After you have become familiar with wearing your hearing aid, it becomes a vital element of your everyday routine. The prospect of a malfunction can be worrysome, as it presents not only a disruption to daily life, but also a substantial financial burden in the form of repair or replacement costs.
How to best care for your hearing aid
By being aware of the potential threats that can damage your hearing aid and taking steps to care for it properly, you can preserve its performance and continue to enjoy the increased quality of life it provides.
Proper battery maintenance
The performance of your hearing aid relies substantially on its battery. Therefore, choosing the appropriate batteries for your device is essential. Discuss with your audiologist to find out which battery type is most suitable for your specific hearing aid model.
It is just as important to handle the batteries carefully. The natural oils, dirt, and moisture on your skin can pass on to the batteries and result in contamination, compromising their functionality and potentially leading to damage.
Always clean your hands before swapping out the battery, and be certain they are completely dried to prevent introducing moisture into the device.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions meticulously, especially concerning battery care. Turn off your hearing aid when it’s not being used to preserve battery life and store it in a safe, dry place. Knowing the typical lifespan of a battery can also be very handy.
Make a note on your calendar every time you change the battery, so you can estimate when it will need changing again. To avoid being caught without power, always carry a spare battery with you, especially when you’re away from home.
Guard against moisture
As electronic technology, hearing aids are vulnerable to moisture. Even brief contact can cause harm or total failure of the device. Protect your hearing aid’s performance by purchasing a specialized drying device to maintain its functionality by eliminating moisture. This unit supplies a safe and dry environment for your hearing aid when not in use, safeguarding it from damage related to excessive moisture.
When participating in physical activities that trigger sweating, you may consider removing your hearing aid to prevent moisture damage. Consult taking off your hearing aid to workout, particularly outdoors, with your hearing specialist, as doing so could compromise your safety by decreasing your recognition of essential auditory cues, such as traffic noises or warning alarms. If necessary, opt for indoor exercise where it’s safer to be without your hearing aid, and always remember to take out your device before showering or swimming.
Also, avoid utilizing hairspray, spray deodorants, and other aerosol items while wearing your hearing aid. Extended exposure to these products can cause harm to the device, as the moisture and chemicals they consist of can accumulate and lead to permanent deterioration over time. Apply these products before putting on your hearing aid to reduce exposure.
Control earwax buildup
While earwax serves as a natural shield, protecting your ears from debris, dirt, and small insects, it can also hamper the effective functioning of your hearing aid. Earwax can build up in the device, causing it to breakdown. For correct maintenance, make an appointment with your audiologist or doctor to evaluate the amount of earwax accumulation and develop a customized cleaning plan suited to your ears and hearing device.
It is necessary to clean your ears carefully and never put anything foreign into your ear canal. Instead of that, let warm water go into your ears while you are showering. This can help in losening up and eliminating some of the earwax. It is also recommended to have your ears cleaned regularly by a professional. While this might seem inconvenient, it’s much less problematic than dealing with a malfunctioning hearing aid caused by excessive earwax.
When it comes to cleaning your hearing aid, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Various kinds of hearing aids may need specific cleaning methods, and using an incorrect technique might damage your device. If you are uncertain about how to clean your hearing aid correctly, it is recommended to seek guidance from your hearing specialist or hearing aid manufacturer.
Simple steps for continued dependability
Once you get used to using your hearing aids, they become a crucial facet of your daily routine, making it hard to picture life without them. By implementing a few basic safety strategies, you can safeguard your hearing aids from harm and preserve their reliability over the long run. Routine maintenance, proper storage, and careful handling are essential to keeping your hearing aids in optimum condition, allowing you to keep enjoying the enhanced quality of life they supply.
Schedule an appointment if you’re experiencing problems with your hearing aid or need to set up a regular maintenance appointment.