When you take a step back and consider just how amazing it is to buy a device that fits in your ear and restores the gift of hearing, you will develop a renewed understanding of why taking care of them is so important. But for many with these devices, outside of the usual instructions they're provided with, there isn't too much information about how to maintain them. Ensuring you spend time keeping them clean and in good working order means that they will remain functional for longer and reduce the possibility of you having to purchase a new set too often.
Ask Your Healthcare Provider For Advice
This tip is really for those who are just in the process of receiving a brand new set of hearing aids, but it might not hurt for existing users to contact their otolaryngologist for some advice. However, if you are a new user and have an appointment to set up and fit your first doctors hearing aid, you should spend a few moments with them to discuss what steps you should take to ensure the aid remains in tip-top condition. They will be best positioned to proffer the kind of advice that should keep them functioning correctly. You will also need to refer to the manufacturer's guidelines vis-Ã -vis upkeep, but a doctor will usually be able to let you know the kinds of things that tend to go wrong and that their patients are most likely to come back to fix. By knowing this information, you will stand a better chance of keeping your aids for longer.
Use Protective Cases When Not In Use
Most modern hearing aids will be supplied with a protective case specially designed to fit the devices in perfectly. It's highly recommended that this case be kept and that you make use of it whenever you choose to take the aids out. Even though most hearing aids can remain in-ear indefinitely, many people don't want to have them stuck inside their ears all day long or simply need a rest once in a while (even if it’s advised to keep them in). When not in use, your hearing aids must be kept inside this protective case, which is designed to protect them from the usual bumps and drops that can occur, but can also seriously degrade them over time. You must also place them inside their protective case when you place them inside a bag for the same reasons.
Regularly Inspect For Wax And Debris
As a result of being stuck deep inside your ear, it stands to reason that these devices will accumulate wax. This wax will not just cause damage but can also reduce the effectiveness of the aids, causing some people to buy a new set prematurely. Instead, all you need to do is take them out one time per week, inspect them for earwax, and gently remove any you find using a cotton tip or whatever the manufacturer recommends in their maintenance guidelines.
Keeping your hearing aids in top condition isn't a particularly challenging task, but one that you need to be proactive about. From ensuring you keep them protected when not in use to inspecting them for earwax, there are a few things you can do that should keep them working effectively.
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