American Legion offers ‘clean and test’ hearing aid program
Last Wednesday, American Legion Post 136 provided a “Hearing Aid Test and Clean” service for Pine Island residents. Jane A. Lopez, hearing aid specialist from Beltone, conducted the session.
Linda Lewis offered her two hearing aids for cleaning and testing.
“Sometimes people think they need new hearing aids but all they need to do is have their hearing aids cleaned and tested,” Lopez said. “You should generally have your hearing aids cleaned by a hearing healthcare professional every time you visit. Today I’m going to clean these with an alcohol wipe and I have this small vacuum to clean the hole.”
According to the Beltone website, neglecting, denying or ignoring hearing loss can hasten its progression. Conversely, treating hearing loss can dramatically slow its progression, and help you preserve your hearing for life.
High frequency hearing loss affects a large number of people. People with high frequency hearing loss will affect a person’s ability to understand speech. They can’t hear sounds like the letter “S,” “H” and “F.”
“We all hear stories about friends or relatives getting hearing aids that they are dissatisfied with,” Lopez said. “But hearing aid technology has progressed so much in recent years that if you got hearing aids just 3 to 5 years ago they have become almost antiques.”
“I went to the Veteran’s Administration six years ago for a hearing test,” Mark Bethel said. “They determined that there was a hearing deficiency and prescribed hearing aids. The problem I had with the hearing aids from the VA was whenever I drove my car the noise was so distracting it was impossible to drive.”
“Good hearing keeps you aware of your surroundings,” Lopez said. “We need to hear sirens in traffic to be safe drivers. The VA will replace your hearing aids every three years. You should check the serial number on the hearing aids the first two numbers will tell you the year they were manufactured. If they’re more than three years old you can get newer hearing aids. The technology has come a long way since then.”
Most professionals advise hearing aid patients to clean off and check devices daily to increase the longevity of the technology.