While hearing aids are important if you have any degree of hearing loss, they can be challenging to put on. Care and precision are important to not only protect your delicate inner ear, but also the device. Thankfully, this guide on how to put a hearing aid in your ear has all the info you need. It will guide you precisely on how to wear various types of hearing assist accurately and comfortably.
That said, we will look at how to put on two basic varieties of hearing assist. They include:
- BTE (Behind the Ear)
- ITE (In the Ear)
General Info on How to Put a Hearing Aid in Your Ear Despite the Type
It’s important to note that both ears perceive sound differently. And as such, the hearing aids are designed to mimic similar traits as they help you to hear clearly. And at some point, you must have noticed this on the earphone pr headphones. They come with labels directing you on how to wear the accessory.
And the same is true with hearing aids. They have markings indicating the specific ear for each device. Generally, they have red and blue dots. The red dot signifies the right earpiece and the blue dot indicates the left earpiece. If this is not the case, then expect R and L marking, where R refers to the right ear and L indicates the left ear.
How to Put the BTE Hearing Aid in Your Ear
BTE also referred to as behind the ear hearing assist is very simple to put on. Once you’ve identified the hearing aid for each ear, it’s time to start. You can start with any, whether it’s the left ear or right. But the procedure is the same.
- Start by securing the hearing aid on your ear. You can do this by hooking it behind your ear.
- Next grasp the sound tube where it bends using two fingers.
- And while doing so, turn the earpiece to face towards your inner ear opening.
- Now you can gently direct the earpiece into the canal while ensuring you don’t reach the eardrum.
- The earpiece should be fit once the tube-bend lies against your ear and your head side.
- Thereafter, you can do the same with the other ear.
How to Put a Hearing Aid in Your Ear (ITE)
ITE refers to In the Ear assists for hearing. They are great to pick if you want the best hearing aids that guarantee discreetness in the public. What’s more, they are among the advanced hearing aids that support customization from matching skin tone to personal sound amplification. So, now let’s look at the guiding steps of how to put on this device:
- The same starting procedure, which is to identify the device and its specific ear.
- Next, pick any of them whether it’s the left ear or the right ear to start with.
- Using your fingertips, hold it upright with the earpiece facing the ear opening.
- Gently proceed by pushing the device in your ear while simultaneously pulling the earlobe outwards. Also, you can twist it gently for easy and comfortable fitting of the device into the ear canal.
Other categories that fit this mode of putting on these hearing aids include CIC and IIC.
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CIC
Also known as completely in the Canal is among the varieties of hearing aids you can put on in your ear. They are discrete and hardly noticeable in the public. Further, they fit into the category of advanced hearing aids since they compact enough to disappear in the ear canal.
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IIC
While CIC and ITE can be invisible, IIC is minute and worn deep in the canal. You can only notice IIC through a closer look as they sit deep in your ear. And just like CIC among others, they are advanced hearing aids.
They don’t have an external button and every control is either automatic or you can manage through an app. But with the steps above and extra care, you can manage to put this on swiftly. However, you may need help when removing them from your ear.
Bonus Tip
The following tips will assist in the transition of adapting to using hearing aids especially if it’s your first time:
- Maintain each device on the right ear
- Once they are on, your brain will be overwhelmed at first due to the sensitivity of the hearing assist to multiple sounds. Don’t worry, this should fade with time.
- If the sounds are still overwhelming, then move to a quieter room or environment. This will give your mind time to adjust and adapt to this device.
- What’s more, it will feel uncomfortable at first as everything from your voice to the hearing assist will be loud and noticeable.
- Another tip is to read something aloud or listening to tracks you love for quick and better adjustment to the device.
- Also, there is a chance that you may have to deal with squealing noises when talking on the phone. You can move the phone a little bit further from your ears at an angle to curb this. And this is especially away from the hearing assist mic.
- Always keep these devices clean including your ear. Use proper cleaning techniques and the right equipment for this task.
- If your hearing aid is not waterproof, don’t attempt to plunge into the pool with it. And also avoid taking shower with it.
Final Take
A hearing aid is an important solution to hearing problems. So if you’ve been diagnosed with hearing loss, they will give you a chance to hear again clearly. But as mentioned earlier, care and precision are vital when handling these devices. But with this guide on how to put a hearing aid in your ear, rest assured your ears are safe including the device. Read through once more and ensure you are gentle throughout the process.