https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/03/14/17/32/hand-287292__480.jpg
If you rely on your hearing aids for most of your days, you need to ensure they remain reliable. Maintaining the quality of your hearing aids should be part of your routine. It often takes several days to weeks for a hearing aid repair to finish, and you cannot take that chance. You can make hearing aid issues a rare occurrence when you can practice proper care.
Caring for Your Hearing Aids
Here are some tips to help you:
Handle Them With Care
Most hearing aids are made to be durable. However, they are not unbreakable. You should take extra care when handling them, mainly when cleaning, removing, and wearing them. Make sure that you have a secure grip on them, preventing them from dropping. If you find it hard to hold them, have someone assist you.
Don’t Submerge Your Hearing Aid In Water
Hearing aids are water-resistant. This does not mean, however, that you can have the liberty of wearing them when you swim or shower. Similarly, you should also remove them if you are to step into a hot tub or steam room. You should also not use water when cleaning them. Whenever you think you’ll be exposed to water, it is best to remove them or wear something to protect them from getting wet.
When moisture comes in contact with the internal components of your hearing aid’s internal components, it can result in significant damage, affecting its quality. In any instance that your hearing aids get wet, immediately dry them with a towel. Never use a hair dryer as it can melt components.
Regularly Clean Your Hearing Aids
Our earwax protects our inner ear. However, it is not good for hearing aids. This is why you must regularly remove the earwax from the hearing aid. Clean the earwax filter to prevent build up on your device. Accumulation of earwax can decrease the hearing aid’s performance. Try to clean it every day with a clean and dry cotton swab to remove debris and oil. Make sure to pay close attention to the microphone and receiver.
Take Care of the Batteries
Your hearing aids rely on the battery to work. If you don’t take care of them or change them as necessary, it can cause the device to malfunction. Keep in mind that the batteries are constantly exposed to moisture trapped in the hearing aids, causing the batteries to corrode faster. Corrosion can spread quickly and affect the internal components of your hearing aid. If you are not using your hearing aids, make sure that you release any trapped moisture by opening the battery doors.
If you don’t plan to use hearing aids for a couple of days, you can unload the batteries in the meantime. It will also help if you can clean the battery contacts whenever you are replacing the batteries. Try to come up with a replacement cycle so it will be easier for you to anticipate when you need to replace the batteries.
Keep Hearing Aids In a Dry and Safe Area
Whenever you take out your hearing aids, make sure to keep them in a dry area. If you live in a humid area, investing in a special hearing aid dehumidifier can help. Place them in a secure site where they cannot be easily tossed or dropped, particularly if you have little children and pets at home.
Do Routine Professional Cleaning
Besides doing regular maintenance of your hearing aid, you also need to bring them to professionals for some deep cleaning. In general, you should bring them every four to six months. Aside from cleaning, they can also check if the device has any cracks or damages that need immediate repair. Additionally, they can make the necessary adjustments to the settings to ensure that you can use them optimally.
Keep these hearing aid maintenance tips in mind to increase your device’s lifespan and maintain quality.
Senior Outlook Today is your go-to source for information, inspiration, and connection as you navigate the later years of life. Our team of experts and writers is dedicated to providing relevant and engaging content for seniors, covering topics such as health and wellness, finances, technology and travel.
