What would you do if your hearing aids quit working at a time when you most needed them. Like when you’re in a crucial meeting.
No one wants that to occur! Your hearing aids are an important investment in your hearing, happiness, and total health. Keeping them working 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 outlining how to take care of them so that you can experience the best results. These manuals normally come with troubleshooting guides that will help you address many technical difficulties.
Always check out the manual first if something isn’t working correctly.
Any problems involving the performance of your hearing aid should be addressed in the manual. Newer hearing aids function differently than the older models so even if you’ve used 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
Bacteria like to use hearing aids as a breeding ground.
If you don’t clean and disinfect your hearing aids and wash your hands before you handle them, an ear infection can occur.
Ear infections can trigger further hearing issues. Most are temporary, but some can cause permanent damage.
Bacteria like moist surfaces, so clean each hearing aid with a dry cloth before and after every use. Water can damage your hearing aid so keep them out of water. Taking care not to get them too wet, use an alcohol-free wet wipe to clean and disinfect.
Once every week, clean the hearing aid and any custom mold pieces thoroughly.
The earpiece will be free of any wax buildup with frequent cleaning.
3. Keep Your Hearing Aids Dry
Most hearing aids are not designed to get wet. They can even be damaged by high humidity. After cleaning, don’t keep them on the nightstand.
Hearing aids sitting on a surface in your house will accumulate dust that contains bacteria.
Follow the recommendations of the manufacturer and keep them in a cool dry place. 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 while getting ready.
When it rains, carry an umbrella.
Always bring your charger with you because your battery could drain faster if there’s moisture in the air.
Heat can also cause damage to hearing aids, so don’t expose them to a blow dryer, sauna, or other extreme heat.
4. Avoid Draining The Battery
Keep your battery charged and bring a backup when you attend an important event.
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 a prolonged duration, always take out the battery. If you allow your hearing aids to sit for long periods of time with the battery in them, the life of the battery can be decreased and their delicate electronics can be damaged by battery acid.
The life of your battery can be substantially prolonged by following these suggestions but it doesn’t hurt to bring a spare along, just in case.
5. Get a Hearing Professional to Clean Your Ears
A little bit 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 accumulates. If your hearing experience doesn’t seem right, make an appointment with a hearing specialist to check for abnormal earwax accumulation.
The removal process is simple with the right tools. An expert in hearing should be the only individual who conducts this procedure.
6. Put in Your Hearing Aids Over a Soft Surface
Taking the risk of dropping your hearing aid into the sink or toilet is really not worth it. This can easily lead to dropping the hearing aid and damaging it. Always put in 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
If you’re not having the best experience with your hearing aids, don’t discontinue wearing them. Your situation can be improved. Make an appointment to come see us for a hearing test.