After you have become familiar with using your hearing aid, it becomes a vital element of your daily routine. The prospect of a breakdown can be distressing, as it causes not just a disturbance to everyday life, but also a considerable financial burden in the form of repair or replacement expenses.
How to best take care of your hearing aid
Being aware of what can damage your hearing aid and knowing how to care for it correctly will help you maintain its performance and ensure it continues to enrich your quality of life.
Practical care of batteries
The effectiveness of your hearing aid relies substantially on its battery. As a result, selecting the appropriate batteries for your hearing aid is crucial. Discuss with your audiologist to find out which battery type is most suitable for your specific hearing aid model.
Handling the batteries with care is just as important. The natural oils, dirt, and moisture on your skin can pass on to the batteries and result in contamination, compromising their functionality and potentially leading to damage.
Prior to switching out the battery, ensure your hands are clean and totally dry to keep any moisture from entering the device.
Adhere directly to the manufacturer’s instructions, especially pertaining to battery upkeep. Power off your hearing aid when it’s not being used to preserve battery life and store it in a safe, dry place. Familiarizing yourself with the battery’s typical lifespan is also helpful.
Make a note on your calendar every time you replace the battery, so you can predict when it will require changing again. To avoid being stuck without power, always carry a spare battery with you, especially when you’re away from home.
Minimize the risk of moisture damage
Hearing aids, being electronic devices, are vulnerable to moisture. Even nominal exposure can result in damage or a complete breakdown of the device. Protect your hearing aid’s functionality by purchasing a specialized drying device to preserve its functionality by getting rid of 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 safeguard your hearing aid from moisture damage, it’s a good plan to take it out before participating in activities that make you perspire heavily. Consult taking off your hearing aid to exercise, particularly outside, with your hearing specialist, as doing so may compromise your safety by decreasing your awareness of essential auditory cues, such as traffic noises or warning alarms. If possible, choose to exercise inside where it is safer to remove your hearing aid, and make sure to remove your device before showering or swimming.
Moreover, it is suggested to refrain from using spray deodorants, hairspray, and any other aerosol products when your hearing aid is in use. These products consist of moisture and chemicals that can accumulate on the device, resulting in long-term damage. Apply these products before putting on your hearing aid to reduce exposure.
Prevent excessive ear wax accumulation
Although earwax plays a protective role by keeping dust, insects, and other foreign debris out of your ears, it can present a problem for your hearing aid. The buildup of earwax in the device can lead to it not functioning properly. To control this, have your ears checked out by your hearing specialist or physician to evaluate the level of earwax buildup and create an appropriate cleaning routine for both your ears and your hearing aid.
It is necessary to clean your ears carefully and never put anything foreign into your ear canal. Instead, allow warm water to flow into your ears in the course of showers, which can help break up and wash away some of the wax. Routine professional ear cleaning is also advisable. Though this might be a bit of a hassle, it’s a trivial issue in comparison to the frustration and problems that can occur from a hearing aid that’s not functioning properly due to a buildup of earwax.
To properly clean your hearing aid, carefully adhere to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
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.
Easy methods to ensure lasting dependability
After you’ve grown familiar with wearing your hearing aids, they become an integral part of your life, making it difficult to imagine managing without having them. By taking a few basic safety measures, you can avoid damage and ensure your hearing aids continue to be dependable for years to come. Routine maintenance, proper storage, and cautious handling are essential to keeping your hearing aids in optimal condition, allowing you to continue enjoying the improved quality of life they provide.
Schedule an appointment if you’re experiencing issues with your hearing aid or need to schedule a regular maintenance appointment.
