Seniors Health Promotion Workshop Series

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Hearing Aids 101

• Seniors Health Promotion Workshop Series

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Hearing Loss Statistics

• 90 of seniors suffer some degree of hearing
  loss
• Many will not complain since they think it is
  part of normal aging (this is not always true)
• Many seniors do not want to wear hearing aids
  since it is a visible sign of their challenge
• Hearing aids can improve quality of life

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Hearing loss due to age Presbycusis

• Presbycusis results in
• Difficulty hearing high pitched sounds (ex
  womens voices telephone ringing, doorbell)
• Unable to stand loud sounds.
• This is a slow process does not progress at the
  rate in everyone

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Seniors with Hearing Loss Feel

• Frustration I didnt hear well. I heard you
  but I could not make out what you said.
• Impatience My kids forget that I need to see
  their face to hear!
• Anxiety I am afraid I will not understand the
  nurses instructions. I am embarrassed to ask
  everyone to repeat all the time

• Sadness Defeat I prefer not to participate
  in the Bingo because I cant hear the numbers
• Isolation I am too much trouble for everyone
  so Ill just stay at home.
• Tips to Remember
• Always face a senior with hearing loss when
  speaking to ensure they hear you
• Have a chat with your hearing impaired seniors to
  see what you can do improve their quality of
  life!

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Hearing AidsPlease share this information

• Seniors over 65 yrs are entitled to(x1) hearing
  aid every 6 years with a prescription from an
  Ears, Nose Throat specialist
• Seniors are entitled to (x2) ear moulds (behind
  the ear model) free of charge per year
• Hearing aid batteries income tax deductible.

• There are many assistive devices available
  through the Institute for the Hearing Impaired
  (flashing light for telephone ringing, under the
  pillow vibrator for alarm clock, close captioned
  television, TDD system (telephone communication
  for hearing impaired)

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In the Ear Model

• ITE (In the Ear)
• These hearing aids can be used for a wider range
  of hearing losses.
• Due to their larger size, ITEs can accommodate
  larger sound amplifiers
• More features such as a telephone switch.
• They are also easier to handle.

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CIC Model

• CIC (Completely in the Canal)
• This is the smallest type of hearing aid made and
  is almost invisible in the ear.
• All the components are housed in a small case
  that fits far into the ear canal.
• CICs are custom made for each ear
• These hearing aids are restricted to persons with
  ear canals large enough to accommodate the
  insertion depth of the instrument into the ear.
• The CIC style uses a very small battery that
  requires good manual dexterity.
• This type of hearing aid is not suitable for
  persons with severe hearing loss.

Completely in the Canal
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Behind the Ear Model

• BTE (Behind the Ear)
• In BTE hearing aids, the electronics are housed
  in a case that fits behind the ear.
• Tubing and a custom made ear mould direct the
  sound to the ear canal.
• BTE hearing aids can provide more amplification
  than smaller devices due to the stronger
  amplifier and the larger battery.
• This style is available in several colors for
  hair and skin tone matching.

Behind the Ear
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Hearing Aid Facts

• Hearing aids are delicate (and very expensive!)
  instruments. Within their tiny, fragile cases,
  they pack an enormous amount of highly sensitive,
  sophisticated electronic circuitry
• There are some things hearing aids do not like
• Shock, temperature extremes, and moisture.
• Never leave a hearing aid on a radiator or in a
  sunny window
• Anything wet high humidity, perspiration,
  condensation, accidental immersion in a bath can
  cause damage to a hearing aid and prevent it from
  functioning properly

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Hearing Aid Batteries

• Hearing Aid Batteries
• Batteries are the lifelines for your hearing aid.
  
• If possible, try to buy an extra supply to ensure
  that there will always some on hand
• In the past, it was suggested that the
  refrigerator was a good location to store extra
  batteries.

• Current recommendations are against
  refrigeration, as moisture and condensation can
  affect battery life.

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How to use the battery dispenser
2) ROTATE
1) PULL
3) PUSH
4) INSERT
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Troubleshooting Tips

• DO NOT apply hair spray while wearing the hearing
  aid.
• DO NOT store your battery in the same area as
  medication or pills.
• DO remove the battery from your hearing aid or
  open the battery door when it is not in use.
• DO turn the hearing aid off (or turn the volume
  all the way down) when inserting or removing the
  hearing aid to avoid feedback whistle.

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My Hearing Aid is..

• Squeaking
• This may be caused by feedback another object
  (hand) or surface (hat) too close to aid
• You have not put the ear mould in properly push
  it gently to check.
• You may have excess wax in your ears ask a
  nurse/MD to check your ears.
• The ear mould does not fit your ear snugly enough
  (time to replace!)

• 5. You have the volume too high.
• 6. The ear mould, plastic hook or tubing in a BTE
  (behind the ear) aid has become loose or has
  split (time to replace)
• 7. The tubing in a BTE hearing aid has begun to
  harden. If the tubing gets very hard, the hearing
  aid may not work well. If it splits, the aid will
  start to whistle (time to replace)

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Troubleshooting Tips

• Buzzing noises
• If you hear a buzzing sound, it might mean that
  youve switched your hearing aid to the T
  setting by accident.
• If this is not the problem, buzzing generally
  means your hearing aid has developed a fault and
  needs to be repaired.

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Do Not Be Tempted

• Remember how dangerous it is to inserting foreign
  objects in your ears
• Q-tips remove the natural oils found along the
  ear canal can lead to dryness increased ear
  itchiness

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Thank you for your attention