How would you handle it if your hearing aid quit working at the worst possible time. Such as in the middle of a phone call?
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 benefit from your hearing aids if you keep them functioning in peak condition.
You can properly take care of your hearing aids and keep them functioning in peak condition by implementing these 7 tips.
1. Understand The Instructions
Your hearing aids came with a manual explaining how to maintain them to experience the best results. Many technical challenges you may be experiencing can be sorted out by the trouble-shooting guides that are included with these manuals.
Always check out the manual first if something isn’t working correctly.
The manual should cover any problems related to the performance of your hearing aids. Newer hearing aids work differently than the older models so even if you’ve had hearing aids before this is important. After all, there have been lots of advances in hearing aid technology in the past few years.
2. Clean Your Hearing Aids
Bacteria often use hearing aids as a breeding ground.
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.
Ear infections can lead to additional hearing issues. Some of these issues are short lived but permanent damage can also take place.
After every use, wipe your hearing aids down with a dry cloth because bacteria bread more quickly on moist surfaces. You should never put your hearing aids in water. Taking care not to get them too wet, use an alcohol-free wet wipe to clean and disinfect.
Clean them carefully once per week, including any custom mold pieces.
Routinely cleaning your hearing aids will help stop wax buildup on the earpiece.
3. Keep Your Hearing Aids Dry
Most hearing aids are not made to get wet. They can even be damaged by high humidity. After cleaning, don’t leave them on the nightstand.
Hearing aids resting on a surface in your home will collect dust that contains bacteria.
Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Before you go into the shower or bathe, be sure you take them out. Moisture is still present in the air when you shower, so don’t put them on the bathroom counter when getting ready.
When it rains, take an umbrella.
Your battery may drain faster because it has to make use of more energy in a moist environment, so you should always carry your charger with you.
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 go to a significant event.
When you take your hearing aids off to go to sleep, turn them all the way off. If you plan on not wearing them for a prolonged duration, always take out the battery. You’ll get more life from the battery this way, and you’ll avoid the risk of battery acid damaging the hearing aid’s delicate electronics.
You can substantially prolong the life of your batteries with this guidance but always carry a spare battery, just in case.
5. Get a Hearing Professional to Clean Your Ears
Anytime you’re inserting something into your ear, it will push a little bit of earwax into the canal. Voices will eventually begin to sound distorted as this earwax builds up. If your hearing experience doesn’t seem right, schedule an appointment with a hearing professional to check for abnormal earwax accumulation.
With the correct tools and know-how, it’s a simple procedure. An expert in hearing should be the only individual who conducts this procedure.
6. Insert Your Hearing Aids Over a Soft Surface
Don’t risk dropping your hearing aids in the sink or toilet. This can definitely result in dropping the hearing aid and damaging it. Over a bed, couch, or soft folded towel would be a suitable place to put them in.
7. If You’re Not Experiencing Improved Hearing, Contact a Specialist
If you aren’t having the best experience with your hearing aids, don’t stop wearing them. Your situation can be improved. Schedule an appointment for a consultation.