If you’ve recently made the choice to get hearing aids, congratulations! Not only do they help you hear better, but they are an excellent investment in your physical, mental and emotional health.
Hearing aids make it easier to communicate with others, helping you perform better at work and improving your ability to connect with others at social events like birthday parties, neighborhood barbeques and big family dinners at Beamie’s At The River.
However, in order to get all the benefits of hearing aids, you need to make sure you’re wearing them correctly. Let’s go over a few tips for how to put in three different styles of hearing aids.
Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are one of the more popular models for many people. When it comes to inserting BTE hearing aids, try the following:
- Remove your glasses or anything else that is resting behind your ear.
- Hold the hearing aid between your thumb and index finger. Use your right hand for your right hearing aid and your left hand for your left hearing aid.
- Slide the hearing aid over your ear and make sure to tuck it behind your ear.
- Once that is secure, hold the bend of the tube between your thumb and index with the earpiece pointing toward the opening of your ear canal.
- Softly push the earpiece into the ear canal until the tube sits close to your head.
In-the-Ear Hearing Aids
In-the-ear (ITE) sits in the canal and the bowl of the ear. To insert them:
- Hold the hearing aid between your thumb and index finger. It’s important to ensure that the battery door is facing out.
- Gently insert the canal part of the hearing aid into your ear canal.
- Slowly twist the hearing aid until the top part is comfortably nestled into your outer ear.
- You will know your ITE hearing aid is securely in place when it sits comfortably in the bowl of your ear.
Invisible-In-Canal Hearing Aids
Invisible-in-canal (IIC) models are the smallest hearing aids available and, as the name suggests, fit entirely within the ear canal.
- Be sure to identify the top and bottom of your device. On most models, there is a dot that identifies the top, and the removal filament is at the bottom.
- Hold the hearing aid between your index finger and thumb, making sure it’s facing the right way.
- Place your hearing aid into your heart canal and use your index finger to move it gently into the canal.
Since IIC models are customized to your canal, they should slide in easily. If you’re feeling some resistance, try to apply light pressure and move your finger in small circles to help guide it into place. You will know it’s inserted properly when it’s totally invisible to the naked eye and feels comfortable in your ear. The removal string should be hanging out of your canal.
Find The Hearing Aid That’s Right for You
While it will take some time to figure out the ins and outs of inserting, removing and general use of your hearing aid, the most important thing is that you take the time to find what model is best for you.
Untreated hearing loss has many consequences, from social isolation to worsening mental health. It has also been identified as “an independent risk factor for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.”
So whatever model you decide, just know you’re making the right choice for your hearing health and your overall quality of life.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Augusta - Aiken ENT & Allergy today.