Tips for those that are housebound with hearing aids

My elderly mother is housebound and it is hard to take her into an office for hearing aid care. Do you have some tips for troubleshooting it on my own?

It can be difficult to help someone that is house bound with their hearing aids. Here are some tips that may help you reduce visits into your hearing healthcare office.

Aid doesn't work: 1.)Test the battery. If the battery is good something is wrong with the aid. Try cleaning it. Don't have a battery tester? They are only $5. Try a new battery if you don't have a tester. 2.) Is the battery upside down? The battery door will usually be hard to shut if the battery is upside down. Try reinserting it the other way. 3.) Clean the wax or debris out of the microphones and receivers with a little brush and wax loop. 4.) Make sure the hearing aid is turned on. 5.) Make sure the volume is turned up. If you try all 5 of these tips and the aid still doesn't work it will have to be brought in.

Aid works some of the time (intermittent): 1.) Moisture may have gotten in the aid from sweat or skin oils. Use a dehumidifier overnight. Don't have a dehumidifier? They are only $7. 2.) Volume control is dirty or stuck. Try rotating the volume control to loosen debris. Intermittent problems are the hardest to diagnose. If the aid is cleaned real well and still having problems it probably needs sent in for repair.

Volume control crackles or gets stuck: 1.) I use a tiny shot of contact cleaner then rotate the volume control to get it to work again. If the volume control has dead spots or crackles after a good cleaning it probably needs sent in for repair.

Aid seems weak: 1.) In the Ear (ITE) aids usually have a wax guard that needs changed because it is getting plugged with wax. Change the wax guard or clean out the receiver port with a wax loop. If the receiver is plugged sound cannot get out. 2.) Brush any debris from the microphone. If the microphone is plugged sound cannot get in. 3.) Tubes on Behind the Ear (BTE) aids get hard and effect sound quality. The aid usually needs brought in for tube changes (most people don't have the tools to do this themselves). 4.) Ear hooks on BTE can become clogged. Ear hooks are made to be replaced periodically. Some have moisture filters that get saturated. The aid typically needs brought in so the correct ear hook gets replaced. 5.) The patients hearing has become worse and they need more volume. This takes an appointment so the aid can be reprogrammed louder. I like the patient to come in so I can retest the patient so that the aid gets reprogrammed to the new test.

Aid makes static sounds: 1.) Battery contacts may become dirty. Gently clean the two gold contacts inside the battery door with a slightly saturated cotton swap with alcohol. 2.) A low battery may need replaced.

Pain or discomfort: 1.) Poor fitting aid or mold. Do not wear it. Call for an appointment to be seen for a new fitting or remake.

Feedback or Squealing: 1.) Is the aid inserted correctly? If the aid isn't in right it will feed back. 2.) Volume is turned too high. Reduce volume. Older aids may not have a feedback control. If the aid whistles and the patient isn't hearing they probably need a new aid. 3.) Poor fit or loss of weight. The aid or mold may need to be remade snugger in the ear. 4.) BTE tubing could be cracked. Replace the tubing.

I would like to invite anyone interested in hearing well to attend our free lunch and learn at Garden Plaza tomorrow Thursday January 17th at 11:30 a.m. RSVP is required. Please call 773-3701. Garden Plaza of Post Falls, 545 Garden Plaza Court. Presentation will include 5 steps to better hearing, emotions and degrees of hearing loss, hearing aid costs and new technology.

Dr. Tia Flynn is a certified audiologist and has been in business for over 13 years.

Every Tuesday morning from 9:00 a.m. to noon, Dr. Flynn provides free hearing screenings at 1601 3rd St. in Coeur d'Alene. (208) 664-2767. Visit www.affordablehearinginc.com for a free copy of the consumers guide to hearing aids and watch helpful videos.