mould |
| Low battery | Change battery | |
| Electronic fault | Send for repairs | |
| Aid works intermittently | Faulty switches or other fault | Send for repairs |
| Aid rattles when shaken | Microphone or receiver loose | Send for repairs |
| Internal mounting loose | Send for repairs | |
| Aid gives a feed back signal when worn | Poorly fitting mould | Make new mould |
| Incorrectly fitting mould | Fit properly | |
| High volume | Set volume control correctly | |
| High necked garment pushing mould or aid out of position | Rectify | |
| Hole or cut in tubing | Replace tubing | |
| Crack in the body | Send for repairs | |
| Aid causes soreness on the ear | Short tubing length | Use correct tubing length |
Caution
The trouble shooting chart aids to give you tips to solve only very simple practical problems. If you cannot rectify the problem using the methods suggested, do not try to do any repairs on your own. Go to a qualified electronic technician or your hearing aid dealer/service agent. Hearing aids will last longer and provide better sound quality if they are regularly serviced and any problems rectified at the earliest.
Care & Maintenance of Ear Moulds
- Keep the moulds clean and free of dirt or ear wax. Blocked moulds result in poor sound reception. Dirt may lead to infection in the ear.
- Wash the ear mould in soapy water and clean the dirt with a wire or tooth brush. Use it only after it dries completely.
- Do not press the mould hard over the receiver (in pocket model aids) as this can damage the receiver.
- Replace moulds when they become loose/child can not wear the hearing aid at the normal volume level due to a squealing sound. In young children, moulds may need frequent changing (some times even once in 4-6 months) as the size and shape of ear canal changes with growth.
- The mould should not be removed very often from the receiver as the spring loses its tension. However remember to detach and remove the receiver before washing the earmould.
- The mould should be properly seated in place so that no sound leakage is present. If the mould is slightly loose, a little cotton, sponge or fabric may be placed in between the receiver and mould for tight sitting and sealing. This would also minimize the sound leak.
- If the child shows any skin reaction after using the mould consult the ENT specialist.