Hearing Services Department Leicester LE1 5WW Telephone: 0116 2585824 Fax: 0116 2586154

University Hospitals of Leicester

Patient Information Your new hearing aid

Please read the following information carefully as it will help you to prepare you for the fitting of your new hearing aid(s).

If you have been issued with this booklet prior to having your hearing aid(s) fitted, please take it to your hearing aid(s) fitting appointment.

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INTRODUCTION You have recently been diagnosed with hearing loss and a recommendation for a hearing aid(s) has been made. The following information will help you to understand both your hearing loss and your hearing aid. Please read it very carefully before your next appointment. As it suggests, a hearing aid, is an ‘aid’ to the hearing that you already have. Therefore the degree of success varies amongst individuals and can be dependent on the following factors: • Severity of hearing loss • Hearing loss in one ear or both • Type of hearing loss – conductive (hearing loss in the moving part of the ear) or sensorineural (hearing loss in the sensing part of the ear or the nerve of hearing) • Cause of hearing loss • Age • Ability of your brain to process/discriminate sound • Your lifestyle and the kinds of listening situations you are in • Finally and most importantly - your attitude towards the hearing aid(s) In order to gain the maximum benefit from your digital hearing aid(s), you should be prepared to wear it on a daily basis. You should also be prepared to acclimatise to the hearing aids for 6-12 weeks before you will gain maximum benefit. Therefore it is important to gradually increase the amount of time that you wear your hearing aid(s) in the first few weeks of use. Some people choose to wear their hearing aid(s) all day from the very beginning. Alternatively you can increase the amount of time that you wear the hearing aid(s) slowly. However you choose to do it, your aim is to be wearing your hearing aid(s) most of the time. Those who choose to wear their hearing aid(s) only when they think they need it, are less likely to acclimatise to their hearing aid(s) and may find listening in background noise even more difficult. Initially, you will be acutely aware of all the background sounds around you, such as a kettle boiling or a central heating boiler starting up. Sometimes these can seem a little intrusive, however if you persevere with your hearing aid(s) you will soon learn to ignore such sounds. You may also perceive a change in the sound of your own voice; again this can take some time to get used to. Your voice will however continue to sound the same to everyone else. Now that you know what to expect, please continue to read this information booklet to find out a little more about your new hearing aid(s). 3 16/12/2011 © CLARE HEAVISIDE

Your Audiologist will explain the details of your new digital hearing aid(s) at your next appointment. However, it is extremely helpful to both you and your Audiologist if you have read this information booklet before you have your hearing aid(s) fitted. Make a note of any questions that you may have at the back of this booklet and bring this booklet with you to your next appointment.

EARMOULD OR SLIMTUBE? The severity of your hearing loss will determine which type of earpiece your hearing aid(s) is fitted with. The cleaning and maintenance will vary greatly, so please read these instructions carefully to see which one applies to your hearing aid(s). Earmould A An earmould will fit the shape of your ear exactly. Your Audiologist will have taken an impression of your ear(s) to make an earmould such as this one.

Care and maintenance of your earmould If your earmould is not maintained correctly, the quality of sound from your hearing aid will be poor. If the mould or tube becomes blocked, your hearing aid may appear to stop working altogether. Therefore it is most important to clean your earmould and change the tubing regularly. Cleaning This type of earmould can simply be washed in warm soapy water. Detach the soft tube at point A by pulling the aid and tube apart. Submerse both the mould and the tube in warm soapy water (use a product that is mild enough for your skin). Leave for approximately 15 minutes to soak. Then rinse the mould and tube thoroughly under clean running water, allowing the water to run through the tube. Once you have dried the outside of the mould and tube, shake the mould hard to remove any excess water from inside the tube. This should be done at least once a week, more often if required. Tubing The soft plastic tube running through your earmould will also need replacing regularly. The tubing will start to discolour and will go hard, making removal of the earmould from the hearing aid difficult. Before this happens make an appointment with your Audiologist to have the tubing changed (see page 12 for how to make an appointment). 4 16/12/2011 © CLARE HEAVISIDE

Changing the tubing is a relatively simple process and your Audiologist can show you how to do it for yourself. Tubing is freely available, and this will prevent you from having to make unnecessary visits to the hospital. If you have any difficulty obtaining tubing from you local battery centre then please contact the Hearing Services Department at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. Slimtube A

A slimtube is selected for you from a range of sizes, to best fit the size and shape of your ear. There are a variety of different types of plastic and foam domes, which simply push onto the end of the slimtube.

B

Care and maintenance of your Slimtube If your Slimtube is not maintained correctly, the quality of sound from your hearing aid will be poor. If the tube becomes blocked, your hearing aid may appear to stop working altogether. Therefore it is most important to clean and replace your Slimtube regularly. Cleaning Your slimtube should be cleaned daily using the tool provided. Remove the Slimtube from the hearing aid either by pulling or unscrewing it at point A. Refer to the manufacturers leaflet for precise removal instructions, as each model of hearing aid is different. Simply thread the plastic cleaning tool all the way through the Slimtube, starting from the top A. Wipe the cleaning tool with a tissue and repeat if necessary. This should be done on a daily basis. Replacement The slimtube and dome should be replaced every 3-6months. Never place the same dome back onto the Slimtube once it has been removed. Removal of a dome from the tube weakens the point of connection and the tube and dome could then be liable to separate inside your ear. Replacement tubes and domes are freely available and can be obtained from the Hearing Services Department at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. Your Audiologist will make a note of the type and size of both your Slimtube and dome on the last page of this booklet. This will make your request for replacements much simpler. 5 16/12/2011 © CLARE HEAVISIDE

REPLACEMENT BATTERIES Replacement batteries for your National Health Service hearing aid are free of charge. You can collect batteries from any of the hospitals, doctor’s surgeries or health centres listed below (even if you do not attend that particular surgery). If you are unable to collect your batteries in person, a friend or relative may do so on your behalf. Postal Service To receive your batteries by post, simply send your yellow appointment card, along with your empty battery packets and a stamped self addressed envelope to the following address:

Hearing Services Department Leicester Royal Infirmary Leicester LE1 5WW Collection of batteries AGE CONCERN Humberstone Gate Leicester LE1 3PJ

Monday – Friday 9am-4pm Telephone: 0116 2220555

ANSTEY SURGERY 21a The Nook Anstey Leicester LE7 7AZ

Monday – Friday 8.30am-6pm Telephone: 0116 2362531

ASHBY & DISTRICT HOSPITAL Leicester Road Ashby-De-La-Zouch Leicestershire LE65 1DG

Monday – Friday 9am-4pm Telephone: 01530 566900

BEAUMONT LEYS HEALTH CENTRE 1 Littlewood Close Beaumont Leys Leicester LE4 0UZ CENTRAL SURGERY Brooksby Drive Oadby Leicester LE2 5AA

Monday – Friday 8.30am-6.30pm Saturday 9am – 11.30pm Telephone: 0116 2350435

Monday – Friday 9am-5pm Telephone: 0844 4996973

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COALVILLE HEALTH CENTRE 1 Market Street Coalville Warwickshire CV67 3DX DESFORD SURGERY 54 Main Street Desford Leicestershire LE9 9GF

Monday – Friday 8.30am-12.30pm 1.30pm-4.30pm Telephone: 01530 468590

Monday – Friday 8am-6pm Telephone: 01455 828947

EVINGTON MEDICAL CENTRE 2-6 Halsbury Street Leicester LE2 1QA

Monday – Friday 8am-6pm Telephone: 0844 4773587

DR WILSON & PARTNERS 6A high Street Fleckney Leicestershire LE8 8AJ

Monday – Friday 8.15am-12noon 2pm-5.30pm Telephone: 0116 240462

GLENFIELD HOSPITAL Main Reception Groby Road Leicester LE3 9QP GREENGATE MEDICAL CENTRE 1 Greengate Lane Birstall Leicester LE4 3JF HAZELMERE MEDICAL CENTRE 58 Lutterworth Road Blaby Leicester LE8 4DN HEARING SERVICES DEPT Leicester Royal Infirmary Leicester LE1 5WW HINCKLEY HOSPITAL Outpatient Area 1 Main Reception Hill Street entrance Hinckley LE10 1AG

Monday – Friday 8am-11pm Telephone: 0116 2563427

Monday – Friday 8am-6pm Thursday 9am-1pm Telephone: 0116 2677901

Monday – Friday 8am-6pm Telephone: 0116 2771666

Monday – Friday 8.30am-5pm Telephone: 0116 2585824

Monday – Friday 9am-4pm Telephone: 01455 441564

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LOUGHBOROUGH HOSPITAL Epinal Way (entrance 2) Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 5YJ

Monday – Friday 9am-5pm Telephone: 01509 564333

LUTTERWORTH GROUP PRACTICE Gilmorton Road Lutterworth Leicester LE17 4EB

Monday – Friday 9am-6pm Telephone: 01455 553531

MARKET BOSWORTH SURGERY Back Lane Market Bosworth Warwickshire CV13 0LD

Monday – Friday 9am-12.30pm 1.30pm-5.30pm Telephone: 01455 290200

MARKET HARBOROUGH & DISTRICT HOSPITAL Main Outpatient Reception Monday – Friday 9pm-5pm Coventry Road Telephone: 01858 438135 Market Harborough Leicestershire LE16 9DD MELTON ST MARY’S HOSPITAL Thorpe Road Melton Mowbray Leicestershire LE13 1SJ

Monday – Thursday 8.30am-5pm Friday 8.30am-4.30pm Telephone: 01664 854900

MERRYDALE MEDICAL CENTRE 5 Fulhurst Avenue Leicester LE3 1BL

Monday – Friday 8am-6pm Telephone: 08444 778891

NEWBOLD VERDON MEDICAL PRACTICE St Georges Close Newbold Verdon Leicestershire LE9 9PZ

Monday – Friday 8am-6pm Telephone: 01455 822171

OAKMEADOW SURGERY 87 Tatlow Road Leicester LE3 8NF

Monday – Friday 8am-6pm Telephone: 0116 2877911

RUTLAND MEMORIAL HOSPITAL Oakham Leicestershire LE15 6NT

Monday – Friday 8am-6pm Telephone: 01572 722552

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SHEPSHED HEALTH CENTRE Field Street Shepshed Leicestershire LE12 9AL

Monday – Friday 8am-6pm Telephone: 01509 508412

SOUTH WIGSTON HEALTH CENTRE / DR PLATTS & PARTNERS 80 Blaby Road Monday – Friday 8am-6pm South Wigston Telephone: 0116 2782028 Leicestershire LE5 2NL SYSTON HEALTH CENTRE Community Office Melton Road Syston Leicestershire LE7 2EQ THE HEALTH CENTRE Charnwood Mill Sileby Road Barrow-On-Soar Leicestershire LE12 8LN

Monday AND Friday 2pm-4pm Telephone: 0116 2640964

Monday – Friday 8am-6pm Telephone: 01509 410200

THE LIMES MEDICAL CENTRE 65 Leicester Road Narborough Leicester LE19 2DU

Monday – Friday 8am-6pm Telephone: 0116 2864421

THE OLD SCHOOL SURGERY 21A Station Road Kibworth Leicestershire LE8 0LN

Monday – Friday 8am-6pm Telephone: 0116 2792422

TWO SHIRES SURGERY Torch Way Market Harborough Leicestershire LE16 9HL

Monday – Friday 8am-5.30pm Telephone: 01858 434523

UPPINGHAM ROAD HEALTH CENTRE 131 Uppingham Road Leicester LE5 4BP WILLOWBROOK MEDICAL CENTRE 195 Thurncourt Road Thurnby Lodge Leicester LE5 2NL

Monday – Friday 8am-6pm Telephone: 0116 2958282

Monday – Friday 8am-6pm Telephone: 0116 2432727

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REPAIR AND SERVICE APPOINTMENTS You can make an appointment to have your hearing aid(s) serviced or repaired at any time. You may also be asked to make a repair appointment in order to assess any further treatment required, or to discuss any other issues that you may have regarding your hearing aid(s). Appointments are available at the following hospitals. LEICESTER ROYAL INFIRMARY Hearing Services Department Leicester LE1 5WW

Tel. 0116 2585120

The Hearing Services Department has a dedicated telephone line in order to book repair appointments. Telephone on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday between 9am and 12.30pm to book an appointment. Appointments are available on most days. HINCKLEY HOSPITAL – OUTPATIENT’S DEPARTMENT Mount Rd (entrance on Hill Street) Hinckley LE10 1AG Tel. 01455 441564 The repair and service clinics are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Telephone Monday – Friday between 9am – 5pm to book an appointment. LOUGHBOROUGH HOSPITAL Epinal Way (entrance 2) Loughborough LE11 5YJ

Tel. 01509 564333

Repair and service clinics are held on the 3rd Tuesday morning of each month. Telephone Monday-Friday between 9am and 12noon to book an appointment. Alternatively book directly at the reception desk at entrance 2. Emergency drop-in sessions are available every Friday morning between 11am 12noon. Please do not attend unless it is an emergency as you will not be seen. MELTON ST MARY’S HOSPITAL Thorpe Road Melton Mowbray Leicestershire LE13 1SJ

Tel. 01664 854916

The repair and service clinics are held on the 4th Friday afternoon of each month. Telephone Monday-Friday between 8.30am and 5.00pm to book an appointment. MARKET HARBOROUGH & DISTRICT HOSPITAL 58 Coventry Road Market Harborough Leicestershire LE16 9DD

Tel. 01858 438128

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POSTAL SERVICE Ideally we would like to see you in person should your hearing aid need any attention. If this is not possible you can send your hearing aid by post to the Hearing Services Department at the address given on page 10. Please ensure that you send all parts of your hearing aid(s), your yellow appointment card and a letter describing the nature of the problem. You will need to include a stamped self addressed envelope in order that we can return the hearing aid(s) to you. Please ensure that you package the hearing aid(s) correctly and use sufficient postage, otherwise the return of your hearing aid(s) may be delayed. OTHER USEFUL CONTACT DETAILS Adult Social Care Service 135 Welford Road Leicester LE2 6BE Email: [email protected]

Tel. 0116 2492940 Textphone: 0116 2492950 Fax: 0116 2492960 www.actiondeafness.org.uk

The Adult Social Care Service team can offer advice regarding Assistive Listening Devices (ALD’s). ALD’s include items such as flashing doorbells and smoke alarms, vibrating alarm clocks and home loop systems for the television. Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) 19-23 Featherstone Street London EC1Y 8SL Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 020 72968000 Textphone: 020 72968001 Fax: 020 72968199

RNID is a national organization which can provide care and support services for deaf and hard of hearing people. They also provide telephone helplines, communication assistance, employment advice and training courses. Visit their website for more details. The British Tinnitus Association Ground Floor, Unit 5 Acorn Business Park Woodseats Close Sheffield S8 0TB

Telephone: 0800 0180527 Minicom: 0114 2585694

Email: [email protected]

The British Tinnitus Association has a FREEPHONE tinnitus helpline located at the office in Sheffield where callers can speak to the friendly and experienced staff, in confidence. The helpline operates Monday – Friday 9am-5pm. All members of the public have free access to tinnitus information that can be downloaded from the BTA website. For those without internet access, information is available through the post free of charge.

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USING YOUR HEARING AID(S) WITH THE TELEPHONE The most important thing to remember when using the telephone is that you should hold the receiver to the hearing aid and not to your ear. As a hearing aid user, any sound now passes through your hearing aid before it reaches your ear. If you hold the receiver against your ear the sound will not be able to pass through your earmould.

You should hold the receiver just above your ear and pointing downwards towards the microphone on the top of your hearing aid.

Speakerphone If you have difficulty finding the correct position, you may find it easier to use a telephone with speakerphone. This allows the user to press a button and listen to the conversation through a speaker on the telephone, without having to lift the receiver. This can be particularly beneficial if you have two hearing aids. Volume control Many telephones now have an adjustable volume control. Whilst this can be helpful, often the problem lies with clarity and not volume. Therefore it is still important to use your hearing aid(s) even if your telephone has additional volume control. Loop systems You can also use your hearing aid(s) on the loop program whilst using the telephone. This is especially useful when listening in background noise, for example in a public telephone box or in a busy office. You must check that the telephone that you are using is hearing aid compatible. Either look for the loop symbol printed somewhere on the telephone (usually on the base) or refer to the manufacturers handbook. Mobile telephones Hearing aids can be used just as easily with mobile telephones. Again simply hold the receiver to your hearing aid and not to your ear. Many mobile phone manufacturers now produce portable loop systems for use with your hearing aid(s). Contact any mobile phone shop or search the internet for further details. This can be particularly useful in noisy situations or when used as a ‘hands free’ accessory.

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LOOP SYSTEMS

Loop systems are generally found in public buildings and are designed to assist hearing aid users in difficult listening situations. They are used either to try to overcome distance in places such as theatres, cinema’s and churches, where the speaker may be some distance away from you, or to reduce background noise in busy public areas, especially if you are trying to communicate through a glass screen in a post office or a bank. Most National Health Service hearing aids have the facility to switch to a ‘loop program’, although you will need to refer to your hearing aid instruction leaflet to make sure that this has been activated by your Audiologist. If in doubt, ask! The loop program is usually activated by pressing a small button on the back of your hearing digital hearing aid, or by switching your hearing aid to the ‘T’ position. Personal loop systems can also be used with mobile telephones, televisions and in the workplace. Please ask your audiologist for details.

REMEMBER YOU CAN ONLY USE THE LOOP PROGRAM WHERE YOU SEE THE LOOP SYSTEM SIGN DISPLAYED.

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TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE No sound •

Replace the battery, preferably with one from a new packet. Batteries should be stored in a cool dry place. Do not remove the tabs until batteries are required.

•

Separate the hearing aid from the earmould or slimtube. Switch the aid on and close your hand over the aid. If it now whistles it would suggest that you have a blockage in the earmould or slimtube. See care and maintenance on pages 4 & 5 for cleaning instructions.

•

If your hearing aid still does not work you will need to make an appointment to have your hearing aid repaired. See page 10 for details of repair clinics.

Poor sound quality •

Have your ears checked by your G.P. for wax or infection.

•

Check your tubing and mould/slimtube for moisture or blockages of wax or debris. See page 4 & 5 for care and maintenance.

•

Check the tube for breaks. If the tube feels hard it will need to be replaced. Make an appointment at one of our repair clinics.

My hearing aid whistles when it’s in my ear •

Have your ears checked by your G.P. for wax or infection.

•

Check that your mould/slimtube is inserted correctly. Ask your Audiologist for advice if you have difficulty fitting your earmould/slimtube. See pages 15 & 16 for a guide to earmould insertion. You should have a separate insertion leaflet if you have been issued with a slimtube.

•

Check the mould for cracks or splits. A damaged mould will need to be replaced. You will need to make an appointment at one of our repair clinics. (see page 10)

•

Check that the tubing is not hard or cracked. It can easily be replaced either by yourself or an Audiologist, see page 4.

•

Check that your earmould is still a good fit. Over time some earmould materials can shrink, also your ear can change. If in doubt, make an appointment with your Audiologist to have your earmould checked.

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FITTING THE HEARING AID AND EARMOULD

The following pictures show the fitting of a LEFT hearing aid. Please use the opposite hand to that instructed if fitting a RIGHT hearing aid.

1. Hold the back edge of the mould between your LEFT thumb & index finger.

2. Use your RIGHT index finger to find the jawbone joint.

3. Take the mould back to touch the finger on the jawbone joint.

4. Slide the mould backwards until The canal insert part of the mould fits into your ear canal.

5. Twist the mould slightly backwards so that the top hook of the ear mould goes under the fold of skin at the top of your ear.

6. You may need to use your RIGHT hand to pull down on your ear lobe to fully insert the ear mould.

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7. Take your thumb away and use your finger to press the ear mould into your ear.

8. Check that the top hook of the ear mould is under the fold of skin at the top of your ear.

9. Your ear mould should now be in place.

10. Now lift the hearing aid over the top of your ear.

11. Then slide the hearing aid up and over the back of your ear.

12. You have now successfully Fitted your ear mould and hearing aid.

Your audiologist will provide you with a separate leaflet if you have been fitted with a slimtube.

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CHECK LIST During your hearing aid fitting appointment your Audiologist will need to explain a considerable amount of important information regarding the care and maintenance of your hearing aid(s). By reading this booklet and completing this page, your Audiologist will know on which areas to focus the most attention. Please look at the following list carefully and tick the box only if you have read and understood the relevant section. Your Audiologist will be able to explain in detail any of the sections listed below if required. Introduction Care and maintenance of your earmould/slimtube Replacement batteries Repair and service appointments Using your hearing aid with the telephone Loop systems Troubleshooting guide Please make a note of any additional questions that you may have here.

Your Audiologist will complete this section at your hearing aid(s) fitting appointment. RIGHT EAR

LEFT EAR

Model of hearing aid Mould type/vent and tubing Slimtube type/size Dome type/size

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