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The Best Masks for Hearing Aids…. By Dr. Richard Reikowski, Au.D

 

What’s the best style of mask for hearing aid wearers? This is quite important as the style of mask that fits directly behind the ears have created significant challenges and difficulties for patients wearing hearing aids. In fact, today I saw a patient that lost her hearing device as she removed her mask in the parking lot of a store. This creates quite a costly outcome and challenge with mask use. The majority of hearing aids fit today are the styles that are worn behind the ears, with a receiver wire coming down and into the ear canal. Wearing hearing aids with glasses, has added even greater challenges, especially with the need to use masks. We have found the best style of masks, for patients wearing this style of hearing aid, to use a style that ties in the back, below and above the ears, or with the use of a mask extender.  This allows for the upper tie of the mask to sit above the ears toward the top of the back of the head. When it’s removed, it can easily be pulled up and over the head and thus hang down below the chin, when not needed.

Another quite successful option is to use a mask extender. This attaches to the mask straps and thus bypasses the straps touching the ears. (see pictures) Both of these options allow for successful use of a mask without touching the ears. We hope this was helpful to you.


 

Written by:
Rich
Published on:
October 29, 2020
Thoughts:
10 Comments

Categories: 330-644-1932, Blog Categories Go Here, Cochlear Implant, Community Outreach, Educational, Hearing, Hearing Aids, Miscellaneous, New Technology, Patient care, Philosophy, Phone Numbers, Slider, TestimonialsTags: ASHA American Speech and Hearing Association, Audiologist, audiology, Cuyahoga County, Dr. Richard S. Reikowski, ear doctor, family hearing and balance center.cardinal hearing centers, Hearing Aids, Hearing Aids Summa Care, hearing doctor, hearing loss, Masks for hearing aids, Stark County, Summit County

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marie

    October 29, 2020 at 8:12 am

    Very helpful!

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    • Richard Reikowski

      October 29, 2020 at 8:55 am

      Glad that it was Mary!

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  2. Tiffany

    October 29, 2020 at 8:15 am

    Love the idea of the mask extenders!

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    • Richard Reikowski

      October 29, 2020 at 8:55 am

      I do as well Tiffany. Want to try them.

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  3. Dale Hansen

    October 29, 2020 at 8:43 am

    thank you.
    this is a very important topic

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    • Richard Reikowski

      October 29, 2020 at 8:55 am

      Right on Dale…very important topic.

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  4. Gail Reagan

    October 29, 2020 at 9:18 am

    That’s perfect!

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    • Richard Reikowski

      October 29, 2020 at 9:26 am

      Thank you Gail!

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  5. Kaylee Porter

    October 29, 2020 at 9:22 am

    The neck gaiter is also an off-ear style that I have seen others using.

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    • Richard Reikowski

      October 29, 2020 at 9:27 am

      Kaylee,
      Thank you for sharing this. Will check it out.

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