What would you do if your hearing aids stopped working at a time when you most needed them. Like when you’re in an important meeting.
No one wants that to occur! It’s important to invest in hearing aids for your hearing, your happiness, and your overall health. You will get the greatest possible benefit from your hearing aids if you keep them functioning at maximum condition.
The following are 7 tips to help you correctly care for your hearing aids and keep them performing at peak condition.
1. Read The Instructions
Your hearing aids included an instruction manual describing how to take care of them to experience the best results. These manuals often come with troubleshooting guides that will help you resolve many technical difficulties.
Always check out the manual first if something isn’t working properly.
The manual should address any issues pertaining to the performance of your hearing aids. Newer hearing aids work differently than the older models so even if you’ve had hearing aids before this is important. After all, there have been lots of advances in hearing aid technology in the past few years.
2. Clean Your Hearing Aids
Bacteria like to 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 properly clean the hearing aids, it can lead to an infection.
Further hearing issues can be the result of an ear infection. Most go away quickly, but some can cause irreversible damage.
After each use, wipe your hearing aids down with a dry cloth because bacteria bread more quickly on moist surfaces. You should never put your hearing aids in water. Disinfect them regularly with an alcohol-free wipe, being mindful not to get it too wet.
Once each week, clean the hearing aid and any custom mold pieces thoroughly.
The earpiece will be free of any wax accumulation with regular cleaning.
3. Don’t Let Your Hearing Aids Get Wet
Most hearing aids are not made to get wet. They can even be damaged by high humidity. After cleaning, don’t put them on the nightstand.
Hearing aids will accumulate dust which has bacteria if they are left resting on an open surface.
Stay within the guidance of the manufacturer and keep them in a cool dry place. Before you go into the shower or bathe, be sure you take them out. Leave your hearing aids out of the bathroom during your shower because there will be moisture in the air.
When it’s raining, take an umbrella.
Your battery might die faster because it has to use more energy in a moist environment, so you should always carry your charger with you.
Heat can also damage hearing aids, so don’t expose them to a sauna, blow dryer, or other extreme heat.
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 bed. Take out the batteries if you’re going to go for a long time without using your hearing aids. If you allow your hearing aids to sit for long periods of time with the battery in them, the life of the battery can be decreased and their delicate electronics can be harmed by battery acid.
You can significantly extend the life of your batteries with this advice but always bring a spare battery, just in case.
5. Have Your Ears Cleaned Professionally
Anytime you’re putting something in your ear, it will push a little bit of earwax inside the canal. If you let this earwax build up, it might eventually cause voices to sound muted. Set up an appointment for a cleaning with your hearing professional if your hearing seems dull and muted.
With the right tools and know-how, it’s a simple procedure. It should only be conducted by a trained professional with the expertise to service and care for your hearing aids.
6. When You’re Putting in Your Hearing Aids, do it Over a Soft Surface
Don’t chance dropping your hearing aids in the sink or toilet. Dropping and breaking your hearing aid becomes a substantial possibility in this situation. Always put in your devices over a soft surface like a bed, sofa, or a folded towel placed on the kitchen table.
7. Consult a Specialist if You’re Not Experiencing Better Hearing
If you aren’t having the best experience with your hearing aids, don’t discontinue wearing them. There are answers. Make an appointment to come see us.