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Have you recently taken the plunge and invested in hearing aids? They may have taken some time to get used to but now that you have, these amazing devices have most likely changed the quality of your life. You can communicate clearer, are more inclined to venture out on your own and are enjoying a healthier more active lifestyle. However, if you want your hearing aids to keep on providing you with the amazing support they require so maintenance and care. Don’t worry. Once you get used to caring for your hearing aids, it can simply become part of your routine.
Extend the life of your hearing aids
Most hearing aids last on average five to seven years. That may not seem like a long time at first, but when you consider the amount of work these tiny high-tech digital hearing aids do every day, it’s rather impressive. To get the most out of hearing aids it is ideal to wear them from the time you wake up till you go to bed, only to be removed for naps, bathing, and swimming. Taking care of your hearing aids daily can reduce the need for repairs, extend their lifespan and avoid breakdowns.
Be gentle with your hearing aids
Hearing aids are complex and tiny and provide a lot of support for your hearing. Like anything that you care for, it’s important to be gentle with them. Put them out of the way in a safe place away from water when you aren’t using them. Putting them in the same place every time you take them out ensures that you won’t spend time looking for them later. Make sure to clean them gently with a soft cloth, to remove dust, dirt and earwax that may have collected over a day of wearing them at the end of the day.
Avoid water
Some hearing aids are water resistant but no hearing aid currently on the market is 100% waterproof. These tiny electronic devices can easily short circuit if exposed to too much moisture. When bathing or swimming make sure to put them in a waterproof case so they don’t get accidently splashed with water. If they do accidently become submerged, you can try the bag of rice trick used by many when a phone unexpectedly becomes submerged in water. Turn off your hearing aids immediately and place them in an airtight bag with rice for 24hours. Ideally the rice will absorb moisture out of your hearing aids, which can avoid damaging the circuits.
Use a dehumidifier
Moisture can also gather easily in your hearing aids from a high humidity environment or from sweat. To combat the buildup of moisture which can corroded battery terminals and short circuits, you can place your hearing aids in a dehumidifying case. Many of these have a desiccant which dries out your hearing aids overnight. For hearing aids with rechargeable batteries, the charging station often can double as a dehumidifying station as well.
Take care of the batteries and change them frequently
Many hearing aids have batteries which have a lifetime of 1 to three days depending on the model. The hearing aid battery is the power source of your hearing aid and as the battery begins to wind down there is the potential for your hearing aids to perform sluggishly. Make sure to always carry extra batteries with you. There is nothing more frustrating than being out in the world in an exciting social situation when your hearing aids run out of power. When you do replace the battery, be sure to clean the contacts with a dry cotton swab to prevent corrosion from forming and causing damage to the hearing aid interior.
Schedule professional cleanings with our team
When you care for your hearing aids daily, they will care for you as well. Make sure to clean and dry your hearing aids as part of your nighttime routine, along with washing your face and brushing your teeth. No matter how well you take care of your hearing aids, there is no replacement for a professional cleaning.
We can properly and thoroughly clean your hearing aids while inspecting them for potential issues which could be developing. By catching these issues earlier, you can avoid major costly repairs down the road. A professional cleaning is also a good time to check in with your hearing aid program. Your hearing has the potential to change over time, so regular adjustments can ensure that your hearing aids work to the optimal potential for you.