After you have become accustomed to using your hearing aid, it becomes a critical element of your day-to-day schedule. The prospect of a breakdown can be unsettling, as it causes not only a disturbance to daily life, but also a significant financial burden in the form of repair or replacement expenses.
Tips for maintaining and maximizing your hearing aid performance
Being aware of 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 maintenance
Your hearing aid’s performance is highly dependent on its battery. As a result, picking the correct batteries for your hearing aid is crucial. Consult with your audiologist to find out which battery type is most suitable for your specific hearing aid model.
Handling the batteries with care is just as important. The natural oils, dirt, and moisture on your skin can pass on to the batteries and cause contamination, compromising their functionality and potentially leading to damage.
Always wash your hands before changing the battery, and be certain they are thoroughly dried to avoid introducing moisture into the device.
Adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines meticulously, particularly concerning battery care. Turn off your hearing aid when it’s not in use to protect battery life and keep it in a safe, dry place. Familiarizing yourself with the battery’s typical lifespan is also worthwhile.
Mark on your calendar when you replace the battery, so you can prepare for when it needs to be replaced. It’s essential 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 all of a sudden.
Guard against moisture
Hearing aids, being electronic devices, are vulnerable to moisture. Even slight contact can bring about harm or complete failure of the device. Safeguard your hearing aid’s performance by purchasing a specialized drying device to maintain its functionality by eliminating moisture. This device provides a safe and dry atmosphere for your hearing aid when not in use, protecting it from damage related to excessive moisture.
To protect your hearing aid from moisture damage, it’s a good idea to take it out before taking part in activities that make you perspire heavily. However, speak with your hearing specialist first, as taking out your hearing aid during exercise, especially outdoors, may pose safety risks by reducing your ability to hear environmental 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 going for a swim.
Also, avoid utilizing hairspray, spray deodorants, and other aerosol products while wearing your hearing aid. These products contain moisture and chemicals that can accumulate on the device, causing long-term damage. In order to reduce exposure, use these kinds of products before putting in your hearing aids.
Prevent excessive ear wax accumulation
Although 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. Earwax can build up in the device, causing it to fail. To control this, have your ears checked out by your hearing specialist or doctor to evaluate the level of earwax buildup and create an appropriate cleaning routine for both your ears and your hearing aid.
Cleaning your ears safely is vital– never insert foreign objects into your ear canal. Instead, allow warm water to stream into your ears in the course of showers, which can help disperse and wash away some of the wax. It is also recommended to have your ears cleaned routinely by a professional. Even though this may be a bit of a hassle, it’s a minor concern in comparison to the frustration and problems that can arise from a hearing aid that’s not functioning 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 are uncertain about how to clean your hearing aid correctly, it is recommended to seek guidance from your hearing specialist or hearing aid manufacturer.
Simple methods to ensure lasting reliability
After you’ve grown accustomed to wearing your hearing aids, they become an indispensable part of your life, making it difficult to imagine managing without them. By implementing a few basic safety strategies, you can safeguard your hearing aids from harm and maintain their reliability over the long run. Prioritize regular maintenance, store them properly, and handle them with care, ensuring you can continue to reap the benefits of improved communication and a more fulfilling lifestyle.
Make an appointment if you’re experiencing problems with your hearing aid or need to schedule a regular maintenance appointment.