Hearing aids are complex electronic devices. Much like you wouldn’t drive your brand new car 10,000 miles without an oil change, you should not put your hearing aids into your ears and then neglect to service them. Taking proper care of your hearing aids is key to their longevity, not to mention they are your connection to the hearing world.
You and your San Francisco audiologist worked hard to determine your exact degree of hearing loss and the best device to fit your hearing needs. Don’t throw that all away after the initial hearing aid investment.
Below are your San Francisco audiologist’s hearing aid maintenance tips.
Clean Your Hearing Aid
Think about it: your hearing aid spends all day in your grimy, moist ear. Of course it is going to get dirty. You should integrate cleaning the device after you take it out every night into your nightly routine.
You should clean the hearing aid itself with a soft, dry cloth. The earmold (the part that goes into the ear canal) should be removed and cleaned with a mild soap solution. The earmold must be completely dry before you reattach it to the rest of your device.
Check the Batteries
The batteries used in hearing aids are not like the standard mercury ones you are probably used to. Instead of draining slowly over time, these batteries can go from seemingly full to dead in an instant. This is why it is important to check their levels every morning. This can be done with a battery tester or through your phone app (if applicable).
Remove Moisture
Much like all electronic devices, moisture is the enemy of the hearing aid. A hearing aid drying container or dehumidifier can be used to remove the excess moisture. Just make sure you take the battery out of the hearing aid before you place it in the container overnight.
Easy, right? Taking care of your hearing aids is a small investment with a large payoff. For more information on keeping your hearing aids working, contact your San Francisco audiologist today.