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Because at least a portion of our hearing aids sit inside of our ears, an accumulation of sweat and earwax is inevitable. Sometimes, this buildup is visible when we look at our hearing aids and when this happens, it can be very tempting to try to remove the debris on our own. While daily maintenance and light home cleanings of hearing aids is recommended, it’s extremely important that you leave the deep cleaning to the professionals. Hearing aids involve a lot of technology in a tiny package, and are therefore easily damaged when improperly cleaned or handled.

Why Do Hearing Aids Need Cleanings?

Hearing aids are similar to other pieces of technology, in that they operate most properly when they are well maintained. Especially in the summer months where everything is hotter, it doesn’t take long for sweat, earwax and our body’s natural oils to build-up in the receivers or microphones of our hearing aids. This accumulation is not only dirty, it also has the potential to carry bacteria. Dirt and build-up can also muffle your hearing aids’ sound quality.

How Often Should My Hearing Aid be Professionally Cleaned?

Exactly how often a deep cleaning by a professional is recommended will vary slightly depending on your hearing aid style, as well as how quickly your earwax or sweat builds-up. For some people, professional cleanings should be maintained every three months, while others can safely go about six months between cleanings. It is important to regularly touch base with your hearing healthcare professional to ensure you are scheduling maintenance, fittings, and cleaning appointments at regular intervals that are appropriate for you.

What Happens at a Professional Hearing Aid Cleaning?

During a professional hearing aid cleaning, your specialist will use specialized tools to gently remove any accumulation of earwax, sweat, dust or debris from your hearing aids. The professional will ensure that all of the debris is removed safely and completely, without damaging any of the delicate interworking of your hearing aid. Your professional cleaning should include cleaning of the receivers, microphones, and any tubing your hearing aid may or may not have, as well as gentle cleaning of the outer housing. Most of the time, hearing aid cleaning appointments are rather quick, and do not often involve the need to leave your hearing aids overnight.

What Can I Do at Home?

While deep and throughout hearing aid cleanings should be done by a professional, there are still daily maintenance and care procedures you can and should safely take at home in order to better care for your hearing aids. Follow these in order to keep your aids as clean as possible between professional appointments.

Wipe with a soft, dry cloth. When wiping the outer casing of your hearing aids, do NOT use a wet cloth or wipes with any type of alcohol or chemicals in them. These can damage your hearing aids. A dry cloth will suffice for wiping dirt and grime from the outside of your hearing aid if done nightly.

Remove ear molds to clean. If your hearing aid is a RIC or BTE model with removable ear molds, these should be taken-off prior to cleaning. Once removed, it is safe to wash the molds with a mild, gentle soap and warm water. Make sure the molds are completely dry before reattaching them.

Get the right tools. Cleaning kits made specifically for hearing aids are very valuable tools for cleaning your aids. These kits typically come with a wax pick and a tiny brush that are gentle enough to use on your aids. When you see earwax or other dirt in your hearing aids, never try to use a pen or other “tool” to remove it – as it is very easy to cause accidental damage. These hearing aid cleaning kits are the only tools that should be used to clean your aids at home.

Adopt healthy habits. One of the best ways to keep your hearing aids clean and in tip-top shape is to adopt healthy and preventative habits. Remove your hearing aids for your hygiene routine both in the morning and at night. When showering, keep your aids outside of the bathroom to avoid contamination with water or other chemicals.

If you have any additional questions regarding the care of your hearing aids or would like to schedule a cleaning contact us at Purchase Ear Technology by calling (270) 558-3996 or visit our office at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.

Hearing aids can have an unbelievable impact on your day-to-day life, but to get the most out of them, you need to ensure that you take good care of them. Hearing aids are durable, but they’re not immune to damage. If you’ve recently started wearing hearing aids and want to keep them in optimal condition for as long as possible, here are some tips to help you look after your hearing aids.

Storing your hearing aids safely

You don’t wear hearing aids 24-hours-a-day, so it’s essential to find a safe place to store them when they’re not in use. Hearing aids work better when they are dry, so avoid leaving them anywhere where they may be exposed to moisture, and keep them in the same places so you don’t lose them. If you’re out and about, carrying them in a secure box in your bag is a great idea, while keeping them in a box in a drawer at home will prevent your hearing aids from getting lost or broken. When you take your hearing aids out, place them straight into the box or container you’ve chosen. Don’t ever leave them lying around.

Keeping your hearing aids clean

When you have your hearing aids fitted by Purchase Ear Technology, we will demonstrate how to keep the devices clean. Due to the location of the hearing aid, in a waxy, moist area, it’s common for wax and dirt to collect in some components of the hearing aid. Frequent cleaning helps to prevent a build-up of debris and increases the efficacy of the appliance. When you clean your hearing aids, use a soft cloth and wipe the earmolds with tepid, soapy water. Don’t attempt to dry out your hearing aids with a hairdryer, as the power could cause damage to the delicate parts.

Changing the batteries

Hearing aid batteries typically last for around two weeks. When you pick up your new hearing aids, we will show you how to change the battery, but if you have any questions or you’re not sure what to do when you get home, don’t hesitate to give us a call and ask for advice. To change the battery, pull out the battery drawer, take the old battery out and replace it with the new battery. Make sure you dispose of the old canister according to safety guidelines.

Checking in with a hearing health professional

When you have hearing aids, it’s always a good idea to check in with a hearing health professional, such at Tim Harmon at Purchase Ear Technology, on a regular basis.  We can help make sure that everything is going well and your hearing aids are offering all the benefits they should be. It’s particularly important to contact us if you have any issues programming your hearing aids or you’re worried that you may have damaged the device.

 

If you have hearing aids, it’s hugely beneficial to look after them to lower the risk of damage and ensure they’re firing on all cylinders. If you have any questions or you need advice, please contact Purchase Ear Technology at (270) 558-3996 or visit our office at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.

The thought of adding another piece to your morning routine may seem daunting. Brush teeth. Wash face. Put in hearing aids? Purchasing hearing aids may feel like a big commitment, particularly in terms of cost and care, but the benefits of hearing aids are life-changing.

Improved physical health

Those who experience hearing loss may make a conscious choice to refrain from physical activity for fear of injuring themselves as a result of not hearing something. If your favorite aerobics class at the gym is lead by a soft speaker, you may not attend class out of embarrassment. If you love to walk around the block with chatty neighbors, you may sit out a few jaunts instead of asking to repeat the conversation.

Remaining physically active is one of the many benefits of hearing aids. Though it is possible to keep up with your physical health while experiencing hearing loss, treating the issue can lead to a more substantial physical lifestyle. Johns Hopkins even connected hearing loss with a greater risk of falling in their 2012 release. Those with untreated hearing loss are 3 times more likely to fall. Avoid that risk by wearing hearing aids.

Improved mental health

Wearing hearing aids slows down the mental decline that naturally comes with age. The National Institute of Health conducted a study on cognitive aging. They found that for Americans over the age of 65, cognitive abilities do decline regardless of whether or not the individual has a designated mental condition (i.e. dementia or Alzheimer’s). Their study helps show natural brain aging, which can then be used as a comparative marker for mental health issues.

Did you know wearing hearing aids could prevent further cognitive aging? If you hope to stave off the possibility of dementia and excessive mental decline, hearing aids may help. Additionally, hearing aids decrease your likelihood of developing depression, help you to concentrate when you’re not struggling to hear what is going on around you, and improve your directional perception. If you suffer from tinnitus, a hearing device can prevent the disease from worsening and avoid ringing in your ears. The combination of these benefits from hearing aids vastly improves mental health.

Improved sociability

Feeling better about yourself and hearing the world around you can make socializing more fun. Improved mental health translates to better relationships with those around you because you will be happier, more relaxed, and able to participate in conversations. If you can hear while out at a restaurant or party, you are more likely to meet new people and have meaningful interactions with those you do know. This leads to further social engagements and a more fulfilling social life.

The Hearing Journal posted a piece on how quality of life increases with hearing aid wear. In their study of hearing aid users and non-users, they found that the introduction of hearing aids improved 4 out of 10 participants’ lives. They cited improvements in everything from self-confidence to independence to work relationships. Additionally, 75 percent cited at least one area of their life improving as a result of wearing hearing aids. Helping you get involved in the conversation and combating isolation is one of the most important benefits of hearing aids.

Ready to look into hearing aids? Give Purchase Ear Technology a call at (270) 558-3996 or stop by our office located at 2008 Broadway in Paducah, KY.

According to the Association of Independent Hearing Healthcare Professionals, hearing test frequency should be as follows, based on age:

18 to 45 years – Every 5 years

45 to 60 years – Every 3 years

60+ years – Every 2 years

It’s imperative to start checking your hearing early in adulthood, as hearing issues can arise at any time in your life. While it’s true that most hearing loss is due to age, the advent of mp3 players and other loud devices have contributed to more hearing loss in younger people.

If you have a higher risk of hearing loss—such as working or living in a place with a lot of occupational noise—you should get your hearing tested annually. You should also get your hearing test annually if you are exposed to loud noises like motorcycles or guns on a regular basis. Your hearing test frequency is higher because you are more exposed to factors that can damage your hearing.

Ready to schedule your hearing test?  Give Purchase Ear Technology in Paducah a call at (270) 558-3996 or visit our office at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.

As you spend time with your parents, maybe you have found yourself repeating sentences a little too often or turning down the volume on a television. It may be time to talk to your parents about their hearing loss and the potential benefits of hearing aids. Whether young or old, sometimes parents need convincing and coaching when it comes to getting hearing aids. Here are a few tips.

Parents with hearing loss: do your research

The first thing your parents will ask is what they can do about their hearing loss. As their child, it may feel strange turning the tables and giving them advice, but you can answer their questions with the right research ahead of time. You can compile a list of audiologists if they do not already have one, provide potential costs of hearing aids, test their hearing online using a free tool, and even find resources for the hearing loss community. Having answers may make the process less overwhelming for your parent.

Add support

Your parent may have grown up in an age where hearing aids came with a stigma. They may feel that admitting they have hearing loss means they are getting older, and this can be a tough realization. Reassure them that hearing aids are smaller, more discreet, and less stigmatized than they have been in the past. Be empathetic and supportive, and remind them you are only coming from a place of love.

Explain hearing loss

Hearing loss can often sneak up on you. Since most hearing loss happens gradually over time, it may be tough knowing when the problem is large enough to address. Provide your parent with a checklist of symptoms so they understand how hearing loss specifically affects them. Perhaps they think everyone else mumbles, have ringing in their ears, or gave up on understanding phone conversations. Listen to them describe how hearing loss modifies their life, and explain these symptoms are part of the larger issue of hearing loss.

Explain hearing aids

There are many different types of hearing aids on the market, which can be overwhelming. Talk them through how hearing aids work, what type of hearing aid might benefit them, and how their life could change while wearing hearing aids. Explain that hearing aids are unique to the wearer and can be adjusted for their comfort, lifestyle, and needs. Talk them through basic hearing aid care and how simple it can be to own a pair. They should understand that wearing hearing aids would only benefit them, never come at a detriment. Hearing aids improve social, physical, and mental health, and create a greater standard of living for the wearer.

Create a plan

Having this conversation is a fantastic step in the right direction, but there needs to be follow-up. If your parent has gone this long without calling the audiologist for a hearing check, they may be reticent to do so now. Remind your parent you are there to help. Perhaps you can call on their behalf or drive them to appointments.  The easier you make this process, the greater the chance your parent will invest and wear their hearing aids.

And please remember, at Purchase Ear Technology in Paducah, we are here to help you.  Give Purchase Ear Technology in Paducah a call at (270) 558-3996 or stop by our office at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.

It is very rare that a person with hearing loss self-diagnoses the issue. While hearing loss can begin in your 30’s, the long gradual decline can be barely noticeable on a month to month or even year to year basis. In addition, as hearing declines, our brains adjust and we become remarkably effective lip readers, particularly of those we spend the most time with. We don’t even realize we are lip reading until we see that we can only understand people when they are directly in front of us.

Some of the signs of hearing loss:

• Asking friends and family members to repeat information frequently.
• Increasing the volume on the radio or TV to a level that’s uncomfortable for individuals with normal hearing.
• No longer enjoying social activities like group dinners at restaurants. Your friends think you have lost interest in them when really its just that you struggle to hear well in groups
• You constantly ask people them to repeat what they said or it appears that you forget what was just said (because you didn’t actually hear it).
• You miss the beginning of conversations because it’s hard to hear them and then when you jump in, they say “that’s what we were just talking about!”

What to do about it? First of all, don’t assume you need hearing aids. Just get a hearing test. This is a good step for your general health. Declining hearing can be an early sign of something more serious. Hearing test are quick and easy to do. They normally take about 30 minutes.

To schedule a hearing test, contact us at Purchase Ear Technology by phone at (270) 558-3996 or stop by our office at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.

Hearing aids are more and more high-tech every day. Typically, you can get 3 to 10 days out of a single hearing aid battery, depending upon how much how much you engage in streaming, use the hearing aids, and get hearing aid maintenance. However, there are steps you can take to maximize the life of your hearing aid batteries.

Here are 10 tips to get more mileage out of your hearing aid batteries:

1. Give the battery three to five minutes to breathe after removing the tab and before putting it into your hearing aid. This action allows for air to get to the stuff inside the battery and activate it.
2. Don’t forget to wash your hands before changing your batteries. Dirt and grime on your hands can cause damage and clog the air pores of the batteries.
3. Keep the battery door open at night. To keep down on battery drain, turn off or open the battery door for the night. This allows moisture to escape and to keep your batteries from corroding, which would mess up the hearing aids.
4. A dehumidifier is useful. A hearing aid dehumidifier will keep moisture out of your batteries and hearing aids.
5. Remove the batteries if you plan on not using the hearing aids for awhile. It helps to prevent moisture and corrosion.
6. Make sure you are mindful of the expiration date on the batteries. Because the batteries will drain slightly on the store shelf, make sure the batters are a year out or more from the expiration date.
7. Use the oldest batteries first to get the most mileage out of them.
8. Don’t take off the sticker tab on the batteries until you are ready to use them. The sticker tab keeps the battery fresh. Once you remove the tab, the battery is activated and starts to drain.
9. Store the batteries in a cool, dry place to prevent drainage.
10. Get rechargeable hearing aid batteries. They are now available and need to be replaced on an annual basis.

Hopefully, these 10 tips will be useful to you in maintaining the life of your hearing aid batteries.  To find out more about how to extend the life of your hearing aid batteries, give us a call at Purchase Ear Technology at (270) 558-3996 or visit our office at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.

The weather is beautiful, and it’s time for a family trip. But be aware: if your children use earbuds or earphones during travel, the sound may be loud enough to damage their hearing. It’s up to you to monitor the level of sound to which they are exposed.

Q: Aren’t children’s electronic devices regulated on the maximum volume they can produce?

A: Unfortunately, no. According to a New York Times article, no required standard “restricts the maximum sound output for listening devices or headphones” sold in the U.S. The Times cites a study that examined 30 headphones marketed to children and found that half of them failed to restrict volume to their advertised limits. Some allowed the sound to be “damagingly loud.”

Q: Can an electronic device’s sound level injure my child permanently?

A: Hearing damage depends on sound volume and amount of exposure, so the loudness of a child’s electronic device and how many hours a day the child uses it are crucial to their hearing health. Fifty percent of children as young as 8 to 12 may listen to music daily (nearly two-thirds of teenagers do).2 Even if younger children aren’t listening to loud music, many noisy games are marketed to them.

Hearing damage can occur at any age, and once damaged, the delicate organs of the ear cannot regenerate. Other parts of the brain than those governing hearing may be able to partly compensate for hearing damage, but no one can be sure that will happen.

Q: Why haven’t parents been warned about the risk that mobile devices pose to their children’s hearing?

A: Until recently we haven’t known a lot about how young ears are damaged, or if they are, by levels produced by their earbuds or phones. Concerns about the impact of loud music on young ears have arisen from recent controlled animal studies and retrospective study of adults exposed to intense noises. Evidence has shown that some music listeners select levels that are potentially damaging, and that the effects of early exposure may not be observed until later in life.

Q: My children love their electronic devices, and I know they share other children’s devices as well. How can I protect them from damaging sound volume?

A: First, do a bit of homework before a new device is purchased for the child. Look for one that addresses the issue of sound volume. You may be able to find one that allows you to program volume limits your child can’t override. Second, stay aware of how loud your child is playing his or her device by “listening in” when you are nearby. It is sometimes said that if you can hear what your child is listening to, it’s too loud. That’s a good place to start.

Hearing loss can occur at any age.  We encourage you to always protect your hearing and the hearing of those you love.  If you are noticing any changes in your hearing, give Purchase Ear Technology a call at (270) 558-3996 or visit our office weekdays at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.

In short, yes, earwax can cause hearing loss. But it doesn’t occur as commonly as one might think. In fact, very few patients who are seen by hearing healthcare professionals have hearing loss that is literally due to excessive earwax (cerumen impaction).

More likely, the patient has experienced a gradual decline in their hearing over time and the hearing loss has become enough that the patient is starting to have difficulty communicating with others.  It is when communication starts to become effected that people seek help.

What, you might ask, causes cerumen impaction? Anything that affects the normal outward flow of ear wax may cause impaction, such as advanced age, narrow or abnormally shaped ear canals, use of a hearing aid, incorrect use of cotton swabs, or using needles, hair pins, or other objects to clean the ears. (PSA: Do not stick anything in your ear to clean it!)

Total earwax blockage is rare:

What is important to know here is that soundwaves only need a tiny opening in the ear canal to reach the eardrum. So, unless the ear canal is plugged tightly with earwax, there shouldn’t be noticeable hearing loss. When cerumen impaction is severe enough to cause hearing loss, there will likely be other signs and symptoms noticed, such as dizziness, ear fullness (a feeling that something is plugging up your ear), itchiness or pain in the ears and/or ringing in the ears. Rarely does cerumen impaction occur without additional signs that “something is wrong.”

Earwax removal by hearing professional:

The good news is that hearing loss caused by cerumen impaction is easily treated. It is within a hearing professional’s scope of practice in most states to perform cerumen removal in the office. If your hearing loss is as simple as having your ears cleaned, GREAT! If not, a visit to Purchase Ear Technology in Paducah can help you accurately uncover what might be causing your perception of hearing loss.  Give us a call today at (270) 558-3996.

The fitting and dispensing of hearing aids is part art and part science. Professionals who are licensed in the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments have been through a State-mandated training and testing protocol. An experienced professional is the key to the question “What are the best hearing aids for me?”

Because, to determine which hearing aid is best for a person, there are many things to be considered first. What is the type and degree of the person’s hearing loss? What is the shape/size of the person’s ear? What communication difficulties is the person having? What is the person’s lifestyle/activities? What hearing aid features would be beneficial for the person? What is the person expecting from hearing aids?

Purchase Ear Technology in Paducah can help you determine all these variables.

There are many different hearing aid styles and features available

Only after those questions are covered will the answer to what hearing aids are best be addressed. And there is a vast range of hearing aids available in many makes, models and circuits to choose from.

There are hearing aids that offer 96 channels, hearing aids that offer 4 channels, and everything in between! There are larger hearing aids and smaller hearing aids. There are in-the-ear hearing aids, behind-the-ear hearing aids and receiver-in-the-canal hearing aids. There are wired, wireless and Bluetooth hearing aids. The list goes on and on.

Again, this is why it is imperative that a hearing professional be involved in the process. Only then can we match the right hearing aid (of all the choices available) based on your unique needs.

Give us a call at Purchase Ear Technology today to schedule an appointment at (270) 558-3996 or visit our office located at 2008 Broadway, Paducah, KY  42001.