The Dos and Don'ts of Earsmate Hearing Aid Maintenance
You wouldn’t let a car go years without a cleaning or tune-up, and the same principle should apply to hearing aids.
You count on your hearing aids every day to provide you with the hearing quality you have come to enjoy. In the rare instances when your devices malfunction, it can be a difficult few days or weeks while you wait for them to be repaired. Through some preventative maintenance and proper care, you can extend the life of your devices and reduce the chance of them malfunctioning.
The Dos and Don'ts of Hearing Aid Care Maintenance that will ensure you get the most out of your hearing devices.
Do…
1.Store your hearing aids in a safe place that is not only dry, but also cool.
2.Wash your hands before handling your hearing aids to prevent dirt and oils from contaminating the electrical units.
3.Check your batteries, and if they are not rechargeable, change them well before they run out of life.
4.Turn off your hearing aids when not in use. You may want to remove the batteries and clean their contact points occasionally to make sure everything connects properly.
5.If your hearing aids are rechargeable, remember to place them in the charging unit each night to maintain optimal performance.
6.Change the filters occasionally to avoid dirt buildup, and clean the hearing aids using the small brush or cloth that came with them.
7.Remove your hearing aids above a soft surface in case of an accidental drop.
8.Talk to a hearing care professional about having excessive earwax cleaned out of your ear. This will help improve your hearing by removing wax that can block the canal. Do not attempt to do this yourself, as using cotton swabs could perforate your eardrums.
Don’t…
1.Wear your hearing aids in the shower or when swimming. Water will damage the inner workings of typical hearing aids.
2.Use a hair dryer, hair spray, or any other type of spray with your hearing aids on.
3.Store your hearing aids in direct sunlight, in a car, or near a heating unit.
4.Use any tools on your hearing aids, as this may result in serious or permanent receiver malfunctions.
5.Leave your hearing aids or batteries in a place where they could be chewed or swallowed by pets or small children. Beyond the destruction of your devices, consuming hearing aid batteries can be deadly.
6.Wear your hearing aids during a CAT, MRI, or other electromagnetic scan.
7.Ignore your hearing aids. If you can’t clean your hearing aids or your hearing aids aren’t working properly, always contact a hearing care professional for advice and repairs.
Cleaning your hearing aids
How you clean your hearing aids will depend on whether you wear a behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), or receiver-in-canal (RIC) model. Regardless of style, you can always use a soft, dry cloth to polish the external speaker units. When handling your hearing aids, hold them above a soft surface for protection, just in case you drop them. Do not clean with disinfectant wipes unless the packaging states that they have been approved for use with a hearing aid. Never use water or any kind of cleaning fluid to wipe your hearing aids—a gentle rub should be enough to remove dirt and moisture from the external shell.
It is best to clean your hearing aids before bed so that they can air out overnight. To keep debris from getting lodged further inside the hearing aids while cleaning any interior compartments, hold the hearing aid upside down. The seat for your hearing aid battery should also be wiped down every time the battery is replaced to maintain the length of charge stated on the battery packaging.
