How do I know if the wire is optimal length?

Nera Pro RITE.

If I understand correctly the wires come in different lengths? My audi never did any objective measuring, I don’t know how they figure this out? Everyone is different right? I have 8mm open domes, they don’t pop out much so I don’t think “too short” is a problem, my question is are they long enough?

Is it is true that closer to the ear drum is better?

If yes, how do you know whether a little longer wire would be better?

What are the different lengths?

Just trying to learn as much as possible for optimum fit.

Thanks!

:slight_smile:

Within reason the closer to the eardrum the better, so yes to that question. A mm or two one way or the other will not make a significant difference however so don’t over think that issue.

And yes, some manufacturers have templates to establish wire length on RITE aids. I know Oticon does. You can get a wealth of info from Oticon’s “professional” website. http://www.pro.oticonusa.com/hearing-care-professionals/hearing-devices/performance/nera/product-literature.aspx

Your audi should have used the RITE measurement tool. It looks similar to this:
http://www.starkeyhearingtechnologies.com/inspirehelp/as/measure_RIC.png

Thanks!

She never measured anything.

If they are staying secure in the canal, and if there is not much/any excess wire that is not laying against the ear, then do you “think” I have a good fit? What are the increments for longer wires, one mm at a time 2, 5 ?

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I’ve been measured and was a “3” which was the standard size for an adult male at that time. I’d guesstimate the increment size at 3mm for each “step”. I’d guess a “1” would be for a younger child and a “5” would be for Shaquille O’Neal.

Thanks, your posts are very helpful as I learn about HA’s.

:slight_smile:

For about the first 6 months or so you will be learning more than you ever wanted to know. Then the aids will become old hat and just about the same as putting on your glasses or shoes. There is a lot to learn. And believe me most of it is your brain getting use to new sounds, and sounds that it was hearing very faintly that are now so much louder. Then by the time you are needing new aids again then it will be like getting nre glasses to you, if your hearing as changed then there will be minor adjustments but nothing major to deal with.

Today in the dr office there was this creek/chirp noise every so often & it drove me crazy trying to figure out what it was. It was a door hinge (out of my sight line) that would let out this one quick/loud chirp.

:slight_smile:

The wires come in different lengths, but length generally doesn’t affect how far into the ear canal the speaker goes but how far the distance is between the hearing aid and the ear canal. If it’s too long, the wire won’t lay flat against your head and if it’s too short it will pull on the top of your ear or the top of your ear canal. In my practice the majority of people are size 2, but I have some 3s as well with a rare 0, 1 or 4 thrown in. After you’ve done this for a while, you can eyeball the length, but they do have measurement tools available.

Thank you!

:slight_smile:

— Updated —

Thank you!

:slight_smile: