WOULD YOU SPEND TWO AND A HALF GRAND ON A FLAT SCREEN TV AND WHEEL IT INTO YOUR SAUNA EVERY DAY AND RUB BABY OIL INTO IT?Taking care of your Hearing Aids and why you should choose carefully.

After parting with probably a large chunk of your hard earned cash for hearing device, it makes real sense to take care of them to the best of your ability. The daily care for hearing instruments, whether BTEs or custom ITEs is relatively similar. At the end of every day, take the aids off and open the battery door, opening the battery door allows the battery breathe and conserves power.

In the case of a BTE, wipe the Aid case and the mould with a dry cloth. Check the sound bore of the mould and the tubing to see if any cerumen (wax) detritus or moisture has built up during the day. If you notice some, separate the mould and the aid and use a puffer ball to dislodge any foreign object. This should also force out any large beads of condensation. The mould and tube can then be placed in a soak box. A soak box is a small tub that can be filled with warm water and a wash tab. This will remove any bacteria or stubborn cerumen. When you remove it the next morning, it is important to dry the mould and tubing thoroughly, again the puffer ball will help here.

It is a good idea to place the BTE instrument in a dry box overnight. A dry box is a small tub which will hold a drying Pastille and your aid, overnight it will remove any moisture that has built up over the days use. Moisture is your enemy, while manufacturers take every pain to ensure that hearing aid circuits are protected, nothing and I do mean nothing is foolproof. A build up of moisture can wreak havoc with the working of an aid. It can cause weakened amplification and the failure of components within the aid.

With an ITE just wipe the case with a dry cloth to clean it off, then check the wax cap. With the brush supplied and holding the ITE with the wax cap facing the floor, gently brush the wax cap area. Then gently brush the microphone covers. These actions will remove any detritus that has gathered during the day. It is a good idea to place the aid in a dry box overnight particularly during the summer. Moisture again is a huge issue, particularly for a custom aid, because of its placement in the ear they are prone to moisture build up in susceptible ears.

Whilst I understand the emotional choice that is made when a Patient picks an ITE, in practice I always advised them to go for a BTE. You are about to spend a large amount of money on a sensitive electronic device that will change your life for the better. Although Manufacturers take every pain to try and protect it, it can not be hermetically sealed, it needs to remain open to the ear to work. The ear is a hostile place, it is warm wet and oily, I ask you this question and I appeal to you to answer it honestly and think about the ramifications.

WOULD YOU SPEND TWO AND A HALF GRAND ON A FLAT SCREEN TV AND WHEEL IT INTO YOUR SAUNA EVERY DAY AND RUB BABY OIL INTO IT?

I would assume most of you have answered no, so why do you do it to your hearing aid, your one link to a more normal lifestyle? The one thing that allows you a fuller enjoyment of your day to day life? Go for a BTE, they get smaller and smaller every day, with thin tube applications they are almost more discreet than an ITE. Make the right choice for you, but make it knowing all the facts.

Geoff