Disabilities
Perspectives on Parenting©
by Nancy Lambert Davenport
Nancy Davenport's Column:
For Richardson News 04-18-99
Copyright Nancy Lambert Davenport 1999
"Tips On Using A Hearing Aid"
Although it has been many years, I can still picture my niece as a pre-schooler. Her blond hair outlined her bright, blue eyes as they flashed at her three older brothers, turning them all into jelly. The boys tossed her around like a football, but any activity always stopped so she could adjust her hearing aids for maximum benefit. Because she was profoundly deaf, she wore a small receiver in a tiny harness on her chest. In spite of the rough housing, she always managed to keep the harness clean, dry, and away from bumps and blows. Her mother delighted finally to have a little girl after three boys, often made certain the harness color matched her daughter's outfit.
Since one does not outgrow the need of hearing aids, they are still of great importance in my niece's life as an adult. She has long since graduated to aids in her ears and utilizes every bit of the residual hearing the aids make available. She lip reads amazingly and has learned to speak clearly in spite of her hearing loss. She is presently working on her PhD in English Literature and plans to teach on the college level.
Needless to say efficient use of her hearing aids are very important to her, and she knows aids are important to other people who use them. Because she has been through so many ups and downs in care of aids she wrote an article sharing what she has learned. Here are a few tips she gave:
- Always carry an "aid first aid" kit with batteries, tubes, ear hooks, and extra ear molds if you have them.
- Keep a back up hearing aid in good working order.
- Have a water proof case for trips to the pool or beach.
- Remind friends and family that hearing aids are fragile and please to keep away from them.
- Have at least a 2-year warranty for aids. Repairs are expensive.
- Teach young children to care for their own aids.
- Use older hearing aids or waterproof aids when you exercise and sweat.
- Keep pets away from aids. For some reason animals are often attracted to them.
- Dispose of batteries properly, so that small children cannot inadvertently ingest them.
- Recycle the batteries.
Knowing the household from which she came, I have a feeling that my niece learned most of these points the hard way - by having them happen to her. It was probably expensive for my sister, but from what I can tell my niece learned the lessons well. Now by sharing she is increasing the benefit.
Thank you to "Volta Voices", Pauline Newton, January/ February 1999.
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Nancy LambertDavenport
EMAIL: ndavenport@ticnet.com
URL: http://www.nancyldavenport.com