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.
No one wants that to happen! Your hearing aids are an important investment in your hearing, happiness, and overall health. Keeping them working in peak condition lets you obtain the greatest possible advantages from them.
You can properly care for your hearing aids and keep them functioning in peak condition by following these 7 tips.
1. Become Familiar With The Instruction Manual
The most beneficial results will be achieved when you make use of the manual that came with your hearing aids. Many technical challenges you may be experiencing can be resolved by the trouble-shooting guides that are included with these manuals.
If something isn’t functioning properly, always check the manual first.
Any issues associated with 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 might not work the same way. Obviously, hearing aid technology has advanced significantly in recent years.
2. Clean Your Hearing Aids
Bacteria often 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 cause an infection.
Ear infections can lead to additional hearing problems. Most go away quickly, but some can cause irreversible damage.
Bacteria prefer damp surfaces, so wipe each hearing aid with a dry cloth before and after every use. You should never put your hearing aids in water. Taking care not to get them too wet, use an alcohol-free wet wipe to disinfect and clean them.
Once every week, clean the hearing aid and any custom mold pieces thoroughly.
The earpiece will remain free of any wax buildup with frequent cleaning.
3. Keep Your Hearing Aids Dry
Most hearing aids are not designed to get wet. They can even be damaged by high humidity. Don’t put them on the nightstand after cleaning.
Hearing aids lying on a surface in your home will collect dust that contains bacteria.
Store your devices in a cool, dry place according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. 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.
When it’s raining, take an umbrella.
Always keep your charger with you because your battery may 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, because that can also do damage to them.
4. Keep The Battery Charged
Keep your battery charged and take a backup when you go to an important event.
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 let your hearing aids sit for long periods of time with the battery in them, the life of the battery can be diminished and their delicate electronics can be damaged by battery acid.
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 Professionally Cleaned
A little bit of wax is pushed into your ear canal every time you insert your hearing aid. If you let this earwax build up, it might eventually cause voices to sound muffled. Schedule an appointment for a cleaning with your hearing professional if your hearing seems dull and muted.
The removal procedure is simple with the correct tools. A hearing professional should be the only individual who performs this procedure.
6. When You’re Putting in Your Hearing Aids, do it Over a Soft Surface
Taking the risk of dropping your hearing aid into the sink or toilet is really not worth it. This can definitely result in dropping the hearing aid and damaging it. Always put in your devices over a soft surface like a bed, sofa, or a folded towel placed on the kitchen table.
7. Consult a Specialist if You Aren’t Experiencing Better Hearing
If you’re not having the best experience with your hearing aids, don’t stop wearing them. There are solutions. Schedule an appointment to come see us.
