How would you deal with it if your hearing aid quit working at the worst possible moment. Such as when you’re in a crucial meeting.
Nobody wants that to happen! It’s important to invest in hearing aids for your hearing, your happiness, and your general health. Keeping them working in peak condition lets you obtain the greatest possible advantages from them.
The following are 7 steps to help you properly care for your hearing aids and keep them performing at peak condition.
1. Get to Know The Instruction Manual
Your hearing aids included an instruction manual outlining how to take care of them to experience the best results. Many technical challenges you might be experiencing can be resolved by the trouble-shooting guides that are in these manuals.
Always check out the manual first if something isn’t working correctly.
Any problems associated with the performance of your hearing aid should be covered in the manual. Newer hearing aids function differently than the older models so even if you’ve had hearing aids before this is important. Obviously, hearing aid technology has advanced substantially in recent years.
2. Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean
Hearing aids can provide a breeding ground for bacteria.
If you fail to clean and disinfect your hearing aids and wash your hands before you use them, an ear infection can be the result.
Additional hearing issues can be the outcome of an ear infection. Some of these problems are short lived but permanent damage can also occur.
After every use, wipe your hearing aids down with a dry cloth because bacteria bread faster on moist surfaces. Never put your hearing aids in water. Being careful 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.
Routinely cleaning your hearing aids will help prevent wax buildup on the earpiece.
3. Keep Your Hearing Aids Dry
Getting wet is not something that most hearing aids are made to do. They can even be damaged by high humidity. Don’t leave them on the nightstand after cleaning.
Hearing aids will collect dust which contains bacteria if they are left resting on an open surface.
Stay within the recommendations of the manufacturer and keep them in a cool dry place. 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 leave them on the bathroom counter while getting ready.
When it rains, carry an umbrella.
Your battery may drain faster because it needs to make use of more energy in a moist environment, so you should always bring your charger with you.
Don’t allow your hearing aid to be exposed to intense heat, like a blow dryer or sauna, because that can also damage them.
4. Keep The Battery Charged
Keep your battery charged and bring 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. Remove the batteries if you’re going to go for a long time without using your hearing aids. If you let your hearing aids sit for long time periods with the battery in them, the life of the battery can be diminished and their sensitive electronics can be damaged by battery acid.
The life of your battery can be substantially prolonged by adhering to these guidelines 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 inside the canal. Voices will eventually start to sound distorted as this earwax accumulates. Set up an appointment for a cleaning with your hearing professional if your hearing seems dull and muted.
With the right 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. When You’re Inserting Your Hearing Aids, do it Above a Soft Surface
Don’t risk dropping your hearing aids in the sink or toilet. 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. Contact a Specialist if You’re Not Experiencing Improved Hearing
You need to continue to wear your hearing aids even if you aren’t currently having the best success. Your situation can be enhanced. Schedule an appointment to come see us for a hearing test.