Hearing Aid Use and Maintenance Guide

Hearing Aid Use and Maintenance

Marie-Josée Taillefer Ambassador of Lobe Clinics and Hearing Health

Congratulations !

You have just taken an important step towards better hearing health. You will soon witness all the benefits that hearing aids can have on your quality of life and that of your loved ones.

By taking care of your hearing, you have chosen yourself. You decided not to let hearing loss affect your daily life.

Congratulations! Enjoy your new auditory environment! With

Your Personal File

Name:

Date of purchase of your hearing aids:

End of warranty on your hearing aids:

End date of the warranty on your earmolds or shells: Setting

(red)

Maintenance

Watch Marie-Josée Taillefer’s demonstration (in French)!

There are many different types of hearing aids, and just as many different ways of maintaining them. Be sure to follow the cleaning instructions provided by your audioprosthetist or specialized educator.

Steps to carry out daily

Step 1 / Hearing aids

Before going to bed, spray the VapoLobe® solution onto a tissue and gently wipe the earmold, shell or dome (the portion that enters the ear) of your hearing aids, with the moistened tissue.

Step 02 / Hearing aids

To remove earwax or dead skin from the small openings of hearing aids use, the wax cleaner (the wire pick for removing earwax) or the cleaning tool (black wire).

Brush: Use to remove debris from earmolds, microphones, in-the-ear hearing aid shells, domes and RITE hearing aid shells.

Be careful not to pierce the wax guard. The magnetic tip of the pick can be used to remove the battery. Never use the wax cleaner or the cleaning tool to clean hearing aid microphones.

Step 03 / Non-rechargeable hearing aids

Remove the batteries and place your hearing aids inside the ProtecLobe® container. Be sure to keep the container closed at all times, even when not in use. Avoid leaving it in a humid environment like a bathroom.

The tablet in the ProtecLobe® must be replaced when pale yellow (every 3 months).

Write the scheduled replacement date.

Step 03 / Rechargeable hearing aids

After cleaning, place your hearing aids in the charger overnight. Make sure the charger lights are switched on.

Wax cleaner (wire pick)

Cleaning tool (black wire) Brush

Wax

Wax guard changing

Step 01 / Removing the wax guard

Take a stick and push the pointed end into the wax guard already in place in the hearing aid.

Step 02

Take the other end of the stick and insert the new wax guard into the earpiece of your hearing aid. 180°

Step 03

Insert the new wax guard into the opening of your hearing aid, without screwing it in.

Step 04

Remove the stick from the hearing aid and discard.

An assessment by an audioprosthetist is required to determine which hearing aid suits the patient’s needs.

Hearing Aid Maintenance Products

Maintenance is crucial! For reasons of both hygiene and performance, clean your hearing aids every day, preferably at bedtime. Be sure to use only products specifically designed for this purpose.

Tip!

VapoLobe®

Daily cleaner

(60 ml or 120 ml)

Cleans hearing aids and reduces the risk of ear canal infection.

IntraLobe®

Deep cleaner

Cleans hearing aid earmolds.

Spray a small amount of cleaning solution onto a tissue and gently clean the shell, earmold or dome of each of your hearing aids. This product is also ideal for cleaning various types of custom earmolds (e.g. for musicians, swimming, sleeping or noise protection).

Check the expiration date under the VapoLobe® bottle.

Light pressure is all that’s needed to wet the brush. Apply the cleaner to the earmold and brush lightly until the product has evaporated. You can use the product in the evening so it evaporates during the night.

It is recommended you see your audioprosthetist every 6 months. At the appointment, the audioprosthetist or specialized educator will clean and check your hearing aids.

ProtecLobe®

Daily dehumidifier

Eliminates excess moisture, which can damage hearing aids and is the main cause of malfunction.

InserLobe®

Lubricating gel

Facilitates insertion of the hearing aid. Can also be used for and the custom earmolds for musicians, swimmers, sleeping or noise.

Put a tablet under the container in the ProtecLobe® making sure to remove the packaging and write the replacement date. Open the hearing aid battery compartment door, remove the battery, place the hearing aid in the container and close the container.

The tablet in the ProtecLobe® should be changed when pale yellow (every 3 months). The ProtecLobe® should always be closed, even when not in use. Avoid keeping it in a humid environment like a bathroom.

Apply a small amount of InserLobe® lubricating gel on the earmold or in-the-canal part of the shell.

Warning! Never use this solution in case of a ruptured eardrum, an infection, or surgery in the ear. Consult an ENT specialist if in doubt.

Check the expiration date under the InserLobe® bottle.

Soak a cotton swab and gently wipe the outer part of the external ear canal.

SensiLobe®

Soothing lotion

Relieves itching.

Warning! Never use this solution in case of a ruptured eardrum, an infection, or surgery in the ear. Consult an ENT specialist if in doubt.

Check the expiration date under the SensiLobe® bottle.

Did you know that it is recommended to wear hearing aids for at least four to six hours from day one? This helps you get used to hearing the sounds around you more quickly.

We recommend that you clean your hearing aids when you remove them for the night to avoid your skin to be in contact with the products.

Watch Marie-Josée Taillefer’s explanations on YouTube (in French)!

• Some types of electromagnetic waves (such as those emitted by certain imaging procedures) can damage hearing aids. Always remove them in these situations.

• There is no need to remove your hearing aids to go through an airport scanner.

• When travelling, bring the 60-ml size ServiLobe® cleaning towelettes or VapoLobe® cleaner (this format is permitted through preboard security screening). 2

• Never try to repair your hearing aids yourself. Consult your audioprosthetist or specialized educator.

• You can attach a retaining cord to your hearing aids to prevent them from getting lost. 3 Ask your audioprosthetist or specialized educator.

• There’s also an electronic dehumidifier to store your non-rechargeable hearing aids when you’re not wearing them.

• To protect your hearing aids from moisture and dirt, you can cover them with a neoprene protection called Ear Gear 4

Useful Advices

Basic guidelines

To keep your hearing aids operating at their best for as long as possible, take these vital precautions:

• Clean your hearing aids with products specifically designed for this purpose. Do not use products such as solvents or alcohol, soaps or water.

• Do not store your batteries in the freezer.

• Handle your hearing aids with care, preferably over a table or counter to avoid accidental breakage.

• When you remove your hearing aids, store them in the ProtecLobe® case. 1 Never wrap them in a tissue or put them directly into your pocket, since this can lead to loss, damage, or accidental disposal.

• Never leave your hearing aids in the bathroom, as there is too much humidity.

• Never let your hearing aids come into contact with sprays or perfumes.

Zinc-air batteries

Zinc-air batteries offer a great ratio between battery life and cost. Battery life varies according to the battery number associated with the hearing aid type, model, degree of amplification required and battery quality.

• Make sure to use the required battery for your hearing aids.

• Since batteries are very small, we recommend that you always handle them over a table.

• Hearing aids have a low battery signal. Just like smoke detectors, hearing aids send a signal to warn you when you need to change the battery.

• In order for your battery to last as long as possible, open the battery compartment when you’re not wearing your hearing aids. You will then prevent them from consuming batteries unnecessarily.

Charging the batteries

Open the battery compartment and remove the old battery. 1

Remove the sticker on the new battery. 2

Insert the new battery in the battery compartment, making sure the side is facing up. 3

• The battery is correctly placed when the is on the same side as the of the battery compartment. If closing the battery compartment is difficult, it means that the battery is not well installed. The battery must always be placed in the battery compartment.

• As soon as you remove the sticker, the battery is activated when it comes into contact with oxygen. Even if you put the sticker back, the chemical reaction is engaged and won’t stop. Replacing the sticker won’t help you keep your battery longer.

Rechargeable hearing aids

Step 01 - Place your hearing aids on the charger.

Step 02 - Your hearing aids will turn off automatically and start charging.

Step 03 - Your hearing instruments switch on automatically when they are removed from the charger.

• Your hearing aids are completely charged in less than three hours and a half.

• You can keep them safely in the charger once they are fully charged.

An assessment by an audioprosthetist is required to determine which hearing aid suits the patient’s needs.

Tip!

When you change your battery, take the sticker and stick it on your calendar. This way, you’ll easily know when you last changed your battery and what its average life is.

Warranty and insurance

When you purchase hearing aids, they come with a warranty against circuitry defects. However, the warranty does not offer protection against loss, theft or accidental damage.

The warranty includes two or more years of coverage against circuitry defects. This warranty doesn’t imply a warranty on the earmolds and shells. Since manufacturers’ warranties do not protect against loss or major damage, preventing such situations becomes vital in order to avoid distress or complications. Your hearing aids are invaluable and indispensable to your quality of life.

Insurance against loss and damage

We recommend checking with your insurer to see if your hearing aids are automatically covered by your home insurance policy or if you need to take out special coverage.

We suggest that you verify this when you first receive your hearing aids.

I already have my hearing aids... No problem! It’s never too late to get insurance for your hearing aids.

Regardless of what they cost, it’s important to ensure that your hearing aids are covered against loss, theft or accidental damage by your home insurance. Ask your audioprosthetist or specialized educator for a letter describing the characteristics and the value of your hearing aids, which you can give to your insurer.

Troubleshooting Guide

How do I know if the hearing aid works?

Put the hearing aid in your hand. Make sure that you have a functioning battery in the hearing aid.

Close and open your fist many times and bring it close to your ear.

You should hear a whistling sound.

The opening of the receiver or wax guard is blocked

Make an appointment with an audioprosthetist or a specialized educator to check your hearing aids.

Clean the receiver opening or change the wax guard (see p. 4-5). Defective hearing aid

Make an appointment with an audioprosthetist or a specialized educator to check your hearing aids.

Problem Cause Solution

Intermittent sound or sizzling

Moisture in the hearing aid, earmold tube or RITE’s shell

Microphone background noise

Place the hearing aid in the ProtecLobe® container for a few hours or use the VentiLobe® air blower to rapidly dry the earmold tube or shell.

Make an appointment with an audioprosthetist or a specialized educator to check your hearing aid.

Misplaced earmold or hearing aid

Inappropriate adjustment

Pain or discomfort

Allergies

Dry or sensitive skin

Reinsert earmold or hearing aid.

Make an appointment with an audioprosthetist or a specialized educator to check your earmold or hearing aid.

Make an appointment with an audioprosthetist or a specialized educator to check your earmold or hearing aid.

The hearing aid makes a « bip bip » sound

Low battery (sound indicator activated)

Use InserLobe® lubricating gel.

Remplace the battery (see p. 9).

Humidity in the circuit

Place the hearing aid in the basket of the ProtecLobe® for a few hours.

Faulty circuit

Make an appointment to have your hearing aid checked by a audioprosthetist or specialized educator.

Problem Cause

Resonance or whistling when the hearing aid is in the ear

Misplaced earmold or hearing aid

Solution

Reinsert earmold or hearing aid. Possible earwax buildup or other disorder in the ear

Ask your audioprosthetist or your specialized educator to perform a non-diagnostic otoscopy to make sure there is no earwax buildup or other disorder in your ears.

High battery consumption

Non-sealed earmold

That depends on your hearing aid gain level

Poor quality batteries

Misused batteries

My voice is different or loud It’s a matter of adaptation

Make an appointment with an audioprosthetist or a specialized educator to check your hearing aid.

If problems persist, call 1 866 411-LOBE (5623) to book an appointment.

Make an appointment with an audioprosthetist or a specialized educator to check your hearing aid.

Make sure to use high quality batteries recommended by your audioprosthetist.

Make sure to open the battery compartment when you’re not wearing your hearing aids.

Give yourself time to get used to hearing your voice differently, and if it persists, make an appointment with your hearing health professional.

Listening and Communication Strategies

People with hearing loss and their friends and family frequently face communication problems. Listening and communication strategies can help improve comprehension. People with hearing loss and their conversation partners share the responsibility for using these strategies.

Advice for people with hearing loss

1 Wear your hearing aids.

2 Let it be known that you have difficulty understanding.

3 Look at the person you are speaking to and watch their lips. Observe them as they speak.

4 Turn off any background noise sources (TV, radio, dishwasher, music, etc.).

5 Ensure that the face of the person you’re speaking to is well lit.

6 Ask about the topic of conversation.

7 In a meeting, ask people to speak one at a time.

8 Ask people to speak slowly.

9 Ask questions.

Advice for friends and family

1 Make sure you’re in the same room as the person with hearing loss when speaking.

2 Get the person’s attention before speaking (e.g. by calling their name, tapping their shoulder, etc.).

3 Stand near the person and face them to make lip-reading easier.

4 Speak slowly and clearly, but don’t overdo it.

5 Do not shout.

6 If certain words are misunderstood, repeat using different words.

7 Turn off any background noise sources (TV, radio, dishwasher, music, etc.).

8 Make natural gestures and avoid covering your lips.

9 Indicate the topic of conversation and clearly signal a change in topic.

10 Ask questions.

80% of people with hearing loss aren’t diagnosed or treated*

*Ordre des audioprothésistes du Québec

This statistic clearly shows the need to make people aware of the importance of maintaining good hearing health and of pointing them toward a hearing health professional when they have questions about their hearing.

These objectives gave rise to Lobe Magazine, a free informational publication that is distributed across Quebec, in English and in French.

Lobe Magazine features articles by hearing health professionals. Each article is meant to inform people of the various issues tied to hearing. Our ambassador, Marie-Josée Taillefer, also writes a column in each issue of the magazine.

Lobe Magazine offers readers accurate, relevant information that will help them improve their lives and break the isolation caused by hearing loss.

ways to get Lobe Magazine:

1 Online, free of charge, on the Customer account of boutique lobe.ca/en. Available just a few days before its release.

2 Print subscription for 3 issues per year. Available on boutique.lobe.ca/en. Some conditions apply.

3 Free of charge, in all Lobe clinics and at our different partners. Lobe Magazine,