Wearing hearing aids can provide life-changing benefits for anybody that suffers from hearing loss, tinnitus, and related conditions. However, they can only provide this daily support if they are kept in excellent shape. Caring for your hearing aids is a responsibility that will help preserve the life and functionality of your devices. Follow the 10 simple tips below, and you can keep your hearing aid in optimal shape.

Tip 1: Keep them clean

Dirt and debris are known to cause significant disruption to the performance of your hearing aids. Therefore, wiping them clean at the end of each day with a cotton swab is advised. This is particularly effective for removing earwax that may have made contact with the hearing aids over the course of the day. Cleaning during the day may be necessary if you can feel wax too.

Tip 2: Keep them dry

Moisture is the other major threat to hearing aids. Even if the modern devices are built to resist water, it’s important to take them off when showering or swimming. It only takes a drop of water to penetrate the casing via a crack to ruin the circuitry or cause other significant damage.

Tip 3: Store them at night

Hearing aids should either be on your face or in their case. Before going to bed and after cleaning the devices, be sure to take the battery out and place your devices in a storage case. If you do not have a specialized case for your hearing aids, lock them away in a drawer or somewhere else that will protect them from damage. If nothing else, it prevents dust from accumulating while you sleep.

Tip 4: Replace the battery regularly

Most hearing aids need the batteries replaced every few days. While the lifespan will vary from brand to brand, it’s essential to change the batteries as soon as they need it. Aside from reduced performance and potential distortion, corroded batteries can cause long-term damage.

Tip 5: Change the wax filter

Wiping the wax clear on a daily basis is a great starting point, but you must also remember to change the wax filter periodically. Failure to do this can allow wax and dirt to hit the internal components to cause long-term damage. When changing the wax filter, be sure that the new item is compatible with your device. Otherwise, the hearing aids will be at risk for malfunction.

Tip 6: Clean the battery contacts

Many of the faults stem from the batteries, but it’s not all about the battery itself. The condition of the battery contacts is equally crucial, which is why you should clean the inside of the battery door regularly. Do this once a fortnight, and you should avoid distortion linked to this problem.

Tip 7: Replace tubing and molds

If you wear behind-the-ear hearing aids, it’s important to check the rubber tubing regularly as this is arguably the most vulnerable part to wear and tear. Meanwhile, all users should take care when inserting the ear molds as damaging them gradually over time can lead to discomfort and poor performance. Replacing these parts is far quicker and cheaper than replacing the whole unit.

Tip 8: Seek professional cleaning

While your daily cleaning will have a significant impact, it’s important to see the hearing instrument specialist every six to 12 months for professional cleaning. This goes a long way to preventing accumulated damage and maintaining the best performance.

Tip 9: Recalibrate if needed

In addition to cleaning the hearing aids, the professional HIS can recalibrate the hearing aids. This can correct faults or accidental changes while also adjusting the sound output to suit your evolving hearing profile. In truth, this could be the key step to prolonging the lifespan of your hearing aids and preventing the need to replace them quite so often.

Tip 10: Don’t let others use them

In much the same way that people have a desire to try on eyeglasses to see how bad their loved one’s sight is, your friends and family may want to try your hearing aids. Don’t let them. Aside from the threat of dropping them, it can also encourage bacteria to spread between the two of you.

Getting the right hearing aids

Before worrying too much about taking care of your hearing aids, you need to ensure that you have been fitted with the right ones. Call The Hearing Guy at (828) 333-5781 to learn more about hearing aids, hearing tests and ongoing care.