Once you’ve adapted to life with your hearing aid, it becomes an indispensable part of your everyday regimen. The likelihood of a malfunction can be unsettling, as it causes not just a disruption to daily life, but also a considerable monetary burden in the form of repair or replacement costs.
How to properly maintain your hearing aid
Understanding what can damage your hearing aid and knowing how to maintain it properly will help you maintain its functionality and ensure it continues to improve your quality of life.
Effective care of batteries
The effectiveness of your hearing aid depends significantly on its battery. As a result, choosing the correct batteries for your hearing aid is crucial. Consult with your audiologist to find out which battery type is most suitable for your specific hearing aid model.
It is equally significant to handle the batteries carefully. The natural oils, dirt, and moisture on your skin can transfer to the batteries and cause contamination, compromising their functionality and potentially leading to damage.
Always clean your hands before changing the battery, and make sure they are completely dried to prevent introducing moisture into the device.
Adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions meticulously, especially concerning battery care. Power off your hearing aid when it’s not being used to preserve battery life and store it in a secure , dry place. Familiarizing yourself with the battery’s normal lifespan is also worthwhile.
Note on your calendar when you change the battery, so you can anticipate when it needs to be replaced. To avoid being caught without power, always bring a spare battery with you, especially when you’re away from home.
Guard against moisture
As electronic devices, hearing aids are vulnerable to moisture. Even brief contact can bring about harm or total failure of the device. To protect your hearing aid, consider purchasing a dehumidifier developed specifically for hearing aids. 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 cause sweating, you might think about taking out your hearing aid to prevent moisture damage. Consult taking off your hearing aid to workout, especially outdoors, with your hearing specialist, as doing so could jeopardize your safety by decreasing your awareness of essential auditory cues, such as traffic noises or warning alarms. If possible, opt to exercise inside where it is safer to remove your hearing aid, and make sure to remove your device before showering or swimming.
Additionally, avoid using hairspray, spray deodorants, and other aerosol products while wearing your hearing aid. Prolonged exposure to these products can cause harm to the device, as the moisture and chemicals they contain can build up and lead to long-term degredation over time. Use these products before mounting your hearing aid to decrease exposure.
Control earwax buildup
Although earwax serves as a natural shield, shielding your ears from debris, dirt, and tiny insects, it can also hamper the proper performance of your hearing aid. Earwax can accumulate in the device, causing it to fail. 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.
Cleaning your ears safely is vital– never insert any objects into your ear canal. Instead, allow warm water to stream into your ears during showers, which can help disperse and wash away some of the wax. Routine professional ear cleaning is also advisable. While this might seem inconvenient, it’s significantly less troublesome than managing 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’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.
Simple steps for long-term dependability
After you’ve become familiar with wearing your hearing aids, they become an indispensable part of your life, making it hard to envision managing without them. By using a few simple safety measures, you can avoid damage and ensure your hearing aids remain reliable for years to come. Prioritize routine maintenance, store them safely, and handle them with care, ensuring you can continue to reap the benefits of improved communication and a more satisfying lifestyle.
Make an appointment if you’re experiencing issues with your hearing aid or need to schedule a regular maintenance appointment.