How to Get the Longest Life Out of Your Hearing Aids
Taking proper care of your hearing aid can extend its life and reduce the amount of money it costs for repairs or replacements. Below are a list of tips and tricks you can use to make sure you’re taking proper care of your hearing devices.
Watch Out for Earwax
Earwax is the leading cause of hearing aid damage. Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to guarantee that your hearing aids do not come into contact with earwax. We recommend you clean your ears often and if you notice any residue on your devices after you’ve removed them, wipe them down with a dry cotton ball or swab.
Clean & Dry Hands
Your hands carry a multitude of bacteria, dirt, and other microbes you don’t want anywhere near your hearing aids or ears. Dirt, water, makeup, hairspray, and other grime can also block the microphone input on your device, which is why it’s important to make sure your hands are washed and dried before handling any hearing aids.
Avoid Water & Humidity
You should always remove your hearing aids before showering, bathing, or swimming. In addition, the bathroom itself can be a very humid place, so your devices should not be left in there at any point. Water and moisture can damage the electronic portion of your hearing aid. There are special drying aid products available specifically for hearing aids that you can ask about during your next visit. If you ever think there might be moisture in your device, we recommend opening your hearing aids at night and taking the batteries out to dry.
Avoid Children & Pets
Hearing aids are small—they can be a choking hazard to small children. In addition, the high sounds emitted by these devices can aggravate dogs.
Change the Batteries Often
Leaving batteries in your hearing aid devices for too long can cause damage. Any trapped moisture can cause battery corrosion and permanent damage to your hearing aids. That’s why it is recommended you change your batteries often and leave the battery door open overnight.
Leave Repairs to the Professionals
If you notice something wrong with your devices—physical damage, muffled noises, strange sounds—it’s best to leave repairs to the experts. Our audiologists can help you determine whether repairs are needed or a total replacement.
Our audiologists are the experts to turn to when you think your hearing aids have been damaged. Visit our office or call us today to schedule an appointment and get back to your old self! We can repair your hearing aids in no time.