After you have become familiar with wearing your hearing aid, it becomes an essential element of your daily schedule. The prospect of a malfunction can be unsettling, as it poses not just a disturbance to everyday life, but also a considerable monetary burden in the form of repair or replacement expenses.
How to properly take care of your hearing aid
Recognizing what can damage your hearing aid and knowing how to maintain it correctly will help you maintain its functionality and ensure it continues to improve your quality of life.
Proper battery maintenance
Your hearing aid’s performance is highly dependent on its battery. Therefore, selecting the appropriate batteries for your device is crucial. Consult with your hearing specialist to figure out the best battery type for your model.
Handling the batteries with care is equally important. The natural oils, dirt, and moisture on your skin can pass on to the batteries and cause contamination, compromising their performance and potentially leading to damage.
Always wash your hands before changing the battery, and make sure they are thoroughly dried to prevent introducing moisture into the device.
Adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines diligently, especially regarding battery care. Turn off your hearing aid when it’s not being used to preserve battery life and keep it in a safe, dry place. Familiarizing yourself with the battery’s typical lifespan is also beneficial.
Mark on your calendar when you replace the battery, so you can prepare for when it needs to be switched out. To avoid being stuck without power, always carry a spare battery with you, especially when you’re away from home.
Protect against moisture
Hearing aids, being electronic devices, are vulnerable to moisture. Even minimal exposure can result in damage or a complete breakdown of the device. To protect your hearing aid, think about purchasing a dehumidifier developed specifically for hearing aids. This device supplies a safe and dry environment for your hearing aid when not in use, safeguarding it from damage caused by excessive moisture.
When engaging in physical activities that cause sweating, you may consider taking out your hearing aid to prevent moisture damage. However, consult your hearing specialist first, as removing your hearing aid during exercise, particularly outdoors, might pose safety concerns by reducing your ability to hear external sounds like traffic or alarms. If possible, opt to work out inside where it is safer to take out your hearing aid, and make sure to remove your device before bathing or swimming.
Moreover, it is suggested to refrain from using spray deodorants, hairspray, and any other aerosol products when your hearing aid is in your ear. These products consist of moisture and chemicals that can build up on the device, leading to long-term damage. In order to decrease exposure, use these kinds of products before putting in your hearing aids.
Prevent excessive ear wax accumulation
While earwax serves as a natural barrier, shielding your ears from debris, dirt, and tiny insects, it can also interfere with the effective performance of your hearing aid. Earwax can build up in the device, causing it to malfunction. To control this, have your ears examined by your hearing specialist or doctor to evaluate the level of earwax buildup and create an appropriate cleaning routine for both your ears and your hearing aid.
It is important to clean your ears safely and never put anything foreign into your ear canal. Alternatively, allow warm water to stream into your ears in the course of showers, which can help disperse and wash away some of the wax. Routine professional ear cleaning is also recommended. While this may seem inconvenient, it’s much less problematic than managing a malfunctioning hearing aid due to excessive earwax.
When it comes to cleaning your hearing aid, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Different types of hearing aids may require different cleaning techniques, and using the wrong method could cause harm to your device. If you’re unsure about the proper cleaning method, consult your hearing specialist or hearing aid provider to ensure you’re taking the correct steps to protect your device from earwax damage.
Basic steps for long-term dependability
After you’ve grown accustomed to wearing your hearing aids, they become an indispensable part of your life, making it hard to envision managing without having them. By applying a few simple safety measures, you can protect your hearing aids from damage and preserve their reliability over the long term. Prioritize routine upkeep, store them safely, and handle them with care, ensuring you can continue to reap the benefits of enhanced communication and a more fulfilling lifestyle.
If you are having troubles with your hearing aid or need to book a routine maintenance appointment, please arrange for a visit.