Tips and Tricks

Advice on how to do everyday activities with a Ponto

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Have you started planning your holiday yet? When travelling with a bone anchored hearing system like the Ponto, there are a few things you might want to consider. We’ve talked to some of our users and collected some travelling tips for you. 

 

When packing

Try to remember everything you need and place it in the right places to cover all eventualities, or carry them on your person.

You could pack two packs of batteries; one in the carry-on and the other in the checked luggage. Then you’re covered in case of baggage loss. Alternatively pack all your hearing necessities in your hand baggage.

Remember to pack any accessories or attachments you may need. Things like Streamers, dehumidifiers, charging units, and protective cases could be overlooked when packing, but you’ll be glad you have them when you are on the road! 

 

Security

Going through airport security as a Ponto user should not be much different than it would be for anyone else. The Ponto should not set off any alarms or cause any problems, however, you could be asked about it. Typically, security personnel just want to know about the Ponto and how it functions. It can be important to point out that your Ponto does not utilize a cellular signal. You might be asked to remove your processor and send it through the x-ray along with your carry-on items. This will not harm your processor, so no need to worry if you are asked to do this.

 

The in-flight experience

Wearing your Ponto on the plane is a personal preference, but there are a few things to think about before you stow away your bags. If you like to sleep during flights, for  example, you may want to take off your processor to be more comfortable.

If you would like to watch movies or listen to music, be sure to have extra batteries and accessories readily available. You can use the Oticon Medical Streamer or ConnectClip which utilize Bluetooth to listen to music or watch movies.

Because pressure drops do not affect a bone-anchored hearing system during take-off and landing, Ponto users should be able to hear rather normally in-flight.

 

When you are there

Climate is an important factor in caring for your device while you are away from home – as it is at home. A warm, humid climate will not harm your Ponto, but, as with any electronic device, it is best to avoid excessive moisture. Use of a drying tub can be helpful in high humidity. Contact your audiologist or Oticon Medical for more information.

 

And above all:

Do not forget to take off your processor before jumping in the pool or the ocean.

 

Safe travels and happy holiday

Wearing a mask with your sound processor(s)

  • If you have long hair, pull it back into a bun and loop the elastics around the bun.

  • Create a “mask extender” out of fabric or ribbon about 10cm long. Buttons sewn on either side allows for a place to put the elastic other than your ears.

  • Sew 2 large buttons onto a soft headband, placing the buttons to line up with each ear. Looping the elastic around each button will take the strain off your ears.

  • Use masks with string or ribbons that tie in the back. There are YouTube videos on creating masks that tie, which puts absolutely no pressure on the ears.

 

  • Speak slowly, clearly and at a normal volume.

  • Rephrase remarks when not understood.

  • Take turns when speaking.

  • Make sure sound processor users have them on.

  • Keep background noise in the room to a minimum.

  • Face each other (at a safe distance).

 

Wearing a bone anchored hearing device and a hat can sometimes be a tricky combination. Therefore, we have made a knitting pattern that will enable you to wear your Ponto all day and still stay warm!

 

“Ponto Cool” –  hat

  • Size: One-size, head circumference approx. 54-58 cm
  • Material: Wool, approx. 50g
  • Needles: Circular needles 3,5mm (40cm) and double pointed needles 3.5 mm
  • Worked in the round on circular needle, switch to double pointed needles when needed.
  1. Cast on 120 stitches on the circular needle.
  2. Work rib = K1 /P1 for 3cm.
  3. Continue in stockinet stitch.
  4. When piece measures 6 cm, decrease 2 stitches (this will be the hole for the processor).
  5. Continue round until you reach the place where the 2 stitches have been decreased. Reverse the piece and continue round from the wrong side with purl. 
  6. Again, continue until you come to the hole for your Ponto processor and turn the piece around again. Do this twice more – once more from the right side and once more from the wrong side.
  7. On the next round (right side) cast on 2 stitches (closing the hole for Ponto).
  8. Continue in stocking stitching.
  9. When piece measures 17 cm, insert 6 markers in the piece: Insert a marker at beginning of round, then with 20 stitches apart.
  10. On next round decrease 1 stitch on each side of every marker as follows: 
    After marker – slip, slip, knit 
    Before marker – knit two stitches together 
    Repeat decrease every round until 12 stitches remain.
  11. Cut the yarn and pull it through the remaining stitches, tighten tog and fasten. 
  12. Sew a few stitches around the hole for Ponto processor to make it even.
 

 


Advice from Kevin, Sandi and Aly - Bone Anchored Hearing System Users

Since the time I obtained my Ponto Plus and have posted about it on my social media platforms, I’ve received quite a few questions from new Ponto users about living with a Bone Anchored Hearing System (BAHS). One question that pops up often is how to get a haircut when you have a BAHS.

In my life before my Ponto I never really gave a second thought to visiting a barber shop or salon. But once I had an abutment protruding from the side of my head, I naturally became a little more hesitant when someone was holding a pair of scissors near it.

Here are a few tips I’d like to share based on my experiences and those of fellow BAHS users:

  1. Remove your processor - The most important thing to remember is to remove your BAHS before hopping in the barber chair. This immediately helps avoid any potential damage from scissors or clippers.

  2. Talk to your barber or stylist - If I’m not familiar with a barber, I always make sure I mention my abutment and explain what it is so they understand what they’re working with. Here’s what I tell them:
    • The piece is not at all fragile, as it is a part of my head 
    • Don’t use clippers under the attachment 
    • Don’t attempt to shave or brush over the abutment with clippers, trimmers, or brushes and combs

  3. If you dye your hair - Sandi, who dyes her hair advises paying extra attention to cleaning the area around the abutment as any residual dye can cause an infection.

  4. If you have long hair - Those with longer hair, like Aly, typically just need to make sure that their stylist is aware of the abutment, and to instruct them not to brush over the site.

  5. Heal up first - If your abutment is new, you’ll want to hold off on getting your haircut until the site is fully healed to avoid complications. Better safe than sorry! 

 

And that’s all it takes! A little awareness goes a long way and the results are great!