Once you’ve adjusted to life with your hearing aid, it becomes an important part of your everyday regimen. The likelihood of a malfunction can be distressing, as it poses not just a disturbance to everyday life, but also a considerable financial burden in the form of repair or replacement expenses.
How to properly care for your hearing aid
Comprehending what can damage your hearing aid and knowing how to care for it effectively will help you maintain its functionality and ensure it continues to improve your quality of life.
Practical care of batteries
The performance of your hearing aid relies greatly on its battery. Thus, it is essential to pick the right batteries for your device. Talk to your hearing specialist to figure out the best battery type for your model.
It is equally important to handle the batteries carefully. Oils, dirt, and moisture from your hands can contaminate the batteries, causing potential damage.
Always wash your hands before swapping out the battery, and make sure they are thoroughly dried to prevent introducing moisture into the device.
Adhere closely to the manufacturer’s directions, particularly regarding battery maintenance. To extend the battery life of your hearing aid, make sure to power it off when not wearing it and keep it stored in a secure, dry location. Familiarizing yourself with the battery’s typical lifespan is also beneficial.
Note 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 bring a spare battery with you, particularly when you’re away from home.
Guard against moisture
Hearing aids, being electronic devices, are susceptible to moisture. Even nominal exposure can result in damage or a total malfunction of the device. Safeguard your hearing aid’s performance by purchasing a specialized drying device to maintain its functionality by eliminating moisture. This device can safely store your hearing aid when it’s not in use, keeping it dry and free from moisture-related issues.
When engaging in physical activities that trigger sweating, you might think about removing your hearing aid to prevent moisture damage. Consult taking off your hearing aid to exercise, especially outdoors, with your hearing specialist, as doing so may jeopardize your safety by decreasing your awareness of important auditory cues, including traffic noises or warning alarms. If necessary, go with indoor exercise where it’s safer to be without your hearing aid, and always remember to take out your device before showering or going for a swim.
Also, avoid utilizing hairspray, spray deodorants, and other aerosol items while using your hearing aid. These products consist of moisture and chemicals that can accumulate on the device, causing long-term damage. In order to decrease exposure, use these types of products before putting in your hearing aids.
Prevent excessive ear wax accumulation
Although earwax serves as a natural barrier, shielding your ears from debris, dirt, and tiny insects, it can also interfere with the proper functioning of your hearing aid. The accumulation of earwax in the device can result in it not functioning correctly. To control this, have your ears checked out by your hearing specialist or physician to assess the level of earwax buildup and create an appropriate cleaning routine for both your ears and your hearing aid.
It is necessary to clean your ears safely and never put anything foreign into your ear canal. As opposed to that, let warm water enter your ears while you are showering. This can help in losening up and eliminating some of the earwax. Regular professional ear cleaning is also recommended. While this might seem inconvenient, it’s far less problematic than managing a malfunctioning hearing aid due to excessive earwax.
To properly clean your hearing aid, carefully adhere to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
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.
Easy methods to ensure lasting reliability
After you’ve become familiar with wearing your hearing aids, they become an essential part of your life, making it difficult to imagine managing without them. By applying a few basic safety strategies, you can protect your hearing aids from harm and maintain 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 satisfying lifestyle.
Schedule an appointment if you’re experiencing problems with your hearing aid or need to schedule a regular maintenance appointment.