Regular maintenance and daily care of your hearing aid will reduce the need for repairs or replacement. Dysfunctional hearing instruments can happen for a multitude of reasons, but one of the biggest causes of the breakdown is obstruction.
Things like wax, debris, and moisture build up in the microphone port can impede the clear path for sound to pass through. The resulting sound quality may be poor.
So, to make sure that your aids last, you should learn how to care for them properly. With proper care and maintenance, you can keep them in great working condition.
Read on for simple, yet effective hearing aid maintenance checklist.
1. Clean Hearing Aids with a Dry Cloth
Just like with most small electronic devices, moisture is not good for hearing aids.
The moisture in the air is enough to do unseen damage to the aids. Always wipe with dry cloth at least once a day to remove moisture.
2. Test the Hearing Aid Battery
Your hearing aid is likely to outlive the battery they come with, therefore, make sure you test the battery daily to be sure it’s working at optimal levels.
If it isn’t working like it’s supposed to, it may be unable to provide optimal hearing correction. Change battery, if necessary.
3. Check the Earmold Opening for Earwax or Debris
Earwax and debris can muffle sounds, especially on an electric hearing aid.
The same goes for pocket lint, dust, and other debris. Make sure you check that opening every morning and keep it as clear as possible.
You should also know how change your earwax guards, just in case the need arises.
4. Ensure They Are Turned Off When Not in Use
You will be wasting battery if you leave your hearing aids on when you aren’t wearing them.
Double check that it’s turned off, especially at night before going to bed. Even during the day when not in use.
5. Store them Right, at Night
Ensure that they kept in a cool, dry place at night. The perfect place to store them would be a dry-aid kit.
If that is not available, then store them in the case the hearing aids came with.
6. Open the Battery Compartment Overnight
Keeping the battery compartment open after you take them off at night is a way to prevent moisture.
It also preserves the battery and the inner working electronics or your hearing aids.
7. Have Your Hearing and Hearing Aids Checked by Your Audiologist
Take your hearing aids to a hearing aid centre to have them checked by your audiologist.
A professional opinion is always great if you want your device to last longer.
8. Replace Plastic Tubing If Necessary
The plastic tubing of your hearing aid will eventually disintegrate.
Ensure you replace it as soon as it goes bad to have your aids sound brand new again.
9. Wash or Replace Earmold
If all of a sudden your hearing aid doesn’t fit anymore, you may need to replace the earmold.
And, if you find even the tiniest dirt in the earmold, wash and clean it immediately. You don’t want it to build up.
10. Change the Battery
Replace the battery as soon as it runs out. Don’t repeat old batteries to ensure your hearing aids work in optimal condition.
11. Replace the Hearing Aid if Necessary
If replacing the battery and other parts of hearing aids will cost more than getting a new one, then it may be time to get a new one.
Cleaning your hearing aids saves you money. Taking good care of your aids now will prevent greater costs later.
Observing the above tips will help you keep your hearing aids functional at all times.
And, remember to visit your doctor for a hearing test in Malaysia to check if your aids need to be upgraded.