Once you’ve adapted to life with your hearing aid, it becomes an important part of your everyday regimen. The prospect of a malfunction can be distressing, as it causes not just a disturbance to daily life, but also a significant financial burden in the form of repair or replacement costs.
How to properly care for your hearing aid
Understanding what can damage your hearing aid and learning how to care for it properly will help you maintain its functionality and ensure it continues to enhance your quality of life.
Proper battery care
Your hearing aid’s functionality is highly dependent on its battery. Thus, it is essential to select the right batteries for your device. Consult with your audiologist to find out which battery type is most suitable for your specific hearing aid model.
It is just as significant to handle the batteries carefully. Oils, dirt, and moisture from your hands can contaminate the batteries, leading to potential damage.
Before replacing the battery, make sure your hands are clean and totally dry to prevent any moisture from getting into the device.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions meticulously, particularly regarding battery care. Power off your hearing aid when it’s not in use to preserve battery life and store it in a safe, dry place. Knowing the typical lifespan of a battery can also be quite helpful.
Make a note on your calendar each time you replace the battery, so you can estimate when it will require changing again. It’s important to have a fresh battery with you at all times, particularly when you are not at home, in order to prevent being left without power all of a sudden.
Minimize the risk of moisture damage
As electronic technology, hearing aids are vulnerable to moisture. Even minimal exposure can lead to damage or a total breakdown of the device. To safeguard your hearing aid, consider investing in a dehumidifier developed specifically for hearing aids. This device supplies a safe and dry environment for your hearing aid when not in use, protecting it from damage caused by excessive moisture.
To safeguard your hearing aid from moisture damage, it’s a good plan to take it out before taking part in activities that make you sweat heavily. However, consult your hearing specialist first, as removing your hearing aid during exercise, especially outdoors, may pose safety concerns by limiting your ability to hear environmental sounds like traffic or alarms. If possible, choose to exercise inside where it is safer to remove your hearing aid, and make sure to remove your device before bathing or swimming.
Also, avoid using hairspray, spray deodorants, and other aerosol items while using your hearing aid. Prolonged exposure to these products can cause harm to the device, as the moisture and chemicals they contain can accumulate and result in permanent degredation over time. In order to reduce exposure, use these types of products before putting in your hearing aids.
Prevent excessive ear wax accumulation
Although earwax plays a protective role by keeping dust, insects, and other foreign particles out of your ears, it can pose a challenge for your hearing aid. Earwax can accumulate in the device, causing it to breakdown. For proper maintenance, make an appointment with your audiologist or doctor to assess the amount of earwax accumulation and establish an individualized cleaning plan suited to your ears and hearing device.
Cleaning your ears safely is crucial– never insert foreign objects into your ear canal. Instead, allow warm water to stream into your ears during showers, which can help disperse and flush away some of the wax. Regular professional ear cleaning is also advisable. Even though this might be a bit of a hassle, it’s a minor problem compared to the disappointment and problems that can arise from a hearing aid that’s not working effectively 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 methods to ensure lasting reliability
Once you get used to wearing your hearing aids, they become a crucial facet of your daily routine, making it difficult to picture life without them. By incorporating a few basic safety strategies, you can protect your hearing aids from damage and maintain their reliability over the long run. 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 fulfilling lifestyle.
Schedule an appointment if you’re experiencing issues with your hearing aid or need to set up a regular maintenance appointment.