How would you deal with it if your hearing aid quit working at the worst possible time. Such as when you’re in an important meeting.
Nobody wants that to occur! Your hearing aids are an important 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 working at peak condition.
1. Read The Instructions
Your hearing aids came with a manual explaining how to take care of them so that you can experience the best results. These manuals frequently come with troubleshooting guides that will help you address many technical difficulties.
Always check out the manual first if something isn’t working properly.
The manual should cover any issues related to the performance of your hearing aids. Modern hearing aids function differently than the older models so even if you’ve had hearing aids before this is important. After all, there have been lots of changes in hearing aid technology in the last few years.
2. Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean
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 problems can be the consequence of an ear infection. Most go away quickly, but some can cause lasting damage.
Bacteria like moist surfaces, so clean each hearing aid with a dry cloth before and after every use. Water can ruin your hearing aid so keep them out of water. Being careful not to get them too wet, use an alcohol-free wet wipe to disinfect and clean them.
Once every week, clean the hearing aid and any custom mold pieces thoroughly.
The earpiece will remain free of any wax buildup with frequent cleaning.
3. Don’t Let Your Hearing Aids Get Wet
Getting wet is not something that most hearing aids are designed to do. Even high humidity can cause damage. After cleaning, don’t keep them on the nightstand.
Hearing aids will gather dust which has bacteria if they are left resting on an exposed surface.
Store your devices in a cool, dry place according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Before you go into the shower or take a bath, make sure you take them out. Moisture is still present in the air when you shower, so don’t leave them on the bathroom counter when getting ready.
When it’s raining, take an umbrella.
Your battery may die faster because it needs to use more energy in a moist environment, so you should always bring your charger with you.
Don’t allow your hearing aid to be exposed to intense heat, like a blow dryer or sauna, as that can also damage them.
4. Keep The Battery Charged
Don’t get caught without a spare battery at your child’s concert.
When you take your hearing aids off to go to bed, turn them all the way off. Remove the batteries if you’re going to go for a long time period without using your hearing aids. 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.
You can significantly extend the life of your batteries with this advice but always carry a spare battery, just in case.
5. Have Your Ears Professionally Cleaned
A small amount of wax is pushed into your ear canal every time you insert your hearing aid. Voices will eventually start to sound muted as this earwax builds up. Make an appointment for a cleaning with your hearing professional if your hearing seems dull and muted.
The removal process is simple with the correct tools. It should only be done by a trained professional with the expertise to service and care for your hearing aids.
6. When You’re Putting in Your Hearing Aids, do it Over a Soft Surface
Don’t risk dropping your hearing aids in the toilet or sink. This can definitely lead to dropping the hearing aid and breaking it. Always insert your devices over a soft surface like a bed, sofa, or a folded towel placed on a table or counter.
7. Contact a Specialist if You Aren’t Experiencing Better Hearing
You need to keep wearing your hearing aids even if you’re not currently having the best success. Your situation can be improved. Make an appointment to come see us.