Using your hearing aid

This information will provide you with all the information you need about our service and your digital hearing aid.

Clinic sites

Attend only when you have an appointment.

Rotherham Community Health Centre

Ear Care and Audiology department
Greasbrough Road
S60 1RY

Clinics are held in the green area on the first floor.

Rotherham Hospital

Audiology department
C level - Outpatients department
Moorgate Road
S60 2UD

We're the first left when you enter through the main entrance. We're 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 by knocking on the door.

Contact details for the department

Order batteries, tubing and other supplies online at www.earcarecentre.com

Telephone: 01709 423145 or 01709 423207

Email: rgh-tr.earcarecentre@nhs.net

Things to remember

Your hearing aid(s) is on loan to you from the NHS. If you no longer require it please return this too us.

If the hearing aid or charger is faulty, of its own accord, there is no charge for a repair or replacement.

It’s a valuable piece of equipment so please take care of it. If you lose or damage (beyond repair) your hearing aid, you must report this to the Audiology Department. You will be charged £75 per hearing aid. You can make an appeal against this charge.

Keep the hearing aid clean and dry.

Keep the device away from water. Take out the aid when in the bath or shower, or at places such as swimming or the hair dresser.

Take care with batteries and keep them in a safe place. If you require a tamperproof solution please speak to your audiologist.

What to expect from your new hearing aid

It can take up to 3 months to get used to your hearing aid.

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 and frequencies that you can no longer hear due to your hearing loss.

The aim is to be able to wear the hearing aid 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.

How to insert your hearing aid - Open fit

Close the battery compartment.
Place the hearing aid at the very top of your ear.
The tube will sit at the front of the ear and the dome should be positioned at the entrance to the ear canal.
Push the dome into the ear canal until the tube is flush with the side of the face.
If you have a retention clip, place this in the bowl of the canal and it will help to keep the tube in place.
Reverse the procedure to remove the aid, being careful not to pinch the tube.

Some people find it easier to push the dome into the ear canal first, then put the hearing aid over the top of the ear.

How to insert your hearing aid - Mould fit

First close the battery compartment.
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, trying not to pull the mould out with the tube.

Hearing aid repairs

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

If your hearing aid is not working, visit the Ear Care Centre website for advice and troubleshooting instructions on how to undertake self-maintenance of your hearing aid.

Almost all routine maintenance can be carried out at home.

The most common problem is an issue with the tubing.

If the tubing hasn’t been changed for a long time please request tubing and instructions, if you require them. Please see our website for instructions or ask your technician/audiologist to go through this with you.

If you are unable to resolve the problem, attend a local-drop in session and they will be able to assist you. Alternatively contact the department for an appointment.

Replacement batteries and tubing can be requested online through the Ear Care Centre website.

Alternatively, contact the department either by phone on 01709 423145 or 01709 423207 or email rgh-tr.earcarecentre@nhs.net.

Please leave your name, address, date of birth and what you require.

Problem solving

No sound

Possible cause	How to fix it
Aid isn't switched on	Turn it on. Try a new battery, ensuring the battery is inserted correctly.
Blocked tubing	Follow advice on cleaning. Replace the tube, or tubing and dome.

Possible cause

How to fix it

Aid isn't switched on

Turn it on.

Try a new battery, ensuring the battery is inserted correctly.

Blocked tubing

Follow advice on cleaning.

Replace the tube, or tubing and dome.

Whistling, buzzing or feedback when in the ear

Possible cause	How to fix it
Mould or tubing/dome not inserted correctly	Remove it and try again following the insertion instructions.
Mould or tubing/dome not fitting correctly	Contact the department for an appointment.
Excess wax or infection present	Have an appointment at your GP practice to ensure ears are clear.
Damaged tubing	Follow advice on cleaning. Replace the tube, or tubing and dome.
Condensation present in the tubing	Replace the tube, or tubing and dome.

Hearing aid isn't staying in the ear

Possible cause	How to fix it
Tubing is too short	Replace the tubing or have a larger size.
Mould or dome not the right fit	Contact the department for an appointment.

Telephone use

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.

If you are not using the loud speaker, ensure you lift up your phone to your hearing aid; the part that sits at the very top of your ear.

Some hearing aids are compatible with smart phones to connect via Bluetooth.

Some hearing aids may have a built-in loop system, so remember to change to this programme if you have it available.

Assistive listening devices (ALD)

Assistive listening devices are pieces of technology which can help you to improve your listening. In listening environments which are more difficult, such as work and restaurants, they can be helpful.

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 on to whoever you are wanting to hear clearer, such as your significant other in a restaurant. They work by improving the level of the sound compared to the noise/ background noise around you.

Please check that your hearing aids are suitable for the ALD that you are wishing to purchase.

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 M70-SP, Naida P70-UP, go to the app store or Google Play and download the ‘myPhonak’ app. Follow the instructions within the app to connect to your device.

If you have an Engage/ Engage P, Xceed SP/ UP go to the app store or Google Play and download the Oticon - ‘Companion’ app. Follow the instructions within the app to connect to your device.

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