Lesson 101


Lesson 101
Book
Checking the Hearing Aid or Implant

     

     

Objectives

The objective of this lesson is to determine if your child's hearing aids or implant is in good working condition.

Points To Remember

1. Always check the hearing aids/implant in the morning before the child wears it

2. Check that the program switch is in the correct position before the child wears the device, and the volume is kept at a low setting. Once you have put the device on, turn the volume to the correct setting.

Method

You will need a hearing aid stethoscope and battery tester for the hearing aid check
Watch the videoclip to see how to do a hearing aid check.

To check the hearing aids

a) Check the batteries
b) Using the stethoscope, hold the device so that the microphone is within 12" of your mouth.
c) Listen to yourself saying the sounds { m, oo, ah, ee, sh, s } which span the range of speech frequencies. Say these sounds at a normal conversational loudness.
d) You should be able to hear each sound clearly, without any static. Each sound should be about the same loudness when you listen.
e) Make sure you check the hearing aid with and without the earmold.

To check the implant processor

a) Use a signal check 'wand' to see if the implant is working. The light on the wand should come on
b) Use the listening earphones that came with your device to listen to the processor. See your manufacturers instructions on where to plug in the earphones.
c) Display lights on the processor will indicate if the processor is working properly. Some manufacturers have audible alarms to let you know when to replace the battery.

For instructions related to your specific implant, go to the appropriate link given below.

Cochlear Corporation
(Go to page 63 of the Freedom manual; use the six sounds given above)

Advanced Bionics

Med-El:
No instructions for a device check are available online; contact the company directly

Video Clips

Modifications

None

What Next

If your child's hearing aids do not sound clear, or you find that some sounds are much louder than others, or you hear static, see the care and maintenance section in the technical school to troubleshoot. Take the device to your audiologist right away if the device is still not working as it should.

You can move on to Lesson 102. Remember, you should continue to do the hearing aid check every morning.