Using a hearing aid correctly is essential, not optional. Proper use directly determines how much benefit the device can deliver to your hearing, communication, and overall quality of life. Because hearing aids come in different styles and structures, the exact method of insertion may vary. However, how can you use your hearing aid correctly?
1. Correct Insertion and Fit
Before you begin, always wash and thoroughly dry your hands to prevent dirt, oils, or moisture from damaging your hearing aid. Each hearing aid is custom-fitted for a specific ear, so always confirm left and right before insertion—red typically indicates the right ear, while blue indicates the left. Wearing the device in the correct ear is essential for comfort, sound accuracy, and overall performance.
When inserting the hearing aid, use a mirror—especially during early practice—to ensure proper alignment. Gently pull your earlobe downward and slightly backward to straighten the ear canal, allowing the device to slide in more easily. Never force the hearing aid into your ear; it should feel secure and comfortable, not tight or painful. If you feel discomfort or pain, remove the device immediately and consult your audiologist.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE): Place the earmold/dome tip into your ear canal first, rotating it slightly to follow the contour of your ear. Once the earmold is secure, hook the main body of the aid over the top and behind your ear.
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC): Gently guide the dome (soft tip) or receiver into your ear canal. Once secure, tuck the main body of the hearing aid behind your ear so the wire sits flat against your face.
In-the-Ear (ITE)/In-the-Canal (ITC): Hold the hearing aid between your thumb and index finger. Gently insert the canal part, rotating it slightly until the top part is comfortably nestled into your outer ear.
2. Safe and smooth removal
Always turn the hearing aid off before removal—either by opening the battery door or pressing the power button—to conserve battery life and protect the internal components. For BTE or RIC models, begin by carefully lifting the main body of the hearing aid away from behind your ear, ensuring the tubing or wire is not under tension.
Next, gently grasp the earmold or receiver and ease it out using a slight twisting motion, or by pulling down softly on your earlobe to relax the ear canal. If your hearing aid is equipped with a removal cord or filament, pull it slowly and gently toward the back of your head. Never pull on the tubing or wire, as this can cause damage, reduce performance, and shorten the lifespan of the device.
3. Adjusting and Daily Use
Adjusting to hearing aids requires time, patience, and consistency—it’s a natural learning process in which your brain gradually re-adapts to sounds it may not have heard clearly for a long time. This period of adjustment is not a setback, but a crucial step toward achieving comfortable, natural listening. Begin with short wearing periods if you are a new user. Wear your hearing aids for a few hours each day in quiet, familiar environments such as your home. As your comfort and tolerance improve, gradually extend the wearing time and introduce more complex listening situations, until you are able to wear them confidently throughout the day.
Consistency is essential. Wear your hearing aids as often as possible during waking hours so your brain can continuously adapt to new and amplified sounds. Regular use accelerates adjustment, improves speech understanding, and helps sounds feel more natural over time. Avoid over-adjusting. Most modern hearing aids are designed to automatically optimize sound for different environments. Constantly changing the volume can interfere with this process and slow your adaptation. Only make manual adjustments if recommended by your audiologist.
Address feedback promptly. Persistent whistling or feedback usually indicates that the hearing aid is not seated or sealed correctly. Try removing and reinserting the device to ensure proper placement. If the issue continues, contact your audiologist—an adjustment to the fit or settings may be needed for optimal comfort and performance.
4. Cleaning and Maintenance
Proper care is essential to maintain optimal performance and extend the lifespan of your hearing aids. Clean them daily with a dry, soft, lint-free cloth to remove moisture, oils, and debris, and gently clear earwax from the microphone and receiver openings using a soft brush or wax pick. When not in use—especially overnight—store your hearing aids in their protective case or a dehumidifier as recommended by your audiologist. Always keep them dry by removing your hearing aids before showering, swimming, or using a hairdryer, as moisture is one of the leading causes of device damage.
Specific reference: How Do You Maintain Your Hearing Aids?
When used correctly and scientifically, hearing aids will not only avoid damaging hearing but can also effectively improve communication abilities and significantly enhance quality of life. The selection and use of hearing aids require professional collaboration among the patient, doctor, and hearing aid specialist. Only through this joint effort can the best listening results be achieved.
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