How would you handle it if your hearing aid quit working at the worst possible time. Like 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 general health. Keeping them working at maximum condition allows you to obtain the greatest possible benefits from them.
The following are 7 steps to help you properly care for your hearing aids and keep them working at peak condition.
1. Read The Instructions
The best results will be attained when you make use of the manual that was included with your hearing aids. These manuals normally come with troubleshooting guides that will help you solve many technical challenges.
If something isn’t functioning correctly, always consult the manual first.
The manual should address any issues pertaining to the performance of your hearing aids. This is important even if you’ve worn hearing aids before because your new devices might not function the same way. Obviously, hearing aid technology has progressed substantially in recent years.
2. Clean Your Hearing Aids
Hearing aids can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
If you fail to clean and disinfect your hearing aids and wash your hands before you handle them, an ear infection can be the result.
Further hearing problems can be the consequence of an ear infection. Most are temporary, but some can cause permanent damage.
Bacteria favor moist surfaces, so clean each hearing aid with a dry cloth before and after every use. Water can ruin your hearing aid so keep them out of water. Being careful not to get them too wet, use an alcohol-free wet wipe to disinfect and clean them.
Clean them thoroughly once every week, including any custom mold pieces.
Routinely cleaning your hearing aids will help stop 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. Even high humidity can damage them. After cleaning, don’t put them on the nightstand.
Hearing aids will collect dust which contains bacteria if they are left lying on an exposed surface.
Follow the guidance of the manufacturer and keep them in a cool dry place. Before you go into the shower or bathe, be sure you take them out. Keep your hearing aids in another room when you shower because there will be moisture in the air.
When it’s raining, bring an umbrella.
Always keep your charger with you because your battery may drain faster if the air has moisture.
Heat can also damage hearing aids, so don’t expose them to a sauna, blow dryer, or other intense heat.
4. Keep The Battery Charged
Keep your battery charged and take a backup when you go to an important event.
Turn your hearing aids completely off before you go to sleep. If you’re not going to wear them for a prolonged period of time, always take out the battery. If you allow your hearing aids to sit for long periods of time with the battery in them, the life of the battery can be decreased and their sensitive electronics can be harmed by battery acid.
You can significantly prolong the life of your batteries with this guidance but always carry 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 inside the canal. 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 abnormal earwax buildup.
The removal procedure is simple with the right tools. An expert in hearing should be the only person who performs this procedure.
6. When You’re Putting in Your Hearing Aids, do it Over a Soft Surface
Taking the chance of dropping your hearing aid into the toilet or sink is really not worth it. This can definitely result in dropping the hearing aid and damaging it. Over a bed, couch, or soft folded towel would be a suitable place to put them in.
7. Consult a Specialist if You’re Not Experiencing Improved Hearing
You need to keep wearing your hearing aids even if you aren’t currently having the best success. There are answers. Schedule an appointment to come see us.