What would you do if your hearing aids quit working at a time when you most needed them. 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 total 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 working in peak condition by implementing these 7 tips.
1. Read The Instructions
Your hearing aids came with a manual outlining how to maintain them so that you can get the best results. These manuals normally come with troubleshooting guides that will help you address many technical difficulties.
If something isn’t functioning correctly, always check the manual first.
Any issues associated with the performance of your hearing aid should be covered in the manual. Modern 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 many changes in hearing aid technology in the past few years.
2. Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean
Hearing aids can provide a breeding ground for bacteria.
While there’s always some harmless bacteria on your skin, if you don’t wash your hands or properly clean the hearing aids, it can result in an infection.
Further hearing issues can be the consequence of an ear infection. Most go away quickly, but some can cause permanent damage.
Bacteria favor damp surfaces, so clean each hearing aid with a dry cloth before and after each use. Water can ruin your hearing aid so keep them out of water. Being careful not to get them too wet, utilize an alcohol-free wet wipe to disinfect and clean them.
Clean them thoroughly once per week, including any custom mold pieces.
Routinely cleaning your hearing aids will help prevent wax buildup on the earpiece.
3. Don’t Allow Your Hearing Aids Get Wet
Getting wet is not something that most hearing aids are made to do. They can even be damaged by high humidity. Don’t put them on the nightstand after cleaning.
Hearing aids will gather dust which contains bacteria if they are left lying on an exposed surface.
Follow the recommendations 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 when getting ready.
When it rains, bring 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 cause damage to hearing aids, so don’t expose them to a blow dryer, sauna, or other intense heat.
4. Avoid Draining The Battery
Don’t get caught without a backup battery at your child’s piano recital.
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 period of time, always take out the battery. If you allow your hearing aids to sit for long time periods with the battery in them, the life of the battery can be diminished and their sensitive electronics can be harmed by battery acid.
The life of your battery can be significantly extended by adhering to these recommendations but it doesn’t hurt to bring a spare along, just in case.
5. Have Your Ears Cleaned Professionally
Anytime you’re putting something into your ear, it will push a little bit of earwax into the canal. Voices will eventually start to sound muffled as this earwax accumulates. If your hearing experience doesn’t seem right, make an appointment with a hearing specialist to check for abnormal earwax buildup.
The removal process is simple with the correct tools. It should only be done by a trained professional with the expertise to service and care for your hearing aids.
6. When You’re Inserting Your Hearing Aids, do it Over a Soft Surface
Taking the risk of dropping your hearing aid into the toilet or sink is really not worth it. Dropping and breaking your hearing aid becomes a realistic possibility in this scenario. 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, Talk To a Specialist
If you aren’t having the best experience with your hearing aids, don’t stop wearing them. There are solutions. Make an appointment to come see us for an exam.