For those who need them, hearing aids are an essential part of daily life. They give back the gift of hearing to those who have lost it, after all.
What’s more, today’s models are designed to feel like they’re barely even there, and given their size, you’d never know that they’re an extremely intricate, complex piece of technology. While the innovations on display are extremely impressive, they do mean that you need to take great care of your devices. There has been a lot of work to make hearing aids harder wearing than those of the past, but they’re by no means indestructible.
To help you understand how to care for your hearing aids, here are three top tips for protecting them.
1. Protect Them from the Elements
One of the most important aspects of hearing aid care is protecting them from the weather. Most models today have features that keep the internal components as safe from water and moisture as possible, but they’re not perfect, and there’s an onus on the user to do their part.
Always wear a hat or hood if you’re heading out in the rain to keep water from reaching the insides of your devices, and similarly, if you’re in a cold environment, be mindful when you’re moving back into the warmth. In this scenario, condensation can collect and cause damage.
It’s a good idea to have a separate set of care rules for the weather you encounter during each season (you can read some fall hearing aid tips here, for example).
2. Develop a Cleaning Routine
A proper cleaning routine is an essential part of keeping your hearing aids safe. From earwax buildup to everyday household dust, there are many different things that can prevent them from working properly, and all you really need is a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe your device down with.
Each device is slightly different, so the best place to start is with your user manual. You can also ask for help from your audiologist.
3. Be Aware of Pets and Children
A large portion of hearing aid damage occurs due to the device being mechanically broken by pets or children. They’re often the perfect size for a dog to chew up, and if a young child gets hold of them, they’re relatively easy to pull apart (children could also put them in their mouth, which represents a very serious swallowing hazard).
When you take your hearing aids off, be extra mindful of where you’re leaving them. Always put them out of reach on a high shelf, and store them safely in the carry case that came with the product (if you don’t have one of these, you should most definitely buy an aftermarket one for your specific model).
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, you now feel a little clearer about how to look after your hearing aids. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to protect them, and it could save you hundreds in the long run.
