History
Total Hearing Care
Debbie F. Schirico
Dr. Jill E. Copley
Erika Porter |
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WEAR YOUR HEARING DEVICES FROM THE TIME YOU GET
UP IN THE MORNING UNTIL THE TIME YOU GO TO BED
This will help you learn to adjust to all the new sounds you will
be hearing. If your hearing
 instruments make your ears sore, please contact us as
soon as possible for an appointment or do not wear it until you are able to come
in. If you are unable to wear your hearing instruments all day, every day, please
call our office to set up a time and
someone will work with you immediately.
Little problems have little answers. Your time, patience, and commitment to the
daily use of your new hearing devices will determine your success.
KEEP YOUR HEARING INSTRUMENTS CLEAN
Wipe them off every night with a cloth or tissue.
For custom products,
brush both the receiver and the microphone of the hearing instrument
to remove excess
wax and debris using the black brush we provide. The receiver is on the
end of the
hearing instrument that goes into your ear canal. The microphone is next to the
battery door.
For behind-the-ear hearing devices,
brush the earmold, as well as the part that goes behind
yor ear. Come in every
3 to 6 months for a new tube if the tube hardens or discolors.
If your hearing instrument stops working, check to be sure the receiver
(or earmold) and
microphone are free from wax and debris. If they are blocked, the
hearing device will not
work. This is why it is important to brush your hearing
instruments every night.
If all is clean and the hearing instrument still does not work, put
in a new battery.
If
this does not solve the problem, please call or come in so that we can check your
hearing instrument. The problem may be something we can correct at our office or
it may
involve a manufacturer repair.
KEEP YOUR HEARING INSTRUMENTS DRY
Do not wear them while bathing or swimming.
Never submerge them in water.
Do not let your hearing devices get moist.
Do not store them near the bathroom or kitchen.
Always remove hearing devices when going to the hairdresser.
Do not wear your hearing devices while working in the yard or during heavy exercise
because perspiration will destroy them.
Remove your hearing instruments and turn them off at night. Open the battery door
to let
the device “air out.”
Place your hearing instruments in your nighttime case (moisture-free hearing
instrument
saver) after taking them off. Leave the devices in your hearing
instrument saver every night
so they are easier to find in the morning.
Since your hearing instruments may not work well in a hot or humid climate
because
moisture can get in your ear and into your hearing instruments,
you must use your hearing
instrument saver every night to dry out any moisture that may get in them
during the day.
Three different types of hearing instrument savers are available:
OPTION #1:
MICROWAVE HEARING INSTRUMENT SAVER:
The white dehumidifier pillow has silicone beads that absorb moisture. All of the beads should be dark blue. These
blue beads will turn lighter as they absorb moisture. Whenever the crystals are
not dark blue, it’s time to reactivate them. Place the pillow in the microwave on
a microwave safe plate and heat them on high for 20 seconds until all of the
crystals turn dark blue. Allow the pillow to cool in the microwave and then place
it back in the container with the clear side down and the soft side up. (This procedure
may need to be repeated until all of the beads are dark blue.) Put your hearing
devices in this container every night and whenever they are not being used. Don’t
worry if your hearing instruments do not stay directly on the pillow. Be sure that
they are in the container with bright blue crystals and the lid is secured tight.
OPTION #2:
MOISTURE GUARD:
This hearing instrument saver is electric and needs to be plugged
in. Press the red button to turn it on. A light will appear indicating that it is
on. Before placing your hearing devices in the box, it is best to take the batteries
out (as the box gets warm while it dries out your hearing devices). Place the instruments
in the box with the battery doors open. Leave the box on at all times. You do not
need to turn it off. Wait about 5 minutes after removing the instruments from the
box, as your hearing instruments may feel
slightly warm; then put the batteries back into the devices for use.
OPTION #3:
DRY & STORE BOX:
This device is electric and needs to be plugged in. This unit pulls
and stores moisture and has a germicidal lamp that sanitizes and kills germs so
infections cannot spread. There is a DryBrick that must be used that absorbs moisture
from your hearing instruments. The DryBrick generally will fill with moisture in
about one to two months. Open the lid of the box and place the DryBrick in the left
side compartment and place your hearing instruments in the right side compartment
with your battery doors open. You do not need to take the batteries out. Press the
start button and the unit will stay on for approximately eight hours and automatically
turn off. If you want to stop the cycle sooner, simply open the box.
ALWAYS KEEP SPARE BATTERIES WITH YOU IN YOUR PURSE
OR A BATTERY CADDY.
Batteries should be kept in a drawer at room temperature.
Batteries are heat sensitive, and they should NOT be refrigerated.
Batteries also have a shelf life of about a year, so do not purchase too
many at a time.
Keep batteries out of the reach of children and pets as batteries are poisonous
if
swallowed.
If a battery is accidentally ingested, please call the battery ingestion
hotline number (202)
625-3333 for further instructions.
BATTERY DOORS HAVE A TENDENCY TO BREAK WITH NORMAL
WEAR AND TEAR
This is normal. If your battery door breaks, bring it in to our office and
we will replace it for
you.
Do not try and fix it or remove the battery, as you may cause more
damage to the
instrument.
To help reduce wear and tear on the battery door, do not force the battery
into the
compartment or open the door too far.
If you experience difficulty closing the battery door, take the battery out,
flip it over and try
again; chances are you are putting it in backwards.
Please come in for regular cleanings every two to three months so that we
can check the
battery doors. This service is provided at no charge when you
purchase your batteries, as
well as when your hearing instruments are under warranty.
DON’T LEAVE YOUR HEARING INSTRUMENTS WHERE PETS
CAN GET TO THEM.
Dogs and cats love the smell of earwax and will chew them up.
Pets are also bothered or entertained by the high pitched squeal of instruments
that have
not been turned off completely.
Be sure to always open the battery door, even if you have an on/off switch.
Put your devices
in your hearing instrument saver and keep it in a safe place.
COME IN FOR REGULAR CLEANINGS EVERY TWO TO THREE
MONTHS.
When it is time to purchase new batteries, let that be your reminder to come
in to get your
hearing instruments cleaned and checked.
This allows us to make sure your hearing devices are in proper working condition
and will
lengthen the life of your hearing instruments.
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