Estimates report that approximately 48 million Americans suffer from some form of hearing loss. One of the most common solutions to hearing loss is hearing aids, which represent a significant investment. Because I want you to get the best performance and advantages out of your hearing aids for as long as possible, I have assembled some daily care tips for maintaining your hearing aids.
Do Regular Listening Checks
To make sure that the sound your ears receive is clear and without breaks, we recommend that you get a listening tube in order to perform regular listening checks. Be sure to listen for feedback and any other clarity issues and contact Audiology Associates for assistance on obtaining and using a listening tube as well as technical support if you detect an issue.
Practice Frequent Cleaning
Using a soft brush or soft dry cloth to clean your hearing aids daily is a good practice to establish early on and continue throughout the life of the instrument. To dislodge more difficult debris and wax in crevices and other openings, you can use a wax loop, but be careful not to pry or dig with too much force. NEVER use harsh cleaners or alcohol to clean your hearing aids, as this will damage them. Use mild soap and water when necessary to clean earmolds and allow them to dry overnight or use a bulb blower, but avoid using forced, hot air, like from a hair dryer.
How to Care for Your Hearing Aids When Not In Use
When cleaning or handling your hearing aids, make sure you have a towel underneath or work over your bed to avoid shock if you should drop them. Also avoid putting them in your pockets, purse, dresser, nightstand, etc. loose. Instead, place them in a carrying case or charger to prevent unnecessary damage from children, pets, or your own forgetful self. Avoid moisture, cold temperatures, and extended exposure to sunlight (like on a car dashboard). If you notice a loose wire, crack, or other problem, then bring the unit in. Don’t try to rig something up yourself. Finally, turn them off; dead batteries are the most frequent frustration encountered by hearing aid users.
Take Care of the Batteries
Without working batteries, your hearing aids are little more than an expensive assembly of plastic and electronic circuitry. Keep 1 to 2 sets of spare batteries on hand wherever you go or make use of your charger to keep them performing as designed. Consider purchasing a battery tester to be sure of the charge level of batteries. Dispose of batteries properly because they contain toxins and can present a choking hazard for children and/or pets.
Check In with Audiology Associates Regularly
Our technicians at Audiology Associates have a high level of expertise when it comes to adjusting, maintaining, and repairing your hearing aids. When you first start using your hearing aids, visits with my team and I will be more frequent, but they will begin to taper off as you adjust to them. However, that does not mean that we don’t want or enjoy seeing you and providing extra support and encouragement. Contact us to learn more about getting the most out of your hearing aids through proper care or make an appointment to have your hearing aid serviced if it’s been a while.