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Hearing aids may only have one function, but the reality is that they’re incredibly sophisticated pieces of equipment that need careful looking after. A good hearing aid can last you many years, but that’s only the case if you care for it properly, and knowing how has a bit of a learning curve to it.
There are many different types of hearing aids on the market, each with different designs and features, so yours may differ considerably from the next person’s. To cover all bases, in this article, we’ll be covering the most important aspects for taking care of your device to ensure it continues to mitigate the effects of your hearing loss.
- The Importance of a Regular Cleaning Schedule
One of the most fundamental elements for looking after your hearing aid is sticking to a regular cleaning schedule.
Given that these devices attach to the skin and, in some cases, go inside the ear, they can easily build up natural skin oils, moisture, and dirt, all of which should be cleaned away for proper functioning. Not only can an unclean device not perform properly, but dirt may damage the delicate internal mechanisms over time.
Your manual should state exactly how the device should be cleaned, and if you’re still unsure, you can ask your audiologist for advice.
- Proper Storage Matters
Hearing aids are most commonly damaged when they’re not attached to your ear, and once you take them off, it’s incredibly important that you store your device in its dedicated case.
More often than not, the device will come with its own case, but you can also purchase an aftermarket version (just make sure you buy one for your model). Make a rule for yourself that the hearing aids are never left ‘naked’, and you’ll prevent them from getting lost or damaged by other people, pets, and the environment.
- Managing Moisture is Critical
Moisture damage can be a big problem when it comes to hearing aids. If any water gets into the internal mechanisms, the tiny circuits can short, rendering your device useless. Even if they don’t break completely, their accuracy may be greatly impaired after exposure, necessitating repair.
While many hearing aids are ‘moisture resistant’, that doesn’t mean submersible. You should generally never use your device in very steamy environments or where there’s a lot of water splashing about.
- Understanding Seasonal Concerns
The seasons can be a surprisingly big factor in how your hearing aids perform over the long term. Getting hearing aids winter-ready, for example, usually involves steps like wearing a hat that covers your device when outdoors and protects it from the rain and wind, while in the summer, you’ll need to pay extra attention to sweat build-up and clean your device more regularly than normal.
Hearing aids are designed to be hardy even though they are delicate instruments, so you don’t need to obsess over them – just be a little more careful in extreme weather conditions.
- Ensuring Your Hearing Aid Fits Properly
Many people are walking around with hearing aids that don’t fit properly, and this is usually because they haven’t taken the time to reach out to their audiologist for advice.
They can help make sure your device is attached snugly to the ear and perform a series of tests to calibrate it, as if not, you’ll have it falling out and getting damaged – not to mention the fact that you won’t be reaping the full benefits.
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- Checking Regularly for Signs of Wear and Tear
With any patient-specific medical device that’s worn daily, wear and tear are inevitable.
That said, it’s important to be on the lookout for the signs and symptoms of a device that needs repairing.
The most obvious sign is that your ability to hear suddenly lessens, but there are other indicators, such as crackling and high-pitched noises coming from the main earpiece. While most issues can be rectified quickly, the longer you leave it, the worse it might get, so be sure to contact your audiologists at your earliest convenience if you notice something’s amiss.
- Avoiding DIY Repairs
It’s important to remember that you should never attempt to repair your device yourself if it isn’t working. Hearing aid engineers and designers have learned the skills for repair through years of training, and you simply can’t hope to replicate their expertise yourself.
Not only this, but given how small they are, they have a very specific tool set for fixing these devices, and attempting a repair with standard tools will almost always result in a disastrous outcome.
- Keeping the Firmware Updated
Most modern hearing aids today rely on some form of firmware or software to run properly, and as is the case with any computerized device, these elements need to be updated regularly.
Again, your instruction manual will have a guide on exactly how to do this, which isn’t usually too complicated, but it’s important to remember that your device may not necessarily tell you when an update is due.
- Being Careful With Aerosol Cosmetics
Another set of substances you’ll need to be careful of are aerosol cosmetics. Anything you’re spraying directly onto your body, such as hairspray, deodorant, and sprayable moisturizers, can not only clog the outward-facing elements of your device but also get inside and damage the internal mechanisms.
Always make sure you take off your device when using these sorts of products, and place it in an entirely different room so that nothing in the air settles on it.
- Maintaining Good Ear Hygiene
And finally, it’s important to remember to maintain good ear hygiene.
Naturally, earwax is the main thing responsible for clogging your device, given that the microphones and receivers are right next to (or inside) your ear. Ask your audiologist for advice on how to properly clean your ears in a way that’s comfortable for you, and avoid putting cotton buds directly into the canal, as this can cause a wax impaction.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, you’re now a little clearer on how to take good care of your hearing aid. It’s not uncommon for these devices to last over five or six years if they’re looked after, so implement the tips above, and you’ll be doing all you can.