How would you handle it if your hearing aid quit working at the worst possible time. Such as when you’re in a crucial meeting.
That’s not something anyone wants! It’s important to invest in hearing aids for your hearing, your happiness, and your general health. You will get the greatest possible benefit from your hearing aids if you keep them working at maximum condition.
The following are 7 tips to help you correctly care for your hearing aids and keep them operating in peak condition.
1. Understand The Instructions
The most beneficial results will be achieved when you make use of the manual that was included with your hearing aids. These manuals normally come with troubleshooting guides that will help you resolve many technical difficulties.
Always check out the manual first if something isn’t working properly.
Any problems associated with the performance of your hearing aid should be covered in the manual. 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 many changes in hearing aid technology in the past few years.
2. Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean
Bacteria like to use hearing aids as a breeding ground.
While there’s normally some harmless bacteria on your skin, if you don’t wash your hands or thoroughly clean the hearing aids, it can cause an infection.
Ear infections can trigger additional hearing trouble. Most go away quickly, but some can cause permanent damage.
Bacteria like moist surfaces, so clean each hearing aid with a dry cloth before and after every use. You should never put your hearing aids in water. Taking care not to get them too wet, utilize an alcohol-free wet wipe to disinfect and clean them.
Once a week, clean the hearing aid and any custom mold pieces thoroughly.
Regularly cleaning your hearing aids will help prevent wax buildup on the earpiece.
3. Don’t Allow Your Hearing Aids Get Wet
Most hearing aids are not designed to get wet. Even high humidity can cause damage. Don’t keep them on the nightstand after cleaning.
Hearing aids sitting on a surface in your home will accumulate dust that carries bacteria.
Keep 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. Leave your hearing aids in another room when you shower because there will be moisture in the air.
When it’s raining, bring an umbrella.
Your battery might die faster because it has 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, such as a blow dryer or sauna, because that can also damage them.
4. Avoid Draining The Battery
Keep your battery charged and take 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. Take out the batteries if you are going to go for a long 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 delicate electronics.
The life of your battery can be substantially prolonged by adhering to these guidelines 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 each time you put your hearing aid in. Voices will eventually start to sound muted as this earwax builds up. If your hearing experience doesn’t seem correct, make an appointment with a hearing professional to check for excess earwax accumulation.
The removal process is simple with the right tools. It should only be conducted by a trained professional with the expertise to take care of and service your hearing aids.
6. When You’re Putting in Your Hearing Aids, do it Above a Soft Surface
Taking the risk of dropping your hearing aid into the toilet or sink 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. If You’re Not Experiencing Improved Hearing, Talk To a Specialist
You need to continue to wear your hearing aids even if you aren’t currently having the best success. Your situation can be improved. Schedule an appointment to come see us for an exam.