Anyone who wears a hearing aid relies on it every day. If your hearing device goes wrong, you could be in for a challenging few days while you wait for it to be repaired. Through some basic preventative maintenance and with proper care, you can extend the life of your hearing aid and reduce the likelihood of problems.
Avoid Moisture
Hearing aids contain a lot of very sophisticated technology and some complex circuity. When this is exposed to moisture, it can cause serious damage. Hearing aids are usually made to be water-resistant, but it’s still wise to remove them before showering or swimming. If they do get wet, dry your hearing aids immediately with a towel. Never try to dry a hearing aid with a hair dier or other heated device, or the high heat will cost you a hearing aid repair.
Change The Batteries Often
Hearing aid batteries can actually cause damage to the device if they’re left in for too long. The trapped moisture can cause the batteries to corrode and damage the devices. When you aren’t using your hearing aids, open the battery door. If you won’t be using your hearing aids for a couple of days for some reason, it’s a good idea to take the batteries out until you need them again.
When you change the batteries, remember to clean the battery contacts. You can do this by gently wiping them with a dry cotton swab. If the battery contacts get dirty, then it can create a poor connection, lowering the performance of your devices.
Keep Them Free Of Earwax
Earwax is one of the main causes of lowered performance in hearing aids. It’s almost impossible to prevent your devices from coming into contact with earwax, so it’s important to clean them frequently.
After a day of wearing your hearing aids, use a dry cotton swab or a soft toothbrush to gently remove any earwax or other debris from the device. Clean both the receiver and the microphone.
Change The Wax Filter
As well as removing earwax from the device, you need to occasionally replace the wax filter or wax guard. This filter stops wax from getting to the internal components of the hearing aid and causing damage to them. You should do this whenever you begin to be able to see build-up on the filter.
Remember that not all hearing devices use the same filters. Your hearing healthcare provider should be willing and able to advise you which you need for your device and will show you how to change it correctly.
Always Handle With Care
Hearing devices are a lot sturdier than they used to be, but they are an important device, and should always be handled with care. Always hold your devices securely to avoid dropping them. When cleaning them or changing the batteries, set the devices on a soft surface, like a towel. When you aren’t using them, store your devices in a safe place, that is out of reach of children or pets.