How would you deal with 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 occur! Your hearing aids are a significant investment in your hearing, happiness, and general health. You will get the greatest possible benefit from your hearing aids if you keep them functioning at maximum condition.
The following are 7 steps to help you correctly care for your hearing aids and keep them operating in peak condition.
1. Read The Instructions
Your hearing aids included an instruction manual explaining how to maintain them to get the best results. Many technical problems you might be having can be solved by the trouble-shooting guides that are in these manuals.
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 had hearing aids before because your new devices might not function the same way. Obviously, hearing aid technology has progressed considerably in recent years.
2. Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean
Bacteria often use hearing aids as a breeding ground.
While there’s normally 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 issues can be the consequence of an ear infection. Most are temporary, but some can cause lasting damage.
After each use, wipe your hearing aids down with a dry cloth because bacteria bread faster on moist surfaces. Water can damage your hearing aid so keep them out of water. Taking care not to get them too wet, utilize an alcohol-free wet wipe to clean and disinfect.
Once every week, clean the hearing aid and any custom mold pieces completely.
The earpiece will remain free of any wax accumulation with regular cleaning.
3. Don’t Let Your Hearing Aids Get Wet
Most hearing aids are not designed 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 carries bacteria.
Keep your devices in a cool, dry place in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. Before you go into the shower or bathe, 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.
Bring an umbrella with you if it’s raining.
Your battery might drain faster because it has to make use of 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 sauna, blow dryer, or other intense heat.
4. Avoid Draining The Battery
Don’t get caught without a spare battery at your nephew’s piano recital.
Turn your hearing aids completely off before you go to bed. If you plan on not wearing them for an extended length of time, always remove 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 sensitive electronics.
You can substantially extend the life of your batteries with this guidance but always bring a spare battery, just in case.
5. Get a Hearing Professional to Clean Your Ears
Anytime you’re putting something in your ear, it will push a small amount of earwax into the canal. Voices will eventually begin to sound muffled as this earwax builds up. Set up an appointment for a cleaning with your hearing specialist if your hearing seems dull and muted.
The removal process is simple with the correct tools. It should only be conducted 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 toilet or sink. Dropping and breaking your hearing aid becomes a realistic possibility in this situation. Over a couch, bed, or soft folded towel would be a suitable place to insert them.
7. Consult a Specialist if You Aren’t Experiencing Improved Hearing
If you’re not having the best experience with your hearing aids, don’t stop wearing them. Your situation can be improved. Make an appointment to come see us for an exam.