How would you handle it if your hearing aid stopped working at the worst possible moment. Like in the middle of a phone call?
No one wants that to happen! It’s important to invest in hearing aids for your hearing, your happiness, and your general health. Keeping them functioning in peak condition allows you to obtain the greatest possible benefits from them.
You can correctly care for your hearing aids and keep them functioning in peak condition by implementing these 7 tips.
1. Read The Instructions
The best results will be attained when you use the manual that came with your hearing aids. Many technical problems you might be experiencing can be resolved by the trouble-shooting guides that are included with these manuals.
If something isn’t working correctly, always check the manual first.
The manual should cover any problems pertaining to the performance of your hearing aids. This is important even if you’ve had hearing aids before because your new devices might not function the same way. After all, there have been many advances in hearing aid technology in the past few years.
2. Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean
Hearing aids can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
If you don’t clean and disinfect your hearing aids and wash your hands before you use them, an ear infection can be the result.
Further hearing problems can be the outcome of an ear infection. Most are temporary, but some can cause irreversible damage.
Bacteria favor moist surfaces, so clean each hearing aid with a dry cloth before and after every use. You should never put your hearing aids in water. Taking care not to get them too wet, use an alcohol-free wet wipe to disinfect and clean them.
Once a week, clean the hearing aid and any custom mold pieces completely.
Routinely cleaning your hearing aids will help prevent wax buildup on the earpiece.
3. Don’t Let Your Hearing Aids Get Wet
Getting wet is not something that most hearing aids are designed to do. Even high humidity can damage them. 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 recommendations of the manufacturer and keep them in a cool dry place. Before you go into the shower or take a bath, be sure you take them out. Moisture is still present in the air when you shower, so don’t leave them on the bathroom counter when getting ready.
When it’s raining, take an umbrella.
Always keep your charger with you because your battery could drain faster if the air has moisture.
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
Keep your battery charged and bring a backup when you go to an important event.
Turn your hearing aids completely off before you go to bed. Remove the batteries if you’re going to go for a long time period without wearing your hearing aids. If you let your hearing aids sit for long time periods with the battery in them, the life of the battery can be decreased and their sensitive electronics can be damaged by battery acid.
The life of your battery can be substantially extended by following these suggestions but it doesn’t hurt to bring a spare along, just in case.
5. Get a Hearing Professional to Clean Your Ears
Anytime you’re putting something in your ear, it will push a small amount of earwax inside the canal. If you let this earwax build up, it may eventually cause voices to sound muted. Schedule 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. An expert in hearing should be the only person who performs this procedure.
6. Put in Your Hearing Aids Above a Soft Surface
Taking the risk of dropping your hearing aid into the toilet or sink is really not worth it. Dropping and breaking your hearing aid becomes a substantial possibility in this situation. Over a bed, couch, or soft folded towel would be a suitable place to insert them.
7. Consult a Specialist if You Aren’t Experiencing Better Hearing
You need to continue to wear your hearing aids even if you aren’t currently having the best success. Your situation can be enhanced. Make an appointment to come see us for an exam.