Once you’ve adapted to life with your hearing aid, it becomes an important part of your everyday regimen. The likelihood of a breakdown can be worrysome, as it causes not just a disturbance to daily life, but also a significant monetary burden in the form of repair or replacement costs.
How to properly care for your hearing aid
By being aware of the prospective hazards that can harm your hearing aid and taking steps to care for it correctly, you can preserve its performance and continue to appreciate the improved quality of life it offers.
Proper battery maintenance
Your hearing aid’s performance is heavily dependent on its battery. Thus, it is essential to choose the right batteries for your device. Talk to your hearing specialist to determine the ideal battery variety for your model.
It is just as significant to handle the batteries with care. The natural oils, dirt, and moisture on your skin can pass on to the batteries and cause contamination, compromising their performance and potentially leading to damage.
Before replacing the battery, ensure your hands are clean and totally dry to keep any moisture from getting into the device.
Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines meticulously, especially concerning battery care. To extend the battery life of your hearing aid, make sure to power it down when not wearing it and keep it stored in a secure, dry spot. Knowing the typical lifespan of a battery can also be really helpful.
Note on your calendar when you replace the battery, so you can anticipate when it needs to be replaced. It’s important to have a fresh battery with you at all times, specifically when you are not at home, in order to avoid being left without power unexpectedly.
Protect against moisture
As electronic devices, hearing aids are vulnerable to moisture. Even minor exposure can lead to damage or a complete malfunction of the device. To protect your hearing aid, consider investing in a dehumidifier developed specifically for hearing aids. This unit supplies a secure and dry atmosphere for your hearing aid when not in use, safeguarding it from damage related to excessive moisture.
When engaging in physical activities that trigger sweating, you may think about removing your hearing aid to stop moisture damage. Consult taking off your hearing aid to workout, especially outdoors, with your hearing specialist, as doing so could compromise your safety by decreasing your recognition of important auditory cues, such as traffic noises or warning alarms. If possible, choose to exercise indoors where it is safer to remove your hearing aid, and make sure to remove your device before bathing or swimming.
Furthermore, it is suggested to avoid using spray deodorants, hairspray, and any other aerosol products when your hearing aid is in your ear. These products consist of moisture and chemicals that can accumulate on the device, causing long-term damage. In order to reduce exposure, use these types of products before putting in your hearing aids.
Prevent excessive ear wax accumulation
While earwax serves as a natural shield, shielding your ears from debris, dirt, and small insects, it can also hamper the proper performance of your hearing aid. The buildup of earwax in the device can lead to it not functioning properly. To control this, have your ears checked out 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 flow into your ears in the course of showers, which can help disperse and flush away some of the wax. It is also suggested to have your ears cleaned regularly by a professional. Though this may be a bit of a hassle, it’s a minor concern in comparison to the disappointment and problems that can occur from a hearing aid that’s not working effectively as a result of a buildup of earwax.
To properly clean your hearing aid, carefully adhere to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
Different types of hearing aids may require different cleaning techniques, and using the wrong method could cause harm to 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.
Basic steps for long-term dependability
Once you get used to using your hearing aids, they become a crucial aspect of your day-to-day routine, making it hard to envision life without them. By taking a few simple safety measures, you can avoid damage and ensure your hearing aids remain reliable for years to come. Prioritize regular maintenance, store them safely, and handle them with care, ensuring you can continue to reap the benefits of enhanced communication and a more satisfying lifestyle.
Schedule an appointment if you’re experiencing problems with your hearing aid or need to schedule a regular maintenance appointment.
