It most likely seems like a simple thing to take care of your hearing aids. When you initially obtained your hearing aids, you most likely got a set of care instructions, after all. Most hearing specialists will give you a step-by-step how-to when it comes to routine hearing aid maintenance. Still, getting all of that information at once means you most likely didn’t remember some of it. So you still may be wondering, what should my cleaning routine look like? What about my service schedule? How can I get the most life out of my hearing aids?
These five, simple-to-follow tips can help give you some answers, as well as easy ways to help in maintaining your hearing aids so they work better longer.
Tip #1: Keep your hearing aids dry
Electronics typically don’t do well with moisture. Although your hearing aids might provide a certain degree of water resistance, you typically want to keep moisture away from them. Beyond the obvious, this means you need to do things like the following:
- Stay away from using hair products while you’re wearing your hearing aids. When you’re going to use hair spray or gel, take out your hearing aids. These kinds of products can really gunk up your devices.
- Keep a dehumidifier going during those more humid months. When it’s extremely humid, your hearing aids can have more dampness than you would want even inside. And the fragile electronics inside of your device can be compromised. If you want to get the most longevity out of your hearing aid as possible, get that dehumidifier going!
- Keep your hearing aids someplace dry and cool. Understanding the best way to store your hearing aids can be somewhat of a challenge for lots of individuals. Well, don’t, for example, store them in your bathroom (which gets nice and steamy at least once every day). It also helps to keep them in the same spot every day so you aren’t trying to figure out where they went. Also, cats love to play with hearing aids and dogs will occasionally try to eat them, so don’t just leave them lying around.
Tip #2: Check (and clean) those earwax filters
Earwax production is a normal and healthy thing for the human body to do. Hearing aid designers are well aware of this. The majority of contemporary hearing aids have features that are created to deal with a modest earwax production.
Your task is to make sure your hearing aids don’t become inundated with ear wax. This means examining and replacing the wax guards when necessary (and making that part of your hearing aid cleaning schedule). You can buy and use specialized cleaning tools for this, depending on your hearing aid model (ask us for guidance here).
What is the replacement schedule for earwax guards? Well, for the majority of models, it will be around once a month or so.
Tip #3: Keep your batteries charged and fresh
Your batteries keep your hearing aids working. Your hearing aid will last much longer if you keep your batteries fresh. The following are some tips for battery care:
- Don’t forget to shut off your devices when you aren’t wearing them. Or else, your battery will just sit there and drain. And that means your hearing aids might quit working when you really need them.
- Invest in a rechargeable hearing aid or a battery charger: That way, you won’t be throwing batteries (and money) away over and over again.
- Make certain all of the battery contacts and components are dry. If they are dirty or wet, you can make use of a clean, dry cloth to wipe them. As with electronics in general, moisture will result in a bad outcome here.
Tip #4: Wash your hands before handling your hearing aids
Your hearing aids are going to be in your ears most of the time. But they don’t get there by themselves. Your hands (which are required in order to handle your hearing aids) could be covered in all sorts of offending substances. Your hearing aids are sensitive devices by design, so crumbs aren’t really very good for them.
It’s essential that you don’t touch your hearing aids with dirty hands. So before you put in or take out your hearing aids, give your hands a quick wash.
Tip #5 Keep us in the loop
It might feel like, once you purchase your hearing aids, you can just forget all about your hearing specialist. Typically, though, this is not the situation. Here are a few very good reasons why scheduling routine appointments with us is still significant.:
- To help you calibrate your fit.
- To keep track of and monitor the progression of your hearing loss.
- Cleaning and maintenance.
What should you do when something breaks?
Occasionally, in spite of your best efforts, something goes wrong with your hearing aids (perhaps you accidentally step on them). When this happens, you should get in touch with us as quickly as possible.
If your hearing aid needs any repairs, or you need a new one, we can help with that.
Make an appointment with us today to talk about your current or next set of hearing aids.
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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.
