Once you’ve adjusted to life with your hearing aid, it becomes an important part of your daily routine. The likelihood of a breakdown can be worrysome, as it causes not only a disruption to daily life, but also a significant financial burden in the form of repair or replacement costs.
How to properly take care of your hearing aid
Recognizing what can damage your hearing aid and knowing how to maintain it properly will help you maintain its performance and ensure it continues to enrich your quality of life.
Proper battery care
Your hearing aid’s performance is highly dependent on its battery. Thus, it is important to pick the appropriate batteries for your device. Talk to your hearing specialist to figure out the ideal battery variety for your model.
Handling the batteries with care is just as important. Oils, dirt, and moisture from your hands can contaminate the batteries, leading to potential damage.
Before replacing the battery, ensure your hands are clean and completely dry to keep any moisture from getting into the device.
Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines meticulously, especially concerning battery care. Turn off your hearing aid when it’s not being used to protect battery life and keep it in a safe, dry place. Familiarizing yourself with the battery’s typical lifespan is also helpful.
Make a note on your calendar each time you change the battery, so you can predict when it will require changing again. It’s important to have a spare battery with you at all times, specifically when you are not at home, in order to prevent being left without power unexpectedly.
Guard against moisture
Hearing aids, being electronic devices, are vulnerable to moisture. Even nominal exposure can lead to damage or a complete breakdown of the device. Protect your hearing aid’s functionality by purchasing a specialized drying device to maintain its functionality by eliminating moisture. This device can securely store your hearing aid when it’s not in use, keeping it dry and free from moisture-related issues.
To protect your hearing aid from water damage, it’s a good idea to take it out before taking part in activities that make you perspire heavily. However, speak with your hearing specialist first, as taking out your hearing aid during exercise, particularly outdoors, may pose safety concerns by reducing your ability to hear external sounds like traffic or alarms. If necessary, opt for indoor exercise where it’s safer to be without your hearing aid, and always remember to take out your device before showering or swimming.
Moreover, it is suggested to avoid using spray deodorants, hairspray, and any other aerosol products when your hearing aid is in your ear. Prolonged exposure to these products can lead to harm to the device, as the moisture and chemicals they consist of can build up and result in irreversible degredation over time. Apply these products before putting on your hearing aid to decrease exposure.
Manage earwax buildup
Although earwax serves as a natural barrier, protecting your ears from debris, dirt, and small insects, it can also hamper the proper performance of your hearing aid. Earwax can build up in the device, causing it to fail. 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 important to clean your ears safely and never put anything foreign into your ear canal. Alternatively, allow warm water to stream into your ears in the course of showers, which can help disperse and flush away some of the wax. Routine professional ear cleaning is also advisable. Though this might be a bit of a hassle, it’s a minor problem in comparison to the disappointment and problems that can occur from a hearing aid that’s not working properly due to a buildup of earwax.
To properly clean your hearing aid, carefully adhere to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
Different types of hearing aids may require different cleaning techniques, and using the wrong method could cause harm to 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.
Simple steps for long-term reliability
After you’ve become accustomed to wearing your hearing aids, they become an integral part of your life, making it hard to envision managing without having them. By using a few simple safety measures, you can prevent damage and ensure your hearing aids continue to be dependable for years to come. Prioritize regular upkeep, store them safely, and handle them with care, ensuring you can continue to reap the benefits of improved communication and a more fulfilling lifestyle.
Schedule an appointment if you’re experiencing issues with your hearing aid or need to set up a regular maintenance appointment.