4 Ways to Care for Your Hearing Aids

If your audiologist has helped you select a hearing aid, they have likely told you how crucial it is to take proper care of it. These devices are getting sturdier, but they are still prone to damage and malfunction if you don’t give them the attention that they need. For that reason, here are four things you should look out for when living with a hearing aid.

Cleaning it

Earwax, makeup residue, sand and all other kinds of dirt and debris can undermine the effectiveness of your hearing aid. It can get clogged in all the different components, block up the receiver and even cause damage if left to linger too long. Your audiologist can help show you to clean it every day so that this doesn’t happen. Be aware that you may also need to change the earwax filter near the receiver every couple of months or so.

Protecting it from moisture

Moisture can be even more damaging to your hearing aid and you should do what you can to prevent it. When cleaning it, make sure that you’re wiping it off with a dry cloth and using a dry soft brush for the finer details. When you’re not wearing it, store it in a cool, dry place. Unless it is specifically designed to be waterproof, do not submerge your hearing aid or wear it in the pool, bath, shower, or sea if you’re at the beach. Keep it as dry as possible.

Changing the battery

When your battery starts to run out, you need to change it. You might notice this when the hearing aid starts getting less effective for no reason, but some devices also have low battery detection built in. If dead batteries are left in, the moisture that builds up in them can corrode them, leading to damage the rest of hearing aid. When you change or take out the batteries, make sure to clean the connecting pins in the device as well with a dry cotton swab. Dirt and debris can gather on these, blocking the connection between the battery and the device.

Safe handling

Though hearing aid devices are getting sturdier and a little more hard-wearing, they still contain some particularly sophisticated technology. This is especially true of those that have more advanced features like wireless connectivity. For that reason, you want to avoid being rough with it as much as possible. Try not to wear your hearing aids when playing contact sports or doing anything too physically rough. Be careful not to drop it or knock it when you’re handling it, too. Be careful with it, as a sharp shock or impact could dislodge or damage some of the components inside, leading to malfunction.

If you have any trouble with your hearing aids, you should take it to your audiologist as soon as possible. They may know how to take care of most minor problems and can send it back to the manufacturer if necessary while providing you with a temporary replacement.