The ability to hear is one that many often take for granted, but luckily for those who have a hard time hearing, hearing aid devices can help you regain this fantastic ability and improve the quality of your life. Fortunately, hearing aids can withstand years of wear and tear, but they do need to be looked after if you want them to last as long as possible.
Hearing aids are a worthwhile investment that can help give you back the gift of hearing, but they do need to be adequately cared for if you want to keep them in top working condition. To help protect your investment, check out these handy hearing aid care and maintenance tips.
• Every time you handle your hearing aids, make sure you wash your hands before you touch your hearing aid. There is a lot of complex technology in that tiny package that is very sensitive to the dirt and oil that may be present on your hand. So play it safe, and clean your hands before handling.
• Do you have a dirty hearing aid? If so, your first instinct is to clean it, but watch what you use on it. Using the wrong cleaner on your device can damage its delicate components, so make sure you are only using cleaning products that are specifically designed for hearing aids.
• If you plan to use hair products or apply makeup while you get ready, make sure you do it before you put in your hearing aids for the day. Makeup and hair products, such as hairspray, can gunk up your control buttons, and can also clog your microphone opening.
• If you are not wearing your hearing aids, make sure you never leave them in an unsafe location, away from sunlight and heat. Instead, find a safe space to store them. You want a place that is both dry and safe. Also, try to keep your hearing aid in the same location, so you can find them easily when you want to use them again.
• Moisture can build up in your hearing aid, so if you don’t plan on using your hearing aid for an extended period, make sure you don’t keep the battery inside the device. Instead, when you are storing your hearing aid, remove the batteries and leave the battery door open to allow the device to air out.
• Don’t store your hearing aid on a table by your bedside, or any other similar location where pets or children can reach them. Plan for chaos, you never know when a child may experience wandering hands, or when an animal becomes curious. The last thing you want is for your hearing aid to wind up in a strange location, get chewed on or eaten, or get flung onto the ground by your furry friend.
• Does your hearing aid have a wax filter or wax guard? If so, don’t forget to change it out periodically. The last thing you want on your hearing aid is earwax built up on your device, so keep it free of wax by keeping it clean and by replacing the wax guard or filter once you notice earwax build-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Always wash your hands before handling your hearing aids to prevent transferring dirt and oils onto the sensitive technology. Clean hands help preserve the delicate components and maintain optimal device performance.
Use only cleaning products specifically designed for hearing aids. Avoid household cleaners or other substances that could damage the delicate components of the device and affect its functionality.
Apply makeup and hair products like hairspray before putting on your hearing aids. These products can clog microphones and buttons if they come into contact with your devices after application.
Store hearing aids in a dry, safe place away from direct sunlight and heat. Keeping them in the same location helps prevent loss and protects them from damage by pets or children.
Remove the batteries and leave the battery door open to allow air circulation and prevent moisture buildup inside the device. This helps prolong the lifespan of your hearing aids during storage.
Regularly changing the wax guard or filter prevents earwax buildup, which can clog the device and reduce its effectiveness. Keeping the earwax away helps maintain clear sound and device hygiene.
It's best not to leave hearing aids where children or pets can reach them, such as on a bedside table. This prevents accidental damage, loss, or ingestion, ensuring your device stays safe and functional.
