How would you handle it if your hearing aid quit working at the worst possible time. Like in the middle of a phone call?
That’s not something anyone wants! Your hearing aids are a significant investment in your hearing, happiness, and total health. Keeping them functioning in peak condition lets you obtain the greatest possible benefits from them.
The following are 7 tips to help you correctly care for your hearing aids and keep them operating in peak condition.
1. Become Familiar With The Instruction Manual
Your hearing aids included an instruction manual outlining how to take care of them so that you can experience the best results. These manuals normally include troubleshooting guides that will help you address many technical challenges.
Always check out the manual first if something isn’t working properly.
Any problems involving the performance of your hearing aid should be covered in the manual. This is important even if you’ve had hearing aids before because your new devices might not work the same way. Obviously, hearing aid technology has advanced considerably in recent years.
2. Clean Your Hearing Aids
Hearing aids can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
While there’s always some harmless bacteria on your skin, if you don’t wash your hands or thoroughly clean the hearing aids, it can lead to an infection.
Further hearing issues can be the outcome of an ear infection. Most go away quickly, but some can cause permanent damage.
After each use, wipe your hearing aids down with a dry cloth because bacteria bread more quickly on moist surfaces. Water can damage your hearing aid so keep them out of water. Disinfect them regularly with an alcohol-free wipe, being mindful not to get it too wet.
Clean them thoroughly once a week, including any custom mold pieces.
Routinely cleaning your hearing aids will help stop wax buildup on the earpiece.
3. Don’t Allow Your Hearing Aids Get Wet
Most hearing aids are not designed to get wet. They can even be damaged by high humidity. After cleaning, don’t put them on the nightstand.
Hearing aids will collect dust which contains bacteria if they are left lying on an exposed surface.
Store your devices in a cool, dry place in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Remember to take them out before you bathe or shower. Leave your hearing aids in another room when you shower because there will be moisture in the air.
Bring an umbrella with you if there’s rain in the forecast.
Always bring your charger with you because your battery could drain faster if the air has moisture.
Don’t allow your hearing aid to be exposed to extreme heat, like a blow dryer or sauna, as that can also damage them.
4. Avoid Draining The Battery
Don’t get caught without a spare battery at your child’s piano recital.
When you take your hearing aids off to go to bed, turn them all the way off. If you’re not going to wear them for an extended period of time, always remove the battery. You’ll get more life from the battery this way, and you’ll avoid the chance of battery acid damaging the hearing aid’s sensitive electronics.
The life of your battery can be significantly prolonged by following these guidelines but it doesn’t hurt to bring a spare along, just in case.
5. Have Your Ears Cleaned Professionally
A little bit of wax is pushed into your ear canal every time you put your hearing aid in. If you let this earwax build up, it might eventually cause voices to sound muffled. If your hearing experience doesn’t seem right, schedule an appointment with a hearing professional to check for abnormal earwax accumulation.
The removal procedure is simple with the right tools. An expert in hearing should be the only individual who performs this procedure.
6. When You’re Putting in Your Hearing Aids, do it Above a Soft Surface
Don’t chance dropping your hearing aids in the sink or toilet. Dropping and damaging your hearing aid becomes a realistic possibility in this situation. Always insert your devices over a soft surface such as a bed, sofa, or a folded towel placed on a table or counter.
7. If You Aren’t Experiencing Improved Hearing, Speak to a Specialist
If you aren’t having the best experience with your hearing aids, don’t discontinue wearing them. There are answers. Schedule an appointment to come see us.