What would you do if your hearing aids stopped working at a time when you needed them most. Such as when you’re in an important meeting.
Nobody wants that to occur! Your hearing aids are a significant investment in your hearing, happiness, and general health. Keeping them functioning in peak condition lets you obtain the greatest possible benefits from them.
You can correctly care for your hearing aids and keep them functioning in peak condition by following these 7 tips.
1. Understand The Instructions
Your hearing aids included an instruction manual explaining how to take care of them to experience the best results. These manuals often include troubleshooting guides that will help you resolve many technical difficulties.
If something isn’t working correctly, always check the manual first.
Any issues associated with the performance of your hearing aid should be addressed in the manual. This is important even if you’ve had hearing aids before because your new devices may not work in the same manner. After all, there have been lots of advances in hearing aid technology in the last few years.
2. Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean
Hearing aids can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
While there’s normally some harmless bacteria on your skin, if you don’t wash your hands or properly clean the hearing aids, it can cause an infection.
Ear infections can cause additional hearing issues. Some of these problems are short lived but permanent damage can also occur.
Bacteria favor 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. Disinfect them regularly with an alcohol-free wipe, being careful not to get it too wet.
Once every week, clean the hearing aid and any custom mold pieces thoroughly.
The earpiece will remain free of any wax buildup with regular cleaning.
3. Keep Your Hearing Aids Dry
Most hearing aids are not designed to get wet. Even high humidity can cause damage. Don’t put them on the nightstand after cleaning.
Hearing aids sitting on a surface in your house will accumulate dust that carries bacteria.
Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Before you go into the shower or bathe, make sure you take them out. Leave your hearing aids out of the bathroom when you shower because there will be moisture in the air.
Bring an umbrella with you if it’s raining.
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.
Don’t allow your hearing aid to be exposed to extreme heat, such as a blow dryer or sauna, because that can also damage them.
4. Keep The Battery Charged
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 risk of battery acid damaging the hearing aid’s sensitive electronics.
The life of your battery can be substantially lengthened by following 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 insert your hearing aid. Voices will eventually begin to sound muted as this earwax builds up. Set up an appointment for a cleaning with your hearing professional if your hearing seems dull and muted.
With the right tools and know-how, it’s a simple procedure. An expert in hearing should be the only individual who performs this procedure.
6. Insert Your Hearing Aids Above a Soft Surface
Don’t chance dropping your hearing aids in the sink or toilet. Dropping and breaking 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. Contact a Specialist if You’re Not Experiencing Improved Hearing
If you aren’t having the best experience with your hearing aids, don’t discontinue wearing them. There are answers. Schedule an appointment to come see us for an exam.
