Digital hearing aids - with mould fittings

• Your hearing aid(s) is on loan to you from the NHS. It’s a valuable piece of equipment so please take care of it.
• If you lose or damage (beyond repair) your hearing aid/s you must report this to the Audiology Department. If the loss or damage is due to carelessness you will be charged £75 per hearing aid. You can make an appeal against this charge.
• If the hearing aid becomes faulty of its own accord there is no charge for a replacement.
• If your hearing aid is no longer required, please return it to us.
• Keep the hearing aid clean and dry.
• Keep the device away from water. Take it out when in the bath/shower or at the hair dresser.
• Take care with batteries, keep them in a safe place. If you require a tamperproof solution please speak to your audiologist.

• A hearing aid does not restore your hearing; it is an aid to your remaining hearing.
• A hearing aid works by amplifying (making louder) the sounds/frequencies that you can no longer hear due to your hearing loss.
• It can take up to 3 months to get used to your hearing aid.
• The aim is to be able to wear the hearing aid/s from waking up in the morning to going to bed at night. Some people may benefit from building up usage gradually.

If hearing aids have been programmed as a pair it is recommended that you wear them as a pair. This will help with:

• identifying where sounds are coming from
• better understanding of speech
• improved speech understanding in noise
• improved sound quality

If your hearing aid is not working please see our website for advice and instructions on how to undertake self-maintenance of your hearing aid/s. Almost all routine maintenance can be carried out at home. If you are unable to resolve the problem, please contact the department to arrange an appointment.

All hearing aid maintenance and repairs are carried out by appointment only.

Please contact the department either by phone on 01709 423145 or email rgh-tr.earcarecentre@nhs.net. Please leave your name, address and date of birth.

Or complete the request form online.

No sound

Whistling / buzzing / feedback when in the ear

• Your battery should last approximately 7-10 days.
• Your hearing aid will beep to let you know when your battery is running out.
• Batteries are activated by air, so allow up to 30 seconds after you’ve taken one from the packet, before putting it in your hearing aid.
• Take care with the batteries - they can be harmful if swallowed. Tamperproof solutions are available. Devices can be set so you can’t open the battery compartment without a tool which we can provide. If you require this, please speak to your audiologist.

Some people struggle to use the phone when they have a hearing loss and/or use hearing aids.

One way to get around this, where appropriate, is to use the loud speaker option on your phone. This allows you to use both hearing aids at once.

Some phones are compatible with hearing aids. They may have a built-in loop system, so, remember to change to this programme if you have it available. Connect your phone to your hearing aid and stream the call. See connectivity below. 

The aid is switched on and ready to use when the battery compartment is closed. If your device is rechargeable, it will automatically turn on and off as you insert/remove them from the charger.

The aid is switched off when the battery compartment is open. Leave it open when you’re not using your aid e.g. at night. Put it in the storage case provided.

• First close the battery compartment.
• Then place the mould in your ear, ensuring that both the top and the bottom part fit correctly.
• Place the hearing aid device behind your ear then lift it forward and then over the top of the ear so that it sits securely.
• Do the reverse to take the hearing aid out, being careful not to pinch the tube. Try to not pull the mould out with the tube.

There are lots of different programmes that we can put onto hearing aid/s in order to aid your hearing further.

Volume control

If enabled, this allows you to turn the volume of the aid/s up and down to a level which you find comfortable. There are limits on this control.

Programme button

Your device may have additional programmes added that will have been discussed with you at the time of fitting. To access the programmes please press the programme button (please see below which describes your hearing aid for details) and listen for the audible ‘beep’ to tell you that it has changed.

Loop programme

This programme helps you to cut off background noise, and hear purely what is coming through a microphone. This is available in places like post offices, banks and theatres.

Speech in noise (directional) programme

This programme helps you in noisy places like restaurants and pubs. It works by changing how the microphones within the hearing aid work, by reducing the level of sound taken in by the microphones which are directed behind you. It’s important that you look at the person who you want to listen to.

Your aids can be set to work separately or together. When you adjust one device, both will alter.

Volume control

Press the button as you would your TV remote, just a brief press.

• To increase the volume of the hearing aid, press the top part of the rocker switch.
• To reduce the volume of the hearing aid, press the bottom part of the rocker switch.

Loop programme

Press and hold the bottom of the rocker switch for two seconds. Listen for the beep which tells you that you are on the loop programme.

Speech in noise (directional) programme

Press and hold the bottom of the rocker switch for two seconds. Listen for the beep which tells you that you are on the directional programme.

Red for the right ear. Blue for the left ear. You need to use ORANGE/P13 batteries.

Volume control

• To increase the volume of the hearing aid, press the top button
• To decrease the volume of the hearing aid, press the button below (middle button)
• 0 is mute, 1 is the lowest volume, 4 is the loudest

Loop programme

Press the button which is at the bottom of the hearing aid. Listen for the beep which tells you that you are on the loop programme.

Speech in noise (directional) programme

Press the button which is at the bottom of the hearing aid. Listen for the beep which tells you that you are on the speech in noise programme.

Red for the right ear. Blue for the left ear. Ask you clinician whether you need to use ORANGE/P13 batteries or BLUE/P675 batteries.

Volume control

To increase the volume of the hearing aid, push the volume control towards the top of the hearing aid.

To decrease the volume of the hearing aid, push the volume control towards the bottom of the hearing aid.

Loop programme

Press the button which is at the top of the hearing aid. Listen for the beep which tells you that you are on the speech in noise programme. The loop programme is unavailable on the Nathos Nova PR device.

Speech in noise (directional) programme

Press the button which is at the top of the hearing aid. Listen for the beep which tells you that you are on the speech in noise programme.

Red for the right ear. Blue for the left ear. Ask you clinician whether you need to use ORANGE/P13 batteries or BLUE/P675 batteries.

Daily

• Wipe down the hearing aid with a wet wipe and allow it to dry.
• Wipe down the mould (the piece that goes into your ear) with a wet wipe and allow it to dry.

Every 6 months

• You will need a new tube.
• You can replace the tubing yourself (by following the steps below), or by visiting one of the local drop-in services or by making an appointment at Rotherham Community Health Centre.

1. Cut the tube so the shorter section is to a point.
2. Pull the mould off the elbow/hearing aid.
3. Pull the old tubing out of the mould, save this for later.
4. From the flatter/outer part of the mould, push the new tube with the point you’ve cut to a point. It needs to be in the top hole. Stop pulling it through when it sits straight upwards.
5. Trim the tubing, ensuring its flush with the bottom of the mould.
6. Using your old tube measure this up the old piece of tubing.
7. Attach the new mould/tubing onto the hearing aid.

Assistive listening devices are pieces of technology which can help you to improve your listening, and to make things easier for you especially when the listening environments are more difficult.

It doesn’t matter which type of hearing aid/s you have, you can purchase additional accessories to help improve your listening at home or at work. These devices typically work in conjunction with your hearing aids.

If you are working, and you are having difficulties at work in particular, you can get in touch with the Access to Work team, who can assess your personal situation and put things in place to help you.

An example of an ALD is an additional microphone which you can clip onto whoever you are wanting to hear clearer, such as someone you are with in a restaurant. They work by improving the level of the sound compared to the noise/ background noise around you.

Where can these devices help me?

ALDs can be useful in challenging listening environments such as restaurants or work environments.

Connectivity

Your hearing aids can connect to ‘smart’ devices. Dependant on your hearing device and your smart phone, you may be able to use your phone as a remote to alter the volume/ change programme. Another function is streaming calls and media such as music.

If you have a Nathos Nova M/PR/Naida SP, go to the app store and download the app ‘myPhonak’. If you have an Engage/ Engage P go to the app store and download ‘OticonON’.

Follow the instructions within the app to connect your hearing aids to your smart device. Any difficulties please contact tech support for the relevant manufacturer (Phonak or Oticon).

For more details please contact the department.

Where can I get the devices from?

If you have an Oticon or Phonak hearing device you can get ALDs and more information from Connevans.

Check that your hearing aid/s are suitable for the ALD that you are wishing to purchase.

Speak to your audiologist about this if you would like more details.

Remote Care is a way for you, to connect with your audiologist and have a hearing aid follow-up from your own home.

When connected to the Remote Care app, the audiologist will make necessary changes to your hearing aid, where you’ll be able to test them in your own environment at home.

To be able to access the remote care app, you should have already been fitted with appropriate hearing aids for you to use the app; your audiologist will inform you if so.

You require an iPhone/iPad or Android phone, a stable internet connection and an email account and have basic mobile device skills.

For more information please speak to your audiologist.

Royal National Institute for Deaf People (previously Action for Hearing Loss)
British Tinnitus Association
Sight and Sound
C2Hear

Sensory Services Department
Telephone: 01709 822330

Connevans
Telephone: 01737 247571

Ear Care & Audiology Department
Rotherham Community Health Centre
Greasbrough Road
S60 1RY

Appointment only.
Clinics are held in the green area.
Batteries can be collected from reception - Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm.
Batteries, tubing and other supplies can be ordered online.

Audiology Department
C level Outpatients Department
Rotherham Hospital
Moorgate Road
S60 2UD

Appointment only.

We’re the first left when you enter via the main entrance, just after reception D on your right-hand side. We do not have a reception so please ensure you let someone know you are there.

Rotherham Sight and Sound
8 Ship Hill
Rotherham
S60 2HG
Repairs and battery collection - 9.30am to 3.30pm