Hearing aid help

[2boyzmama]

Connor wears an iSense Micro http://www.phonak.com/us/b2c/en/prod...rs/isense.html He's doing great with it so far!! But we're having trouble keeping it on.

His ear canal is *barely* big enough for the part that goes in his canal, so it's important that we get just the right angle. The retention clip that goes in the "bowl" of his ear helps, but he has grade I/II microtia, so there's not as much cartilage there (he's missing the anti-helix completely, his helix is crimped, and the whole ear is "floppy"). http://www.microtia.net/webpages.asp?wpid=3

It was falling out repeatedly today, and we both got tired of messing with it. So I tried the toupee tape given to us. It worked great!!! Problem solved, right? But what about when I need to take it off of him? For example, we were out on a walk tonight, and there were sprinklers on and he and his brother wanted to splash around for a few minutes. I went to take his iSense off, and it hurt him to peel the toupee tape off Plus, when he was done playing in the water and I went to put it back on him, I no longer had the tape, and then it was falling out again.

How do you guys handle this? He doesn't wear an ear mold with it. We did get an oto clip for it so at least we won't lose it when it falls off! http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...5&id=634508169

[hdirks]

we have the same problem with Lani. Her ears are so floppy they fall off and when she had ear molds with her hearing aids they barely fit in her canals. VERY FRUSTRATING! The toupee tape works great but definitely pulls hair out. For her CI's i sewed elastic bands onto headbands that can hold the actual processer which works great for her. but probably wouldn't look so good on a little boy. sorry it's frustraing. BELEIVE me i know! You just gotta keep at it.

[fairejour]

I hear ya! The toupee tape worked for us, but it is horrible coming off. We ended up not using it because Miss Kat would try every time it had to come off. I would say only use it when you know the aid will stay on all day. If it's going to be coming on and off, just deal with it...sorry!

[~cassie]

Are earmolds and option for him? They were a lifesaver for us, I didn't realize how much they would help hold it on until we got them(about 6 mths back).

[2boyzmama]

Originally Posted by ~cassie

Are earmolds and option for him? They were a lifesaver for us, I didn't realize how much they would help hold it on until we got them(about 6 mths back).

The audiologist said we could if we have to, but she'd prefer not because it will block out environmental noise.

We did better Sunday, I think the trick is going to be getting just the right "curve" to the ear piece. It's moldable, so I can curve them however I need to. He's doing better about holding still to let me mess with it.

[~cassie]

Just a thought but will he wear a headband? Maybe like a sports headband that is made for athletics? You could maybe position it over it somehow to keep them on but not block out too much sound. Or maybe a tube lock that you can attach to the boot of the FM and then attach to the tip at the top?

[2boyzmama]

Originally Posted by ~cassie

Just a thought but will he wear a headband? Maybe like a sports headband that is made for athletics? You could maybe position it over it somehow to keep them on but not block out too much sound. Or maybe a tube lock that you can attach to the boot of the FM and then attach to the tip at the top?

We could try the headband if it is still a problem.

There's no boot...this is a stand-alone FM system, no hearing aid attached to it.

[ElsieLC]

Not a real solution, but wanted to say that if my daughter is playing in the water and will likely only get wet from above (like at a splash park) I just yank a hat with brim down tight on her head, and let the hat keep the water off the hearing aids. However, she's not a rambunctious boy; this might not work for you!

[2boyzmama]

Update...we're getting a mold next week. The audiologist called the company and they told her specifically which mold will help it stay without blocking sound!

[~cassie]

That's great! I love our molds, Aidan has been without his left ear mold for over a month b/c he broke it and I can tell a big difference since that one is always falling off.