What would you do if your hearing aids quit working at a time when you most needed them. Like in the middle of a phone call?
Nobody wants that to happen! Your hearing aids are a significant investment in your hearing, happiness, and overall health. Keeping them functioning in peak condition allows you to obtain the greatest possible benefits from them.
The following are 7 steps to help you correctly care for your hearing aids and keep them working at peak condition.
1. Read The Instructions
The best results will be attained when you make use of the manual that came with your hearing aids. Many technical challenges you might be having can be sorted out by the trouble-shooting guides that are included with these manuals.
Always check out the manual first if something isn’t working correctly.
Any problems associated with the performance of your hearing aid should be covered in the manual. This is important even if you’ve worn hearing aids before because your new devices may not work in the same manner. Obviously, hearing aid technology has advanced significantly in recent years.
2. Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean
Bacteria often use hearing aids as a breeding ground.
While there’s normally some harmless bacteria on your skin, if you don’t wash your hands or thoroughly clean the hearing aids, it can result in an infection.
Ear infections can lead to further hearing concerns. Most go away quickly, but some can cause lasting damage.
Bacteria favor moist surfaces, so clean each hearing aid with a dry cloth before and after each use. Water can damage your hearing aid so keep them out of water. Being careful not to get them too wet, utilize an alcohol-free wet wipe to disinfect and clean them.
Once every week, clean the hearing aid and any custom mold pieces thoroughly.
Regularly cleaning your hearing aids will help prevent wax buildup on the earpiece.
3. Don’t Allow Your Hearing Aids Get Wet
Getting wet is not something that most hearing aids are designed to do. They can even be damaged by high humidity. After cleaning, don’t put them on the nightstand.
Hearing aids will collect dust which contains bacteria if they are left sitting on an open surface.
Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry place in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. Remember to take them out before you shower or take a bath. Leave your hearing aids in another room during your shower because there will be moisture in the air.
Bring an umbrella with you if there’s rain in the forecast.
Always bring your charger with you because your battery may drain faster if there’s moisture in the air.
Don’t allow your hearing aid to be exposed to extreme heat, such as a blow dryer or sauna, as that can also do damage to them.
4. Keep The Battery Charged
Don’t get caught without a backup battery at your child’s concert.
Turn your hearing aids completely off before you go to sleep. Take out the batteries if you are going to go for a long time period without wearing your hearing aids. You’ll get more life out of the battery this way, and you’ll avoid the chance of battery acid damaging the hearing aid’s delicate electronics.
You can significantly prolong the life of your batteries with this guidance but always carry a spare battery, just in case.
5. Have Your Ears Cleaned Professionally
Anytime you’re putting something into your ear, it will push a small amount of earwax inside the canal. Voices will eventually start to sound distorted as this earwax accumulates. If your hearing experience doesn’t seem correct, make an appointment with a hearing specialist to check for excessive earwax accumulation.
The removal process is simple with the right tools. It should only be done by a trained professional with the expertise to take care of and service your hearing aids.
6. When You’re Putting in 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 bed, couch, or soft folded towel would be a suitable place to put them in.
7. Consult a Specialist if You’re Not Experiencing Improved Hearing
You need to keep wearing your hearing aids even if you’re not currently having the best success. Your situation can be enhanced. Schedule an appointment for a consultation.