Parents wear many hats. Not only do you cook for your child, drive your child around and help them with their homework, if they wear hearing aids, you also need to ensure that they’re working properly before they head off to Ellsworth schools. While this may sound like a big undertaking, there are some simple ways to make sure your child is hearing their best. We review how below.
Perform Daily Listening Checks
To perform a daily listening check, you should:
- Examine the hearing aid, tubing and earmold for any physical damage. Cracks, breaks, moisture and earwax can all affect the hearing aid’s performance.
- Use a battery tester to check the battery. To do this, first touch the positive (+) end of the battery to the positive (+) point on the tester, then touch the negative (-) end of the battery to the negative (-) point on the tester. The tester will indicate whether the battery is good or if it needs to be replaced.
- Use a listening scope to listen to the hearing aids. First, close the battery door to turn on the device. Then, place the earmold into the bell end and the other end into your ear. Listen to the sounds around you, then say the Ling Six Sounds (ah, ee, oo, mm, sh, ss) aloud. All sounds should be clear.
Troubleshoot Basic Problems
If sounds aren’t clear during the listening check or if your child is complaining they can’t hear with their hearing aids in, you can try some basic troubleshooting.
- If the Ling Six Sounds are unclear, check the battery compartment for damage or dirt, check the earmold for blockage, check the ear hook for damage, or change the battery.
- If the hearing aid volume is weak, check the earmold, tubing and ear hook for blockages, or change the battery.
- If the hearing aid is not making sound with the battery door closed, check the earmold, tubing and ear hook for damage, or change the battery.
- If the sound from the hearing aid cuts in and out, check the battery compartment for damage or dirt, check for a blockage or moisture in the tubing and earmold, or change the battery.
- If the hearing aid is distorted or there is a static sound, check the battery compartment for damage or dirt, check the ear hook for damage, or change the battery.
- If the hearing aid is producing other sounds, check the earmold to make sure it’s in correctly, check the earmold and tubing for cracks, and make sure the ear hook is on tight.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment for hearing aid service and repairs, call Audiology Center of Maine today.