Jervis Bay Hearing Centre
Call us today!
Vincentia | 02 4441 8886
​Ulladulla | 02 4455 6000
  • Who are we
  • Hearing
    • Free Hearing Checks
    • Test Your Hearing HERE NOW >
      • Adult
      • Child
    • Device Maintenance Videos
    • Tinnitus
    • Communications Training
  • Hearing Aids
    • Overview
    • Choosing Your Device
    • Assistive Listening Devices
    • Hearing Care Products
    • Hearing Funds
    • Workers Compensation
  • Cochlear Implants
  • Hearing News
    • Hearing News Blog
    • FAQS
    • Hearing Research
    • Recruitment
    • Events Photo Gallery
  • Contact Us
  • Recruitment

The dog ate my hearing aid! Surprising ways people lose their hearing aids

13/6/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
People spend an average total of 2.5 days every year looking for lost belongings such as remote controls, mobile phones, car keys and eyeglasses, one survey indicates.

And while two-thirds of us annually spend as much as $50 to replace these items, the cost can be much higher for those who lose their hearing aids.

“It’s not as uncommon as you might think,” says Dr. Melissa Danchak, AuD, of Kos/Danchak Audiology and Hearing Aids in Arlington, Texas. “We usually see three or more people per month who lose their hearing aids. In January, I counted eight people who lost them.”

Her clinic dispenses as many as 50 hearing aid units each month. With each prescription, Dr. Danchak includes suggestions for keeping track of their new devices.


Good hearing aid habits is key

“Generally, people lose their hearing aids because they don’t develop a routine,” she said. “When I’m dispensing the hearing aids, I first tell them to wear their hearing aids all their waking hours. If they’re in their ears, they’re less likely to lose them. If the hearing aids are placed in their box/charger when they are removed, they won’t get lost. Developing good habits is important to prevent loss.”

That means taking a few extra steps, even if you’re tired and want to take a nap. It’s easy to knock the aids off a side table or counter and into the sink. Women should consider keeping a designated hearing aid container in their purses so they have a recognizable container to put them in when they take them out when not at home.

Those who don’t follow Dr. Danchak’s advice often lose their hearing aids—or find them in the most unlikely places.

“I had one man who stuck his hearing aids in his pocket along with his keys. When he pulled his keys out of his pocket, guess what happened?,” she said. “I had another patient who took out her hearing aid while she was reading and set it next to the peanuts she was eating. All of the sudden, she took a bite that crunched a bit differently. Fortunately, she didn’t swallow anything.”


Hearing aids end up in the strangest places

Hearing aids have been known to accidentally fall out of the ears, too. One patient told Dr. Danchak he found his hearing aid several months later in the bottom of his dishwasher while another said she retraced her steps and found her hearing aid in a parking lot. Remarkably, both units were unharmed and continued to work properly.

"The biggest thing I stress is to put the hearing aids in a safe place when they’re not in your ears — especially if you have a dog." 

But the biggest reason for hearing aid loss? Dr. Danchak said it’s because the family dog uses it as a chew toy. “That’s what we see the most often,” she said. "The biggest thing I stress is to put the hearing aids in a safe place when they’re not in your ears— especially if you have a dog. You may not have a dog, but if you visit a family member and they have a dog, remember that and be conscientious. And make sure the container closes really well. You don’t want your pet swallowing any part of a hearing aid.”


Watch your batteries, too

The tiny button batteries found in hearing aids and plenty of other devices can be tempting to pets and little children. If you suspect a child has swallowed a battery, immediately call 000.  As a local news station reported, these kind of incidences are on the rise, with more and more kids needing medical care after swallowing small objects. 


What to do if you lose your hearing aids

Of course, even the most diligent people can lose a hearing aid. If it happens to you, Dr. Danchak recommends checking with your provider to see if you can have a loaner while you look for your lost unit. But don’t look forever, she cautions. Although most homeowners’ insurance does not cover hearing aids, your devices are covered if they're under warranty for loss. And while replacement costs can be inconvenient, restoring your prescription sooner rather than later is important to your hearing health.

“How long they look for it depends on the circumstances,” Dr. Danchak said. “If they lost it at home, I tell them to give it a week before they replace it. If they lost it out and about, they should probably replace it immediately.”

So develop good habits about storing your hearing aids when they’re not in your ears, make sure they fit securely, and talk to your hearing health professional about any issues you may be having. Good hearing health habits begin by finding a hearing health practitioner you can trust and scheduling an annual hearing evaluation.



(Source: healthyhearing.com)
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    April 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    January 2015

    Categories

    All
    Hearing Blog
    Jervis Bay Hearing Centre
    Mollymook Ladies Golf
    Whats Up

    RSS Feed

Contact Us

Medical Referrals

Code of Conduct
Call us today!
Vincentia | 02 4441 8886
​Ulladulla | 02 4455 6000

Picture
Picture