It probably seems like a simple thing to care for your hearing aids. After all, you were likely given a set of care instructions when you first bought your devices. The majority of hearing specialists will give you a step-by-step how-to when it comes to routine hearing aid maintenance. But it’s quite likely that you might forget some of that information that you got all at once. So you still may be wondering, what should my cleaning schedule look like? Or, how frequently should I get my hearing aid serviced? How can I get the most life out of my hearing aids?
These five, easy-to-follow tips can help give you some answers, as well as easy ways to help in taking care of your hearing aids so they function better longer.
Tip #1: Try not to let your hearing aids get wet
Electronics generally don’t do well with moisture. Even though your hearing aids may provide a certain level of water resistance, you typically want to keep moisture away from them. Beyond the obvious, this means you should do things like the following:
- Keep a dehumidifier running during those more humid months. When it’s very humid, your hearing aids can have more moisture than you would want even inside. And that dampness can compromise the delicate electronics inside. Prolonging hearing aid life may mean keeping that dehumidifier running.
- Keep your hearing aids someplace cool and dry. Many individuals question what the best way to store hearing aids is. So the steamy bathroom isn’t going to be a very good place to keep your hearing aids. And in order to keep track of your hearing aids, store them in the same spot every day. By the same token, don’t leave your hearing aids just lying about, dogs like to eat them and cats like to play with them!
- When you’re wearing your hearing aids, avoid using hair care products. When you’re going to utilize hair spray or gel, remove your hearing aids. Your hearing aid can really become gunked up from these kinds of products.
Tip #2: Check (and clean) those earwax filters
Earwax production is a normal and healthy thing for the human body to do. It’s also something that hearing aid makers recognize is going to happen. The majority of contemporary hearing aids include features that are created to deal with a moderate earwax production.
Your task is to be certain your hearing aids don’t become overwhelmed with ear wax. This means examining and swapping the wax guards when needed (and making that an element of your hearing aid cleaning schedule). You can invest in and utilize special cleaning tools for this, depending on what model you have (ask us for recommendations here).
What is the replacement schedule for earwax guards? Well, for the majority of models, it will be around once every month or so.
Tip #3: Take care of the batteries
Your batteries keep your hearing aids working. The better your hearing aid batteries are, the longer your device will last. So there are several battery-care steps you can take:
- Make sure all of the battery contacts and components are dry. You can wipe them down with a clean cloth if they aren’t. As with most electronics, moisture will lead to a bad time here.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, don’t forget to switch the power off. This just drains the battery for, well, no good reason. And that means your hearing aids may quit working when you least want them to.
- Invest in a rechargeable hearing aid or a battery charger: This will save you a lot of money on wasted batteries.
Tip #4: Only use clean hands to handle your hearing aids
The majority of the time, your hearing aids should be in your ears. But they don’t get there on their own. Your hands (which are required in order to handle your hearing aids) could be covered in all kinds of offending materials. Your hearing aids are delicate devices by design, so crumbs aren’t really very good for them.
Generally, you should only touch your hearing aids with clean hands. So before you put in or take out your hearing aids, give your hands a quick cleanse.
Tip #5 Stay in touch with your hearing specialist
You may presume that you won’t require any assistance from us once you’ve purchased your hearing aids. Usually, though, this isn’t the case. Here are several very good reasons why scheduling regular appointments with us is still important.:
- To clean and maintain your hearing aids.
- Check the status of your hearing loss (making certain it’s not progressing faster than expected).
- To help you fine-tune your fit.
What should you do when something breaks?
Occasionally, despite your best efforts, something goes wrong with your hearing aids (maybe you accidentally step on them). When this happens, you should get in touch with us as quickly as possible.
We will be able to help you fix your devices, or get a new set if necessary.
Want to talk to us about your next set of hearing aids? Make an appointment today!
