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My student has a hearing aid…what do I need to know?
My student has a hearing aid…what do I need to know?
Red is for Right, Blue is for Left
Batteries: New hearing aids do not have an on/off button or switch. Closing the battery door turns on the hearing aid. For older hearing aids, close the battery door and move the switch to the “M” position (“M” means microphone).
Battery Placement: Put batteries in plus (+) side up. Batteries come in different sizes, indicated by color. Removing the sticker will activate the battery. Do not remove sticker from the battery prior to use. Batteries will usually last about one week. Communicate with your student’s parents so they know when to send additional batteries to school. Be sure to dispose of the batteries (i.e. in the garbage) in a location safe from small children. Many newer technology options do not have removable batteries, but rather, have rechargeable batteries and will require the specific charger for the device.
Damage: Hearing aids should not get wet. They should not be used in heavy rain, while swimming, or any time the hearing aids could get damaged by moisture. *Notify the parent(s) if you suspect the hearing aid was damaged, and be sure to describe the situation.
Cleaning: To clean the body of the hearing aid, wipe with a dry cloth or a dry toothbrush. Wash the toothbrush or dry cloth after use. Wait until the toothbrush or cloth is dry before using on hearing aid. *Cleaning tools should only be used for the hearing aids. For example, don’t use the same cloth for cleaning glasses or toothbrush for brushing teeth.
Disinfecting: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends wearing disposable gloves and using products that are registered as a registered and approved surface disinfectant (Check the EPA's List N Here). Additionally, many manufacturers of hearing devices recommend against the use of alcohol-based products, as they can degrade the devices over time. However, many manufacturers permit isopropyl alcohol 70% as a widely-available option (although not a preferred choice as it can be detrimental over time); be sure to consult the product manual to recommended cleaning and disinfecting protocols. Key factors to successful disinfecting includes:
Pre-clean surfaces if surfaces are visibly dirty
Avoid directly spraying display screens and/or microphone openings. If using a liquid solution, spray a cloth until damp and then wipe the device(s).
Follow disinfectant instructions to ensure adequate contact time for successful disinfecting to occur. (for example, as of July 24, 2020, List N contains 19 products using isopropyl alcohol as the active ingredient with required contact time ranging from 1 to 10 minutes).
Safely store cleaners/disinfectants
Wash hands after using any cleaners/disinfectants
Wax: Check for wax in the sound hole of the earmold. It needs to be open and clear to let the sound out. (See picture below)
Volume Control: Most hearing aids have manual controls but volume controls are usually not activated for children. If the volume control is activated, turn the volume louder by turning the wheel towards 4. It will be softer when it is towards 1.
Feedback: Feedback happens when the hearing aid is not fully inserted in the ear, the student outgrew the earmold, or there may be excessive wax in the ear canal. It means the sound is traveling out of the ear and back into the hearing aid. Feedback does not indicate a defective or dead battery.
· Sound Quality: Have the student repeat the sounds “mm, ah, oo, ee, ss, sh” while turned slightly away, so your face is not visible. Stand about 3 feet away while performing this listening check. It is important your mouth shape is not visible and that the order of presentation is varied to ensure the student is only listening to the sounds. If a child wears devices on both ears, be sure to have the student turn one device off before presenting the set of sounds, then switch so that the devices are independently checked. Some students may never be able to distinguish certain sounds; this activity helps you know what they can hear and help detect any changes in listening ability.
Hearing Aid Parts Earmold Parts
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