How would you deal with it if your hearing aid quit working at the worst possible time. Like in the middle of a phone call?
No one wants that to occur! It’s important to invest in hearing aids for your hearing, your happiness, and your overall health. You will get the greatest possible advantage from your hearing aids if you keep them working in peak condition.
The following are 7 tips to help you correctly care for your hearing aids and keep them operating in peak condition.
1. Read The Instructions
Your hearing aids came with a manual describing how to maintain them to experience the best results. These manuals frequently come with troubleshooting guides that will help you address many technical challenges.
Always check out the manual first if something isn’t working properly.
Any problems involving the performance of your hearing aid should be covered in the manual. This is important even if you’ve worn hearing aids before because your new devices may not work in the same manner. Obviously, hearing aid technology has progressed considerably in recent years.
2. Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean
Bacteria like to 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 result in an infection.
Further hearing problems can be the outcome of an ear infection. Most go away quickly, but some can cause permanent damage.
Bacteria favor damp surfaces, so wipe each hearing aid with a dry cloth before and after each use. Never put your hearing aids in water. Disinfect them regularly with an alcohol-free wipe, being mindful not to get it too wet.
Once each week, clean the hearing aid and any custom mold pieces thoroughly.
The earpiece will be free of any wax buildup with regular cleaning.
3. Keep Your Hearing Aids Dry
Most hearing aids are not made to get wet. Even high humidity can damage them. After cleaning, don’t keep them on the nightstand.
Hearing aids sitting on a surface in your home will accumulate dust that carries bacteria.
Follow the guidance 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 put them on the bathroom counter while getting ready.
When it rains, carry an umbrella.
Your battery may drain faster because it needs to use more energy in a moist environment, so you should always bring 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 spare battery at your child’s piano recital.
Turn your hearing aids completely off before you go to sleep. If you’re not going to wear them for a prolonged period of time, always take out the battery. You’ll get more life out of 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 extended by adhering to these suggestions but it doesn’t hurt to bring a spare along, just in case.
5. Get a Hearing Professional to Clean Your Ears
Anytime you’re inserting something in your ear, it will push a little bit of earwax inside the canal. If this earwax is allowed to build up, it may eventually cause voices to sound muffled. Set up an appointment for a cleaning with your hearing specialist if your hearing seems dull and muted.
With the correct tools and know-how, it’s a simple procedure. It should only be done by a trained professional with the expertise to service and care for your hearing aids.
6. Insert Your Hearing Aids Above a Soft Surface
Don’t chance dropping your hearing aids in the sink or toilet. This can definitely lead to dropping the hearing aid and damaging it. Always insert your devices over a soft surface such as a bed, sofa, or a folded towel placed on the kitchen table.
7. If You’re Not Experiencing Improved Hearing, Consult 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 to come see us.