What would you do if your hearing aids stopped working at a time when you needed them most. Such as in the middle of a phone call?
That’s not something anybody wants! It’s important to invest in hearing aids for your hearing, your happiness, and your overall health. You will get the greatest possible benefit from your hearing aids if you keep them functioning in peak condition.
The following are 7 tips to help you correctly care for your hearing aids and keep them operating in peak condition.
1. Become Familiar With The Instruction Manual
Your hearing aids included an instruction manual explaining how to take care of them to get the best results. Many technical problems you might be experiencing can be resolved by the trouble-shooting guides that are included with these manuals.
If something isn’t working properly, always consult the manual first.
Any problems involving the performance of your hearing aid should be addressed in the manual. This is important even if you’ve worn hearing aids before because your new devices may not function the same way. Obviously, hearing aid technology has progressed considerably in recent years.
2. Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean
Bacteria like to use hearing aids as a breeding ground.
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.
Additional hearing issues can be the consequence of an ear infection. Most are temporary, but some can cause permanent damage.
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, use an alcohol-free wet wipe to disinfect and clean them.
Clean them carefully once every week, including any custom mold pieces.
Routinely cleaning your hearing aids will help stop wax buildup on the earpiece.
3. Keep Your Hearing Aids Dry
Most hearing aids are not designed to get wet. They can even be damaged by high humidity. Don’t put them on the nightstand after cleaning.
Hearing aids will gather dust which contains bacteria if they are left lying on an open surface.
Store your devices in a cool, dry place as outlined by the manufacturer’s guidelines. Remember to take them out before you shower or take a bath. Keep your hearing aids out of the bathroom when you shower because there will be moisture in the air.
When it rains, carry an umbrella.
Always keep your charger with you because your battery could 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 bring a backup when you go to a significant event.
When you take your hearing aids off to go to sleep, turn them all the way off. If you’re not going to wear them for a prolonged length of time, always take out the battery. You’ll get more life out of the battery this way, and you’ll avoid the risk of battery acid damaging the hearing aid’s fragile electronics.
You can substantially extend 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
A little bit of wax is pushed into your ear canal each time you put your hearing aid in. If you let this earwax build up, it may eventually cause voices to sound muffled. If your hearing experience doesn’t seem correct, make an appointment with a hearing professional to check for excessive earwax accumulation.
With the right tools and know-how, it’s a simple process. A hearing professional should be the only person who conducts this procedure.
6. Put in Your Hearing Aids Over a Soft Surface
Don’t risk dropping your hearing aids in the sink or toilet. This can easily lead to dropping the hearing aid and breaking it. Always put in your devices over a soft surface like a bed, sofa, or a folded towel placed on a table or counter.
7. Contact a Specialist if You Aren’t Experiencing Improved Hearing
You need to keep wearing your hearing aids even if you aren’t currently having the best success. Your situation can be improved. Schedule an appointment to come see us for an exam.