It’s important to wear your hearing aids correctly in order for them to be most effective (and to avoid that annoying whistling). Learn how to put on behind-the-ear and in-the-ear hearing aids. With a little bit of practice, you'll be a pro in no time.
- What to do before you start
- How to identify your left and right hearing aids
- How to place a BTE hearing aid on your ear
- How to remove a BTE hearing aid
- How to place an ITE hearing aid in your ear
- How to remove an ITE hearing aid
Before you start
IMPORTANT: Always verify the tip or dome is pushed all the way on before inserting into your ear canal. Otherwise, it may detach when removing it from your ear.
For behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids, you can do this by making sure the end of the tubing is visible through the opening of the ComfortTIP.
For in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids, you can do this by making sure the dome is pushed all the way on the ridges on the tip of the hearing aid.
How to identify your left and right hearing aids
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids
If you have two hearing aids, they may be tuned differently for each ear and should not be swapped.
To identify the left and right hearing aid, hold them upright in each hand with the controls facing you. The tubing and tips point toward each other when in the correct hand.
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids
Each aid is shaped specifically for either the right or left ear canal. They are marked with an R for your right ear and an L for your left ear.
How to place a BTE hearing aid on your ear
- Gently insert the ComfortTIP™ into your ear canal.
- Place the body of the hearing aid behind your ear. The curve of the thin tubing should rest on top of your ear comfortably (next to eyeglasses if you wear them).
- Tuck the stabilizer bar in the outer bowl of the ear. You may trim it to suit the size of your ear.
- Pull back on your ear and push on the curve of the tubing in order to push the ComfortTIP into your ear canal.
When finished, the ComfortTIP should sit snugly in your ear canal and the tubing should be flush (or close to flush) with the side of your head.
Please note: Whistling may occur if the tip is not properly inserted in your ear.
How to remove a BTE hearing aid from your ear
To remove a BTE hearing aid, hold the tubing near the entrance to your ear canal and gently pull the ComfortTIP out of your ear. You may need to rock the ComfortTIP from side to side in order to remove it from your ear canal. Once the ComfortTIP is out of your ear, the body of the hearing aid will naturally come off the back of your ear.
How to place an ITE hearing aid in your ear
MDHearing offers three in-the-ear hearing aids: the NEO, the NEO XS, and the NEO XS PRO. The insertion process is the same—the only difference is the size/shape of the hearing aid and where it rests in your ear canal once inserted. As smaller hearing aids, the NEO XS and NEO XS PRO will sit slightly further in the ear canal than the NEO.
How to insert the NEO XS and NEO XS PRO
How to insert the NEO
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Hold the hearing aid with the removal string at the bottom and begin to insert the aid into your ear canal. Avoid touching the microphone to prevent whistling.
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Gently pull your ear upward and outwards, and push the hearing aid into your ear canal. The aid should follow the natural curve of your ear canal.
IMPORTANT: Prevent the aid from going too far in your ear canal. The aid will come to a natural stopping point in your ear. Do not try to push further than this.
Please note: Whistling may occur if the tip is not properly inserted in your ear.
How to remove an ITE hearing aid from your ear
To remove an ITE hearing aid, simply hold on the removal string and gently pull the hearing aid up and out of your ear canal.
Please see your User Manual for more information.
Looking for more resources?
- How will hearing aids look on my ear?
- How does an ITE compare to a BTE?
- What if my hearing aid doesn't fit my ear well?
- Can I wear eyeglasses with a hearing aid?