Once you’ve adapted to life with your hearing aid, it becomes an indispensable part of your everyday regimen. The prospect of a breakdown can be unsettling, as it causes not just a disruption to daily life, but also a considerable financial burden in the form of repair or replacement expenses.
How to best 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 enhance your quality of life.
Effective upkeep of batteries
The performance of your hearing aid relies considerably on its battery. Hence, it is important to choose the right 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 pass on to the batteries and result in contamination, jeopardizing their performance and potentially leading to damage.
Prior to replacing the battery, ensure your hands are clean and thoroughly dry to prevent any moisture from entering the device.
Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines diligently, particularly concerning battery care. Power off your hearing aid when it’s not in use to protect battery life and store it in a safe, dry place. Knowing the typical lifespan of a battery can also be really handy.
Mark on your calendar when you replace the battery, so you can anticipate when it needs to be switched out. It’s important to have a spare battery with you at all times, particularly when you are not at home, in order to avoid being stuck without power all of a sudden.
Guard against moisture
Hearing aids, being technological devices, are vulnerable to moisture. Even minor exposure can lead to damage or a total malfunction of the device. Protect your hearing aid’s performance by acquiring a specialized drying device to preserve its functionality by getting rid of moisture. This device supplies a safe and dry atmosphere for your hearing aid when not in use, protecting it from damage caused by excessive moisture.
When engaging in physical activities that trigger sweating, you might consider taking out your hearing aid to stop moisture damage. Consult taking off your hearing aid to workout, particularly outside, with your hearing specialist, as doing so could jeopardize your safety by decreasing your recognition of important auditory cues, including traffic noises or warning alarms. If possible, opt to work out indoors where it is safer to remove your hearing aid, and make sure to remove your device before showering or swimming.
Also, avoid utilizing hairspray, spray deodorants, and other aerosol products while using your hearing aid. These products contain moisture and chemicals that can build up on the device, causing long-term damage. In order to minimize exposure, use these kinds of products before putting in your hearing aids.
Control earwax buildup
Though earwax plays a defensive role by keeping dust, insects, and other foreign particles out of your ears, it can pose a challenge for your hearing aid. The accumulation of earwax in the device can lead to it not working correctly. To manage this, have your ears checked out 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.
Cleaning your ears safely is essential– never insert foreign objects into your ear canal. Alternatively, allow warm water to stream into your ears during showers, which can help disperse and flush away some of the wax. It is also suggested to have your ears cleaned routinely by a professional. While this might seem inconvenient, it’s significantly less troublesome than managing a malfunctioning hearing aid caused by excessive earwax.
To properly clean your hearing aid, carefully adhere to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
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 reliability
After you’ve become accustomed to wearing your hearing aids, they become an indispensable part of your life, making it hard to conceive of managing without them. By using a few easy precautions, you can avoid damage and ensure your hearing aids remain dependable for years to come. Routine maintenance, appropriate storage, and cautious handling are essential to keeping your hearing aids in optimal condition, allowing you to continue enjoying the improved quality of life they provide.
If you are having troubles with your hearing aid or need to schedule a routine maintenance appointment, please arrange for a visit.