Once you’ve adjusted to life with your hearing aid, it becomes an important part of your everyday regimen. The idea of it breaking down can be daunting, not just because of the inconvenience but also due to the potential cost of repairs or replacements.
How to properly maintain your hearing aid
Understanding what can damage your hearing aid and knowing how to maintain it correctly will help you maintain its functionality and ensure it continues to improve your quality of life.
Proper battery maintenance
The effectiveness of your hearing aid relies greatly on its battery. Therefore, picking the appropriate batteries for your hearing aid is essential. Consult 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, jeopardizing their performance and potentially leading to damage.
Always wash your hands before swapping out the battery, and be certain they are thoroughly dried to prevent introducing moisture into the device.
Adhere closely to the manufacturer’s directions, especially regarding battery maintenance. 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 normal lifespan is also helpful.
Mark on your calendar when you replace the battery, so you can prepare for when it needs to be switched out. It’s crucial to have a spare battery with you at all times, specifically when you are not at home, in order to avoid being left without power all of a sudden.
Guard against moisture
As electronic technology, hearing aids are susceptible to moisture. Even brief contact can cause harm or total failure of the device. Safeguard your hearing aid’s functionality by purchasing a specialized drying device to maintain its functionality by getting rid of moisture. This device supplies a safe and dry environment for your hearing aid when not in use, protecting it from damage related to excessive moisture.
To protect your hearing aid from water damage, it’s a good idea to take it out before taking part in activities that make you sweat heavily. However, speak with your hearing specialist first, as removing your hearing aid during exercise, especially outdoors, might pose safety concerns by reducing your ability to hear environmental sounds like traffic or alarms. If possible, opt to exercise indoors where it is safer to take out your hearing aid, and make sure to remove your device before showering or swimming.
Also, avoid utilizing hairspray, spray deodorants, and other aerosol items while wearing your hearing aid. Extended exposure to these products can lead to harm to the device, as the moisture and chemicals they consist of can accumulate and result in permanent deterioration over time. Use these products before mounting your hearing aid to decrease exposure.
Manage earwax buildup
While earwax serves as a natural shield, protecting your ears from debris, dirt, and tiny insects, it can also hamper the proper functioning of your hearing aid. Earwax can build up in the device, causing it to fail. To control this, have your ears examined by your hearing specialist or physician to assess the level of earwax buildup and create an appropriate cleaning routine for both your ears and your hearing aid.
It is important to clean your ears safely and never put anything foreign into your ear canal. Instead, allow warm water to stream into your ears in the course of showers, which can help break up and wash away some of the wax. Regular professional ear cleaning is also recommended. While this might seem inconvenient, it’s significantly less problematic than dealing with a malfunctioning hearing aid caused by excessive earwax.
When it comes to cleaning your hearing aid, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
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 techniques to ensure lasting reliability
After you’ve become accustomed to 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 easy precautions, you can avoid damage and ensure your hearing aids continue to be dependable for years to come. Prioritize routine upkeep, store them safely, and handle them with care, ensuring you can continue to reap the benefits of improved communication and a more fulfilling lifestyle.
If you are having difficulties with your hearing aid or need to book a routine maintenance appointment, please arrange for a visit.