Hearing aids have the essential job of connecting you to the world around you and allowing you to communicate with those you love the most. Because of this, you’ll want to protect your important investment as much as possible. In order to care for your hearing aids properly, follow this list of do’s and don’ts.
Do’s
When it comes to your hearing aids, do:
- Wear them daily. The best outcomes with hearing aids come from wearing them every single day. At first, you may not be able to wear them for very long, as you’ll be overwhelmed with all the sounds you’ve been missing. Slowly work up to wearing them all day long. Committing to the rehabilitation process is what will help you hear your best.
- Clean them nightly. Because hearing aids spend most of their time in your ear’s rugged environment, they’re exposed to oils, sweat, dirt and earwax. It’s essential to clean your devices each night after you take them out to keep them in good working order. To do this, wipe them down with a soft, dry, clean cloth, then remove stubborn debris with a wax pick/wire loop.
- Keep spare batteries on hand. According to the National Library of Medicine, “A battery can last from 3 to 22 days, dependent on the type of hearing aid, frequency of use, required amplification, and any modern modifications that are used.” Because so many factors influence battery life, you never know when yours will die. Keeping spare batteries on hand can help prevent you from being stranded unable to hear. To extend your battery life, open the battery door at night.
Don’ts
When it comes to your hearing aids, don’t:
- Try to fix them yourself. Your audiologist will teach you basic troubleshooting, but if your hearing aids are visibly broken, don’t try fixing them yourself. Instead, bring them to your audiologist for repair.
- Get them wet. Some devices have protective Nano coatings and high IP ratings, but even these aren’t completely waterproof. Be sure to take out your devices before showering and swimming at Longview Pool.
- Store them in the bathroom. It may seem convenient to store your hearing aids, but they’ll be exposed to too much humidity and risk dropping onto a hard, wet surface.
- Expose them to aerosols. Take your hearing aids out before spraying aerosols like hairspray, sunscreen and bug spray.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Carolina Ear Nose & Throat – Sinus and Allergy Center today.