After you have become accustomed to wearing your hearing aid, it becomes an essential element of your daily routine. The prospect of a malfunction can be unsettling, as it poses not just a disturbance to everyday life, but also a substantial financial burden in the form of repair or replacement costs.
How to best take care of your hearing aid
By understanding the prospective threats that can damage your hearing aid and taking steps to care for it properly, you can preserve its performance and continue to enjoy the improved quality of life it provides.
Practical upkeep of batteries
Your hearing aid’s functionality is heavily dependent on its battery. Thus, it is important to select the appropriate batteries for your device. Talk to your hearing specialist to determine the best battery variety for your model.
Handling the batteries with care is equally important. The natural oils, dirt, and moisture on your skin can transfer to the batteries and result in contamination, jeopardizing their performance and potentially causing damage.
Before switching out the battery, make sure your hands are clean and completely dry to keep any moisture from getting into the device.
Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines diligently, especially concerning battery care. Turn off your hearing aid when it’s not in use to protect battery life and store it in a safe, dry place. Knowing the average lifespan of a battery can also be very handy.
Make a note on your calendar each time you change the battery, so you can estimate when it will require changing again. To avoid being caught without power, always bring a spare battery with you, especially when you’re away from home.
Minimize the risk of moisture damage
Hearing aids, being technological devices, are vulnerable to moisture. Even minimal exposure can result in damage or a total malfunction of the device. To protect your hearing aid, think about purchasing a dehumidifier designed specifically for hearing aids. This device provides a safe and dry atmosphere for your hearing aid when not in use, protecting it from damage caused by unwanted moisture.
To safeguard your hearing aid from moisture damage, it’s a good idea to take it out before participating in activities that make you sweat heavily. Having said that, consult your hearing specialist first, as taking out your hearing aid during exercise, especially outdoors, might pose safety concerns by limiting your ability to hear external sounds like traffic or alarms. If possible, opt to work out indoors where it is safer to take out your hearing aid, and make sure to remove your device before bathing or swimming.
Additionally, avoid utilizing hairspray, spray deodorants, and other aerosol items while wearing your hearing aid. Extended exposure to these products can cause harm to the device, as the moisture and chemicals they contain can accumulate and result in irreversible degredation over time. In order to decrease exposure, use these types of products before putting in your hearing aids.
Avoid excessive ear wax accumulation
Though earwax plays a protective role by keeping dust, insects, and other foreign particles out of your ears, it can present a challenge for your hearing aid. The accumulation of earwax in the device can lead to it not functioning properly. To control this, have your ears examined by your hearing specialist or doctor to assess the level of earwax buildup and create an appropriate cleaning routine for both your ears and your hearing aid.
It is necessary to clean your ears carefully 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 disperse and flush away some of the wax. It is also recommended to have your ears cleaned regularly by a professional. Even though this might be a bit of a hassle, it’s a minor concern in comparison to the disappointment and complications that can occur from a hearing aid that’s not functioning properly as a result of a buildup of 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.
Simple methods to ensure lasting dependability
Once you get used to using your hearing aids, they become a crucial aspect of your daily routine, making it hard to picture life without them. By implementing a few basic safety strategies, you can safeguard your hearing aids from harm and maintain their reliability over the long term. Prioritize routine maintenance, store them properly, and handle them with care, ensuring you can continue to reap the benefits of enhanced communication and a more fulfilling lifestyle.
If you are having troubles with your hearing aid or need to schedule a routine maintenance appointment, please arrange for a visit.