Hearing-Aid Care for Home Caregivers: A Practical Daily Guide

Who this guide is for

Some people who wear hearing aids are helped at home by a live-in or daily caregiver, a family member or a neighbour. When English is the shared language between the caregiver, the family and the professionals involved, this guide is written for that caregiver.

Hearing aids only help if they are worn, working and comfortable. A caregiver who knows a short routine can make a big difference to how well the person hears, and to how connected they feel to the people around them.

Always start with consent. The person who wears the hearing aids stays in charge of their own care wherever they can. Ask before you help, and explain what you are doing.

Learn the basics once, properly

The US National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) advises practising putting in and taking out the hearing aid, cleaning it, identifying the right and left aids, and replacing the batteries with the hearing care professional. If you are the person's caregiver, ask to take part in that practice, with the person's agreement.

Write down, or photograph, these details and keep them with the charger:

• The make, model and style of the hearing aids.
• Which aid is left and which is right. Philips, for example, marks its hearing aids blue for the left ear and red for the right.
• Whether they are rechargeable or use batteries, and the battery size if relevant.
• The type and size of domes or earpieces and wax filters.
• Who to call with questions.

The morning routine

1. Wash and dry your hands.
2. Take the hearing aids out of the charger or case. For a rechargeable model, check the charge indicator. For Philips rechargeable hearing aids, for example, the lights turn green when they are fully charged. Other models differ.
3. Look and wipe. Wipe each aid with a soft, dry cloth. Check the dome or earpiece for wax, cracks or a loose fit. See how to clean hearing aids.
4. Check that they are on. ASHA's daily care guide suggests simple questions: is the hearing aid switched on, is the microphone blocked, is the battery in correctly or is the device charged?
5. Put them in following the steps for the model. See how to put in hearing aids.
6. Ask how it sounds. A simple "Can you hear me clearly?" in a quiet room is a good daily check.

The evening routine

1. Take the hearing aids out gently and wipe them.
2. Rechargeable: place them correctly in the charger and check that the charger is plugged in. ASHA notes that most rechargeable hearing aids need a few hours to reach full charge.
3. Battery models: NIDCD advises turning hearing aids off when they are not in use and replacing dead batteries immediately. Store the hearing aids in their case.
4. Same place every night. One fixed place for the charger or case prevents most lost hearing aids.

Battery safety: children, grandchildren and pets

Small button batteries are dangerous if swallowed.

• NIDCD advises keeping replacement batteries and small hearing aids away from children and pets.
• ASHA advises storing batteries in a cool, dry place far from pets and children, and notes that batteries are toxic.
• Dispose of used batteries straight away, out of reach.

The NHS advises getting emergency medical help straight away if a child swallows a button battery, or may have.

Communicating every day

Hearing aids help, but they do not restore normal hearing. NIDCD states that a hearing aid will not restore normal hearing. These habits help:

• Get the person's attention before you speak.
• Face them, in good light, and do not cover your mouth.
• Speak clearly; do not shout.
• Turn down the TV or radio when you talk. NIDCD advises turning off or down background noise such as the TV during conversation.
• If they did not understand, say it a different way rather than repeating the same words.

For more, see communicating with someone who wears hearing aids.

What to report, and to whom

To the family and G-Sound (device questions):

• Whistling. ASHA explains that feedback happens when a hearing aid does not fit well and suggests a check-up.
• Sound that is weak, crackling or cutting out after cleaning and a new filter.
• The person keeps taking the hearing aids out, or says they hurt or feel loose.
• A charger that does not light up, or batteries that run out much faster than usual.
• A lost or damaged hearing aid. See lost a hearing aid.

To a doctor (medical questions):

The NHS advises urgent medical help for sudden hearing loss in one or both ears, or hearing loss together with earache or discharge from the ear. NIDCD says sudden deafness should be treated as a medical emergency. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also lists ear pain or discomfort and dizziness among reasons to see a doctor.

Working with the family and G-Sound

Families abroad often coordinate care by phone. With the person's consent, a family member or caregiver can make the first call to G-Sound in English. Have the make and model, the problem and the person's location ready. A home visit may be available subject to location, scheduling and the service required. Confirm availability when you call.

See arranging hearing care for a parent from abroad and hearing aids for elderly parents.