How would you deal with it if your hearing aid quit working at the worst possible moment. Such as when you’re in a crucial meeting.
No one wants that to happen! Your hearing aids are an important investment in your hearing, happiness, and overall health. You will get the greatest possible advantage from your hearing aids if you keep them functioning in peak condition.
The following are 7 steps to help you properly care for your hearing aids and keep them operating in peak condition.
1. Understand The Instructions
Your hearing aids included an instruction manual describing how to maintain them to experience the best results. These manuals frequently come with troubleshooting guides that will help you solve many technical difficulties.
Always check out the manual first if something isn’t working properly.
The manual should cover any issues pertaining to the performance of your hearing aids. This is important even if you’ve had hearing aids before because your new devices may not function the same way. Obviously, hearing aid technology has progressed considerably in recent years.
2. Clean Your Hearing Aids
Bacteria like to use hearing aids as a breeding ground.
If you fail to clean and disinfect your hearing aids and wash your hands before you use them, an ear infection can be the result.
Ear infections can cause additional hearing problems. Some of these issues are short lived but permanent damage can also happen.
Bacteria prefer damp surfaces, so clean each hearing aid with a dry cloth before and after every use. Never put your hearing aids in water. Disinfect them often with an alcohol-free wipe, being cautious not to get it too wet.
Once each week, clean the hearing aid and any custom mold pieces completely.
The earpiece will be free of any wax accumulation with regular cleaning.
3. Keep Your Hearing Aids Dry
Most hearing aids are not designed to get wet. Even high humidity can damage them. Don’t put them on the nightstand after cleaning.
Hearing aids will collect dust which contains bacteria if they are left sitting on an open surface.
Stay within the recommendations of the manufacturer and keep them in a cool dry place. Don’t forget to take them out before you shower or take a bath. Moisture is still present in the air when you shower, so don’t put them on the bathroom counter while getting ready.
Take an umbrella with you if it’s raining.
Your battery might die faster because it has to use more energy in a moist environment, so you should always carry your charger with you.
Heat can also damage hearing aids, so don’t expose them to a sauna, blow dryer, or other extreme heat.
4. Keep The Battery Charged
Don’t get caught without a backup battery at your nephew’s concert.
Turn your hearing aids completely off before you go to sleep. If you plan on not wearing them for an extended period of time, always take out the battery. You’ll get more life out of the battery this way, and you’ll avoid the risk of battery acid damaging the hearing aid’s sensitive electronics.
The life of your battery can be significantly prolonged by adhering to these recommendations 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 put your hearing aid in. Voices will eventually begin to sound muffled as this earwax builds up. If your hearing experience doesn’t seem correct, schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist to check for excess earwax buildup.
With the right tools and know-how, it’s a simple procedure. 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
Don’t risk dropping your hearing aids in the sink or toilet. Dropping and damaging your hearing aid becomes a realistic possibility in this situation. Over a bed, couch, or soft folded towel would be a suitable place to put them in.
7. If You Aren’t Experiencing Improved Hearing, Speak to a Specialist
If you’re not having the best experience with your hearing aids, don’t discontinue wearing them. Your situation can be enhanced. Schedule an appointment to come see us for a hearing test.
