Bicycle Helmets for Individuals Who Wear Hearing Aids
Looking for bicycle helmets that fit over hearing aids/BAHS/the Baha/BCHAs??? Try these two helmet websites:
Nutcase Helmets, www.nutcasehelmets.com
Many Cochlear Implant (CI) users are using this helmet that is accommodating for their hearing devices. There are two layers of padding in the nutcase helmet – one in integrated in the shell and the other velcros in and out – the Velcro pads can be moved, re-positioned or missing on that side to accommodate sound processors/hearing aids. Implant kids are using this for biking, skate boarding, etc…and I bet BAHA/BAHS kids can too!
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/tsg-introduce-complete-line-of-child-specific-evolution-helmets I tried one of these on at the hearing aid technology fair I attended at Children’s hospital. Notice how there is a cut out above the ear, unlike traditional bike helmets. I tried one of these helmets on and I was amazed at how much room was above the ear. This would make it so much easier to be active on a bike while being same at the same time because you can wear your BAHA/BCHA (implantable or on a soft band). The staff member who brought her hat in that I tried on wears a Cochlear implant herself.
Thanks. Melissa
Neighborhood Traffic Signs for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Neighborhood Deaf Child/Deaf Child at Play sign
Did you know that it is possible to obtain a traffic sign or street sign for your neighborhood through the city or county that you live in if you are concerned for the safety of your child when playing outside due to their hearing loss? Yes. Try it and see what happens. Not all cities and counties will provide a sign. However, many do. The first thing you would have to do is to contact your city/county and ask to speak with a traffic engineer. The traffic engineer will ask you to draw a picture of your street suggesting where you would like to have the street signs. The street signs may say “Deaf Child,” “Warning, Deaf Child at Play,” or “Hard of Hearing Child at Play.” Whatever the standard sign for this concern is will be offered. Send in your letter requesting the sign with the drawing of your street. Someone should get back to you informing you as to when the signs will be posted. The city/county will put the signs where they think they will go best. For example, if an existing pole is near where you suggesting putting the sign, the city/county will add the sign to that existing pole. Otherwise, they will add a new pole or sign with a pole. Call your city/county when you are done with the sign so that they may recycle it or use if for someone else. If you are trying to get a “Deaf Child” sign for your neighborhood and are told “no” by your city/county…try these tips: Contact your City Council along with a note from your doctor, go to your local news station with the situation and contact the ADA (the American Disabilities Act). This should definitely help. It is horrible to turn something away for a child – children, they are our future. * If your child is old enough and doesn’t like the sign bringing attention him/her being hard of hearing (from already being labeled at school, etc…), then listen to what our child is requesting and have the sign removed. Chances are, they are now old enough to watch out for themselves better than they were when you first requested the sign. The above image is an example of what a “Deaf Child” sign looks like.
Custom and Designer Soft Band Head Bands
Hi Everyone,
For anyone who has experienced head aches when wearing their BAHA soft band head band or that it often slips down too easily, visit the following websites for help on making your own head bands and purchasing accessories that can help you or your child wear your BAHAs easier and more comfortably:
Go to Baha Head Bands at and try what is called a block. Baha Head Bands also carries hats and other Baha accessories.
For custom head bands for bone anchored hearing devices:
Go to TayloredLivingHeadBands on Facebook at the following link https://www.facebook.com/tayloredlivingheadbands/
Go to The Baha Bowtique on Etsy or on Facebook.
Go to www.huggieaids.com for suede soft band head bands that may not slip as much or you may contact Huggie Aids Too at the below address:
Huggie Aids Too
Kerri A. Betterton
2120 S I-35 Service Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73129
Ph: 405 778-8022
Fax: 405 232-7848
Make your own head bands
Lean how easy it is to make your very own soft band head bands. The below instructions were submitted by our support group member, Kristin Logsdon. Kristin may be contacted at: a_k_logsdon@yahoo.com
Homemade soft band head bands
“Several people have posted about alternatives to the softband. I have made several of these and my daughter and nephew say they like them much better. It’s super simple. Go to the grocery or big box store and buy a pack of Goody Stay Fit headbands (in the hair accessories isle), they come in several colors and are either .5 inch or 1 inch wide. Measure your child’s head where you want to place the headband and then subtract 1-2 inches. Cut the headband (I usually cut at the seam), carefully use a seam ripper to remove the plastic piece off of your softband (this is in case your child doesn’t like it you can easily sew it back on), sew the plastic piece on the Goody band exactly like it is on the softband. I ad a tiny drop of super glue on the edges to keep them from fraying. These have elastic in them and do stretch out after a few months, but the cost is much cheaper then buying the softbands and the added comfort is worth it. For girls you can dress them up with a bow. Boys like them too because they come in boyish colors. I’m happy to make some for people if you are intimidated by even a little sewing 😉 just message me. Also add me as a friend and you can see pictures of my daughter wearing them.”
Accessories for BAHAs
BAHA sterile healing caps and other accessories, such as dryer kits and safety lines. If you can’t find information on Connevans, type BAHA Healing Cap in the search box and it will come up along with other optional accessories you may be interested in.
http://www.connevans.co.uk/store/viewProduct.do?id=2616715
Drying Kits, Safety Lines, and More
BAHA Covers
Ear Gear
Ear gear is a neopren-like cover that slips over a hearing aid or BAHA or any bone conduction osteo-integrated auditory device protecting it against sweat, moisture, dirt, and loss. Ear Gear even helps to keep eye glasses on better and from slipping.
Contact Info:
11651 McGowan Road
Lake Country, British Columbia
V4V 1J2
Canada
Tel: 1-250-766-1838
Toll Free US / Canada: 1-888-766-1838
International Tel: 00-1-250-766-1838
http://www.gearforears.com/
Batteries
Information on batteries: http://listen-up.org
You can purchase batteries for your hearing aid at Costco.
http://www.rayovac.com/Products/Hearing-Aid-Batteries/Retail-Hearing-Aid-Batteries-10-13-312-675.aspx
http://amazon.com Search for batteries.
Walgreens and CVS also have battery sales from time to time that can save you lots of money.
Cochlear Americas and Oticon Medical also have their own brand of batteries.
Ear Plugs
Ear Plugs for Ears During Swimming
http://www.swimoutlet.com/Ear_Nose_Plugs_s/333.htm
Another helpful Swimming Accessory by Finisinc.
Waterproof SwiMP3 Player
Using Bone Conduction audio transmission the SwiMP3 waterproof MP3 player provides the highest quality underwater sound without ear buds. 2GB of storage holds approximately 500 songs, or 30 hours of music. Swimmers can listen to music, audio books, podcasts and more, all with incredible clarity.
http://www.finisinc.com/
Hunting Ear Plugs or Protective Ear Plugs
Buy the orange putty-like ear plugs that you can mold to fit in your ear. You can buy them from most drug stores and convenient stores such Walmart, CVS, Longs Drug, and Walgreens or at http://www.earplugstore.com/silnatrubear.html
Ear Plugs for Airplane Use to Help Relieve Pressure
Ear Plane
Ear plugs called “Ear Plane” that can gently bend into narrow canals (such as for children’s ears) and help relieve cabin pressure while flying. These will help if you are concerned about pressure build up in the ear or if you already do have pressure build up in your ears when flying. These ear plugs can be purchased at Walmart, CVS, Longs Drug, or Walgreens. However, they usually carry adult sizes only in stock. For children’s sizes you can order them in advance on line.
http://www.onestepahead.com/Kids-Earplane-Ear-Plugs-For-Airplane-Travel.pro
Hearing Device Accessories
Hearing Direct
This company provides aids and alerting devices for the deaf and hard of hearing covering a wide range of hearing disability from mild to profound.
Watling House
East Anton Court
Andover
Hampshire
SP105RG
0800 032 130
www.HearingDirect.com
Head Phones/Ear Buds
Head Phones by Audio Bone
Audio Bone Headphones are a safer, more convenient way to listen to music.
Ear Buds can be uncomfortable and dangerous, because they block your ears. Audio Bone loops over your ear, and transmits stereo music through your bones directly to your inner ear.
With Audio Bone you can listen to your favorite music, but still hear everything going on around you.
Audio Bone is safer for your eardrums and more comfortable. Listen all day without hurting your ears.
http://www.audioboneheadphones.com/
Ph: 1-888-788-9088
AfterShokz Sport Head Phones
AfterShokz
VoxLinc, LLC
1801 Burnet Avenue, Suite 102
Syracuse, NY 13206
Ph: 315.218.0308
http://www.aftershokz.com
Far End Gear
Far End Gear, formerly known as One Good EarbudTM is the ideal way to safely listen to music, pod casts, audio books, and mobile calls while running, cycling, snowboarding, or working out at the gym. Our custom-designed earphone mixes both channels of sound from a stereo audio device into a single ear – enabling the wearer to maintain alertness in any environment.
In addition to its safety benefits, Far End Gear products can also allow individuals with a single-sided hearing impairment to finally enjoy fuller sound.
http://farendgear.com
Hearing Aids
Trans Ear
TransEar is an elegant, affordable, and effective answer to SSD. It looks like a conventional BTE (Behind-the Ear) hearing aid, but instead of simply amplifying sound, it relies on bone conduction to transmit the sound to the better ear.
TransEar is not the first bone conduction hearing aid, but it is the first to overcome Single Sided Deafness
- without surgery;
- without bulky headbands;
- without having to wear another hearing aid in the “good” ear
P.O. Box 1516
Johnson City, TN 37605
Ph: 1-888-382-9327
For Outside of North America 423-928-9060
E-mail: info@transear.com
http://www.transear.com/
Bone Bridge by Med El
Med El introduces the world’s first active bone conduction implant – the BONEBRIDGE™. With the Bonebridge, MED-EL complements its family of hearing implants and now offers the widest product range of hearing implants worldwide. This pioneering bone conduction implant enables sound transmission directly to the inner ear by means of bone conduction. It is a suitable solution for people, in whom sound cannot be transferred to the inner ear via the natural path of hearing through the outer and the middle ear.
The Bonebridge is a semi-implantable hearing system, in which the implant is positioned completely under the skin. The implant receives the signals from an external audio processor, which is worn comfortably under the hair.
With the Amadé BB audio processor, the Bonebridge features the latest signal processing technology for improved auditory experience. As the audio processor can be renewed, the Bonebridge system can also be upgraded with state-of-the-art technologies, even many years after the implant surgery.
http://www.medel.com/us/
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