Hearing aids are devices meant to improve the hearing of adults and children. These devices provide a huge improvement in terms of hearing capabilities without the affected individual having to grapple with bulky or cumbersome devices. They are small but do require some minimal care and maintenance to ensure they function properly and last as long as possible.
Hearing aids have components inside made from tiny, delicate parts. The smallest of knocks or drops can damage these tiny parts and make it difficult for one to hear clearly. In fact, the average lifespan of a hearing aid is just seven years. Hearing aids are very sensitive devices. The wax and earwax build-up can damage the delicate microphones, or worse yet, the expensive receiver. People often try to clean their hearing aids themselves or use a cotton swab that pushes the wax deeper into the device. It’s much easier and less time-consuming to have the hearing aids cleaned regularly by an audiologist.Here are some suggestions for hearing aids care.
Don’t Expose Them to Heat and Moisture
Hearing aids are delicate devices. On a day-to-day basis, keep the hearing aids in a cool, dry place. Avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures, as well as moisture and humid conditions. If the hearing aids become wet or are exposed to moisture, remove the batteries and wait until they dry completely before replacing them.
Dead Batteries Should Be Replaced Immediately
Always replace the batteries in the hearing aids as soon as they die. Leaving dead batteries in the hearing aids can damage the electronic components and cause them to stop working properly. The most common battery types for hearing aids are zinc-air, silver oxide, and lithium batteries.
Follow Proper Cleaning Instructions
The care instructions that come with the hearing aids detail what to do with them on a daily basis. Proper cleaning is extremely important for preserving the performance of the hearing aids. We suggest doing this on a daily basis by using a recommended solution. Letting debris build up can affect proper functioning and lead to permanent damage.
Avoid Using Hairspray or Other Products
Avoid letting hair spray, hair gels, or other styling products come in contact with the hearing aids. Many of these products contain ingredients that may degrade the materials used in the making of the hearing aids and could potentially damage the hearing aids’ components or cause them to function improperly.
Turn Them Off when Inactive
Turn off hearing aids when not needed. Unplug the receiver from any power sources other than those recommended by the manufacturer. Leaving them on drains the batteries and could damage the circuits. If a hearing aid is left on all the time, it also inactivates nearly half of its surface area and greatly reduces efficiency. This can also cause a build up of moisture within the device which in turn can promote bacteria growth and aid in the development of ear infections.
