6 Tips for Hearing Aid Care
One of the best ways to preserve your hearing aids' longevity is through proper care and maintenance. Here are a few best practices!
1. STORE IN A SAFE, DRY LOCATION
Whenever you remove your hearing aids, make sure you store them in a dry location where children or pets cannot disturb them. A padded case in your nightstand drawer, for example, would be a great location. We recommend patients avoid leaving their hearing aids out in high traffic areas (think the kitchen counter) and anywhere they could be exposed to water or moisture (like the bathroom).
2. ROUTINELY CLEAN YOUR HEARING AIDS
You can wipe your hearing aids with a clean cloth to remove wax and other debris. We recommend cleaning in the morning before you put your hearing aids in, as the wax will have dried from the day before, making the devices easier to clean. We recommend a more in-depth clean at least once a year. For this, you should bring your hearing aids to our office or your local audiologist.
3. MAKE SURE HANDS ARE CLEAN BEFORE HANDLING
Be sure to always wash your hands before handling your hearing aids. Doing so will help you avoid transferring debris, dirt, and germs from your hands to your hearing aids.
4. PREVENT YOUR HEARING AIDS FROM GETTING WET
You should always remove your hearing aids before showering, washing your face, swimming, etc. Most water-resistant hearing aids can handle day-to-day moisture like sweat and getting a little wet from rain, but please take around any water/moisture sources.
5. APPLY MAKEUP AND HAIR PRODUCTS BEFORE PUTTING IN HEARING AIDS
Similar to water, products like makeup and hairspray have the potential to damage the circuitry of your hearing aids. Once applied to your face and hair, products are less likely to move/get on your hearing aids. So, get ready for your day and then put in your hearing aids.
6. MAINTAIN ROUTINE BATTERY MAINTENANCE
Because moisture can get into the battery compartment of your hearing aids during the day, we recommend patients leave the battery compartment open and allow it to dry during nighttime storage. It is also important to routinely change the batteries as needed. Hearing aid batteries can last anywhere from 3 days to a few weeks, depending on various factors like device model, frequency of use, etc. If you have questions about when and how to change your battery, be sure to contact your audiologist.
Think it is time for a new pair of hearing aids? Contact one of our offices or request an appointment. If you are a current patient and have any questions about caring for your hearing aids, send us an email or give us a call. If you are interested in more helpful information about hearing health, check out our other blog posts and follow our Roanoke and Crozet Facebook pages!
