WIDEX PEDIATRICS
HEARING AID
CARE GUIDE Widex hearing aids are intricate, high precision electronic units. They have been carefully designed to withstand years of wear, under the varying conditions in which your child will find himself or herself each day. However, hearing aids can be damaged if exposed to extreme conditions, severe blows, or general neglect. Review these 10 hearing aid care tips with your child to maximize the lifespan of your child’s hearing aids and to prevent unnecessary repairs and damage.
1
Do Not Drop Your Hearing Aids
Hearing aids can be damaged if they undergo an extreme blow. We recommend that hearing aids are held over a soft surface during cleaning, battery change, etc., so that they are less likely to be damaged if dropped.
2
Do Not Put the Battery in Your Mouth
Keep batteries out of children’s reach and discard used batteries carefully. Do not change batteries in front of children or let them see where you keep your supply. In case of ingestion, contact your physician immediately.
6
Do Not Get Hearing Aids Wet
The hearing aids should never be exposed to water. They should be removed before bathing, swimming, or being exposed to heavy rainfall. Also, water or fluids of any kind should not be used to clean the hearing aids.
7
Only Clean with a Clean, Dry Cloth
The hearing aid should be wiped with a clean, dry cloth after daily use. Do not use fluids of any kind to clean the hearing aid.
Tamper-resistant battery doors are available* to help keep batteries securely inside the hearing aid.
Certain materials inside hearing aids can be affected by extreme heat. To protect from high temperatures, hearing aids should not be left in direct sunlight or in a hot car.
3
Pay Attention to Changes in Hearing and Listening Behavior
An adult (parent, teacher, etc.) needs to be informed if the child thinks his or her hearing aid sounds different than usual. Then the adult can listen to the hearing aid through a Widex Listening Set, or other protective listening tube, to evaluate whether service or adjustments are necessary.
4
Keep Hearing Aids Away from Pets
Many pets will chew on a hearing aid if given the opportunity. Hearing aids should not be left where a pet can reach them.
5
Do Not Use a Hair Dryer or Hairspray While Wearing Hearing Aids
The extremely high temperature of a hair dryer and the chemicals in hairspray can damage hearing aids. Hearing aids should be removed before using these.
8
9
Do Not Expose Your Hearing Aids to Extreme Heat
Do Not Try to Take Hearing Aids Apart
Despite children’s natural curiosity, they should never attempt to “fix” their hearing aids. If there are problems with a hearing aid, return it to the Hearing Healthcare Professional for service.
10
Keep Your Hearing Aids in a Safe Place When Not in Use
When not in use, hearing aids should be placed in their storage case and kept in a dry place at room temperature.
*Select models.
WIDEX PEDIATRICS
HEARING AID CARE GUIDE Hearing Device Orientation
Using the Pediatric Care Kit Instructions for Parents / Guardians
MICROPHONES
Keep clean of debris and moisture and wipe nightly with a clean cloth.
4 5
EAR-TIP / EARMOLD BATTERY DOOR
Inspect nightly for debris blocking the tip of the ear piece.
Open nightly to turn off.
1
3 2
1 Listening Set – Use to listen to the hearing aid to make sure it is properly functioning.
Proper Placement of Hearing Aid Insert the ear-tip/earmold into the ear canal while holding the lower part of the earwire/tube. It may also help to pull the outer ear backwards and upwards with the opposite hand.
a. Place the tip of the hearing aid at the end of the Listening Set. b. Place the earpieces of the Listening Set in your ears. c. Talk aloud or listen to a consistent sound in the room to verify the hearing aid is working at the same loudness each time you test it. Note: Use the included red tube to better protect your hearing if your child has a more significant hearing loss. 2 Cleaning Cloth – Use daily to gently wipe the casing. 3 Cleaning Brush – Use regularly to gently clean around all openings in the hearing aid. 4 Desiccant Container and Dehumidifying Capsules – Reduces moisture from the hearing aids. a. Open the package of dehumidifying capsules and remove one capsule from the tube.
Place the hearing aid behind the ear, so that the hearing aid and earwire/tube rest comfortably on the ear, close to the head.
b. Place the capsule in the plastic desiccant container underneath the white shelf. c. Open the battery doors of the hearing aids and place on the white shelf nightly.* d. See dehumidifying capsule instructions for when to replace the capsules. 5 Air Blower – Blow moisture out of an earmold after cleaning. This is unnecessary for ear-tip and custom shells. 6 Tamper-Resistant Door Tool – Use to open tamperresistant doors (if applicable). (Not pictured)
* When using zinc air batteries
CRM12/0118
7 Safety Clip – Connect to the hearing aids and to your child’s shirt to reduce risk of losing the hearing aids. (Not pictured)