Caring for Hearing Aids

Hearing aids don’t require a lot of work but they do need a little tender loving care.   When you are fit with hearing aids, the audiologist will go over basic operation and care of your hearing aids with you. Here are things to keep in mind.

Moisture is the leading cause of breakdowns in hearing aids.  Keep the instruments dry, don’t wear them in the shower and don’t store them in the bathroom.  Some of the newer hearing aids are moisture resistant; some even claim they are waterproof.  Be careful, hearing aids will not hold up under water for very long so keep them dry.  For those who have problems with moisture such as perspiration or times of high humidity, I recommend using a hearing aid dehumidifier at night to dry them out. 

Daily care is simple.  Hearing aids need to be cleaned when they are removed from your ears.  This is easily done by wiping them with a clean soft cloth or a tissue.  This will remove skin and hair oil as well as ear wax that sticks to the outside of the aids.  Open the battery doors and put them in a safe place so that pets cannot get to them.

Ear wax can also work its way into the opening where the sound comes out.  If it builds up, it can plug up the hearing aid and the sound cannot come out.  You received tools to use for this when you were fit with the hearing aids. How use the tools to clean the wax from the opening varies depending on the type of hearing aid you have.  If you have questions about how to clean the wax from the sound opening in your hearing aids, contact your audiologist.

It is also a good idea to have your audiologist clean the hearing aids once or twice a year.  We can get in the nooks and crannies, disinfect the aids and clean the battery contacts.

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!

Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA

Advanced Audiology Concepts

8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848

Fax: 440-205-9818

http://www.aacHEAR.org



Hearing and Ototoxic Medications

There are many medications that can affect hearing.   Some drugs cause temporary hearing loss and others permanent hearing loss.    When in doubt ask your physician about potential side effects of medications.

Aspirin is one of the most common medications causing temporary hearing loss.  When it is taken in high doses is can cause changes in hearing and ringing in the ears.  The hearing loss and tinnitus typically recover when you stop taking the high dose.

Permanent hearing loss does not return when you stop taking the medication.  Medications that can cause permanent damage to the ear are often given in life saving situations.  For example, some of the strongest antibiotics and some chemotherapy drugs can cause permanent hearing loss.  These medications damage the fine hearing nerve fibers called haircells.

I recommend a baseline hearing evaluation prior to starting a medication known to cause hearing loss with periodic checks to monitor hearing while taking the medication.  Call today for an appointment.

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!

Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts
8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848
http://www.aacHEAR.org

Why are some hearing tests free and others are not?

My dad always told me there was nothing free in life.  I agree with him when it comes to hearing tests.  I don’t believe there are “free” hearing tests.  Those who offer free hearing tests often bundle the cost of the test into the price of the hearing aids.  It is hard to see the added cost since it is difficult to price compare hearing aids. 

Typically and audiologist will charge for the assessment.  An audiologic assessment is more than just a hearing test.  Audiologic assessment gives in depth information about your ears and hearing.  It is the most important part of your evaluation.  It is the cornerstone form which all of the decisions and recommendations are made.  The assessment needs to be accurate and thorough.  It is performed in a sound booth using calibrated equipment.  The assessment is the first step to good hearing care and properly adjusting hearing aids.  It is so important that Medicare and other insurances pay for the assessment even when they do not pay for hearing aids. 

Audiologists are recognized by the government and insurance companies as providers for audiologic assessment.  If you seek assistance from an audiologist, then the audiologist can bill insurance for the audiologic evaluation.  Besides receiving good hearing care, billing insurance for the evaluation, keeps your costs down. 

Hearing aid dealers or hearing aid "specialists" can perform a hearing test but not an audiologic assessment.   Hearing aid dealers are trained to perform simple measures of hearing.  In most states, hearing aid dealers are not recognized as providers for audiologic assessment and cannot bill medical insurance to be reimbursed for the evaluation.

Give yourself good care.  Have a thorough audiologic assessment with an audiologist.  From there your audiologist will determine if you need to see a physician, wear hearing aids or if other options are appropriate.  

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!

Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Advanced Audiology Concepts
8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848
http://www.aacHEAR.org/

Reference and for more information go to: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110718164026.htm