Hearing aids maintenance is essential to keep them functioning optimally throughout their lifespan. It also boosts the listening devices’ longevity, prevents repairs, and reduces the risk of breakdowns. Without proper maintenance and care, your hearing aids may be destroyed by moisture, dirt, and earwax build-ups easily. Effective hearing aids maintenance requires you to keep up with a regular schedule. This article outlines six crucial hearing aid maintenance tips.
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Keep your hearing aids dry
Hearing aids are electronic devices, making them vulnerable to humidity and water. While the water is not an issue, the ions in its impurities may result in an electrical charge that may bridge the device’s electronic parts’ unconnected areas, severely damaging the hearing aid’s delicate components. Since water is corrosive to many metal types, keeping your listening devices dry is an excellent way to prevent your hearing aids’ metal element deterioration.
Humidity may also damage your hearing aids. During warm weather, humidity causes sweat, creating a moist environment that may damage your listening devices. You can keep your hearing aids dry by keeping them out of swimming pools and bathrooms, using a dehumidifier to avoid moisture buildup, and using a sleeve to keep humidity or water from entering the hearing aids. However, keeping your listening devices away from moisture and water may not always be possible. Learning how to dry out hearing aids can come in handy.
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Clean your hearing aids regularly
Hearing aids are usually subjected to moisture and earwax in the ear canal. Regular cleaning is crucial to keep them clean and for reliable, improved hearing. Different hearing aids are cleaned differently. When cleaning behind-the-ear hearing aids, use warm water to clean the tubing, and don’t expose other parts to the water. Detach the mold from the hook, clean it with a brush, and use a wax pick to remove debris. If the tubing is blocked, replace it.
For the in-the-canal and in-the-ear devices, brush the vent opening, microphone port, and receiver tubing to eliminate debris and earwax. Remove the remaining debris with a wax pick, and use a dry cloth to wipe the outer part. When cleaning the receiver-in-the-canal hearing aids, use a brush to remove debris and rub the dome tip using your thumbs to eliminate any stubborn material. Use a soft and dry cloth to wipe the hearing aid down.
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Use in a hearing aid cleaning kit
A hearing aid cleaning kit has all the tools you need to keep your hearing aids clean. A good cleaning kit should have a cleaning brush for removing dirt, dandruff, dust, and other particles on the exterior shell. It must also have ventilation cleaners to remove earwax and moisture from most in-the-ear hearing aid models’ vents.
An effective hearing aid cleaning kit should have multitools like vent cleaners and wax picks. It should also have wax guards to regularly replace those in behind-the-ear hearing aids. Ensure your hearing aid cleaning kit has a drying station to keep your listening devices moisture free. The station can also be used as a carrying case.
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Schedule professional hearing aid cleanings
While you can clean your hearing aids at home, your routine may fall short. This is why creating a schedule with a hearing care expert for maintenance and cleaning is essential. Hearing care professionals have specialized tools for removing the hard-to-reach dirt and wax buildup without destroying the receiver and microphone. Professional deep cleaning is vital to minimizing future replacements and repair needs. Since hearing aids have sophisticated technology, they require specialized care.
Hearing care experts have the training, knowledge, and skills to handle hearing aids. Also, they can access manufacturer services and resources. Hearing care professionals can inspect your hearing aids for damage signs or need for repairs. Spotting potential issues before they occur or escalate gets them addressed on time, preventing costly repairs and replacements. Your hearing care provider can also give your professional advice on hearing aid care, maintenance, and troubleshooting any issues that may arise.
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Take care of the hearing aid batteries
Hearing aid batteries keep your device functioning at its optimum performance. Keep the batteries at room temperature and clean your hands well before changing them because dirty and greasy batteries can damage your listening device. Leave your hearing aid’s battery compartment open overnight for moisture to escape. This will ensure your batteries don’t corrode and destroy the hearing aid. Remove and dispose of any dead batteries promptly to ensure safety. Have extra batteries for backup in hand at all times.
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Handle hearing aids with care
While hearing aids are built to last, you should still handle them with care. Hold them with a secure grip when cleaning, inserting, or removing them. This prevents you from dropping the devices and potentially damaging them.
Endnote
Hearing aid care is crucial to ensuring your devices’ maximum performance. Use these tips to maintain your hearing aids.
