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YOU AT YOUR BEST | NWADG.COM/YOUATYOURBEST MAY - BEST NURSES | SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2017 | 19 Hearing Aids and the Important Information Caregivers Should Know Not everyone can maintain their level of independence indefi nitely. Un- fortunately, many people will eventu- ally require assistance with their daily needs. Whether caring for a patient in a long-term care facility or caring for a loved one, who needs just a little extra help around the house, it is important for the caregiver to have a basic under- standing about how hearing aids work for their patient who is hard of hearing. Hearing aids operate on batter- ies. Most hearing aids operate on zinc air batteries, which must be changed, regularly. Hearing aid batteries are col- or-coded, either on the package or on the sticker covering the batteries (i.e. size 10 batteries are yellow, size 312 batteries are brown, size 13 batteries are orange, and size 675 batteries are blue). Zinc air batteries vary in how long they will last, based on the size of the battery. The smaller the battery, the more often they will require changing. While 675 batteries could last several weeks, 13 batteries will last just over a week, 312 batteries are expected to last just under a week, and size 10 batteries will require changing every 3-5 days. Generally, the hearing aid will operate when the battery door is closed, but when the battery door is ajar, there is no connection to the electrical cur- rent, disabling the instrument's opera- tion. However, some hearing aids will have an on/off switch or a volume con- trol wheel, which must be turned to an active position, as well. The caregiver can check to see if the hearing aid is operational by cupping the hearing aid in their hand and listening for squelch. If feedback is heard, the hearing aid is operational. If not, there may be a problem with the hearing instrument. M o r e recent tech- nology does not require b a t t e r y changes, as they will op- erate using rechargeable batteries. If the patient's case plugs into a power supply, the hearing aids may be rechargeable. For rechargeable products, there may be a power button that must be depressed for three sec- onds, in order for the hearing aid to be- come operational. Hearing aids have three major components. The fi rst is the micro- phone. Sound must be able to enter the microphone in order for it to be ampli- fi ed. The second major component is the amplifi er, where sound that entered the microphone is amplifi ed. This is an internal component. The third major component is the receiver, or speak- er, where sound exits the hearing aid. Hearing aids should be cleaned daily, in order to ensure that they are work- ing effectively. The receiver should be brushed every morning, in order to remove wax and debris that has dried o v e r n i g h t . The mi- c r o p h o n e should also be brushed, very gently, on a weekly basis, in or- der to pre- vent debris from block- ing sound from enter- ing the am- p l i f i c a t i o n device. If debris is left to build-up, the amplifi ed sound may become weak. If your patient or your loved one is having diffi culty hearing, brushing the receiv- er and/or the microphone may solve the problem. Hearing aids are just that – aids. They help the patient to hear missed au- ditory information; however, they can- not necessarily clear up soft/muttered speech, nor can they slow down fast speech. Hearing aids must be checked by a professional on a regular basis, in order to ensure that they are still working appropriately and amplifi ca- tion is meeting prescribed targets. The patient's hearing should be checked at least on an annual basis, in order to monitor changes in hearing sensitivity. Should hearing decline, the patient's prescription for their amplifi cation will also change; therefore, the hearing aids would need to be re-programmed by a hearing professional in order to provide the patient with the best possible bene- fi t from their hearing aids. If you have recently begun to care for a patient with hearing loss or a patient who currently wears hearing aids, Better Hearing and Balance Con- nection would be happy to work with you and your patient to provide the best hearing healthcare possible. Dr. Gretch- en Magee, Au.D., and Dr. Shawn Key, Au.D., are able to examine the patient's hearing and prescribe the best solutions for each individual patient. They are also able to walk you and your patient through daily care and maintenance for existing hearing aid wearers. If you or someone you love are in need of assis- tance with hearing aids, call today at (479) 657-6464. They have two loca- tions to better serve you: at 407 Town Center East in Bella Vista and at 906 NW 8th St. in Bentonville. At Better Hearing and Balance Connection, they listen, so you can hear! " At Better Hearing and Balance Connection, They Listen, so You Can Hear! " SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE