After you have become accustomed to wearing your hearing aid, it becomes a crucial element of your day-to-day routine. The prospect of a breakdown can be distressing, as it presents not only a disturbance to daily life, but also a significant monetary burden in the form of repair or replacement expenses.
How to properly care for your hearing aid
Understanding what can damage your hearing aid and learning how to maintain it properly will help you maintain its functionality and ensure it continues to improve your quality of life.
Proper battery care
Your hearing aid’s performance is heavily dependent on its battery. Thus, it is essential to pick the right batteries for your device. Consult with your hearing specialist to figure out the ideal battery type for your model.
It is just as significant to handle the batteries with care. Oils, dirt, and moisture from your hands can contaminate the batteries, causing potential damage.
Always wash your hands before changing the battery, and make sure they are thoroughly dried to prevent introducing moisture into the device.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions meticulously, especially concerning battery care. Power off your hearing aid when it’s not in use to preserve battery life and store it in a safe, dry place. Knowing the typical lifespan of a battery can also be very handy.
Mark on your calendar when you change the battery, so you can anticipate when it needs to be switched out. To avoid being stuck without power, always bring a spare battery with you, particularly when you’re away from home.
Minimize the risk of moisture damage
Hearing aids, being technological devices, are susceptible to moisture. Even brief contact can cause harm or total failure of the device. Protect your hearing aid’s performance by purchasing a specialized drying device to preserve its functionality by getting rid of moisture. This unit provides a safe and dry atmosphere for your hearing aid when not in use, protecting it from damage related to unwanted moisture.
To safeguard your hearing aid from water damage, it’s a smart idea to take it out before participating in activities that make you sweat heavily. However, consult your hearing specialist first, as taking out your hearing aid during exercise, particularly outdoors, might pose safety risks by limiting your ability to hear external sounds like traffic or alarms. If necessary, opt for indoor exercise where it’s safer to be without your hearing aid, and always remember to remove your device before showering or swimming.
Additionally, avoid using hairspray, spray deodorants, and other aerosol products while wearing your hearing aid. These products contain moisture and chemicals that can build up on the device, resulting in long-term damage. In order to minimize exposure, use these types of products before putting in your hearing aids.
Control earwax buildup
While earwax serves as a natural shield, shielding your ears from debris, dirt, and small insects, it can also hamper the effective performance of your hearing aid. Earwax can accumulate in the device, causing it to fail. For proper maintenance, make an appointment with your audiologist or doctor to assess the amount of earwax build-up and establish a personalized cleaning plan tailored to your ears and hearing device.
It is necessary to clean your ears carefully and never put anything foreign into your ear canal. Alternatively, allow warm water to flow into your ears in the course of showers, which can help break up and wash away some of the wax. Routine professional ear cleaning is also recommended. Though this may be a bit of a hassle, it’s a trivial issue in comparison to the disappointment and problems that can arise from a hearing aid that’s not working effectively due to a buildup of 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.
Easy techniques to ensure lasting dependability
Once you get used to wearing your hearing aids, they become a crucial facet of your daily routine, making it hard to envision life without them. By taking a few easy safety measures, you can prevent damage and ensure your hearing aids remain dependable for years to come. Regular upkeep, appropriate storage, and careful handling are key to keeping your hearing aids in optimum condition, allowing you to keep enjoying the enhanced quality of life they supply.
Make an appointment if you’re experiencing issues with your hearing aid or need to schedule a regular maintenance appointment.
