Hearing impairments comes with a set of challenges. Depending on the condition’s cause, different remedies, such as surgeries, can reduce its severity. Since surgery might not be the best solution for every person battling hearing impairment, most doctors recommend hearing aids to counter this condition.
A hearing aid is an electronic machine powered by a battery to facilitate hearing. It magnifies sound so that you don’t have challenges hearing, even when in noisy environments. A hearing aid has a microphone that picks the sound, and through the amplifier, you can hear clearly.
Since there are several hearing aids, it will help if you sought an ENT surgeon’s expertise. The specialists (ENT surgeon and audiologist) evaluate your condition and determine the perfect hearing aid. Since acquiring a hearing aid might be costly, proper maintenance might help ensure that it lasts longer.
Tips for maintaining your hearing aids
If you recently acquired a new set of hearing aids, you should ensure they serve you for a reasonable time.
1. Wear hearing aids correctly
One of the practical ways to stop your hearing aid from falling is by wearing them appropriately. If you wear it incorrectly, the hearing aid can destroy quickly. If you are using two aids, ensure that you wear the right hearing aid in the right ear.
2. Protect your hearing devices from moisture and heat
One of the most common mistakes that will destroy your hearing aid is exposing it to heat or moisture. It doesn’t matter how many seconds you want to be in the kitchen or bathroom. These areas are associated with hot temperatures and liquids.
Both heat and temperature are known to destroy any device’s battery, causing the machine to malfunction. Always ensure that you don’t use it under the rain, bathroom, kitchen, or areas prone to hot temperatures. This way, you prevent the batteries from destroying quickly.
Avoiding humid conditions might be challenging during the cold season. However, it might be helpful wearing a hearing aid sleeve, warm hat, or headband. This way, your device will not come into contact with water or moisture.
3. Check the batteries: replace them as soon as they are dead
One of the practical hearing aids care tips requires you to replace dead batteries. People who live in a cold climate should be on the lookout because under these conditions; the batteries die quickly. When you continue using the devices even when the battery is dead, you reduce its lifespan.
Hearing aids’ batteries with many features might run out within a short span. Since disposable batteries run out quickly, it will help if you have replacement batteries readily. Also, carry spare batteries every time you are attending important meetings and routines.
4. Clean as per the guide
Like any other machine, you need to clean the hearing machine more frequently, preventing it from damaging. Even before deciding to clean the aid, your ears need to be clean so that your hearing device doesn’t store debris easily. The more you use hearing aids, the more you produce earwax.
Continuous earwax production results in blockage as it builds up. When this happens, the hearing machine collects a lot of the earwax and damages it quickly. Here is a how you can clean the hearing aid manually (you can opt to clean them professionally):
- Start with the hearing aid’s openings –they collect earwax and debris.
- Face the openings downward and brush it gently with its brush. This way, you get rid of any stuck particles.
- Clear the holes using wax-pick or a small pick. Make sure to get rid of any stuck debris.
- When done, wipe with a clean cloth.
Should moisture fall on your hearing machine accidentally, you can safely wipe it with a clean, dry, soft cloth. You can also use an air puffer or blower to get rid of moisture and prevent tubing. Also, open the battery to get rid of any absorbed humidity and air.
5. Avoid using hairspray and similar products when having aids
Haircare products have chemicals that might cause the hearing aid to malfunction. This is because the spray can build up in your device, and if not correctly cleaned, you might have to replace them sooner than you thought. It will help if you look for another healthcare alternative or apply it when not using the hearing aid.
6. Only turn on the hearing aids when necessary
There are times that it may not be necessary to turn on the hearing machine. When you do not use them, you should turn them off and remove them unless you use rechargeable batteries. It will help if you turn off the device when participating in recreational and outdoor activities, thus saving power for better functionality.
When using the hearing aid, ensure that there is no loud noise in the background. For instance, it will help if you turn down the radio or TV volume so that the amplifier doesn’t over magnify the sound. It would be best if you also avoided movie places and noisy places.
7. As much as possible, don’t drop the hearing aid
Dropping the hearing aid causes it to destroy and malfunction. You prevent falling the hearing machine by storing it safely. You cannot overemphasize the role of proper storage in protecting the hearing aid.
8. Store them safely
Storing the hearing aid is equally critical in maintaining its functionality throughout. Keeping it in unsafe environments increases its vulnerability to damage, wear, and tear. Most hearing aids come with a storage case (you can purchase one if need be) for proper storage.
Another safe storage option is to use a dehumidifier to protect the hearing aid from dust, water, and heat. If this storage option seems costly, you can store your hearing device in a drawer or jewelry box, provided it is not prone to heat and water. Your storage location must be free from pets and children’s access, lest you find them missing or lost.
There is a lot to do when protecting hearing aids. The expenses that come with replacing its batteries or purchasing a new hearing aid might be costly. Though most of them are designed with safeguarding equipment, proper maintenance might help avoid unnecessary purchases.
