6 Tips to Care for Your Hearing Health during COVID-19

Managing Hearing Loss under a New Circumstances

The world has adapted to a new norm within the past few months. Social distancing guidelines have been put in place, which has shut down restaurants, theaters, and other non-essential trades, in order to prioritize access to healthcare, food and medication.

Many have been forced to self-isolate, and keep a distance from others in order to flatten the curve of infections. Those with hearing loss must have access to functioning hearing aids during this crisis in order to communicate with others during this critical time. Here are some tips to maintain your hearing health:

1. Make an inventory. Be sure to have a supply of hearing aid batteries available. Purchase supplies from your hearing healthcare provider.  
2. Use curbside, no-contact services. Pure Sound will be providing drive up services only. Hearing aids should be placed in a new, clean Ziplock bag before handing them to one of our team members. Wait in your car until the device is returned to you.  
3. Remain connected to others. Talk to a friend or family member by phone or video chat. Let them know how you are doing, or if they can help in any way. 
4. Discover new technology to communicate with people. Most conversations are being held over the phone or through video calls. Talking to others in person now occurs while wearing a medical mask, so you may need other technology to communicate. There are speech-to-text apps: Live Transcribe (only for Android), Otter or Ava (for on demand captions), Boogie Board, or simply use a whiteboard and marker, or pen and paper for short messages. 
5. Have a backup pair of hearing aids. If your hearing aids stop working, and you cannot get them repaired, use Ear Machine. This is an app that lets you use your smartphone and headphones to amplify sound in real-time. 
6. Create a communication kit. If more medical care is needed, first call ahead. If you are told that you need to visit a doctor, bring your hearing aids, extra batteries or your charger, along with any other communication devices that you may have discovered. Make a placard sign to wear or display in your hospital room to remind medical staff about your hearing loss. Upon approval from staff members, bring a friend or loved one to help you communicate.   

These are challenging times for everyone. Make your hearing health a priority by staying in touch with your hearing healthcare professionals. Be creative, flexible, and open to trying new means of communication with technology. This can help to protect your hearing health, and keep you safe during these uncertain times. 

Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.

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