What would you do if your hearing aids stopped working at a time when you most needed them. Such as when you’re in a crucial meeting.
That’s not something anybody wants! It’s important to invest in hearing aids for your hearing, your happiness, and your general health. You will get the greatest possible advantage from your hearing aids if you keep them functioning at maximum condition.
The following are 7 steps to help you correctly care for your hearing aids and keep them working at peak condition.
1. Become Familiar With The Instruction Manual
Your hearing aids included an instruction manual describing how to take care of them so that you can experience the best results. These manuals usually include troubleshooting guides that will help you solve many technical challenges.
Always go to the manual first if something isn’t working correctly.
The manual should cover any issues related to the performance of your hearing aids. Newer hearing aids function differently than the older models so even if you’ve used hearing aids before this is important. Obviously, hearing aid technology has progressed significantly in recent years.
2. Clean Your Hearing Aids
Hearing aids can be 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.
Ear infections can trigger additional hearing concerns. Most are temporary, but some can cause irreversible damage.
Bacteria like moist surfaces, so wipe each hearing aid with a dry cloth before and after every use. Water can damage your hearing aid so keep them out of water. Taking care 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.
Regularly cleaning your hearing aids will help stop 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. After cleaning, don’t leave them on the nightstand.
Hearing aids will collect dust which has bacteria if they are left lying on an exposed surface.
Adhere to the recommendations of the manufacturer and store 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’s raining, carry an umbrella.
Always keep your charger with you because your battery could drain faster if the air has moisture.
Heat can also cause damage to hearing aids, so don’t expose them to a blow dryer, sauna, or other extreme heat.
4. Keep The Battery Charged
Don’t get caught without a spare battery at your child’s piano recital.
When you take your hearing aids off to go to bed, turn them all the way off. Take out the batteries if you’re going to go for a long period without using your hearing aids. If you allow your hearing aids to sit for long time periods with the battery in them, the life of the battery can be decreased and their sensitive electronics can be damaged by battery acid.
The life of your battery can be substantially lengthened by following these recommendations but it doesn’t hurt to bring a spare along, just in case.
5. Have Your Ears Cleaned Professionally
Anytime you’re putting something in your ear, it will push a little bit of earwax inside the canal. If this earwax is allowed to build up, it might eventually cause voices to sound muted. If your hearing experience doesn’t seem correct, schedule an appointment with a hearing professional to check for abnormal earwax buildup.
With the correct tools and know-how, it’s a simple process. It should only be conducted 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 chance dropping your hearing aids in the sink or toilet. This can easily lead to dropping the hearing aid and breaking it. Over a couch, bed, or soft folded towel would be a suitable place to put them in.
7. Talk to a Specialist if You’re Not Experiencing Improved Hearing
If you’re not having the best experience with your hearing aids, don’t stop wearing them. There are answers. Make an appointment to come see us.