How To Keep Your Hearing Aids Working Their Best

Everyone enjoys healthy hearing for effective communication. If you or a loved one experiences hearing loss, your audiologist may recommend the use of hearing aids. They comprise a microphone, amplifier and speaker. Regular care and maintenance is essential to helping your hearing aid last for an extended period of time.

This is what to expect:

• Hearing aids will improve the sounds significantly as time goes by
• You’ll need aftercare appointments to review and adjust your hearing aids
• Your voice may sound unusual at the beginning
• Ultimately, great sounds and lively conversations

Usually, the microphone sends sound to your hearing aid converting it to electrical signals and sending them to the amplifier. The amplifier then increases signals’ power and sends them to the ear through the speaker.

Simple Tips for Maintaining Your Hearing Aids 

Proper care and maintenance are necessary to keep your hearing aids functional. Below are ways of optimizing your experience with them:

Protect Your Hearing Aids from Heat and Moisture

Always remember to take off your hearing aids when swimming or taking showers. Excess water or moisture can clog your devices ports and openings. If moisture accumulates in the tubing, it can reduce the frequency response of your device, not forgetting that it may also short-circuit the earpiece and microphone.

When the temperatures are too high during summer, you shouldn’t stuff your hearing aids in your pockets. If you remove them, place them on a cool, dry surface, preferably inside the house. Extreme heat can damage the casing and batteries.

Cultivate Good Habits When Handling Your Hearing Aids

It’d be best if you observed good hygiene habits when handling your hearing aids. Washing hands before fitting your device is highly recommendable. It’s also advisable to wear your gloves when cleaning the devices.

If you’ve to do hair sprays and gels, do so before fitting the hearing gadgets because such substances may damage your hearing aids if they enter into the ears. Other habits to cultivate include:

• Removing the batteries all night
• Rubbing the battery section with a soft brush
• Carrying a clean, dry cloth to place your hearing aid on

Clean Your Hearing Aids Regularly

Although earwax moisturizes the ear canal, protecting it from extreme dryness and itchiness, the wax isn’t good for your hearing aids. As such, your audiologist will teach you how to clean your hearing aid, preferably daily before sleeping, to allow air circulation overnight.

Use a soft brush to clean your hearing aids and focus on the microphone and earpiece. You’ll also need a wax pick and a hygienic, dry fabric for effective cleaning. Ensure you also acquire a bulb blower to blow water off the hearing aid tube.

But your cleaning techniques will vary depending on whether you’re using in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids, behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids or in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids. For ITE hearing aids, hold the device in a way that any trapped debris will fall off as you clean. You can then use your soft brush to clear the wax and conclude by cleaning the entire hearing aids with your fabric.

If you’re using BTE hearing aids, follow the same steps as those of the ITE style, but dislodge the earmold from the clasp and clean it also. Avoid using harsh chemicals or alcoholic wipes. If you realize a strong stench on your earmolds, visit your audiologist as it may imply you have an ear infection.

Your ITC hearing aids require daily cleaning, just like ITE and BTE hearing aids styles. Remember to point the device downwards when cleaning to allow dirt to fall off. Clean gently using your brush, focusing on the holes and ports. If you see dirt particles trapped inside, use your wax pick and remove them cautiously.

Visit Your Audiologist for Deep Cleaning

Daily cleaning is essential for your hearing aids, but you also need deep cleaning by professionals. Your audiologist should advise on how often you should visit for deep cleaning, depending on your hearing aids style. Alternatively, your audiologist can help you buy the most appropriate cleaning kit and teach you how to use them effectively.

The best thing about regular visits is that an audiologist will also evaluate your device for efficiency. They can detect any problem that you may not have realized. If need be, they will change your settings for the best hearing experience.

Establishing a good relationship with your audiologist is the best way to keep your hearing aids working optimally. They will not just help you get the right gadgets but will also offer continued support. If you experience inefficiencies, you can visit them for fixing to optimize their performance. Contact Baker Audiology & Hearing Aids at (605) 610-3466.