What would you do if your hearing aids quit working at a time when you most needed them. Like when you’re in an important meeting.
Nobody wants that to occur! Your hearing aids are an important investment in your hearing, happiness, and total health. Keeping them functioning at maximum condition lets you obtain the greatest possible benefits from them.
You can correctly care for your hearing aids and keep them working in top condition by following these 7 tips.
1. Understand The Instructions
Your hearing aids came with a manual explaining how to maintain them so that you can experience the best results. These manuals normally come with troubleshooting guides that will help you solve many technical difficulties.
If something isn’t functioning correctly, always check the manual first.
Any problems associated with the performance of your hearing aid should be covered in the manual. This is important even if you’ve had hearing aids before because your new devices may not work in the same manner. After all, there have been lots of advances in hearing aid technology in the last few years.
2. Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean
Bacteria like to use hearing aids as a breeding ground.
While there’s always some harmless bacteria on your skin, if you don’t wash your hands or thoroughly clean the hearing aids, it can lead to an infection.
Additional hearing problems can be the consequence of an ear infection. Most go away quickly, but some can cause irreversible damage.
After every use, wipe your hearing aids down with a dry cloth because bacteria bread faster on moist surfaces. You should never put your hearing aids in water. Disinfect them frequently with an alcohol-free wipe, being careful not to get it too wet.
Clean them carefully once every week, including any custom mold pieces.
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. Even high humidity can cause damage. Don’t keep them on the nightstand after cleaning.
Hearing aids lying on a surface in your home will collect dust that carries bacteria.
Keep your devices in a cool, dry place as outlined by the manufacturer’s guidelines. Before you go into the shower or bathe, make sure you take them out. Keep your hearing aids in another room during your shower because there will be moisture in the air.
Bring an umbrella with you if it’s raining.
Your battery might die faster because it has to make use of 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 blow dryer, sauna, or other extreme heat.
4. Avoid Draining The Battery
Keep your battery charged and bring a backup when you attend an important event.
When you take your hearing aids off to go to bed, turn them all the way off. Remove the batteries if you’re going to go for a long period without using your hearing aids. You’ll get more life from the battery this way, and you’ll avoid the chance of battery acid damaging the hearing aid’s fragile electronics.
You can substantially prolong the life of your batteries with this guidance but always carry a spare battery, just in case.
5. Get a Hearing Professional to Clean Your Ears
Anytime you’re inserting something into your ear, it will push a little bit of earwax into the canal. Voices will eventually start to sound muffled as this earwax accumulates. Make an appointment for a cleaning with your hearing specialist if your hearing seems dull and muted.
The removal process is simple with the correct tools. It should only be conducted by a trained professional with the expertise to take care of and service your hearing aids.
6. When You’re Inserting Your Hearing Aids, do it Over a Soft Surface
Don’t risk dropping your hearing aids in the sink or toilet. This can definitely lead to dropping the hearing aid and damaging it. Always insert your devices over a soft surface such as a bed, sofa, or a folded towel placed on a table or counter.
7. Contact a Specialist if You’re Not Experiencing Better Hearing
If you aren’t having the best experience with your hearing aids, don’t stop wearing them. There are solutions. Make an appointment to come see us.
The content of this blog is the intellectual property of MedPB.com and is reprinted here with permission.
The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive a personalized free hearing test and hearing loss consultation, call today to set up an appointment.
