How would you handle it if your hearing aid quit working at the worst possible time. Such as when you’re in an important meeting.
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 allows you to obtain the greatest possible advantages from them.
The following are 7 steps to help you properly care for your hearing aids and keep them working at peak condition.
1. Get to Know The Instruction Manual
Your hearing aids came with a manual explaining how to take care of them so that you can get the best results. Many technical difficulties you might be experiencing can be solved by the trouble-shooting guides that are included with these manuals.
If something isn’t working correctly, always consult the manual first.
The manual should address any problems pertaining to the performance of your hearing aids. This is important even if you’ve had hearing aids before because your new devices might not work the same way. After all, there have been lots of advances in hearing aid technology in the past few years.
2. Clean Your Hearing Aids
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 thoroughly clean the hearing aids, it can result in an infection.
Ear infections can cause further hearing problems. 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 ruin your hearing aid so keep them out of water. Taking care not to get them too wet, utilize an alcohol-free wet wipe to disinfect and clean them.
Once a week, clean the hearing aid and any custom mold pieces completely.
Regularly cleaning your hearing aids will help stop wax buildup on the earpiece.
3. Don’t Allow Your Hearing Aids Get Wet
Most hearing aids are not designed to get wet. Even high humidity can damage them. After cleaning, don’t keep them on the nightstand.
Hearing aids will accumulate dust which has bacteria if they are left resting on an open surface.
Follow the guidance of the manufacturer and store them in a cool dry place. Before you go into the shower or bathe, be sure you take them out. Leave your hearing aids out of the bathroom during your shower because there will be moisture in the air.
When it’s raining, take an umbrella.
Always keep your charger with you because your battery could drain faster if the air has moisture.
Don’t allow your hearing aid to be exposed to extreme heat, like a blow dryer or sauna, as that can also do damage to them.
4. Keep The Battery Charged
Don’t get caught without a spare battery at your nephew’s piano recital.
Turn your hearing aids completely off before you go to sleep. Remove the batteries if you are going to go for a long time period without using your hearing aids. 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 fragile electronics.
You can significantly extend the life of your batteries with this advice but always bring a spare battery, just in case.
5. Have Your Ears Cleaned Professionally
A little bit of wax is pushed into your ear canal every time you put your hearing aid in. If you let this earwax build up, it might eventually cause voices to sound muffled. If your hearing experience doesn’t seem correct, make an appointment with a hearing professional to check for excess earwax buildup.
With the correct tools and know-how, it’s a simple procedure. It should only be performed by a trained professional with the expertise to take care of and service your hearing aids.
6. Insert Your Hearing Aids Over a Soft Surface
Taking the risk of dropping your hearing aid into the toilet or sink is really not worth it. This can easily lead to dropping the hearing aid and damaging it. 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 Better Hearing
You need to continue to wear your hearing aids even if you aren’t currently having the best success. There are answers. Schedule an appointment to come see us for a hearing test.