4 Tips to Hearing Aid Care

Your hearing aid might be an essential and impressive piece of technology, but that doesn’t mean that it’s without its vulnerabilities. A little care and maintenance from you, the user, is essential. Malfunctions might be rare, but they’re all the more likely if you fail to give it the attention that it needs. So, here are four tips to ensure that you take the best care of the device.

Keep your device clean

Dirt, debris, and earwax can get clogged up in the hearing aid. At first, this can make it less effective, but if left to remain, it can cause serious damage to the device. There are different ways to prevent your hearing aid from getting dirty. Firstly, you should gently clean it every day, and your audiologist can demonstrate how you do that. Make sure you wash your hands before you handle it every day, too, and change the ear wax filter regularly.

Handle with care

Though hearing aid devices are getting sturdier, they can still be a little sensitive. A strong knock might be enough to damage the advanced technology inside, which can cause it to start malfunctioning. Be careful not to drop it or knock it into things while you’re handling it. While wearing it, avoid things like contact sports or other situations that can cause a knock to the head.

Change the batteries when necessary

When you notice that the power in your hearing aid is starting to run out, you want to change it as soon as possible. Not only will dead batteries make the device much less effective, but they can actually do damage to the device if left in for too long. Moisture trapped in the batteries can start to corrode them. When you are changing the batteries, it’s a good idea to wipe down the battery contacts with a dry cotton swab. Dirt can get trapped there, too, which can create a poor connection between the device and its power source.

Be careful of what it’s exposed to

Depending on what kind of hearing aid you get, you should be careful when and where you wear it. For instance, unless it’s waterproof, you want to avoid moisture as much as possible. Store it in a dry, cool place when you’re wearing it and don’t take it swimming or in the shower with you. Other powdery substances like sand and makeup can clog up the device as much as earwax, so avoid exposing it to those elements as much as possible. Lastly, be aware that although wearing it in the cold isn’t something that can always be avoided, it will drain the battery life much more quickly.

If you do have any problems with your device or it ends up malfunctioning, it’s a good idea to take it to your audiologist. They are qualified to make a range of repairs and, if they can’t fix it, they can send it off to the manufacturer for a fix or replacement. If you need one, you can be given a temporary replacement while you wait for your device to return.