Here at Hidden Hearing, we provide a thorough aftercare service that includes check up appointments and maintenance for your hearing aid. We will show you how to look after your hearing aid and carry out basic cleaning and part replacement by yourself. Part of this process is changing the batteries on a regular basis, and you can follow our easy guide to simplify this process.

Tips For Changing Your Hearing Aid Batteries

Familiarise yourself with the batteries. You will need to know exactly which batteries your hearing aid takes, and to understand the colour coding system that is designed to make purchasing your batteries easier.

• Use your hearing aid correctly. With correct care and usage, your hearing aid batteries will last much longer. Some devices and features will run the batteries down more quickly, but the main thing is to avoid wasting the battery life by taking care of the batteries. You should always open the battery door when you are not wearing your hearing aid, and always dry your hearing aid properly when not in use.
• Be aware of when to change your batteries. You will usually hear a beeping sound in the ear to alert you that your hearing aid batteries need changing. You will need to remove the old battery from the battery compartment on your device, which is usually opened with a small lever or clip. Used batteries should be disposed of correctly, depending on what they are made from, so talk to your audiologist to find out the best way to recycle or dispose of the type you use.
• Allow your battery to activate. Peel the sticker off your new battery and allow it to be activated by the oxygen in the room for two to five minutes. This will ensure that the battery will be as effective as possible.
• Insert your new battery. Place the new battery inside your device, ensuring it is the correct way up. Make sure that you close the battery compartment correctly, then switch your hearing aid on and enjoy a great hearing experience!

Take a Free Hearing Test at Hidden Hearing

If you think you may be experiencing hearing loss, you can book a free hearing test with our experienced audiologists to find out the extent of your problem and explore the potential solutions. We have a range of excellent digital hearing aids that you can try, and we believe in finding the best solution for each individual we see.

Hidden Hearing is Ireland’s leading private provider of hearing care solutions, and our national network includes over seventy-five branches and clinics. Contact Hidden Hearing online today, or pop into your local branch.

The post Hearing Aid Care Made Easy: How To Change Your Hearing Aid Batteries appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

How To Prolong The Life Of Hearing Aid Batteries:

Here at Hidden Hearing, we provide complete aftercare services to help you to care for your hearing aid and to prevent any problems developing. We will advise you on the best way to care for your device, and we are always on hand to help you with any questions you may have.

Follow our essential tips to prolong the life of your hearing aid batteries:

1. Avoid moisture. Allow your hearing aids to dry properly when not in use, and ensure that you do not allow moisture to build up inside the hearing aid. Take care to avoid damage from inclement weather.
2. Activate batteries. If your hearing aid batteries are made of zinc, wait five minutes after peeling the sticker from a new battery in order to allow it to be activated by the oxygen in the room. If you are not planning to use batteries immediately, do not peel the stickers off as this will deplete the battery power before you begin.
3. Store correctly. Take care to store your hearing aids properly when you are not wearing them, ensuring that they are safe from children and animals and that they are not stored near other metal products which may cause short circuiting. Always store batteries away from humid areas.
4. Clean your hearing aids and batteries properly. It’s important to pay attention to the advice of your audiologist when cleaning your hearing aids and batteries.
5. Use your hearing aid carefully. The functions of your hearing aid can deplete batteries at different rates, so be aware that streaming audio from your television, for example, may use twice as much battery power as normal usage.

When your batteries are at the end of their life, they should be recycled according to local provision. Ask your audiologist what to do with them.

Book a Free Hearing Test at Hidden Hearing

If you are experiencing any type of hearing loss, the first step is to book a free hearing test so that you can find out the extent of your hearing loss and talk to an experienced audiologist about it. Our friendly team will help you through the process, and we will ensure that we find the very best solution for you.

Hidden Hearing is Ireland’s leading private provider of hearing care solutions, and our national network includes over seventy-five branches and clinics. We have a great range of hearing aids available, including digital hearing aids that offer a highly sophisticated hearing experience without being visible to others.

Contact Hidden Hearing online today, or pop into your local branch

The post How Long Will My Hearing Aid Batteries Last appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

One of the most first and most important skills you will need to acquire is the ability to change your hearing aid batteries. This is crucial, because without a constant source of power, your hearing aids won’t work.

Depending on how long you wear your device, and what model of hearing aid you have, you can expect most batteries to last for between one and three days before they need replacing, so if you plan to be out or away, it is always a good idea to take a spare set of batteries with you so that you don’t run into any trouble.

You’ll usually know when the batteries are running down because you will get warning signs – sometimes volume levels will drop or you will hear a constant beeping in your hear. This is an indication that it may be time to switch the batteries.

Occasionally, you may also encounter minor problems with your hearing aid. If it isn’t working, it is always worth checking that the batteries haven’t expired or that you have inserted them correctly before assuming that your device has malfunctioned – nine times out of ten, this is the cause of the problem, so always check the battery first before you go looking for your warranty!

Tips for Changing Your Hearing Aid Batteries

1. When you are inserting or removing the batteries from your hearing aids, always wash your hands first to avoid any dirt or grime getting into the device, and always try to avoid doing so over a hard surface – otherwise, you run the risk of dropping it and causing structural damage.
2. If you are inserting new batteries for the first time, you’ll need to peel off the sticker from the back of the battery to allow it to be exposed to oxygen, which will serve to activate it.
3. Check your user manual if you are unsure of where the battery compartment is located, or how to open it.
4. Insert the battery with the positive side (+ sign) facing up. Close the compartment, making sure that the door clicks – if it doesn’t, it may not be properly shut.
5. There! That’s it! You’re all set to go!

It’s worth remembering that batteries also have a limited life span and will need replacing from time to time, which can get expensive over the long term. Luckily, Hidden Hearing offers all of its customers free batteries for life as part of our Complimentary Lifelong Aftercare Package.

So if you’ve purchased your hearing aids from us, you have the added peace of mind of knowing that you’ll never have to fork out for replacement batteries for the duration of your device’s lifespan.
For further advice on how to change the batteries in your hearing aid, or to find out more about our free batteries for life scheme, visit our website or call us on 1800 818 808.

The post How to Change Your Hearing Aid Batteries appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

Hearing aids have come a long way since the funnel-shaped ear trumpets of the 17^th century. Today, there are many types of hearing aids that can help amplify and distinguish sound to give those with hearing loss a fighting chance. But how do you know which hearing aid is best for you?

The first thing to remember is that a hearing aid can’t restore normal hearing once you’ve experienced hearing loss. It can, however, improve your hearing by amplifying soft sounds and reducing loud background noise.

Analogue Hearing Aids simply amplify the sound picked up by the microphone and reproduce them louder via the speaker. An analogue hearing aid basically makes sounds louder; it’s just like turning up the volume on a radio.

Digital Hearing Aids goes a step beyond by providing amplification that is more customized. It splits the sound picked up by the microphone into smaller sections and then amplifies them depending on the pitch and loudness of the sound to match a situation, such as social situations or work environments. Digital hearing aids can be reprogrammed if your hearing changes. In addition, they are smaller with greater power.

Every hearing aid has a microphone to pick up the sound, amplifier circuitry to make the sound louder, a receiver (loudspeaker) to deliver the sound into the ear canal and batteries to power it. Styles, however, differ.

• Behind-the-ear hearing aids: Similar to an over-the-ear blue tooth design, most of the parts are in a small plastic case that rests behind the ear. It’s connected to an earpiece by clear tubing. It’s often chosen for children because it’s easy to clean, sturdy and the earpiece types can be replaced as the child grows.

• In-the-ear hearing aids: The entire hearing aid, known as an ITE, is in a small shell that fills the outer part of the ear canal. It is similar to an ear bud. This is the most popular type of hearing aid and is customized to exactly match the contours of your ear.

• Receiver-in-the ear (RITE) hearing aids: These can be worn behind or on top of the ear with a very thin, discreet wire is connected to a tiny loudspeaker in the ear canal. The main advantage is cosmetic, but some also are more powerful than other styles.

With modern technology and innovative design, hearing aids are better than ever to help you hear better, once hearing loss has set in. Hidden Hearing can help you determine which type of hearing aid is best for you and fit you with it. Call Hidden Hearing on 1 800 818 808 today and hear better tomorrow.

The post Make a Sound Decision: Which Hearing Aid is Best for You? appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

Traveling can be an escape and an opportunity to reconnect with friends and family who live far away. However, for people with hearing loss, it can mean extra hassle when making reservations, hearing boarding announcements and using regular (un-amplified) telephones. These suggestions may help you eliminate extra hassle while traveling:

RESERVATIONS:

• Make advanced reservations whenever possible
• If you’re making reservations by phone, use an amplified phone whenever possible.
• Let reservations know you have a hearing loss.
• Repeat the information so the agent can confirm the details.
• Ask for confirmation to be mailed, faxed or emailed to you.
• You can also make your travel reservations in person with a travel agent or by yourself online. Experienced travelers often go online to make reservations, receive notification of any change in schedule or even pre-print boarding passes.

WHILE TRAVELING:

• Even people with excellent hearing often find it difficult to understand public announcements in terminals. Information on gates and departure time is usually displayed throughout stations and terminals.  Check the displays often for updated information.
• If you’re concerned about hearing special announcements, let the agents at the boarding gate know you have hearing loss.
• After boarding, confirm with the attendants that you are on the correct flight or train.
• Have the company name and telephone number of the hearing clinic closest to where you are traveling – in case you need help.

HOTELS:       

Most hotels and cruise ships provide device assistive devices such as in-room amplified telephones and alerting devices for smoke and fire alarms.  Televisions usually have built-in captioned that can be activated. Many hotels and cruise ships have internet access for making reservations and for communicating with family, friends and the office.

Finally, be sure to let someone at the front desk know you are of hearing loss in case of emergency.

YOUR HEARING AIDS

• Before your trip,have a preventive check-up on your hearing aids so they’re in good condition for your trip.
• Carry plenty of batteries.
• Pack a dri-air kit or other durable container to protect your hearing aids.
• Consider carrying a spare set of hearing aids. You’ll have a check-up in case of loss malfunctioning and you won’t have to wonder, “What will I do if one of my aids stops working?”

With over 25 years’ experience in hearing healthcare, Hidden Hearing is committed to providing the most professional hearing healthcare service to its customers. Anybody who might be concerned about their hearing, can avail of a free hearing test at any Hidden Hearing branch nationwide. 

The post Tips for traveling with hearing loss appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

Hidden Hearing, Ireland’s premier hearing healthcare provider has reopened its hearing centre in Dundalk. The new state-of-the-art hearing centre offers the best professional hearing care, help and advice in a supportive environment along with the latest digital technology to diagnose and treat hearing problems. To celebrate the reopening of the refurbished Hidden Hearing Dundalk branch and to promote better hearing health, Hidden Hearing is offering free one-to-one hearing consultations.

Over the past 26 years, Hidden Hearing has evolved to become Ireland’s premier provider of hearing healthcare in the private sector. With a national network of sixty five branches and clinics and a comprehensive home testing service, the Hidden Hearing clinicians and client service officers share the same goal – to provide excellence in hearing care. Hidden Hearing conducts over 30,000 free hearing screenings every year and is the only hearing healthcare provider in Ireland to offer customers free no obligation hearing screenings, a 90 day money back guarantee, a 4 year warranty and free batteries and service for life. In addition, Hidden Hearing provides modern state of the art testing facilities offering the latest technological advances in audiological equipment and hearing devices.

The Hidden Hearing clinic is based at 57 Dublin Street, Dundalk, Co Louth. Free testing is open to all and can be booked by calling (042) 9392420 or by calling in to the office. The Dundalk clinic will also offer a full repairs service for all makes of aids and offers a large selection of new accessories to make life easier at home for the hard of hearing. To find out more about hearing loss log onto www.hiddenhearing.ie

The post Hidden Hearing Reopen Their Refurbished Dundalk Branch appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

1. Batteries. The average hearing aid battery lasts between 5-14 days, depending on the size and style. Make sure you have enough batteries to last for the amount of time you’ll be gone. Hearing aid batteries are typically available from hearing aid centers and most major drugstores; however, if you’re traveling outside the United States or to a remote location, you’ll want to make sure you have your own supply.

2. Hearing aid dryer. If you don’t already have this equipment, consider investing in it. A hearing aid dryer, also known as a dehumidifier, is specifically designed to eliminate accumulated moisture in your hearing aids overnight. If your vacation involves the beach or sport-related activities that expose you to water or cause you to perspire, this dryer will remove any remaining moisture after you wipe them down. There are many varieties available on the market today, most of which are the size of a small cosmetics jar or jewelry box. Contact your hearing center for more information on where to purchase one that fits your make and model of hearing aid.

3. Cleaning tools. More than likely, your hearing aid center provided you with a cleaning kit when you purchased your hearing aids. Even though you’re on vacation, it’s still important to maintain a daily cleaning schedule. Consider purchasing an extra cleaning kit to keep in your travel bag. These kits are available from your hearing aid center and include a wax removal brush, wax removal pick and tube vent cleaner.

4. Other accessories. If you wear a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, consider packing a few extra tubes. Plastic tubing needs to be replaced occasionally. You might also want to consider purchasing a hearing aid sweat band or sleeve for your BTE. These sleeves can keep your hearing aid dry and free of environmental debris, such as sand or dust.

5. Contact name. Your hearing health care professional can generally locate an office in an area you’ll be visiting in the event you need assistance.

Finally, if you have time before your vacation, consider scheduling a visit to your hearing health care provider for a pre-vacation inspection. They can check the fit and condition of your hearing aid, which may help identify impending problems before they occur.

Anybody who might be concerned about their hearing, can avail of a free hearing test at any of Hidden Hearing’s 60 clinics nationwide. Freephone 1800 370 000 or visit www.hiddenhearing.ie.

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