Ms. Ears Questions and Answers

Questions about Hearing Aids from real people and answered by real audiologists.

• My father hearing is very poor. Does healthcare insurance (Medicare) cover hearing aids? Are on-line dealers better? Should he begin with a hearing test?
• What is a modular type hearing aid?
• How do I clean earwax out of ear molds?

QUESTION: My father's hearing has recently become very poor. I am curious to know what type of hearing aid would be best for him. Would his healthcare insurance (Medicare) cover it? Do on-line dealers have some sort of an advantage over local suppliers? Should he begin with a test to see how severe his hearing loss is and to find out what he truly needs?

ANSWER: Great questions! First, yes your father should go to a local hearing health care professional/audiologist and have his hearing tested. After his hearing test the audiologist will make recommendations about his hearing and what type of hearing aids may be needed. Insurance coverage varies by state/province. The audiologist can explain how this would work for your father.

Hearing aids must be custom fit for each individual's ear and hearing loss, so buying a hearing aid on-line can make it very difficult to get a good fit. Your father will also need follow-up, which is best provided by your local audiologist. As to the type of hearing aid that is best for your father, it will depend on the hearing loss and the hearing needs associated with his lifestyle. Sincerely, Ms. Ears

QUESTION: Do you know what a modular type hearing aid is? If you have a detailed explanation on this subject, I would appreciate it.

ANSWER: There are a number of different types of hearing aids. I will explain them all so you can better understand a modular type of hearing aid.

Body type hearing aid: Box shaped and about the size to fit in a shirt pocket with a large battery (AA) and a cord going up to the ear. A speaker with a custom fitted ear mold is worn in the individual's ear. Each model is produced on an assembly line, with each unit being the same. There are adjustments on the hearing aid to change tone and volume.

Behind-the-ear: A smaller hearing aid, sort of shaped like a banana, that fits behind the ear. There is a small tube that goes from the hearing aid into the ear where a custom ear mold is fit. Again, each model is produced on an assembly line, with each unit being the same. There are adjustments on the hearing aid to change tone and volume.

Custom Hearing Aid: A hearing aid that is custom built for an individual's ear and hearing loss. An ear impression is taken for a person's ear and the shell or case of the hearing aid is made, only fitting that ear. The circuit is built into this custom case and the components used produce a specific response for a particular hearing loss. This type of hearing aid can come in a number of sizes: In-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), completely-in-the-canal (CIC), and sizes in between.

Modular Hearing Aid: The older type of modular hearing aids consist of a module that includes the circuit, built to fit into a custom hearing aid shell. They come in different models that are mass-produced on an assembly line. There are adjustments on the module to change tone and volume. An impression of the individual's ear is used to make the shell, then the modular circuit is snapped into place. If the circuit breaks down, the module can be changed on the spot. One disadvantage is that the modules tend to be big and do not fit all ears.

There is a newer type of modular hearing aid that is a complete hearing aid with a foam boot that conforms to the ear. There again, the hearing aid is mass-produced with different models for different degrees of hearing loss. Sincerely, Ms. Ears

QUESTION: We have a 5yr. old foster daughter with LVAS. She wears hearing aids. How do I clean the earwax out of her ear molds?

ANSWER: I would think that your foster daughter is wearing BTE hearing aids. First you can use a dry towel or tissue to wipe down the ear mold. You could also use a small brush (like a toothbrush) to clean the mold. If the tube has lots of junk inside that you can't get out, check with the child's audiologist about taking the mold off and cleaning it in water. Don't get the hearing aid wet and you need to be sure you can put the mold back onto the hearing aid. Check with your hearing aid provider and I am sure they will show you how. Sincerely, Ms. Ears

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Here are some other great questions that real people have asked Ms. Ears.

• Assistive Listening Devices (Ald's)
• Cochlear Implants
• General Hearing, Impairment and Protection
• Ringing / Buzzing in the Ear (Tinnitus)
• Ear Blockages, Ear Wax and Ear Infections (Middle Ear, Swimmers Ears, etc.)
• Hearing Tests (Audiograms, Tympanograms, etc.)
• Audiologists, Dispensers, Clinics, Doctors, ENT's and Specialists
• Parents, Childcare and Teachers
• Hearing Disorders
• Miscellaneous Hearing Trivia

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